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FNN
Apr 21, 2017 3:14:15 GMT
Post by Nola on Apr 21, 2017 3:14:15 GMT
Federation News NetworkFrom the Galaxy to Your TerminalThank you for setting up your subscription! The latest headlines from around the Federation (and beyond) will now be delivered conveniently to your personal terminal, and accessible by any PADD on your local network.Here are today's stories: Archive:
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FNN
Apr 21, 2017 22:28:54 GMT
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Post by Nola on Apr 21, 2017 22:28:54 GMT
BREAKING: Gorn Attack on Cestus IIICestus III has been attacked by what appear to be Gorn vessels. The Gorn Hegemony, never comfortable with any long term Federation presence on their doorstep, has apparently launched an attack on Cestus III, targeting the capital in a space based photon torpedo strike at the city's technical infrastructure. Casualties are not yet confirmed, but likely to number hundreds or even thousands. Cestus III Governor Hamilton and Starfleet Admiral Revali are believed to have survived unharmed, although the first torpedo to hit was likely an attempt to end their lives, impacting the capital's grand baseball stadium where they both attended the Comets vs. Pioneers spring brawl. Valiantly continuing his coverage through the event, FNN Sports' Toral Ladann reported on the strike: "The first bomb went off in the East stand, across the field from the VIP boxes, mere meters above the commentator benches. I was thrown forward a couple of rows by the hot air blast which seared my hair and shawl. [coughing] I'm being carried away from the impact zone right now, but I can see a gaping hole at least ten seats across, ablaze with red flames. I can also hear more explosions going off outside-" Live transmission on the Sports network was cut off at that point. Current reports reaching us from Starbase 331 speak of intentional targeting of the colony's transmission and defence infrastructure. The USS Chiron, newly recommissioned and now under command of Captain Sara Sumner, is on site to assess the situation and provide humanitarian aid on the ground. The Khopesh and Takoba have also been dispatched to aid the Chiron and are en route. FNN will keep you updated on this troubling event, bringing you any updates as soon as we receive them. - Sandra Bonington, FNN HQ, San Francisco, Earth (written by Rascal )
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FNN
Apr 21, 2017 22:32:05 GMT
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Post by Nola on Apr 21, 2017 22:32:05 GMT
Levodian Flu Outbreak Continues on Tandar PrimeThe USS Zorya, recently re-launched with the surviving crew from the Hyperion and now under command of Captain Jiang Zhihao, has joined the USS Salk to mount a joint relief mission to Tandar Prime, which continues to suffer a severe outbreak of the highly contagious Levodian Flu disease. Yesterday, Starfleet Medical announced they were preparing to declare the outbreak an epidemic, which would allow them to direct more resources to the colony. With efforts like these, Starfleet shows its continuing dedication to the member worlds of the Federation, providing aid to their citizens when needed, even under the strain of turmoil and the threat of war. For a specialist view on the Levodian Flu, FNN spoke with Doctor David Mulhouse, viral specialist at Starfleet Medical here in San Fransisco: "The Levodian Flu is actually pretty similar to the human common flu, a disease we've known since antiquity. You'd develop a fever, feel cold, or hot, or both. Your muscles will hurt, might experience some trembling, too. The coughing and sneezing is what gets the stuff airborne, though, spreading the infection pretty swiftly. Compared to our local version, the symptoms run only for a maximum of twenty nine hours. While that might sound better, it really isn't, as all severity of the illness occurs in that compressed time frame. That includes complications, giving medical staff much less time to react when faced with escalations, in elderly folks or people with a respiratorial disease history and such. Stuff could get really nasty really quick that way. So, yeah, it's important to get that outbreak on Tandar under control as soon as possible, I'd say." Currently, the Zorya and Salk are in orbit of Tandar prime and are dispatching supplies to the surface where needed, while the Zorya's medical crew will be beaming down for sampling and assessment of the severity of the situation on the ground. - Sandra Bonington, FNN HQ, San Francisco, Earth (Written by Rascal )
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FNN
Apr 21, 2017 22:34:37 GMT
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Post by Nola on Apr 21, 2017 22:34:37 GMT
Other NewsWith President Shezor Ell's advisors again confirming he will not be seeking reelection, next year's search for a successor promises to develop into a high stakes game, one with the very future of the Federation at it's core. The political field, wide as it is, seems to be experiencing widespread polarisation into pro-war and pro-diplomacy opinions. As a growing third factor, some representatives from member worlds far removed from conflict have been quoted to be calling for disassociation altogether, believing the Separatiststs would not be seeking control of seceded sytems. Please subscribe to our political news list for more reports and details as we gather them.
And, finally and unfortunately, last month's apparent breakthrough in the investigation into our dearly missed colleague Alexandra Lincoln's wherabouts has turned out to be another dead end. Last seen on Starbase 16, she disappeared shortly after the terrorist attack by the Order of the New Kai, and her subsequent visit to the Bremen. If you can see this, Alexandra: we're with you, always. (Written by Rascal)
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Post by Nola on Aug 26, 2017 22:21:50 GMT
Salting the Earth The Federation Innoculates Against Section 31 By Phara Jemke
SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH - Anyone who's had the chance to see the Federation Council Chamber can attest that the room is 'grand' in every sense of the word. At over 150 meters long, it's almost large enough to fit a Nova-class exploration vessel, and for good reason - under normal circumstances, the room has to accommodate the full delegations of over 200 Federation member words. For the last year and a half, nearly 60 of those delegations have remained absent. The Council has decided to leave those tables belonging to the separatist worlds empty, both as a reminder of the gravity of the conflict with the so-called 'True Federation,' and as a statement of hope that those worlds will once more seat delegations in this massive chamber.
