Chiron Chronicles: 2200

[Cyber]

From: Prophet Cha Dawn
To: Delon Sak, Minister of Security

Delon,

The experiment is completed, and the gas is for use now. The factories are already mass producing it, and first shipments should be on their way to the border now.
I want you to send some explosive experts to place the gas canisters into tactical positions, so that the border will be mined against the Believers.
Tell your men to be careful, this stuff is very dangerous.


Nest of Fear

Yet another squadron of locusts ascended quietly into the heavens, while the personnel of the secretive military base were helping any wounded locust or just repairing and supporting the nests of the indigenous flyers. Up to a radius of thousands of kilometers from the base, patrols were flying, their telepathic sense never missing a soul.
It was just another normal day.

Further to the sea, a tired but ready locust flock was flying towards Nest of Fear. Suddenly they saw what was a small Believer patrol, on the shore a few hundred kilometers west of them.
The great flock quickly changed its course; it was time to hunt again.

The Believer patrol was devoured before they themselves even realized it. One moment, everything was fine and the next, all the soldiers were down on the ground, squeezing their heads or trying to claw their eyes out, while locusts after locusts swarmed over them. It was all over in a moment.

[Mr. President]

Morganite Defense Line
Morgan Industries - Data Angel Border, near Data Bank
14:18 Central Continent Time

"What the hell is that?"

Sergeant Matt Svensson turned and squinted across the border. "It's repeated itself twice now, sir," a young lieutenant said. "You don't think it's a hostile, do you?" A note of fear had crept into the man's voice.

The Special Forces officer smiled wryly. As a member of the elite corps of the Morganic army, he had received additional survival and communications training, part of which involved the ability to relay messages with, quite literally, a shoelace and a shiny piece of metal. He barely remembered his Morse code (except that it had been used less and less in the years leading up to the Fall of Earth), but the sender had good technique.

"It's not hostile, Lieutenant Ameti." Svensson picked up a large piece of reflective board used to guide large vehicles and aircraft in such close-quarters situations as he stood in, when infrared guidance systems were not sufficiently secure. Angling it upwards into the sun, he flashed, hesitating at first but growing more confident as he slipped back into practice,

Agreed. This bunker is like an oven.

"What are you doing, sir?" Lieutenant Ameti said curiously.

Svensson hesitated. They were not supposed to have contact with Data Angel soldiers, except, of course, during combat. "Releasing the tension, Lieutenant."
***
Southern Star weekly essay
Peace in Our Time
By Ron Chambers

The situation on Alpha Centauri looks more and more familiar by the minute to anyone who knows a little Earth history. The large military power, in an unstable region, withdraws from the moderating alliance. Catastrophe follows as everyone rushes to grab whatever they can. World War II, the Crusader Wars, the Six Day War, the Spanish-American War... And the list goes on like this!

Now we may have the chance to break the trend. The Defense Line is tense as troops build up on either side by the hour. Only one shot, one misstep could spark what would surely be a war of great loss and hardship for both sides. Many hardliners will see their chance to "reclaim" the Eastern Cities following the Angels' withdrawal from the Chiron Alliance.

But I say we leave such fantasies to the fringe where they belong. Now is the chance to pursue a closer relationship with the Data Angels. For years, millions of Morganic dollars have been funneled into defense by both sides, on the off-chance that the other side will commit political suicide by violating the peace treaty. Now that the voices of the Gaians and the Peacekeepers have been removed from the relationship, our leaders can work towards some sort of entente.

Such a proposal makes business sense as well. The immense infrastructure possessed by both sides would be formidable in partnership. With healthy capitalist competition replacing the current "Outgrow the enemy at all costs" mentality, tourism and cultural exchange would thrive. Economies no longer weighed down by bloated defense budgets would boom.

The Morganite and Datatech peoples were born of the same Planetfall, and the same blood still runs in our veins. One day, we will have to accept that our destinies are also one and the same. Like in Berlin and Korea, the wall can be brought down, but it will take vision, bravery, and sacrifice.
***
OOC: OK, I just saw that Svensson sort of trailed off. Sorry. It's been edited out. Hope I didn't confuse anyone too much.

[Argonaut]

Datatech Defense Line, Near Data Bank

Don't suppose they're gonna let us go home anytime soon. Could use a vacation.

