As the fleets that fought the Battled of Earth spread out further and further into the galaxy, the Sol Bulletin was rebranded as the Galaxy Bulletin to reflect the new breadth of its coverage.
The 5.29.2187 issue of the Galaxy Bulletin was published approximately one year after the Crucible fired.
Palaven Named As Seat of New Council
Today the Interspecies Council announced its new permanent seat: the Turian homeworld of Palaven. “The old Council always looked to the Turian Hierarchy for protection,” said Dalatrass Narra, acting Salarian Councilor. “During the Reaper War they reminded the entire galaxy why. Between Turian strength and Turian honor, Palaven is undoubtedly the safest place in the galaxy for the new Council to meet.”
The announcement was cause for celebration on Palaven, one of several planets that have been lobbying to serve as home for the new Council. The final decision was made in a closed-door session, but the choice of a Turian planet over an Asari world – other strong possibilities included Thessia as well as several other Asari colonies – seems to be another sign of the Asari's decreased power on the new Council. Despite the devastation of Thessia and a number of other worlds, the Asari remain one of the wealthiest and most advanced species in the galaxy, but the Turians have emerged from the Reaper War as seemingly the most influential. Their active role in the war forged strong bonds with the Systems Alliance, Krogan Clans, and United Rannoch Peoples that are now paying off politically.
The Council will relocate from its temporary seat on the Alliance colony of Terra Nova within the next year. While all Council seats to date have officially been temporary, several Council members announced today that they will become their nations' permanent representatives. Urdnot Bakara will be the permanent Councilor for the Krogan Clans, and Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay will represent the United Rannoch Peoples.
General Jenna Shepard of the Systems Alliance confirmed that she will be stepping down from the Council before the move to Palaven. Shepard’s ongoing health concerns have caused many to predict that her Council tenure would be brief. Her departure may pose a diplomatic conundrum for the Council: Shepard stepped into the role as part of a compromise between the Systems Alliance and the newly-formed United Nations of Earth. The UNE has suggested in the past that it will apply for separate membership in the Council after Shepard’s tenure, an almost entirely unprecedented event in Council history.
Showing posts with label sb summit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sb summit. Show all posts
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Galaxy Bulletin, 1.14.2187
The Sol Bulletin was originally intended as a temporary way for the survivors of the Battle of Earth to stay informed in the chaos following the firing of the Crucible. As time passed and more and more media outlets began running again - for instance, the Alliance News Network, which was back to running constant coverage less than two weeks after the Crucible fired - the editors and reporters of the Sol Bulletin considered closing up shop.
However, the Sol Bulletin's independent reporting and willingness to keep publishing even under pressure from the Alliance - for instance, after Khalisah al-Jilani was arrested, or after their London offices were raided following a rebroadcast of Persephone footage - had won them a loyal readership and an unexpected prominence in the nascent new galactic society. In the end, the publication continued to operate.
However, the name "Sol Bulletin," it was decided, had become a misnomer, as the majority of the Bulletin's reporting now took place outside the Sol system. The Bulletin was rebranded as the Galaxy Bulletin. The rebranding effort included a new numbering scheme based off of Earth standard dates.
The 1.14.2187 issue of the Galaxy Bulletin was published approximately six months after the Crucible fired.
Alliance Parliament Will Convene Without Earth Delegates
Alliance High Command and diplomats from various Earth-based governments announced today that the latest round of talks over elections for the Alliance Parliament have failed to resolve disagreements over the role of Earth-based governments. "The 'Earth First' proposal President Ford brought to the table is a violation of the Systems Alliance Charter. It's not acceptable to us," said Major Kaidan Alenko, head of the Alliance delegation to the negotiations. "National governments haven't had the power to directly assign their parliamentary delegations for decades. And the idea that certain parliamentary privileges would apply to Earth-based representatives is frankly ridiculous."
President Lisa Ford of the UNAS was equally dismissive in her statement. "The Alliance couldn't protect Earth during the Reaper War. They failed us. Now they want to go back to the same old system with the same people in charge. It's not acceptable. The people of Earth deserve better."
Major Alenko said colony and spacer elections will go forward and the Parliament will convene next month as planned, and operate to the best of its ability until arrangements for elections on Earth can be agreed upon. President Ford responded that Earth would recognize no Parliament without Earth-based delegates.
Despite the apparent impasse, both Alenko and Ford emphasized that this was a temporary arrangement and negotiations would continue. Some analysts consider the end of these latest talks as de facto secession of Earth from the Alliance, however. After Ford and Alenko's statements, the Salarian Union announced that it would be opening separate diplomatic relationships with several Earth-based nations.
However, the Sol Bulletin's independent reporting and willingness to keep publishing even under pressure from the Alliance - for instance, after Khalisah al-Jilani was arrested, or after their London offices were raided following a rebroadcast of Persephone footage - had won them a loyal readership and an unexpected prominence in the nascent new galactic society. In the end, the publication continued to operate.
However, the name "Sol Bulletin," it was decided, had become a misnomer, as the majority of the Bulletin's reporting now took place outside the Sol system. The Bulletin was rebranded as the Galaxy Bulletin. The rebranding effort included a new numbering scheme based off of Earth standard dates.
The 1.14.2187 issue of the Galaxy Bulletin was published approximately six months after the Crucible fired.
Alliance Parliament Will Convene Without Earth Delegates
Alliance High Command and diplomats from various Earth-based governments announced today that the latest round of talks over elections for the Alliance Parliament have failed to resolve disagreements over the role of Earth-based governments. "The 'Earth First' proposal President Ford brought to the table is a violation of the Systems Alliance Charter. It's not acceptable to us," said Major Kaidan Alenko, head of the Alliance delegation to the negotiations. "National governments haven't had the power to directly assign their parliamentary delegations for decades. And the idea that certain parliamentary privileges would apply to Earth-based representatives is frankly ridiculous."
President Lisa Ford of the UNAS was equally dismissive in her statement. "The Alliance couldn't protect Earth during the Reaper War. They failed us. Now they want to go back to the same old system with the same people in charge. It's not acceptable. The people of Earth deserve better."
Major Alenko said colony and spacer elections will go forward and the Parliament will convene next month as planned, and operate to the best of its ability until arrangements for elections on Earth can be agreed upon. President Ford responded that Earth would recognize no Parliament without Earth-based delegates.
Despite the apparent impasse, both Alenko and Ford emphasized that this was a temporary arrangement and negotiations would continue. Some analysts consider the end of these latest talks as de facto secession of Earth from the Alliance, however. After Ford and Alenko's statements, the Salarian Union announced that it would be opening separate diplomatic relationships with several Earth-based nations.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Sol Bulletin #29
The following is excerpted from issue #29 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 #29 was released thirty one days after the Crucible fired.
Fleets Withdraw From Luna; Shepard Speaks
Today the force of Asari, Geth and Turian warships assembled over Luna withdrew back to their respective fleets, after a nearly 24 hour standoff saw recently-friendly fleets locked in a standoff over Luna.
The combined fleet was deployed around Luna to pressure the Alliance into releasing war hero Commander Jenna Shepard, who was apparently being held in an Alliance facility on Luna's surface. The withdrawal followed a lengthy closed-door session of the Inter-species Summit, which met without any representatives from Earth due to their walk-out protest yesterday when it was first discovered that Commander Shepard was being held in an Alliance facility. By agreement in the Summit, Primarch Victus of the Turian Hierarchy was allowed to visit the Alliance's indoctrination treatment center and speak to Commander Shepard, who has apparently been living there since the Battle of Earth.
Following the visit, Primarch Victus issued a statement: "I am satisfied that Commander Shepard is not being held against her will and is being accorded the respect due to a sentient of her stature. The Inter-species Summit will continue to monitor the situation, but for the moment we're satisfied that she's alright." The Primarch pledged that an investigation into the affair would continue. "The Alliance will face a lot of hard questions about exactly what happened here."