The present reality, of course, is that the conflict is unlikely to end soon.
As Starfleet and the Federation adjust to this new reality, the Federation Council has begun to address a number of important questions. Last month, Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Martin Walker delivered a speech to the Council in that chamber where he both stated his belief that Starfleet had expelled 'nearly all' of Section 31 from its Logistics and Intelligence divisions, and admitted that there was no way to be completely certain. In all, it was a memorable speech in its honest assessment of Starfleet, and in Admiral Walker's resolute tone. Polls after the speech showed nearly 80% approval of Admiral Walker as C-in-C, which is the highest in over 30 years. I published an interview with the Admiral shortly after that poll was released, and he expressed both gratitude for the Federation's faith in him, and an understanding of the responsibility placed before him. This understanding was relayed in a part of his speech that, in my opinion, received far too little media attention.
"Starfleet must change," the Admiral had said. To that end, he proposed to the Council a radical change in Starfleet's management: civilian oversight of Starfleet Intelligence.
To be frank, this caused some confusion among my colleagues. "Isn't Starfleet already under Civilian oversight?" was a common question after that part of the speech. With the abundance of other, more easily understood content to work with, it's not entirely surprising that most shied away from this portion of the speech. I was tempted at the time to go on a crusade of correction, but, since we're being honest, I saw a golden opportunity for an article, and here we are.
It is true that the C-in-C reports directly to the Federation Council, and it's true that the Council governs the general direction of Starfleet, but the reality is that Starfleet, to this point, has been largely independent. To be fair, this was practically necessary. Starfleet is massive. The Federation is massive. The Council simply hasn't had the capacity to micromanage Starfleet to a significant degree, so Starfleet's management was left to the Admiralty. The result of this hands-off approach is now obvious, but it's worth noting that the conflict with Section 31 is not the first time this management style has failed us.
Those who live on Earth might well remember an incident during the Dominion War where the power grids on the North American and European continents were disabled. The streets were left in pitch black as panic began to set in. Was the Dominion about to attack? Was the Earth about to fall? Starfleet was quick to respond, of course, dispatching ground troops to major population centers. Armed guards patrolled the streets, and all Starfleet personnel and their immediate families were made to undergo blood screenings in a planet-wide Changeling hunt. For those of us old enough to remember, it was a terrifying few days in paradise.
And then it turned out to be an attempted coup. An overzealous Admiral had directed a group of Starfleet Cadets to sabotage the power grids in order to convince the President to hand emergency power to Starfleet Command. The Admiral confessed, was quickly tried, and the incident was declared resolved in order to focus on the continuing conflict with the Dominion. That incident, however, revealed something deeply disturbing about the Federation's contol of Starfleet: it was dependent on the moral fiber of the Admiralty.
We see, now, where that got us.
More than anything else Admiral Walker said in that speech, the proposal to reduce the discretionary power of the Admiralty in favor of civilian control is both incredible and necessary. That the Admiral himself was the one to propose it speaks highly of him, and the faith placed in him by Federation citizens.
So, what will this look like? To put it simply, Starfleet Intelligence will submit all proposed operations to a select committee of Federation Councilors for review. This committee will consist of the four Founder Worlds (Earth, Andoria, Vulcan, and Tellar) and a randomized, rotating group of 5 additional Councilors. While the Founder Worlds will hold permanent seats on the committee, a Council representative was quick to assure me that they will not hold any unilateral power - that means no vetoes. If at least 5 Councilors approve of an operation, it proceeds. Otherwise, it doesn't.
Obviously there are a number of concerns about this approach, especially among the rest of the Admiralty. Will the Council act quickly enough? Will they have enough information to make these decisions? The Council is well aware of these concerns, and Admiral Walker will work closely with them to address them as the process goes along. If I had to guess, I would say that there will be some bumps along the way, and there are legitimate questions about whether those are bumps the Federation can afford.
I spoke with Admiral Walker yesterday about these concerns, and I will let his words speak for themselves:
"It won't be efficient, and it won't be clean, but it is absolutely necessary that this process becomes an open one. Section 31 operated in the shadows, Ms. Jemke. They relied upon secrecy and the Council's willingness to look the other way, and it put us all through the ringer. Men, women, and non-binary Starfleet officers are fighting and dying over this, and we owe it to each and every one of them to get this right. Not efficient, not clean, but right. It won't be enough to simply uproot the weeds. We need to salt the earth to make sure they can't come back."
The voice most notably absent from this conversation is Shezor Ell, who is in fact still Federation President - the election's not for another six months. After leaving several messages, his office gave me a boilerplate statement expressing confidence in Admiral Walker's judgment. That's all well and good, of course, but it's worth remembering that 'President of the United Federation of Planets' is not just a figurehead position. I am, of course, sympathetic to the ordeal President Ell went through. If I had been held prisoner by the Tzenkethi for three months, I probably wouldn't want to be President either, but that raises the question: why not just resign? That, however, is a subject for a different article.