[Kassiopeia]

Private message
To: Datajack Roze
From: Sister Miriam

The probe attempt was a single case. A local supervisor apparently forgot of your able systems and foolishly decided to dig out the information using probe teams. At least my suspicions have been clarified. What comes to the man, he and the supervisor are expendable.
It is just that the action of breaking from the Alliance seemed so strange, and almost like a 180-degree turn, that I couldn't stand being unaware of all aspects. At least now I can be assured that I am talking to the real Datajack, not some elaborate simulation.

Sister Miriam

OCC: My mess, sorry. And that Angel Herald editorial was a real sting

[DarkCloud]

OOC: Argonaut... that can happen... if you want It could be some sort of crazy 4 side war. Believers fight University sponsored terrorists who encounter Data Angel special forces- "Sort of like a 'whose on first?'" All out war. Stray shot kills them all

Zakharov voice recording to Chief Advisor

-Mendlevy, you know why I want the alliance to continue under my rules?

-No sir.

-That's why you are not High Academican

-Yes sir.

-Mendlevy-Xarxos, the reason is simple. With the revised rules I excersise my powers and show how powerful I am and how useful The University and its thinkers are... Also, when I can revise some of the constitution, I can revise all- the University will become the most important member of the Planetary Council and will have everyone behind me for the next Planetary Governor election in ten years... The Morganites, The Spartans, The Data Angels, The Cult of Planet, and perhaps the Peacekeepers.

I can manipulate them all.

-Very good sir.

-Yes, very good indeed.

(Zakharov smiled)

[Bearcat]

LABOR NEWS WEEKLY

RECREATION COMMONS COMPLETED AT LIBERTY PLANT
The workers of Liberty Plant will now be able to lead fuller and happier lives, with the completion of the new Rec Commons. Base Governor Charles Austin gave a short speech commemorating the hard work and determenation of the construction crew and the crowd celebrated with champagne after the speech in a grand reception. Leadman O'Toole was even in attendance. The new Rec Commons will provide a variety of different entertainment for the citizens of Liberty Plant. Included is a basketball court, an indoor soccer field, a swimming pool and aquatic play area for the children, a movie theater, and a gym. The Rec Commons at Liberty Plant will be able to hold at least 7,000 people at full capacity.

FOREMAN DOMAI GIVES ANNUAL STATE OF THE FACTON SPEECH
Before the assembled members of the Guild Assembly, Foreman Domai presented his annual 'State of the Faction' speech. Foreman Domai entered the hall to a standing applause and thundering cheering. After allowing the cheering and applause to die down the Foreman began his speech detailing how much progress the working classes of the Free Drone faction had made this year. The Foreman also pointed to factions that do now allow their drones the freedoms and opportunities that the Free Drones do. The chief offenders were the Hive and the Morganites. According to the Foreman, the Hive oppresses their drones and the Morganite Free Market economy holds the Morganite drones down and doesn't ensure their welfare. Other subjects that the Foreman outlined was the situation between the factions of the Chiron Alliance and the recent Planetary Council meeting. The Foreman closed his speech by promising for a better tomorrow for the drones of Planet.

[Mr. President]

Morgan Industries Defense Line
Near Data Bank

I know what you mean. I told my girlfriend I was gonna be away for a week. That was two months ago.

***
It's six o'clock, people...Time for

MORGANLINK 3D VISION INTERVIEW!!!

With your host, Amanda Hunter!

Today we talk to the big man himself, our own CEO Nwabudike Morgan.

Hunter: CEO, thank you for joining us.

Morgan: Thank you for the opportunity.

H: Let me be blunt. Is there going to be a war?

M: (pauses) No, I don't think so. No-one has anything to gain from another war, economically or politically. War is not a game. You can't just decide one day you're going to have one. I know people are worried by the increased military activity, but it's a precautionary measure only, in preparation for a worst-case scenario involving the Planetary Governor elections.

H: What sort of worst-case?

M: Well, there are a couple of possibilities. Any number of types of domestic problems could arise. Foreign instability could increase. We need to be ready for anything.

H: How important is the withdrawal of the Data Angels from the Chiron Alliance?