Primarch Victus also presented a brief recorded video message from the Commander:
Transcript follows:
"Hello, I'm Commander Shepard. I'm sorry that I haven't spoken to you before now. The truth is, I wasn't up to it after the battle. I had a lot of Reaper contact before and during the war. At the very end of the battle I was beginning to feel the effects of indoctrination. Fortunately I was with an exceptional team, and they completed the mission without me. Despite me.
"I want to say two things. First, I'm here, I'm safe, and the last thing I want anyone to do is fight because of me. We all stood together to fight the Reapers. A lot of people died to make that Alliance real. Don't throw it away now.
"Second, I'm ok. I was feeling the effects of indoctrination. Indoctrination is a spectrum - we've known that since before the Battle of the Citadel. At one end are the monsters the Reapers made out of our fallen soldiers and loved ones. At the other end are people affected by Reaper contact who are struggling with strange thoughts and feelings. If that's you, or you're afraid it might be - you don't have to live with it. You can get better. The people here can help you. They helped me.
"Thanks. That's all I wanted to say. That, and... it's late, and I'm sorry, but... we won. Thank you to everyone. Survivors on Earth, fighters in the fleets. Thank you."
The Sol Bulletin attempted to reach some of Shepard's known associates, such as Garrus Vakarian and Admiral Tali'Zorah, but located nobody who was willing to comment. Major Kaidan Alenko answered the Sol Bulletin's emails with a brief statement in which he implicitly confirmed he fought alongside Shepard on the Citadel: "I won't contradict the Commander's story. But I have to set one thing straight: we couldn't have done it without her, and I'm not being polite or making a point. I mean Hammer and Sword would have failed and the Crucible would never haved fired if not for what Shepard did up there."
Alliance High Command has not issued a statement and spokespeople refused to comment. The Alliance did, however, quietly and without fanfare release Miranda Lawson, Kasumi Goto and Khalisah al-Jilani from custody.
Fleets Withdraw From Luna; Shepard Speaks
Today the force of Asari, Geth and Turian warships assembled over Luna withdrew back to their respective fleets, after a nearly 24 hour standoff saw recently-friendly fleets locked in a standoff over Luna.
The combined fleet was deployed around Luna to pressure the Alliance into releasing war hero Commander Jenna Shepard, who was apparently being held in an Alliance facility on Luna's surface. The withdrawal followed a lengthy closed-door session of the Inter-species Summit, which met without any representatives from Earth due to their walk-out protest yesterday when it was first discovered that Commander Shepard was being held in an Alliance facility. By agreement in the Summit, Primarch Victus of the Turian Hierarchy was allowed to visit the Alliance's indoctrination treatment center and speak to Commander Shepard, who has apparently been living there since the Battle of Earth.
Following the visit, Primarch Victus issued a statement: "I am satisfied that Commander Shepard is not being held against her will and is being accorded the respect due to a sentient of her stature. The Inter-species Summit will continue to monitor the situation, but for the moment we're satisfied that she's alright." The Primarch pledged that an investigation into the affair would continue. "The Alliance will face a lot of hard questions about exactly what happened here."
Primarch Victus also presented a brief recorded video message from the Commander:
[Video not available in this archive]
Transcript follows:
"Hello, I'm Commander Shepard. I'm sorry that I haven't spoken to you before now. The truth is, I wasn't up to it after the battle. I had a lot of Reaper contact before and during the war. At the very end of the battle I was beginning to feel the effects of indoctrination. Fortunately I was with an exceptional team, and they completed the mission without me. Despite me.
"I want to say two things. First, I'm here, I'm safe, and the last thing I want anyone to do is fight because of me. We all stood together to fight the Reapers. A lot of people died to make that Alliance real. Don't throw it away now.
"Second, I'm ok. I was feeling the effects of indoctrination. Indoctrination is a spectrum - we've known that since before the Battle of the Citadel. At one end are the monsters the Reapers made out of our fallen soldiers and loved ones. At the other end are people affected by Reaper contact who are struggling with strange thoughts and feelings. If that's you, or you're afraid it might be - you don't have to live with it. You can get better. The people here can help you. They helped me.
"Thanks. That's all I wanted to say. That, and... it's late, and I'm sorry, but... we won. Thank you to everyone. Survivors on Earth, fighters in the fleets. Thank you."
The Sol Bulletin attempted to reach some of Shepard's known associates, such as Garrus Vakarian and Admiral Tali'Zorah, but located nobody who was willing to comment. Major Kaidan Alenko answered the Sol Bulletin's emails with a brief statement in which he implicitly confirmed he fought alongside Shepard on the Citadel: "I won't contradict the Commander's story. But I have to set one thing straight: we couldn't have done it without her, and I'm not being polite or making a point. I mean Hammer and Sword would have failed and the Crucible would never haved fired if not for what Shepard did up there."
Alliance High Command has not issued a statement and spokespeople refused to comment. The Alliance did, however, quietly and without fanfare release Miranda Lawson, Kasumi Goto and Khalisah al-Jilani from custody.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sol Bulletin #28
The following is excerpted from issue #28 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 #28 was released thirty days after the Crucible fired.
Shepard Alive On Luna
A sparsely attended press conference called by the team that will attempt treatment of two indoctrinated individuals from Earth was the scene of unexpected drama today, when Commander Jenna Shepard surprised reporters and event staff by walking onstage and taking the podium.
The Commander was visibly unwell. She was pale and haggard and her hands shook as she stood before the small crowd of reporters. When she spoke, however, her voice had the firm and decided tone familiar across the galaxy from countless interviews and ubiquitous Alliance recruitment vids.
"I need to say something," the Commander said into the microphone. "Miranda Lawson and Kasumi Goto are good people. They're heroes. They should be released at once, or if they're really indoctrinated they should be sent here for treatment."
Reporters started to shout questions; some rushed forward toward the podium and had to be restrained by local police officers on hand at the event. Meanwhile, Commander Shepard was hurried out of the room by Dr. Liara T'Soni, the scientist scheduled to speak at the conference.
News of Shepard's brief appearance was at first met by widespread skepticism, but after a video taken by an alert journalist hit the extranet doubt was quickly replaced by rampant speculation. Local authorities on Luna denied any knowledge of the Commander's presence; Lt. Chris Larson, a spokesman for Alliance High Command, admitted that the Alliance had sponsored the indoctrination treatment program but denied that Command had known Commander Shepard was there.
Nobody from the indoctrination treatment team could not be reached for comment. Eyewitnesses noted that Shepard's arrival seemed to surprise Dr. T'Soni, but that Dr. T'Soni's speed in assisting the Commander offstage suggested she was not completely shocked.
An Alliance special forces team was deployed to the facility housing the team and has cordoned off the area. Nobody has been seen coming in or out since.
Shepard's sudden appearance, and the Alliance's apparent complicity in her disappearance, created a political firestorm. Representatives from Earth-based nations walked out of the Inter-species Summit in protest to what President Lisa Ford called "conspiratorial and frankly tyrranous behavior from our so-called friends in the Alliance." Meanwhile, the Asari, Turian and Geth fleets hastily cooperated to deploy a large force to close orbit over Luna. Primarch Victus explained the move on the floor of the Summit, saying all three fleets, together with the Krogan ground forces, were prepared to take drastic steps to rescue Commander Shepard from Alliance custody if her welfare seemed to be in any doubt.
Primarch Victus specifically called on the Quarians to join their newfound Turian and Geth allies, but the Quarian Admiralty Board is reportedly deadlocked on how to react to the new development
No official has been willing to comment on the question of what Commander Shepard is doing at an indoctrination treatment facility, or on whether Commander Shepard was or is indoctrinated.
Shepard Alive On Luna
A sparsely attended press conference called by the team that will attempt treatment of two indoctrinated individuals from Earth was the scene of unexpected drama today, when Commander Jenna Shepard surprised reporters and event staff by walking onstage and taking the podium.