As it stands, the Council has the authority to create this oversight committee, and shed light into the dark corners that Section 31 used to inhabit. With or without Shezor Ell, the Federation has begun to 'salt the earth.'
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Post by Nola on Nov 14, 2017 5:33:35 GMT
Where is the Chiron? FNN Cannot Confirm Whereabouts By Phara Jemke
SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH - It wouldn't surprise you to hear that Starfleet is a massive organization. At the time of this publication there are over 30,000 ships in active service, with 10,000 in reserve, and another 5,000 to be produced over the next year, and that will 'only' get us back to our post-Tzenkethi War numbers (putting the totality of Section 31's treachery into stark, depressing contrast). Long story short, it takes a lot for any particular ship or crew to stand out from the immense pack. For most ships, a single moment in the press spotlight is the most a given crew can hope for, for whatever that spotlight is worth (probably not much).
Of course, there are a few ships that seem to remain in the headlines, for whatever reason. Every outlet follows the exploits of our esteemed Flagship, for example, and there's always that one ship that captures a particular correspondent's attention.
At FNN, the Axiom is our Starfleet Division's current starlet. As the first of the new Guardian-class battlecruisers, all eyes are on her to see what the next generation of Starfleet hardware can do. The tech nerds are especially excited, frequently throwing out big numbers that go right over this gossip-junky's head.
Eyes are also on the state-of-the-art Odyssey Station, and the quasi-venerable time-skipping USS Tempest, which serve as the backbone of Starfleet's line of defense against Section 31.
The Zorya remains a sentimental favorite around the office, a workhorse vessel now in the hands of a storied crew.
And then there's the USS Chiron, and her notorious senior staff, formerly of the Bremen. They were, of course, heavily involved in the events surrounding the unveiling of Section 31 and the conflict we now find ourselves involved in, but it would be a disservice to that crew to only mention that element.
Then of the Bremen, that crew played a significant part in the Second Tzenkethi War, making contact with the deposed Tzenkethi Autarch and aiding her in retaking her throne. They were then involved in the conflict's final battle, a three-day slog near the remains of Starbase 621 in the Barisa sector. The ship was actually feared destroyed at the battle's end, with no trace of her transponder signal and a significant amount of wreckage near her last known location.
Supposedly, the ship was swallowed up by a subspace rift caused by the high volume weapons fire, and there are rumors the crew ended up locked in an interstellar zoo. I don't know how much of that to believe, to be honest, but I certainly want to believe every word of it. That's par for the course for this crew.
Not long afterward, the Bremen was involved in the recovery of the independent world of Twissel, which, it would later be revealed, was put out of phase with our universe due to experimental Section 31 weapons (the office nerds tried to explain to me the particulars - it did not go well). In fact, these events would play a significant role in the Section 31 crisis, as a bombshell report surrounding those events leaked a few months later that not only first supported the existence of Section 31, but also ended the career of a high-ranking member of the Admiralty, Elsbeth Bantree.
Officially, the report was leaked by a former member of Captain Sumner's crew, Tony Adalberto, who was later captured and imprisoned for disclosing classified information. Rumors persisted that other members of the crew were involved in the leak, possibly even Captain Sumner herself, who never firmly denied her involvement. In fact, she went on record as stating her firm belief in 'the truth,' and said that much of the information contained in the report was accurate.
This detail has long since been forgotten by the general public, largely due to the chaos that followed, but the Bremen was actually confined to Starbase Sigma Rho pending an investigation of that leak. It was during this confinement that the crew of Sigma Rho, which was briefly occupied by the Tzenkethi, discovered the transmissions revealing Section 31's plot to assassinate Federation President Shezor Ell, along with the revelation that Ell was still alive. The Bremen defied orders in order to launch an unauthorized rescue mission that ultimately resulted in a fractured and confused Starfleet and Federation.
You may also remember, tucked somewhere in that confusing web of intrigue, the dramatic interview with Captain Sumner following an attack by the Order of the New Kai, a Bajorian extremist group. For the sake of brevity, I won't say much more about that one, but that's a whole story by itself.
Long story, uh, not-so-long, I like to keep tabs on the crew of the Chiron. Chaos seems to follow them wherever they go, and chaos keeps me employed, in all honesty. Captain Sumner and company are like my own personal Eris, wreaking havoc on the world in order to fuel my obsessions.
Insert introspective pause here.
It's the damnedest thing, though: I have no idea where the Chiron is at the moment. If my sources are correct, Starfleet doesn't know, either.
Before you ask, yes, I asked Starfleet. A representative from Admiral Walker's office only said 'the Chiron is on assignment in the Alpha Quadrant.' So, being the snoop I am, I looked for her. I got some of the office nerds to build me a search algorithm to look for records of her presence at all known Federation facilities in the Alpha Quadrant. It took literal days to comb the publicly available records, and there hasn't been any record of the Chiron docking at any such facility in over a month.
A month!