M: Extremely important. It illustrates once again, in case anyone still needed proof, that Sinder Roze is very strong-willed, independent-minded, not afraid to go her own way. A new period is unfolding here, and we need to embrace that. Viewers born on Earth might remember the fall of NATO, and this is an event of, at the very least, equal magnitude. Soon enough there will be a new order, and all nations will need to re-define their place in the world. The implications are very far-reaching.

H: Some are calling for increased dialogue with the Angels. Is that in the pipeline?

M: I think we need to be careful about doing too much too fast. It is a good sign that Roze is turning her back on some of the ideas the Alliance embodied, like interventionism and eco-extremism. But if we try to move too quickly, we will be disappointed when results are not forthcoming. The situation between us and the Angels is very complicated, and it can't be untangled overnight. They've only been out of the Alliance for a week, and people are already talking about disbanding the Defense Line. It's far too soon for any sweeping actions, but in the future, I could see things like that happening.

H: Now, about the Western Continent. The peace initiative is going nowhere. What happened?

M: It's a real shame, because the war is so unnecessary and so useless. I really can't say what happened, only Prophet Dawn and Sister Miriam could tell you that.

H: People are talking about internationalization down there.

M: It's a very dangerous situation. People like the Peacekeepers and the Spartans are in deep, and if they're not careful, it could get way out of hand.

H: Would Morgan Industries intervene?

M: We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We have relations with both sides, and the allies of both sides. So on whose behalf would we intervene?

H: How do you react to accusations that our faction is becoming a monopoly?

M: I don't think we're a monopoly. No faction has been run out of the global economy. There are more Stock Exchange units that don't belong to us than that do. Competition is what capitalism is all about. We will continue to make our products as good as we possibly can, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.

H: Profit margins are rising every year. To what do you attribute this success?

M: Good business sense on the part of all branches of government. The credit belongs to them. Since the beginning of time, no country has survived without a healthy economy and a balanced budget. The future will be no different.

H: CEO, thank you for your time.

M: Thank you for having me, Miss Hunter.

[Guardian]

Planetneck...

As the dawn broke, it was no longer quiet.
Dozens of patrols were out already, with more on the way, working the PK side over with a fine comb. A number of air patrols passed through the area during the day, some coming dangerously close to the actual border line. In the evening, things started to calm again, but it was clear that the PK defenders were on a higher level of alert than the night before. Most of the night passed uneventfully, but as the second dawn approached, the massive silhouette of a cruiser appeared on the horizon, clearly visible from the Hive side.

Hive soldiers, this is U.N. Navy warship Vigilant.
Looks like you people could use a better map or something. That was the lousiest navigation we have ever seen. What were you people thinking anyway?! Were you worried about us planning something nasty? Come on, get real... We're not Spartans, we are Peacekeepers!

The cruiser stayed in the area for a couple of hours before slowly moving away, heading back out to sea...


Data DeCentral, U.N. Embassy

The embassy compound was quiet.
There was no evident reaction - official or otherwise - to the demonstration going on outside. A couple of U.N. Marine guards at the gate were the only Peacekeepers in sight. They just stood there at their posts, watching in silence, making no move or gesture of any kind. Their faces were fixed like stone and didn't reveal much of anything. Yet it was no secret that they were light years away from understanding the protestors...


New Hope, at the motorpool, just south of the airbase

It was another quiet day at New Hope and the mechanics were hard at work keeping the task force's vehicles in good condition. Major Johnson had just dropped by to personally check on some rovers belonging to her unit. Satisfied that they were being taken care of, she was just leaving when a flight of jets screamed low overhead with big, long anti-ship missiles slung under their wings.
What the hell?! She frowned. They were going out equipped to sink a cruiser.
Must be some kind of sea patrol mission...


U.N. News Network

Data Angels refuse to reconsider

It now appears evident that the Data Angels are not about to reconsider their decision to leave the alliance. Officials in U.N. Headquarters have called a press conference later today to clarify the U.N.'s position in this matter. More on this in our evening news.


Infiltrators stopped at the Planetneck

U.N. Central Command confirmed today that forces in the Planetneck area have been on yellow alert since the night before last and that the reason for this alert is an unsuccessful infiltration attempt. Although nothing can be officially confirmed at this time, it is strongly suspected that the Hive is somehow involved in this incident.