The Commander was visibly unwell. She was pale and haggard and her hands shook as she stood before the small crowd of reporters. When she spoke, however, her voice had the firm and decided tone familiar across the galaxy from countless interviews and ubiquitous Alliance recruitment vids.
"I need to say something," the Commander said into the microphone. "Miranda Lawson and Kasumi Goto are good people. They're heroes. They should be released at once, or if they're really indoctrinated they should be sent here for treatment."
Reporters started to shout questions; some rushed forward toward the podium and had to be restrained by local police officers on hand at the event. Meanwhile, Commander Shepard was hurried out of the room by Dr. Liara T'Soni, the scientist scheduled to speak at the conference.
News of Shepard's brief appearance was at first met by widespread skepticism, but after a video taken by an alert journalist hit the extranet doubt was quickly replaced by rampant speculation. Local authorities on Luna denied any knowledge of the Commander's presence; Lt. Chris Larson, a spokesman for Alliance High Command, admitted that the Alliance had sponsored the indoctrination treatment program but denied that Command had known Commander Shepard was there.
Nobody from the indoctrination treatment team could not be reached for comment. Eyewitnesses noted that Shepard's arrival seemed to surprise Dr. T'Soni, but that Dr. T'Soni's speed in assisting the Commander offstage suggested she was not completely shocked.
An Alliance special forces team was deployed to the facility housing the team and has cordoned off the area. Nobody has been seen coming in or out since.
Shepard's sudden appearance, and the Alliance's apparent complicity in her disappearance, created a political firestorm. Representatives from Earth-based nations walked out of the Inter-species Summit in protest to what President Lisa Ford called "conspiratorial and frankly tyrranous behavior from our so-called friends in the Alliance." Meanwhile, the Asari, Turian and Geth fleets hastily cooperated to deploy a large force to close orbit over Luna. Primarch Victus explained the move on the floor of the Summit, saying all three fleets, together with the Krogan ground forces, were prepared to take drastic steps to rescue Commander Shepard from Alliance custody if her welfare seemed to be in any doubt.
Primarch Victus specifically called on the Quarians to join their newfound Turian and Geth allies, but the Quarian Admiralty Board is reportedly deadlocked on how to react to the new development
No official has been willing to comment on the question of what Commander Shepard is doing at an indoctrination treatment facility, or on whether Commander Shepard was or is indoctrinated.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sol Bulletin #27
The following is excerpted from issue #27 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 #27 was released twenty nine days after the Crucible fired.
Arcturus Command Reports Contact With Eden Prime Colony
Today Admiral Quwil of Arcturus Command sent word that elements of the advance force sent through the Arcturus-2 relay to the Exodus Cluster have successfully activated the Exodus relay and returned to Arcturus. Even more significantly, they report successful contact with the human colony of Eden Prime. For the first time since the Crucible fired, the Sol system is connected with another inhabited world.
The news was a welcome relief to sentients across Sol. Many ships were run by skeleton crews as impromptu inter-ship celebrations were announced on ships large enough to host them, and traffic to the Terminus fleets ships that have been serving as space-bound pleasure destinations rose dramatically. The milestone is more than symbolic. Eden Prime has an extensive agricultural base, and while some fighting took place during the war, infrastructure is largely intact. Eden Prime will probably be able to supply all levo-amino sentients in the various fleets with food for the foreseeable future.
Even while the celebrations continued, many fleets announced plans to relocate the bulk of their forces to either Arcturus or the Exodus Cluster, including the Asari, Salarians, and the ships of the Terminus Fleet. The tense political situation in Sol that likely accounts for these hasty re-deployments was reflected in a noted lack of jubilation among officials of the Earth-based governments. A spokeswoman for the Chinese People's Federation seem to captured the mood when she characterized the reconnection with Eden Prime as "good news for aliens" - the implication being, perhaps, that only bad news for non-humans would be viewed as good news on Earth in the current political climate.
The Inter-species Summit did not meet today, for the first time since it was first called to order. Officials on both sides of the Earth/space divide seem relieved that the galaxy has suddenly gotten bigger again.
Arcturus Command Reports Contact With Eden Prime Colony
Today Admiral Quwil of Arcturus Command sent word that elements of the advance force sent through the Arcturus-2 relay to the Exodus Cluster have successfully activated the Exodus relay and returned to Arcturus. Even more significantly, they report successful contact with the human colony of Eden Prime. For the first time since the Crucible fired, the Sol system is connected with another inhabited world.
The news was a welcome relief to sentients across Sol. Many ships were run by skeleton crews as impromptu inter-ship celebrations were announced on ships large enough to host them, and traffic to the Terminus fleets ships that have been serving as space-bound pleasure destinations rose dramatically. The milestone is more than symbolic. Eden Prime has an extensive agricultural base, and while some fighting took place during the war, infrastructure is largely intact. Eden Prime will probably be able to supply all levo-amino sentients in the various fleets with food for the foreseeable future.
Even while the celebrations continued, many fleets announced plans to relocate the bulk of their forces to either Arcturus or the Exodus Cluster, including the Asari, Salarians, and the ships of the Terminus Fleet. The tense political situation in Sol that likely accounts for these hasty re-deployments was reflected in a noted lack of jubilation among officials of the Earth-based governments. A spokeswoman for the Chinese People's Federation seem to captured the mood when she characterized the reconnection with Eden Prime as "good news for aliens" - the implication being, perhaps, that only bad news for non-humans would be viewed as good news on Earth in the current political climate.
The Inter-species Summit did not meet today, for the first time since it was first called to order. Officials on both sides of the Earth/space divide seem relieved that the galaxy has suddenly gotten bigger again.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Sol Bulletin #24
The following is excerpted from issue #24 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 #24 was released twenty six days after the Crucible fired.
Asari Justicar Killed Attempting To Escape Police Custody
Despite an eleventh hour compromise in the Inter-species Summit that would have delivered her to Systems Alliance jurisdiction, the Asari justicar known as Samara was killed today attempting to escape from UNAS military police. The Alliance personnel charged with relocating her to the fleet had actually touched down at the facility where Samara was being held when she reportedly used biotics to break out of her cell and began to fight her way toward the base perimeter. Images released by the UNAS military show a hole torn directly through a thick cement wall.
Samara went down fighting, and the UNAS is reporting that she killed 3 soldiers and wounded many more during her escape. Several eyewitness accounts contradict that number, however; one soldier who spoke to the Sol Bulletin on condition of anonymity estimated that at least 20 soldiers had died fighting Samara, with several times that seriously wounded.
Responses have varied across the Sol system, and camps that praise or decry Samara's action have sprung up in almost every fleet present in Sol. Admiral Zaal'Koris of the Migrant Fleet made a statement to express his sympathy with the loved ones of the soldiers who died, while his counterpart Admiral Han'Gerrel delivered a fiery invective in the Inter-species Summit protesting "the disrespect of our Asari allies" that he said characterized the incident. "It's less than 30 days since the Asari entered Sol and helped rescue Earth," Gerrel said. "I didn't realize humans had such short memories."
Alliance High Command issued a measured statement, expressing regret over the lost life on both sides and urging continued cooperation between Earth and the various fleets in Sol. The lack of a firm stance is widely suspected to belie a divide among Alliance leadership. Admiral Hackett, famous for his role in multilateral operations like Operation Sword or the Battle of the Citadel, has historically been extremely friendly to alien and extrasolar concerns, but not every member of his senior suborindates shares a similar disposition. Such a divide would mirror the opinions of rank-and-file Alliance soldiers.
Even the Asari response is far from unified. Matriarch Lidanya has already survived a vote-of-no-confidence from all Asari in Sol, via an electronic referendum, and is expected to face another today or tomorrow. Her opponents, however, come in equal numbers from the camp that says she should have taken a hard-line and extracted Samara by force, and from the opposing camp that says she should have worked closely with the UNAS from the start to avert the foreseeable consequences of Samara's escape attempt.