And no, that wasn't the end of my search. I called around to a few of my contacts in the AQ who looked for the Chiron at certain non-Federation locations, and nothing. I've combed through the destroyed and missing ship reports for the last month for anything that might be the Chiron, and nothing. I got in contact with twenty different families of Chiron crew members, and they haven't heard anything in over a month. Several of them were worried sick.
That gave me the zeal I needed to press my contacts at Starfleet HQ, and place a series of nagging calls to Admiral Walker's office. I was eventually put in touch with one of the Admirals adjutants, a Commander Durant, who said 'at present, the Chiron's whereabouts are need-to-know information.' That was the end of the official channel's help.
Two separate sources within SFHQ have told me, on condition of anonymity, that the Chiron is currently considered missing. It's last reports indicate that the ship took on a team of 'subspace dynamics specialists,' which the Tech crew suggests might have been conducting FTL propulsion experiments (edit: Glenn says 'propulsion' isn't a technically accurate term, but I told him to shut up before he could dive into a long-winded explanation).
Did something go awry? Was the Chiron destroyed? Was it whisked away to some unknown region of space? Perhaps a temporal incident?
I don't know. I'm sorry to say that I have been unable to find any further information. I can't tell the families of the missing crew what happened to their loved ones, only that something happened. That's all.
Oh, wait - I can also tell them that Starfleet is covering it up.
Admiral Walker has done a commendable job in his efforts to restore Starfleet to the ideals it professes to have. He has worked to improve transparency at several levels within the organization in order to rebuild the public's trust in that institution. This failure to disclose the disappearance of such a high-profile ship is a step backward.
It's possible that Starfleet doesn't want to list the Chiron as missing because it just doesn't have any information about its whereabouts, or the circumstances leading to its disappearance. It's also possible that the Chiron was performing unlawful or unethical experiments, and Starfleet doesn't want us to know.
Again, I don't know. I don't have any specific reason to think Starfleet has done something wrong, but now, because of their failure to disclose this disappearance and their implication that it's location was being withheld for operational security, we have to wonder. We have to wonder if Starfleet was doing something illegal. We have to wonder if they are trying to develop secret weapons that might send a whole planet into a pocket universe.
We have to wonder if Section 31 actually left.
This is unacceptable. I call on Admiral Walker, or anyone else in Starfleet Command, to address this situation immediately. I want to know everything they know about the disappearance of the Chiron, and I want an assurance that something like this won't happen again. I want to know how many other ships are missing that they've failed to report.
Most of all, though, I want Admiral Walker to explain to the families of the missing why they saw fit to lie about it. The truth may not bring the Chiron and her apparently-cursed crew back from wherever they vanished to, and it may not bring those families much comfort, but it will show us that Starfleet is actually different from the organization that spawned and harbored the likes of Section 31. It will tell us whether Admiral Walker is really the idyllic figure he presents himself as.
It will tell us whether we're really free of the treachery that tore us apart in the first place.
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Post by Nola on Nov 14, 2017 22:43:23 GMT
Starfleet Command Statement on the Status of the USS Chiron Office of the Commander in Chief
Following a report by FNN columnist Phara Jemke, it has become necessary to address the status of the USS Chiron, and to clarify Starfleet's handling of the situation.
As of this moment, the USS Chiron is considered Missing in Action. Starfleet has been conducting a thorough investigation of its disappearance, but, as of now, we have no conclusive information.
The Chiron was indeed hosting a team of scientists, headed by the esteemed Andorian subspace theorist Dr. Onishi, for the purposes of experimental subspace travel research. It is tentatively theorized that these experiments resulted in the Chiron's disappearance, but again, we have no conclusive evidence. A thorough search of the Chiron's last known position revealed no wreckage or any signs of battle, so we are operating under the belief that it was not destroyed.
This lack of conclusive evidence is what led to me, personally, deciding that the Chiron's status should be withheld from the general public. In hindsight, this was a mistake, and I want to make it clear that I agree with Ms. Jemke's assessment on this - anything less than complete honesty in this matter was a breach of trust, and that is not something that Starfleet or the Federation can afford.
Finally, the failure to inform the families of the Chiron's crew is unacceptable. My staff is investigating this egregious oversight, and we will do our absolute best to ensure that such a mistake doesn't happen again. I also want to assure those families that Starfleet has not given up the search for the Chiron. Regardless of the sociopolitical situation, no missing ship or crew is mundane enough to require anything less than our maximum effort to find.
I apologize, sincerely, for the mistakes and failures by Starfleet in this matter. I want to commend Phara Jemke for her dogged pursuit of this story, and for doing a journalist's most important job: holding authority accountable. We must do better. We will do better.
Admiral Martin Walker Commander in Chief
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Post by Nola on Dec 27, 2017 4:33:54 GMT
President Ell to Address Starfleet, Federation Council First Public Address Since Reinstatement Ceremony
Federation President Shezor Ell's office released a press statement this morning to announce that Ell will speak at Friday's Federation Council session. It will be President Ell's first public address since his speech at his reinstatement ceremony more than a year ago.
The President has received significant criticism from various press outlets, Federation Councilors, Starfleet brass, and a bevy of prominent social and political figures for his relative silence. This criticism was heightened last April, when President Ell deferred to the Federation Council on whether to aid the Klingon Defense Force against Section 31, citing the tentative ceasefire with the True Federation as cause. The Council subsequently voted against intervention, prompting the Klingon Empire to withdraw from the Khitomer Accords.