[OOC: Nothing major here and no serious accusations... just stating the obvious...]


Somewhere in the mountains, southeast of Data Acquisition

The PK patrol came under fire just before dawn as they were moving through a narrow pass between two valleys. It could have been a perfect ambush, but the Special Forces were prepared for it. Within seconds, there were jets dropping out of the sky to unleash their fury on the attackers' positions while helicopters moved in to cut off their escape routes. Private Helmut Müller was with one of the strike teams being inserted behind the enemy. The helicopters swooped in low behind a narrow ridge, beyond which was the enemy. As they reached their landing zone, the choppers slowed and dropped close to the ground, but they never actually landed. The troops spilled out and the helicopters were on their way again before they'd even stopped in a hover. Then they were taking fire from somewhere up on the ridge. The gunships that had been orbitting high overhead rolled in on the ridge with rockets and miniguns while the transports got the hell out of dodge. The troops were already moving forward. Damn Kurita and his guerillas! What the hell were they fighting for anyway?!
The gunships broke off their attack as the strike teams began their rush up the ridge. There was no opposition at first. Then, without warning, there was a burst of fire and the guy next to Müller spun away gurgling. Bastards! He dropped to the ground and brought his rifle around, firing a series of shots in the direction the fire had come from. There was a brief pause, then he spotted something moving up above and triggered another short burst. There was a scream and the camouflaged figure slid back behind a rock. He waited a couple of seconds, scanning for signs of more enemies. Then he was up and moving towards the rock. Behind it, he found his enemy, wounded and bleeding, gasping for breath, yet still trying to fight. It was a woman. She could be about 30 or so. Well trained... pretty decent looking... -and 100% hostile... As he came around the rock, she was trying to bring up her rifle. Failing that, she reached for a string of grenades strapped to her chest. His rifle was pointed at her and he was calling out for her to stop, but she just looked at him with eyes full of hatred and kept fumbling with the grenades. He called out again, but she didn't seem to notice. She was about to pull out a pin... He yelled one final time, then triggered a long burst before he turned away and retched with an agonized cry...

[DarkCloud]

Zakharov... Recorded Conversation

{Zakharov} Believers? Data Angels? What is this strange hypothesis? Do you truly believe those factions could be practicing espionague?

{Voice} Sir, I don't know why- I just know that our forces have found what looks to be the remains of a known Data Angel probe and several Believing Special Forces insignias and bibles among the... few femains.

{Zakharov} I know about the others involved, the Greens, Howellites, Anarchists, the Political Dissidents and the two groups we tipped off, the Jakobians and Perfect Society, but one or more of those groups being sponsored by someone? This is far too dangerous.

{voice} Sir, we will do everything we can to crush these problems

(Zakharov waves goodbye, then sits down and ponders)

-Why? How can we have such horrible defense of our secrets? Likely, the next thing that will happen is Morgan's Economic Spies penetrate our markets and cause troubles there... We need better counter-intelligence.

(Zakharov begins work on a memo stating that money needs to be pumped into university Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence)

[Argonaut]

Datatech Defence Line, Near Data Bank

My girlfriend was seven months pregnant when I left. I could be a father and not even know it.

Incomming Transmission......
Source: Untraceable
Encryption: Identified
DECRYPTING....

Mission aborted. Man down. Undisposed. Prepare counters.

Transmission End.

[Guardian]

New Hope...

Yet another flight of jets passed low overhead with a thunderous roar. As she looked up, Major Johnson noticed that these too were carrying anti-ship missiles...

-What on Chiron was going on??!


[OOC: Coming up soon is the press conference in U.N. Headquarters. If any of you wish to have reporters of your own present and have them ask questions, just send me your questions in a private message and I'll include them in my post. Relevant questions would be anything involving relations with the Data Angels, the future of the Chiron Alliance, the upcoming election... in fact, anything goes as long as it involves U.N. policies. I'll try to post the thing tomorrow, then Lal will get on his ship and be on the way to Planetary Council Base for the election & stuff...]