Only Earth-based governments presented a united front, with every government condeming Samara's actions and the lack of cooperation from the Asari government. Several nations, including the European Union and the Chinese People's Federation, are in the process of expelling Asari relief workers and soldiers. The UNAS has taken an even harder-line stance, and has ordered all aliens out of its territory immediately. Many aliens are being shuttled back to their fleets, but a general evacuation is pending attempts to negotiate with President Lisa Ford in the Inter-species Summit.
Asari Justicar Killed Attempting To Escape Police Custody
Despite an eleventh hour compromise in the Inter-species Summit that would have delivered her to Systems Alliance jurisdiction, the Asari justicar known as Samara was killed today attempting to escape from UNAS military police. The Alliance personnel charged with relocating her to the fleet had actually touched down at the facility where Samara was being held when she reportedly used biotics to break out of her cell and began to fight her way toward the base perimeter. Images released by the UNAS military show a hole torn directly through a thick cement wall.
Samara went down fighting, and the UNAS is reporting that she killed 3 soldiers and wounded many more during her escape. Several eyewitness accounts contradict that number, however; one soldier who spoke to the Sol Bulletin on condition of anonymity estimated that at least 20 soldiers had died fighting Samara, with several times that seriously wounded.
Responses have varied across the Sol system, and camps that praise or decry Samara's action have sprung up in almost every fleet present in Sol. Admiral Zaal'Koris of the Migrant Fleet made a statement to express his sympathy with the loved ones of the soldiers who died, while his counterpart Admiral Han'Gerrel delivered a fiery invective in the Inter-species Summit protesting "the disrespect of our Asari allies" that he said characterized the incident. "It's less than 30 days since the Asari entered Sol and helped rescue Earth," Gerrel said. "I didn't realize humans had such short memories."
Alliance High Command issued a measured statement, expressing regret over the lost life on both sides and urging continued cooperation between Earth and the various fleets in Sol. The lack of a firm stance is widely suspected to belie a divide among Alliance leadership. Admiral Hackett, famous for his role in multilateral operations like Operation Sword or the Battle of the Citadel, has historically been extremely friendly to alien and extrasolar concerns, but not every member of his senior suborindates shares a similar disposition. Such a divide would mirror the opinions of rank-and-file Alliance soldiers.
Even the Asari response is far from unified. Matriarch Lidanya has already survived a vote-of-no-confidence from all Asari in Sol, via an electronic referendum, and is expected to face another today or tomorrow. Her opponents, however, come in equal numbers from the camp that says she should have taken a hard-line and extracted Samara by force, and from the opposing camp that says she should have worked closely with the UNAS from the start to avert the foreseeable consequences of Samara's escape attempt.
Only Earth-based governments presented a united front, with every government condeming Samara's actions and the lack of cooperation from the Asari government. Several nations, including the European Union and the Chinese People's Federation, are in the process of expelling Asari relief workers and soldiers. The UNAS has taken an even harder-line stance, and has ordered all aliens out of its territory immediately. Many aliens are being shuttled back to their fleets, but a general evacuation is pending attempts to negotiate with President Lisa Ford in the Inter-species Summit.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sol Bulletin #23
The following is excerpted from issue #23 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 #23 was released twenty five days after the Crucible fired.
Asari Justicar Arrested On Earth
The Asari justicar responsible for the deaths of dozens of UNAS citizens in an anti-alien riot was arrested today on Earth by UNAS soldiers after a tense standoff with Asari commandos that almost ended in bloodshed. The justicar is currently in Alliance custody as debate over her fate rages in the Inter-species Summit and across the Sol system.
The justicar, known only as Samara, was located when UNAS military police responded to reports of a firefight in a devastated area outside New York City. An armed gang was apparently operating out of an evacuated housing complex, running a protection scam against local refugees and selling goods on the black market. Samara engaged gang members and had killed 9 of them by the time authorities responded.
The justicar refused to surrender to authorities, leading to a tense standoff that grew worse when a team of Asari commandos violated UNAS airspace to land their ship and deploy against the UNAS. The commandos and UNAS forces were reportedly on the verge of opening fire on each other when Samara agreed to surrender to the UNAS, averting a conflict.
Samara's behavior is difficult for non-Asari to understand. Justicars operate according to a strict code of justice which they abide absolutely and to the letter. Justicars are trained to follow their code regardless of the consequences, whether that means their own death or - as in this case - a major diplomatic incident. In this case, Samara apparently decided that, under the circumstances, a part of her code requiring temporary cooperation with local authority, traditionally only invoked by Asari law enforcement, applied to UNAS forces.
An expert on Asari justicar the Sol Bulletin spoke to emphasized that Samara's cooperation is only temporary; after the first day, her detention will be unlawful under the code, and she will fight to the death for her freedom.
With the clock ticking, an intense debate took place in the Inter-Species Summit over Samara's fate. UNAS President Lisa Ford insisted that she will not be extradited and will be tried on Earth for the murder of UNAS citizens. Matriarch Lidanya said that the UNAS was not properly equipped to hold and try Samara, and that furthermore her trial on Earth would be an intolerable insult to the Asari people. She said that the Asari must take custody of Samara and will take responsibility for her good conduct while in Sol.
Representatives for the Systems Alliance, which technically has no jurisdiction on Earth, called for patience, suggesting Samara might be turned over to them temporarily while the issue is debated further. Perhaps ironically, the Geth and Quarians, whose personnel were rescued by Samara, were the loudest voices in the Summit supporting the Alliance's compromise proposal.
Asari Justicar Arrested On Earth
The Asari justicar responsible for the deaths of dozens of UNAS citizens in an anti-alien riot was arrested today on Earth by UNAS soldiers after a tense standoff with Asari commandos that almost ended in bloodshed. The justicar is currently in Alliance custody as debate over her fate rages in the Inter-species Summit and across the Sol system.
The justicar, known only as Samara, was located when UNAS military police responded to reports of a firefight in a devastated area outside New York City. An armed gang was apparently operating out of an evacuated housing complex, running a protection scam against local refugees and selling goods on the black market. Samara engaged gang members and had killed 9 of them by the time authorities responded.
The justicar refused to surrender to authorities, leading to a tense standoff that grew worse when a team of Asari commandos violated UNAS airspace to land their ship and deploy against the UNAS. The commandos and UNAS forces were reportedly on the verge of opening fire on each other when Samara agreed to surrender to the UNAS, averting a conflict.
Samara's behavior is difficult for non-Asari to understand. Justicars operate according to a strict code of justice which they abide absolutely and to the letter. Justicars are trained to follow their code regardless of the consequences, whether that means their own death or - as in this case - a major diplomatic incident. In this case, Samara apparently decided that, under the circumstances, a part of her code requiring temporary cooperation with local authority, traditionally only invoked by Asari law enforcement, applied to UNAS forces.
An expert on Asari justicar the Sol Bulletin spoke to emphasized that Samara's cooperation is only temporary; after the first day, her detention will be unlawful under the code, and she will fight to the death for her freedom.
With the clock ticking, an intense debate took place in the Inter-Species Summit over Samara's fate. UNAS President Lisa Ford insisted that she will not be extradited and will be tried on Earth for the murder of UNAS citizens. Matriarch Lidanya said that the UNAS was not properly equipped to hold and try Samara, and that furthermore her trial on Earth would be an intolerable insult to the Asari people. She said that the Asari must take custody of Samara and will take responsibility for her good conduct while in Sol.
Representatives for the Systems Alliance, which technically has no jurisdiction on Earth, called for patience, suggesting Samara might be turned over to them temporarily while the issue is debated further. Perhaps ironically, the Geth and Quarians, whose personnel were rescued by Samara, were the loudest voices in the Summit supporting the Alliance's compromise proposal.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sol Bulletin #21
The following is excerpted from issue #21 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 #21 was released twenty three days after the Crucible fired.