President Ell's fitness to lead was called into question in July, when now-imprisoned Admiral Niriel Tan organized and launched a raid against TF-held Starbase 12 against orders. Many outlets, including FNN, called on President Ell to resign following the mutiny. Starfleet Affairs columnist Phara Jemke wrote 'If one of Starfleet's most-decorated Admirals has no faith in President Ell, how can the rest of us?'
Forced to respond, President Ell announced that he would not seek reelection in 2398, and recused himself from all matters regarding the conflict with the True Federation. Reaction to the announcement was mixed. Reza Talbot of the Starfleet News Service wrote 'It's not ideal, but removing him from making decisions about the fight against Section 31 is good enough.' Phillipe Maxson of the popular 'This Island, Earth' netcast said 'Shezor Ell is an indecisive coward. The Federation deserves a strong leader who can make the difficult decisions, not some fragile butterfly who holes up in his ivory tower and ignores the war started in his name.'
The press release didn't include any details as to the content of the speech. All major news networks, including FNN, will be on hand to broadcast the speech live, and provide analysis afterward.
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Post by Nola on Dec 30, 2017 22:49:42 GMT
TRANSCRIPT: Text of President Shezor Ell's Speech to the Federation Council The President Discusses the Future of the Federation
Esteemed members of the Council, representatives of Starfleet Command, and fellow citizens of the United Federation of Planets,
I speak to you this evening as your President. I know that my performance as such has left much to be desired of late. I won't make excuses - the fact is that I have failed to meet the expectations that come with the office. The fact is that my ordeal has rendered me incapable of doing so.
This, of course, begs the question: why have I not simply resigned? If I am incapable of executing the office, surely the sensible thing would be to get out of the way and make room for someone who can. I dearly wish that I had a straight answer for you.
Perhaps it is stubborn pride. Maybe it's a misguided will to persevere, or a desperate need to feel useful. Likely it is all of those and more.
You see, there is one thought that dominates my waking moments: no matter what I do with my remaining days, history will only ever remember that I, Shezor Ell, am the man who presided over the fracturing of the Federation. That is to be my legacy, and there's nothing that I can do about that.
This has been a bitter pill to swallow. My mission as a civil servant in this grand organization, from the day I started as an administrator on Chara, has been to make the Federation better than it was when I started. I think it's safe to say I will fail in that mission.
My friends, the Federation is now in its darkest hour. We have proven resilient, time and again, in the face of unfathomable external threats. The Dominion, and the Borg, and the Klingons before them, and the Xindi before them. The threat we face now, however, is altogether different.
The threat we face now is not a conflict over territory or resources, but a conflict of the spirit. History has shown us that the bitterest of battles are ideological battles. The worst atrocities of countless species across countless worlds have been committed in the name of ideals. We would not be the first great civilization to fall in such a conflict, and we would not be the last.
Make no mistake, however: the fate of the United Federation of Planets is also the fate of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. If we fall, it will mean decades of chaos, if not centuries. Trillions will suffer. Whole generations will bear the scars of our downfall, a downfall that will be attributed to one man: me.
My friends, this is why I cannot bring myself to resign. I am a flawed President. I am a broken man. And yet, I still have more to give.
Brave and loyal Starfleet officers and crew are, as we speak, fighting and dying to preserve this Federation. They are scientists and explorers who have taken up the mantle of warrior to fight this battle for our soul. I could not live with myself if, in the face of such heroism and sacrifice, I turned tail and fled. And so I still have more to give.
In the territory occupied by Ronan Karn and Section 31, whole worlds have been subjugated, Federation and non-Federation alike. This so-called 'True Federation,' now free of the constraints of justice and decency, ravage these worlds for their resources. They force sentients to work against their will to create weapons and ships for their corrupt crusade - an arsenal of tyranny that flaunts all established interstellar convention. Whatever is left in me that is good would sunder itself if I took the easy way out and dumped this problem in somone else's lap. So yes, I still have more to give.
As you know, I have recused myself from making any decisions regarding the conflict with Section 31. I want to make it clear that I do not intend to go back on that recusal. Let's face it - I've never been a warrior anyway. I have absolute faith in Admiral Walker and this Council to handle that aspect of the fight.
My focus is on a more abstract element of this conflict: preserving the soul of the Federation.
History tells us that nothing hardens a people's heart like warfare. War is a desperate thing, where the better angels of our nature fear to tread. Conflict necessitates a narrowed focus to achieve victory, and that is where the true harrowing lies. That is where the good in us falters. That is where the angels become monsters.
That is the abyss, the precipice of which we find ourselves upon today.
When this war is over, when Starfleet has won the day, what will the Federation be? For the last six months, every Starfleet vessel constructed by our starbases has been a ship of war. This is seen as necessary, and, for all I know, it is. At the same time, I worry what we will be when this war is over, and we find ourselves flush with cutting edge warships and a galaxy in chaos.
What happens when Klingon extremists raid one of our starbases? What happens when the Romulan Empire continues to encroach on the fledling Republic? What happens when the fight between the Breen and Tzenkethi again spills onto our doorstep?