[Bearcat]

LABOR NEWS WEEKLY

DRONE SCIENTISTS MAKE BREAKTHROUGH
Leader of Science Dr. Steve Irwin announced today that Drone scientists have made a breakthough. According to Dr. Irwin, the scientists have discovered the techniques of Gene Splicing, which will benefit all Drone citizens. Dr. Irwin also explained that the breakthrough would allow scientists and doctors to further examine the secrets hidden withing each person's DNA which will eventually lead to making people healthier and stronger. Already scientists say they believe that they will be able to extract traits from one person's DNA, such as the genome that resists a certain disease and transfer that ability to someone's elses gene structure. This discovery will also allow the building of Research Hospitals at Drone bases to further study these new advances in medical science.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTS AT MINER'S FREEHOLD
The normally placid, peaceful surroundings of Miner's Freehold were shattered today as a group of environmentalist protestors attmepted to force a shutdown of mining operations at the Borehole Cluster. The group calling itself Servants of Planet, attempted to keep mining workers from accessing their equipment, blocked access routes to the Cluster, and even attempted to take over a crane. Negotiations with the protestors were unsuccessful and Base Governor Robert McCall was forced to call in the Base Reaction Squad (BRS) to break up the protest and allow the miners to get to work. The leader of the protest, one Jasmin Herz, a Gaian national, has been arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and impairing labor.

[Argonaut]

Angel's Herald

Protesters Ivolved in Minor Skirmish with Datatech Security

Datatech Security had to be called in today, when protesters outside the U.N. Embassy began harassing guards, and throwing projectiles.

Upon Security's arrival, the some protesters carried the fight to Datatech forces, although the majority of the crowd dispersed. Those who did choose to fight we're promptly arrested. A few received minor injuries and were treated at Data DeCentral Hospital.

Assistant Datajack Michael Omega-Nine condemned the incident in a brief statement.

"I'm really quite ashamed of what happened at Data DeCentral today. While I respect the right to protest, this violence is immature and unnecessary. To think that our own citizens would do that to guests in our capital base is appalling."

New Air Squadron Takes Flight Over Roze Function

Taking flight over Roze Function today, the Datatech Air Force showed off their latest wing of Chaos needlejets. The jets are top of the line, and comparable with the best that Chiron has to offer.

Governor Michael Omega-Nine had this to say about the event.

"It's quite a sight to see these in over our heads, but it will be the first new ones we see in a while. We currently are more than adequetely prepared to defend our land, and now will focus our military efforts on upgrading and improving the units we already have in operation."

Roze and Governor Harrington Seen Sharing a Romantic Dinner
Fuel was added to the ever burning rumours regarding the alleged relationship between Datajack Roze and Governor Harrington today. The Datajack, and one of Chiron's most eligible bachelors were seen sharing a candlelight supper on board their Pirate Cruise liner. The two are currently sharing a vacation together as Datajack Roze makes her way to the Planetary Council base for the Planetary Governor Elections.

[DarkCloud]

OOC: bachelor- I would think Ladies unless the DAngels have standarized sexes?

[Cyber]

Morgan Territory

The mindworm hunters were just about to ambush a newborn boil.
This boil was a little tricky, or rather insane compared to others of its age. This was probably because of the huge consentrations of CO2 and other pollution. The chemicals rushed the natural growth of mindworms, turning them into powerful opponents and unfortunately, addicted and mentally ill.
So rather than controlling themselves, they charged blindly after the nearest polluter, in search for more and more of that gas...

Free Drone territory

The mindworm hunters had just arrived here, and were watching around, horrified of the pollution caused around the place.

One of them knelt down, dag the ground under him a few inches until he found what was looking for.
Seeds. New fungus seeds were slowly rising from the ground, to finally rupture outside and cause huge fungus blooms, and potentially dozens of mad new boils.
But these seeds were different. They were huge, the size of a mans fist.
Repots from the other teams confirmed that this phenomena was all over Drone territory, and probably even worse in Spartan and Hive territory.

The hunters leader took a comm.device and radioed back home to tell about the impending ecological disaster.

Believer-Cult border

The job was done, and the canister mines were placed in their position.
Most of the border, especially any valley, road or some sort of pass, was now completely mined.
Any Believer mass attack would have a bloody nose quickly.

All Cult conventional units were withdrawn further from the border, while indigenous units were ready as always, near the border.