Asari Biotic Attacks Human Rioters, Kills Over 40
Tension between humans and aliens on Earth exploded today as a crowd suddenly turned against a Geth/Quarian relief team in the city of Los Angeles. A team of Geth and Quarian engineers were working together to repair a damaged ground vehicle overpass, and a large crowd formed. What sparked the initial violence is unclear, but eyewitnesses report that a segment of the crowd suddenly rushed the team of Quarian marines providing security.
The Quarians discharged electrical weapons, which they had been issued by the Quarian fleet to use as non-lethal ordinance. However, these weapons, while relatively safe when used on suited Quarians, proved unexpectedly dangerous against unarmored humans. Thy halted initial the charge, but seriously injured several people and provoked the rest of the crowd, which advanced on the marines and started throwing stones and rubble. Disorder spread out from the worksite as well, as rioters began looting the damaged businesses and homes in the area.
Aircraft from the UNAS military scrambled to evacuate the engineers. Their arrival on the scene triggered another charge from the crowd; eyewitnesses say people in the crowd thought the aircraft were Quarian gunships. The Quarians discharged their electrical weapons again, but this time the crowd closed with them and started fighting hand-to-hand.
At this point events took an unexpected turn. Reportedly, an Asari biotic appeared on the scene and came to the aid of the Quarian marines. She biotically pulled several rioters out of the melee with the marines and sent several shockwaves into the crowd, allowing the marines to retreat to the evac ships. However, the Asari did not retreat; instead, she continued to advance into the crowd, creating shockwaves and setting off several biotic explosions. When rioters started to flee, she fired on them with an assault rifle.
Authorities are reporting 44 dead humans at the scene, all killed with either biotics or rifle fire. Two more humans died in hospital, both from electrical burns from the Quarians' weapons. Meanwhile, the Quarian marines sustained several serious injuries. Two were killed using improvised weapons before the marines were able to retreat.
Admiral Tali'Zorah, who represents the Migrant Fleet on the Inter-species Summit, deplored the violence and expressed her deep regret for "the terrible loss of life on what was supposed to be a mission of peace." However, Admiral Han'Gerrel took the unprecedented step of issuing his own statement, saying that "these thugs deserved what they got, and anyone who harms a Quarian anywhere in Sol will get the same." President Lisa Ford of the UNAS protested Gerrel's remarks, calling the Asari biotic "bad as a Reaper," and refusing to "apologize for the actions of UNAS citizens against aliens who show such a callous regard for human life."
Matriarch Lidanya of the Asari Fleet issued a brief statement in response to queries about the Asari biotic. "The Asari in question was a justicar acting in accordance with her religious beliefs. We will take responsibility for making sure that this tragic incident is not repeated."
Asari justicars are a small religious order with law enforcement powers inside Asari space. They enjoy a remarkable degree of authority and independence within their usual jurisdictions. Matriarch Lidanya made no comment on the justicar's current whereabouts or how exactly she came to Earth.
Asari Biotic Attacks Human Rioters, Kills Over 40
Tension between humans and aliens on Earth exploded today as a crowd suddenly turned against a Geth/Quarian relief team in the city of Los Angeles. A team of Geth and Quarian engineers were working together to repair a damaged ground vehicle overpass, and a large crowd formed. What sparked the initial violence is unclear, but eyewitnesses report that a segment of the crowd suddenly rushed the team of Quarian marines providing security.
The Quarians discharged electrical weapons, which they had been issued by the Quarian fleet to use as non-lethal ordinance. However, these weapons, while relatively safe when used on suited Quarians, proved unexpectedly dangerous against unarmored humans. Thy halted initial the charge, but seriously injured several people and provoked the rest of the crowd, which advanced on the marines and started throwing stones and rubble. Disorder spread out from the worksite as well, as rioters began looting the damaged businesses and homes in the area.
Aircraft from the UNAS military scrambled to evacuate the engineers. Their arrival on the scene triggered another charge from the crowd; eyewitnesses say people in the crowd thought the aircraft were Quarian gunships. The Quarians discharged their electrical weapons again, but this time the crowd closed with them and started fighting hand-to-hand.
At this point events took an unexpected turn. Reportedly, an Asari biotic appeared on the scene and came to the aid of the Quarian marines. She biotically pulled several rioters out of the melee with the marines and sent several shockwaves into the crowd, allowing the marines to retreat to the evac ships. However, the Asari did not retreat; instead, she continued to advance into the crowd, creating shockwaves and setting off several biotic explosions. When rioters started to flee, she fired on them with an assault rifle.
Authorities are reporting 44 dead humans at the scene, all killed with either biotics or rifle fire. Two more humans died in hospital, both from electrical burns from the Quarians' weapons. Meanwhile, the Quarian marines sustained several serious injuries. Two were killed using improvised weapons before the marines were able to retreat.
Admiral Tali'Zorah, who represents the Migrant Fleet on the Inter-species Summit, deplored the violence and expressed her deep regret for "the terrible loss of life on what was supposed to be a mission of peace." However, Admiral Han'Gerrel took the unprecedented step of issuing his own statement, saying that "these thugs deserved what they got, and anyone who harms a Quarian anywhere in Sol will get the same." President Lisa Ford of the UNAS protested Gerrel's remarks, calling the Asari biotic "bad as a Reaper," and refusing to "apologize for the actions of UNAS citizens against aliens who show such a callous regard for human life."
Matriarch Lidanya of the Asari Fleet issued a brief statement in response to queries about the Asari biotic. "The Asari in question was a justicar acting in accordance with her religious beliefs. We will take responsibility for making sure that this tragic incident is not repeated."
Asari justicars are a small religious order with law enforcement powers inside Asari space. They enjoy a remarkable degree of authority and independence within their usual jurisdictions. Matriarch Lidanya made no comment on the justicar's current whereabouts or how exactly she came to Earth.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sol Bulletin #20
The following is excerpted from issue #20 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 #20 was released twenty two days after the Crucible fired.
Persephone Arrested On Independent Cruiser
The Alliance is reporting that the rogue operative known as Persephone has been arrested on Alpha, an independent cruiser that took part in Operation Sword as part of the so-called Terminus Fleet. "The Alliance received intelligence that Persephone was aboard Alpha," reported Alliance spokesman Commander Chris Larson. "At approximately 2300 hours Sol Standard Time, Alpha was sequestered by a wolf pack of Alliance frigates. A team of N7-rated marines boarded Alpha and successfully captured Persephone." Persephone - who Larson said Alliance officials had identified as Kasumi Goto, a high-tech thief with known Cerberus ties - was apparently renting quarters from one of Alpha's many part-owners.
Goto's arrest has led to a new focus on the complex status of Alpha and other Terminus ships in the delicate power-sharing arrangement in Sol. The Terminus Fleet is not represented in the Inter-species Summit, though it does have representatives with various military high commands. Larger Terminus ships like the Alpha have in certain cases begun to operate more as space stations than as vessels, receiving large amounts of incoming traffic and serving as lawless centers of black-market trade. The Summit has been unable to agree on a multilateral approach to these independent ships, while the various military commands have thus far been unwilling to commit to unilateral actions.
The captain of Alpha, the Salarian Kido Sayn, was allowed to address the Inter-species Summit to protest Goto's arrest. "The Alliance soldiers who attacked Alpha are criminals and they should be treated as such. The Alliance forced their way on board by threatening to kill anyone who resisted - or blow us out of space if we fired on their shuttles. It was an act of piracy against an independent ship, and it will not stand. The ships of the Terminus Fleet will not stand for this kind of treatment again."