Now, I don't mean to impune the character of Starfleet. Quite the contrary, in fact - Admiral Walker is, quite possibly, the most principled, honorable person I've ever known. I know that his people are loyal and true. Again, however, history tells us that even the most pure of us, when given a hammer, can start to see everything as a nail. It tells us that steadfast loyalty can easily give way to a sense of supremacy - indeed, one can argue the very organization we're fighting was born of this exact notion. That is the outcome that I wish to prevent with my remaining time in office.
Of course, it will take more than fancy speeches in grand halls such as this to succeed in that endeavor. Over the next several months, it is my intention to work with the Council to craft a framework for a reunited Federation, one that I hope will be in keeping with our highest ideals. It will be a Federation of scientists, and explorers; artists and philosophers; and diplomats and peacemakers. It will be a Federation that sees conflict not as an inevitability, but a last resort.
To borrow a wise Earthling's words, it will be a Federation 'with malice towards none, with charity for all, and with firmness in the right.'
In a time when we all must give what we can, this is what I have to give. History may only ever remember me as the man who saw the Federation nearly tear itself apart, but I will give all that I can to ensure that history sees the Federation as it ought to: a beacon of peace, prosperity, and goodwill.
Thank you.
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Post by Nola on Dec 30, 2017 23:48:13 GMT
EDITORIAL: Shezor Ell Has More to Give - Do You? Flawed Speech by Flawed President Gives Hope to Flawed Columnist By Phara Jemke
Well, that was certainly unexpected.
I have not been shy about my criticism of Shezor Ell's lack of presence as Federation President. I have openly questioned his integrity. I have brashly declared that his weak leadership was one of our biggest threats. I have called, repeatedly, for his resignation. In fact, I expected this speech to be exactly that - an announcement that, after careful consideration, Shezor Ell had finally decided to do the responsible thing and throw in the towel.
That was not the subject of Shezor Ell's speech. Instead, he spoke about the future of the Federation, the hidden dangers of fighting a civil war, and a commitment to idealism. Did it change my opinion of the man?
In short: Sorta, yeah.
The speech was, at times, self-serving and -pitying. Frankly, some parts seemed a little condescending. He borrowed the words of an objectively better leader for his most significant emotional note. But it was also inspirational, honest, and a message of hope that the Federation desperately needed to hear. It was the very form of leadership I believed him incapable of. It was, above all, a defiant refutation of the notion that he was finished.
Giving this speech was a bold decision. It was bold to question Starfleet's prioritization of warships over exploratory vessels. Yes, the new Guardian-class battlecruiser is more than capable of exploration, but it's not the line's sensor suite that has everyone gawking - it's the intimidating array of defensive systems.
It was bold to question the limits of loyalty in a time where loyalty is seen as a precious commodity. Shezor Ell was entirely right about the mindset that spawned Section 31: a rabid devotion to the Federation that superseded all moral or ethical concerns.
It was bold to suggest that even the best of us could succumb to undue violence in a time where our survival is dependent on our best and brightest. It was especially bold to say that essentially to Admiral Walker's face. I tried to contact the Admiral's office for a comment, but haven't immediately heard back. I'll absolutely update this piece if and when I do.
As many are arguing and will continue argue in the coming days, the line between 'bold' and 'reckless' is a blurred one. I have little doubt that a lot of people will find fault with this speech, and hell, I'm already one of them. However, my biggest take-away is this:
More than just about anyone else in the Federation, Shezor Ell had every reason to quit. I have tried very hard to temper my criticisms by acknowledging the extreme difficulty of his imprisonment. The few stories we have about life as a Tzenkethi prisoner are horrifying to consider - if I'd gone through half of what I've read, I most definitely wouldn't be working a job as stressful as Federation President (I just barely pull off 'journalist' as it is).
Whatever you might think of Shezor Ell's speech, whatever you think of his vision of our future, we can no longer doubt his resolve. His insistence on continuing to serve for the good of his people, for us, is exactly the example we need. We all have something more to give to see ourselves through this time of hardship and terror. If Shezor Ell can keep going, so can we.
Hell, maybe he'll even be right. Who knows?
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Post by aoibheni on Jan 2, 2018 18:23:22 GMT
"History tells us that nothing hardens a people's heart like warfare." This line really got me. I imagine many of our characters, having made it through the Tzenkethi war, would agree.
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Post by Nola on Apr 2, 2018 20:50:04 GMT
BREAKING: New Offensive Against Separatists Begins By Staff
Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Martin Walker announced this morning the commencement of Operation Seleyan Sun, a new Starfleet offensive against the separatist forces of Section 31 and the so-called 'True Federation.' The following is the transcript of the announcement:
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Good morning. At 0637 this morning, Starfleet Command initiated Operation Seleyan Sun - a renewed offensive against the rebel faction identifying itself as 'The True Federation.' This operation is aimed at disrupting and dismantling the separatists' logistical infrastructure in the hope of bringing the protracted conflict to a close.
The decision to run this operation was not made lightly. The Starfleet Diplomatic Corps, even now, is working tireless to try and negotiate for a peaceful end to this conflict, one that sees the Federation made whole once more, and those responsible for this conflict brought to justice.
I won't lie - this operation will not be easy. Success is not guaranteed, and lives will be lost. For those scarred by this conflict, there can be no cause that makes those losses hurt less. As Starfleet Commander-in-Chief, I know that I am personally responsible for each and every one.
Still, you might ask why we continue to fight this battle. I could give you all a long-winded speech about the founding of the Federation, and the value of its ideals, but in truth I think we all already know about all that. The more immediate cause is this: Section 31 must cease to be.
In the end, that's what this conflict is about. Section 31 represents the corruption of ideal. They are the vestige of paranoid self-interest that used to drive most species in this interstallar collective of ours. As I've stated previously, this conflict is not a war of territory or resources.
We are fighting for our future. We are fighting for our children's future. We are fighting for our soul.
With any luck, this conflict will soon be over, and we can set about the long task of rebuilding, now with clearer vision of who and what we ought to be.
Further details about Operation Seleyan Sun will be made available for the press later this afternoon. My office will answer as many questions as we can on the subject, but of course some details will need to be withheld for operational security.
Thank you for your time. Good luck and godspeed to us all.
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FNN will have further coverage as details are made available, as well as analysis by former Starfleet brass and foreign policy experts.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2018 6:04:26 GMT
A Divided Federation of Planets Two visions of the future compete for the soul of the final frontier. BY ESME ARKEMA
THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ROOM is always a few degrees above normal. A shared inclination for a sultry climate is what pulled the two occupants together several months ago when they began teaching at Lago University on New France.
As a Rigellian, Colaad has a predilection for the heat. He's a Professor of Social and Political Sciences, and author of a number of papers on the distribution of resources throughout the United Federation of Planets. His thinning hair is adorned with ochre and umber beads of all sizes, tapered off with a flourish of silver.
Hamo Quintana, on the other hand, keeps a large jug of drinking water on his desk. He's human, and finds the temperature slightly uncomfortable but withstands it for the sake of his subjects. On the shelves behind him, the few books fill only the gaps between tanks and terrariums holding a number of exotic reptiles and amphibians. His prized pet, a Niburon python, often rests around Quintana's neck, much like Colaad's beaded braids.
Their chosen fields of study are worlds apart, but their topic of conversation is often the same - the Federation is no longer united. Beta Rigel voted in favour of the formation of the True Federation and the appointment of Ronan Karn as its president, but Colaad disagrees with his homeworld's stance. The planet now lies along the border between the two entities.
"One of the main reasons for the division is a fundamental difference in opinion. The Federation continues to hold onto their principles of exploration, to seek out new civilizations, and to aid those who need it. My belief is that the True Federation agree with these ideals, but not with their execution." The Rigellian has had this discussion many times before, and the words come easy to him.
Quintana agrees, at least with the premise. "Our ancestors and their ancestors laid down their lives to build a federation of planets, and everyone benefited from it. The quadrant grew strong. With every planet that joined, it grew culturally richer. But all that work to create a strong union is for nothing if the Federation and Starfleet constantly work to undermine and weaken it." His point, in not so many words, is that every time the Federation runs to the aid of others, they sacrifice resources the Federation needs to maintain what has already been established.
"It's short- versus long-term thinking. Like these animals," Quintana continues, gesturing to his array of creatures. "There's a difference between molting, and shedding. When a creature molts, it's a temporary change. It loses hair to be better able to face a seasonal change. But when the season is over, the benefits are over. That's the Federation in a nutshell, just surviving as it goes along." He runs his hand down the leathery hide of his python. "The True Federation, on the other hand, is molting, much as a snake. This is a more permanent change. Sure, it puts it in a vulnerable position during the process, but it allows the snake to grow and become stronger."
For a moment, the professor struggles for words. "Perhaps," he finally says, "but a snake is a snake."
AN OPEN DISCUSSION in a warm office on New France is a far cry from the situation closer to the border. There were only seven days between the resolution to recognize the True Federation in May last year and its establishment. For ambassadors and officials, this was plenty of time to make sure you were on the right side of the border, whichever side that was. For the average citizen of many worlds, however, it was not. Husbands now find themselves separated from wives and children from their parents, thanks to a hastily drawn line on a map - a story we've heard before, from East Germany in 20th century Earth, to the more recent example of the peace treaty that was enacted between the Federation and Cardassia that re-designated the demilitarized zone between the two powers. Is it any surprise that the word 'Maquis' has re-entered common parlance?
For these families, it is the simple desire to be reunited with loved ones - and not politics - that enforces their decision to settle on either side of the line. Every day, ships from both sides make a dash for the border. Where warp 9 was once considered a marvel of modern technology, for many it still isn't fast enough. The True Federation heavily patrols its borders, no doubt in part due to increased Starfleet presence in the build up to the imminent offensive dubbed 'Seleyan Sun'. After something of a shaky cease-fire, Admiral Walker revealed in his general address two weeks ago just where the line lies between tireless negotiations for peace and taking active steps to forcefully bring the conflict to an end.
For the individuals who need to get out of the True Federation, or indeed into it, this announcement raises the stakes, and desperate people are taking desperate measures. "Soon," says Ima Silje, "the already low chance to cross the border will disappear altogether." Silje is one of the fortunate ones. She, and two others, successfully made it out of True Federation territory in a small shuttlepod that by all logic should never have made it.