Lieutenant James Vega, the N7 operative who led the team that arrested Goto, went before the Summit to defend his team's actions. He said they received intelligence regarding Goto's identity and location, and had to act immediately to prevent Goto from escaping as she did on Luna. He provided the Summit with the intelligence provided to the Alliance, including surveillance footage and com records that seem to tie Goto to the Persephone recording. When questioned, Lt. Vega declined to identify the source of the intelligence, citing operational security.
The Summit did not provide a joint comment on the affair. Matriarch Lidanya said that while she is glad Goto has been caught, she regretted the Alliance's heavy-handed approach. The Conclave of the Quarian Fleet issued a statement supporting the right of a captain to decide who is permitted aboard hir ship.
Persephone Arrested On Independent Cruiser
The Alliance is reporting that the rogue operative known as Persephone has been arrested on Alpha, an independent cruiser that took part in Operation Sword as part of the so-called Terminus Fleet. "The Alliance received intelligence that Persephone was aboard Alpha," reported Alliance spokesman Commander Chris Larson. "At approximately 2300 hours Sol Standard Time, Alpha was sequestered by a wolf pack of Alliance frigates. A team of N7-rated marines boarded Alpha and successfully captured Persephone." Persephone - who Larson said Alliance officials had identified as Kasumi Goto, a high-tech thief with known Cerberus ties - was apparently renting quarters from one of Alpha's many part-owners.
Goto's arrest has led to a new focus on the complex status of Alpha and other Terminus ships in the delicate power-sharing arrangement in Sol. The Terminus Fleet is not represented in the Inter-species Summit, though it does have representatives with various military high commands. Larger Terminus ships like the Alpha have in certain cases begun to operate more as space stations than as vessels, receiving large amounts of incoming traffic and serving as lawless centers of black-market trade. The Summit has been unable to agree on a multilateral approach to these independent ships, while the various military commands have thus far been unwilling to commit to unilateral actions.
The captain of Alpha, the Salarian Kido Sayn, was allowed to address the Inter-species Summit to protest Goto's arrest. "The Alliance soldiers who attacked Alpha are criminals and they should be treated as such. The Alliance forced their way on board by threatening to kill anyone who resisted - or blow us out of space if we fired on their shuttles. It was an act of piracy against an independent ship, and it will not stand. The ships of the Terminus Fleet will not stand for this kind of treatment again."
Lieutenant James Vega, the N7 operative who led the team that arrested Goto, went before the Summit to defend his team's actions. He said they received intelligence regarding Goto's identity and location, and had to act immediately to prevent Goto from escaping as she did on Luna. He provided the Summit with the intelligence provided to the Alliance, including surveillance footage and com records that seem to tie Goto to the Persephone recording. When questioned, Lt. Vega declined to identify the source of the intelligence, citing operational security.
The Summit did not provide a joint comment on the affair. Matriarch Lidanya said that while she is glad Goto has been caught, she regretted the Alliance's heavy-handed approach. The Conclave of the Quarian Fleet issued a statement supporting the right of a captain to decide who is permitted aboard hir ship.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Sol Bulletin #16
The following is excerpted from issue #16 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 #16 was released eighteen days after the Crucible fired.
Mob Attacks Quarian Relief Team in UNAS
A Quarian relief worker is in critical condition today after a mob assaulted his team in New York City. The attack occurred as the combined Geth and Quarian team was working to repair water infrastructure in the district of Brooklyn. A crowd formed, apparently under the impression that the relief workers had come to distribute food. When the team began working on the water main, a rumor spread that the team was polluting the drinking water with an Indoctrination agent of some kind.
"I don't know what they were doing with the water," said Harvey Kingsley, a Brooklyn resident who denied taking part in the attack. "Maybe nothing, maybe not. But they shouldn't be working on our water anyway. It should be humans. What if we get an alien disease or something?" (The odds of Quarians carrying a disease that would infect humans are infinitesimal.) Kingsley said he did not support the attack, but he also didn't want aliens in Brooklyn.
The crowd started throwing stones and rubble and one Quarian was struck with an improvised club, breaching his suit. The team was unarmed, and took shelter in a derelict building until an Alliance biotic detail assisting with rubble-clearing operations in the area arrived on the scene. They used biotic shockwaves to disperse the crowd, causing several minor injuries in the process, and escorted the Quarians out of the area.
Admiral Zorah of the Migrant Fleet took the lead in appealing for unity in the Inter-species Summit. "This is a difficult time for everyone. This was a terrible thing, and obviously we need to do more to protect our recovery teams and to reach out about our mission, but we're still committed to helping Earth."
However, President Lisa Ford of the United North American States objected to the deployment of more fleet troops to UNAS territory and criticized the Alliance biotics. "People are afraid. They've been through a lot. More alien and Alliance soldiers on the streets will only scare them. We need to reach them with patience, understanding, and help, not biotic shockwaves and threats to 'rip them apart.'"
Migrant fleet officials announced that the injured Quarian was in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery. The Geth with the team suffered no injuries and declined to leave New York City with the Quarians, pledging to continue supporting the relief effort.
Mob Attacks Quarian Relief Team in UNAS
A Quarian relief worker is in critical condition today after a mob assaulted his team in New York City. The attack occurred as the combined Geth and Quarian team was working to repair water infrastructure in the district of Brooklyn. A crowd formed, apparently under the impression that the relief workers had come to distribute food. When the team began working on the water main, a rumor spread that the team was polluting the drinking water with an Indoctrination agent of some kind.
"I don't know what they were doing with the water," said Harvey Kingsley, a Brooklyn resident who denied taking part in the attack. "Maybe nothing, maybe not. But they shouldn't be working on our water anyway. It should be humans. What if we get an alien disease or something?" (The odds of Quarians carrying a disease that would infect humans are infinitesimal.) Kingsley said he did not support the attack, but he also didn't want aliens in Brooklyn.
The crowd started throwing stones and rubble and one Quarian was struck with an improvised club, breaching his suit. The team was unarmed, and took shelter in a derelict building until an Alliance biotic detail assisting with rubble-clearing operations in the area arrived on the scene. They used biotic shockwaves to disperse the crowd, causing several minor injuries in the process, and escorted the Quarians out of the area.
Admiral Zorah of the Migrant Fleet took the lead in appealing for unity in the Inter-species Summit. "This is a difficult time for everyone. This was a terrible thing, and obviously we need to do more to protect our recovery teams and to reach out about our mission, but we're still committed to helping Earth."
However, President Lisa Ford of the United North American States objected to the deployment of more fleet troops to UNAS territory and criticized the Alliance biotics. "People are afraid. They've been through a lot. More alien and Alliance soldiers on the streets will only scare them. We need to reach them with patience, understanding, and help, not biotic shockwaves and threats to 'rip them apart.'"
Migrant fleet officials announced that the injured Quarian was in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery. The Geth with the team suffered no injuries and declined to leave New York City with the Quarians, pledging to continue supporting the relief effort.
Friday, April 6, 2012
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."
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."
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sol Bulletin #10
The following is excerpted from issue #10 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 #10 was released twelve days after the Crucible fired.
Betrayal Devastated Arcturus Flotilla; Was Indoctrination To Blame?
The Arcturus Flotilla remains outside the Oort cloud today, and is not responding to comms from civilian ships. After a marathon session, the Inter-species Summit finally commented on the Flotilla's status. President Lisa Ford of the UNAS, Urdnot Wrex of the Krogan forces, Matriarch Lidanya of the Asari fleet, and Admiral Hackett of the Systems Alliance appeared together in a broadcast made to the entire Sol system, each reading from the same prepared statement.
"Major Kaidan Alenko of the System Alliance broadcast his report on the outcome of the mission to Arcturus to Alliance High Command upon reentering the Sol system," President Ford said. "As previously agreed, that report was immediately shared with every Earth government and with each military high command in the Sol system. Major Alenko reported full success in restoring the Arcturus Relay. However, his report also noted the tragic loss of the Asari frigate Joyous and the Alliance cruiser Manila, and included several deeply troubling details surrounding the incident."
"Approximately thirty six hours after the Flotilla left Sol, Joyous made an unusual broadcast on an open channel." Urdnot Wrex continued. "The message was unintelligible, and Joyous stopped responding to communications. Alenko - I mean, Major Kaidan Alenko - placed the Flotilla on alert. Manila was near Joyous and moved closer to investigate. Joyous accelerated suddenly and moved to ram Manila, which was unable to avoid a collision. The impact destroyed both ships."
"Search-and-rescue operations were attempted, but no survivors were found," read Matriarch Lidanya. "However, Asari ships do contain flight recorders designed to survive even the ship's destruction. Joyous' recorder was discovered and its data included in Major Alenko's report. It includes security video footage of a commando assigned to the Joyous assaulting the command deck and killing the crew. The communications officer tried to signal the fleet for help, but was killed before she could complete the transmission. The assailant then sealed the command deck, took control of the helm, and, noticing Manila's approach, moved to ram the other ship."
"Based on the behavior of the assailant, and certain statements she made that were captured by the flight recorder," concluded Admiral Hackett, "it's possible that she was acting under the influence of Indoctrination. In light of this, the only known case of Indoctrination since the Reapers were destroyed, the Flotilla is being isolated so that its members can be screened to the best of our ability. Initial interviews are already underway. I'm afraid we have no information on how this particular individual might have become affected."
"On behalf of the Summit, please allow me to say to every sentient in Sol: stay calm. Obviously the possibility of Indoctrination outlasting the Reapers is deeply troubling. We are proactively making preparations to account for any number of scenarios. We will get to the bottom of this. And we will protect you."
Betrayal Devastated Arcturus Flotilla; Was Indoctrination To Blame?
The Arcturus Flotilla remains outside the Oort cloud today, and is not responding to comms from civilian ships. After a marathon session, the Inter-species Summit finally commented on the Flotilla's status. President Lisa Ford of the UNAS, Urdnot Wrex of the Krogan forces, Matriarch Lidanya of the Asari fleet, and Admiral Hackett of the Systems Alliance appeared together in a broadcast made to the entire Sol system, each reading from the same prepared statement.
"Major Kaidan Alenko of the System Alliance broadcast his report on the outcome of the mission to Arcturus to Alliance High Command upon reentering the Sol system," President Ford said. "As previously agreed, that report was immediately shared with every Earth government and with each military high command in the Sol system. Major Alenko reported full success in restoring the Arcturus Relay. However, his report also noted the tragic loss of the Asari frigate Joyous and the Alliance cruiser Manila, and included several deeply troubling details surrounding the incident."
"Approximately thirty six hours after the Flotilla left Sol, Joyous made an unusual broadcast on an open channel." Urdnot Wrex continued. "The message was unintelligible, and Joyous stopped responding to communications. Alenko - I mean, Major Kaidan Alenko - placed the Flotilla on alert. Manila was near Joyous and moved closer to investigate. Joyous accelerated suddenly and moved to ram Manila, which was unable to avoid a collision. The impact destroyed both ships."
"Search-and-rescue operations were attempted, but no survivors were found," read Matriarch Lidanya. "However, Asari ships do contain flight recorders designed to survive even the ship's destruction. Joyous' recorder was discovered and its data included in Major Alenko's report. It includes security video footage of a commando assigned to the Joyous assaulting the command deck and killing the crew. The communications officer tried to signal the fleet for help, but was killed before she could complete the transmission. The assailant then sealed the command deck, took control of the helm, and, noticing Manila's approach, moved to ram the other ship."
"Based on the behavior of the assailant, and certain statements she made that were captured by the flight recorder," concluded Admiral Hackett, "it's possible that she was acting under the influence of Indoctrination. In light of this, the only known case of Indoctrination since the Reapers were destroyed, the Flotilla is being isolated so that its members can be screened to the best of our ability. Initial interviews are already underway. I'm afraid we have no information on how this particular individual might have become affected."
"On behalf of the Summit, please allow me to say to every sentient in Sol: stay calm. Obviously the possibility of Indoctrination outlasting the Reapers is deeply troubling. We are proactively making preparations to account for any number of scenarios. We will get to the bottom of this. And we will protect you."
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sol Bulletin #8
The following is excerpted from issue #8 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 #8 was released ten days after the Crucible fired.
Quarian Admiral Visits Earth As Relief Missions Begin
Today marked the first large-scale deployments of personnel from the various alien fleets to assist in the recovery efforts on Earth. Although every species made contributions – including even the aquatic Hanar, who sent a team that will assist in the repair of several undersea geothermal power plants – by far the largest deployments came from the Geth and Quarian fleets, which have the largest pools of much-needed technical talent.
Admiral Tali’Zorah vas Rannoch absented herself from the Inter-species Summit today in order to accompany the combined Geth/Quarian mission to Mexico City. She assisted the team in restoring 90% of the city’s power grid in one day, a feat that has restored electricity to millions for the first time since the Reaper’s first attacked. She also took time to meet with President Lisa Ford, and even to visit an elementary school and speak to the children.
“I’ve been lucky to serve on ships with many humans,” the Admiral told the press on her way off-world to return to the summit, “but today I got to see a new side of your people. You are not just the brave warriors and skilled professionals I have met out in the galaxy. You also come from a beautiful world, and raise beautiful children. My people’s greatest wish is that, someday soon, our children will live happy and healthy lives on our own homeworld. It is a great privilege for us to be able to help you restore such a life to your children."
Admiral Zorah downplayed reports of Quarian and Geth relief workers being met with suspicion and hostility by the local populace. “Most humans do not know very much about us, and the human history with the Geth is obviously very complicated. Our suits and the Geth platforms must seem strange to people who just spent several months fighting the Reapers. Things will get easier as we get to know each other better.”
Asked about her time with Commander Shepard, Admiral Zorah said the Commander was “one of the best people I‘ve ever met. Everyone on Earth should be proud of her accomplishments.” She declined to comment on Commander Shepard’s current well-being.
Quarian Admiral Visits Earth As Relief Missions Begin
Today marked the first large-scale deployments of personnel from the various alien fleets to assist in the recovery efforts on Earth. Although every species made contributions – including even the aquatic Hanar, who sent a team that will assist in the repair of several undersea geothermal power plants – by far the largest deployments came from the Geth and Quarian fleets, which have the largest pools of much-needed technical talent.
Admiral Tali’Zorah vas Rannoch absented herself from the Inter-species Summit today in order to accompany the combined Geth/Quarian mission to Mexico City. She assisted the team in restoring 90% of the city’s power grid in one day, a feat that has restored electricity to millions for the first time since the Reaper’s first attacked. She also took time to meet with President Lisa Ford, and even to visit an elementary school and speak to the children.
“I’ve been lucky to serve on ships with many humans,” the Admiral told the press on her way off-world to return to the summit, “but today I got to see a new side of your people. You are not just the brave warriors and skilled professionals I have met out in the galaxy. You also come from a beautiful world, and raise beautiful children. My people’s greatest wish is that, someday soon, our children will live happy and healthy lives on our own homeworld. It is a great privilege for us to be able to help you restore such a life to your children."
Admiral Zorah downplayed reports of Quarian and Geth relief workers being met with suspicion and hostility by the local populace. “Most humans do not know very much about us, and the human history with the Geth is obviously very complicated. Our suits and the Geth platforms must seem strange to people who just spent several months fighting the Reapers. Things will get easier as we get to know each other better.”
Asked about her time with Commander Shepard, Admiral Zorah said the Commander was “one of the best people I‘ve ever met. Everyone on Earth should be proud of her accomplishments.” She declined to comment on Commander Shepard’s current well-being.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sol Bulletin #5
The following is excerpted from issue #5 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 #5 was released seven days after the Crucible fired.