"We simply got lucky, that's all there was to it," Silje says. Her green eyes seem to be closed more often than they are open, as she recalls the events. She wears a scarf over her tufts of white cauliflower hair. "There wasn't any room. We left everything behind. I was stuck up against the window of that shuttlepod for something like 36 hours. It was worth it though."
Sadly, Silje's exodus is a rarity. Most of the ships attempting to run the border are intercepted by True Federation patrols. Those who undertake the uncomfortable journey are arrested and begin another uncomfortable journey back in the opposite direction. It is not a plight being ignored by the Federation. On at least thirty confirmed occasions, Starfleet vessels have considered the rescue and aid of border-runners a good enough reason to cross into True Federation territory. Resulting skirmishes with True Federation vessels have led to the destruction of both the USS Glorious and the USS Hunter. One Commander stationed in the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said that while every day their forces shift positions in order to keep the True Federation guessing, the moment they see a civilian ship running for the border, everything else goes out of the window.
What does Silje think of things now? Is she relieved? Not quite. She knows the misery that people on both sides are feeling, and that even those who make it have all the hard work ahead of them. As such, Silje and her reunited husband have formed a humanitarian group to ensure those who make it over the border get the support they need.
"The journey was only the beginning," she says with a gentle nod. "Now comes the challenge of making a new life."
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FNN
Apr 26, 2018 9:20:15 GMT
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 26, 2018 9:20:15 GMT
I felt like I was literally reading this through a yellow frame. Brilliant writing, Andrew.
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Post by Nola on May 9, 2018 8:52:08 GMT
Starfleet Releases Seleyan Sun Details By Staff
Starfleet Command has released basic details of Operation Seleyan Sun following this morning's announcement of the new offensive against Section 31 and the separatists identifying as the 'True Federation.' While a build-up of Starfleet forces along the border of the separatist organization indicated such an offensive was coming, Starfleet refused to release any specific details of the offensive in the preceding weeks for operational security.
Even now, they've only released basic details that primarily pertain to portions of the offensive that have already occurred, along with a rough count of the ships involved. Additional information about fleet movements has been obtained from civilian sensor arrays monitoring movement within separatist space.
Operation Seleyan Sun consists of about 8,500 ships divided across four battlegroups, all of which launched concurrently:
Taskforce Alpha, launched from Alpha Centauri, consists of 1000 ships. It's initial target seems to be Station 39-Sierra, situated near the Romulan Neutral Zone. Section 31 has had several skirmishes with Imperial Romulan vessels over the past six months, and it is speculated that capturing or destroying 39-Sierra may make it more difficult for Section 31 to organize a defense for any Imperial Romulan incursions. It's unclear whether any arrangement has been made between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire, but escalating tensions between the two powers over the former's support of the Romulan Republic would make such an arrangement doubtful.
Taskforce Ulysses consists of 1500 ships, and launched from Odyssey Station near Aldebaran. The fleet jumped directly to Deep Space K-7 near the Klingon border. Similar to 39-Sierra, K-7 is a key facility in defending against the incursions of a foreign power. As the situation in the Klingon Empire continues to deteriorate, more and more raiding has occurred on the edges of separatist space, and it's believed that disabling or destroying K-7 will significantly hamper Section 31's ability to rebuff those incursions.
Taskforce Paradise launched from Risa, comprised of 2000 ships. It launched an assault on Starbase 82, a key logistics hub for the central border worlds of the separatist True Federation. Starbase 82 organizes supply routes supporting the fleets at Deneva, Tellun, and Paraaga, three key worlds anchoring the separatist border with the Federation. The loss of Starbase 82 could deal a significant blow to Section 31's ability to hold those worlds against future attacks, which may or may not be imminent.
Taskforce Vulcan, originating from Calanara, is the largest battlegroup at around 3000 ships. Fittingly, its task seems to be the most difficult, as the fleet traveled directly to Starbase 12 near Deneva. Starbase 12 and Deneva are one of the most heavily guarded strongholds along the border. Estimates of the enemy fleet at Starbase 12 vary between 1500 and 2500 ships, with another 500 guarding Deneva that could easily join the battle at Starbase 12. Conversely, Section 31 may decide that Starbase 12 is expendable and withdraw its fleet to Deneva, which may have significant planetary defense systems. As of press time, Taskforce Vulcan has engaged the fleet at Starbase 12, and the battle seems joined in full.
Early analysis of the operation seems to indicate that Starfleet is looking to force Section 31 to make decisions about what they will and won't protect. Given the observed movements of the fleets, each and every Starfleet vessel involved in the offensive appears equipped with a Quantum Slipstream Drive, which means that each battlegroup threatens each and every Section 31 fleet, installation, or system in a two sector (40ly) radius, making each group's next move difficult to predict, save perhaps for Taskforce Vulcan - the battle at Starbase 12 is estimated to take several days - and forcing Section 31 to commit its forces to those locations it values most.
If successful, Operation Seleyan Sun would seem to have the potential to hasten the end of the separatist conflict, an outcome Starfleet and the Federation as a whole would celebrate. We'll continue to keep you briefed on the latest observed developments, as well as any details released by Starfleet or the Federation Council.
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