Tensions Mount in Inter-species Summit
The ongoing summit between leaders from the various alien fleets and intact Sol settlements nearly collapsed today. A discussion of plans for making contact with Asari colonies flared into conflict when Urdnot Wrex, leader of the Krogan forces attached to the Turian fleet, criticized a casual use of the phrase "Council races" by Matriarch Lidanya, captain of the Destiny Ascension and acting commander of Asari forces in Sol.
"There are no Council races anymore," the Krogan reportedly told the summit. "There's no damn Council, and no Citadel for it to meet on anyway. And if you want a new Council, you can get use to having a Krogan at the table.”
Urdnot’s proclamation led to chaos in the summit chamber. Order was only restored after Admiral Hackett arrived and personally addressed the summit, calling for unity and a focus on the summit’s agenda.
After the summit recessed for the day, Admiral Quwil, commander of Salarian forces in Sol, issued a statement, criticizing Urdnot Wrex for using the summit as a “platform for personal aggrandizement.” Matriarch Lidanya was more conciliatory in her own statement, echoing Admiral Hackett in asking for a focus of more immediate issues. Urdnot Wrex’s own statement was brief but dismissive: “The so-called ‘Council Races’ know things are going to change. If they don't want to admit it yet, that's their problem.”
As of press time, Primarch Victus had issued no statement on Wrex's remark. The summit is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.
Tensions Mount in Inter-species Summit
The ongoing summit between leaders from the various alien fleets and intact Sol settlements nearly collapsed today. A discussion of plans for making contact with Asari colonies flared into conflict when Urdnot Wrex, leader of the Krogan forces attached to the Turian fleet, criticized a casual use of the phrase "Council races" by Matriarch Lidanya, captain of the Destiny Ascension and acting commander of Asari forces in Sol.
"There are no Council races anymore," the Krogan reportedly told the summit. "There's no damn Council, and no Citadel for it to meet on anyway. And if you want a new Council, you can get use to having a Krogan at the table.”
Urdnot’s proclamation led to chaos in the summit chamber. Order was only restored after Admiral Hackett arrived and personally addressed the summit, calling for unity and a focus on the summit’s agenda.
After the summit recessed for the day, Admiral Quwil, commander of Salarian forces in Sol, issued a statement, criticizing Urdnot Wrex for using the summit as a “platform for personal aggrandizement.” Matriarch Lidanya was more conciliatory in her own statement, echoing Admiral Hackett in asking for a focus of more immediate issues. Urdnot Wrex’s own statement was brief but dismissive: “The so-called ‘Council Races’ know things are going to change. If they don't want to admit it yet, that's their problem.”
As of press time, Primarch Victus had issued no statement on Wrex's remark. The summit is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sol Bulletin #3
The following is excerpted from issue #3 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 #3 was released five days after the Crucible fired.
Inter-species Summit Convenes on SSV Elbrus
With the fate of the Arcturus Flotilla still unclear, today the dreadnought SSV Elbrus hosted a summit with representatives from every fleet and every major Earth government. The summit's agenda was simple: with Earth devastated and the fleet unprepared for long-term operation without resupply, how will the sentients currently trapped in the Sol system survive?
While stressing that contacting settlements outside the Sol system remains an urgent necessity, several leaders expressed optimism after the first day of the summit. "We came to Sol in the spirit of unity," said Primarch Victus of the Turian Hierarchy. "I'm glad to say that spirit is still alive and well, and with care, we have all the resources we need until contact is restored with the rest of the galaxy."
Some measures have already been agreed upon. Enough Quarian lifeships survived the Battle of Earth to allow foodsharing with the Turian Hierarchy's ships. With rationing, this should provide dextro-amino sentients enough food to last for at least a year - although Admiral Zorah of the Quarians emphasized that securing another food source must still be a priority. "We lost too many lifeships to feed everyone forever. Our agricultural facilities will need to operate beyond a sustainable level to feed the Quarian and Turian fleets. Without another food source, we will be locked into a downward spiral as the lifeship ecologies fail."
The Quarians are making other contributions as well. Quarian engineers with a lifetime of experience keeping ships running without proper supply or drydock facilities (all of which were destroyed by the Reapers) will be dispatched through out the fleet to make sure even ships damaged in the Battle of Earth will still be able to contribute to the fleet's efforts. The Geth have also volunteered for widespread deployment; the strength and resilience of Geth platforms, combined with their technical acumen, makes them ideally suited for a number of jobs that would be dangerous or impossible for other sentients.
Other measures have been agreed to in principle but are not yet ready for implementation. A great deal of focus will be placed on speeding the recovery of Earth. "Earth stands ready to assist the fleets that came to our defense," said President Lisa Ford of the United North American States. "The fleet has technical expertise and supplies that we need, and there's a lot they can do to bootstrap our recovery, which will then allow us to return the favor." Ford admitted that a full recovery of Earth-based agriculture may take too long to provide for the entire fleet's short-term food needs, but emphasized that every effort must nonetheless be made, especially given the uncertain status of other food sources, such as colonies outside the Sol system.
All the summit attendees demurred to comment on setting up a provisional government for the Sol system for the duration of the emergency, an issue which has been extremely contentious to date. Earth-based (and some Alliance) officials claim that Sol remains sovereign human territory, while leaders of the alien fleets insist that, under the circumstances, power must be shared between all the sentients in Sol.
Inter-species Summit Convenes on SSV Elbrus
With the fate of the Arcturus Flotilla still unclear, today the dreadnought SSV Elbrus hosted a summit with representatives from every fleet and every major Earth government. The summit's agenda was simple: with Earth devastated and the fleet unprepared for long-term operation without resupply, how will the sentients currently trapped in the Sol system survive?
While stressing that contacting settlements outside the Sol system remains an urgent necessity, several leaders expressed optimism after the first day of the summit. "We came to Sol in the spirit of unity," said Primarch Victus of the Turian Hierarchy. "I'm glad to say that spirit is still alive and well, and with care, we have all the resources we need until contact is restored with the rest of the galaxy."
Some measures have already been agreed upon. Enough Quarian lifeships survived the Battle of Earth to allow foodsharing with the Turian Hierarchy's ships. With rationing, this should provide dextro-amino sentients enough food to last for at least a year - although Admiral Zorah of the Quarians emphasized that securing another food source must still be a priority. "We lost too many lifeships to feed everyone forever. Our agricultural facilities will need to operate beyond a sustainable level to feed the Quarian and Turian fleets. Without another food source, we will be locked into a downward spiral as the lifeship ecologies fail."
The Quarians are making other contributions as well. Quarian engineers with a lifetime of experience keeping ships running without proper supply or drydock facilities (all of which were destroyed by the Reapers) will be dispatched through out the fleet to make sure even ships damaged in the Battle of Earth will still be able to contribute to the fleet's efforts. The Geth have also volunteered for widespread deployment; the strength and resilience of Geth platforms, combined with their technical acumen, makes them ideally suited for a number of jobs that would be dangerous or impossible for other sentients.
Other measures have been agreed to in principle but are not yet ready for implementation. A great deal of focus will be placed on speeding the recovery of Earth. "Earth stands ready to assist the fleets that came to our defense," said President Lisa Ford of the United North American States. "The fleet has technical expertise and supplies that we need, and there's a lot they can do to bootstrap our recovery, which will then allow us to return the favor." Ford admitted that a full recovery of Earth-based agriculture may take too long to provide for the entire fleet's short-term food needs, but emphasized that every effort must nonetheless be made, especially given the uncertain status of other food sources, such as colonies outside the Sol system.
All the summit attendees demurred to comment on setting up a provisional government for the Sol system for the duration of the emergency, an issue which has been extremely contentious to date. Earth-based (and some Alliance) officials claim that Sol remains sovereign human territory, while leaders of the alien fleets insist that, under the circumstances, power must be shared between all the sentients in Sol.
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