Starship One: Difference between revisions
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During Webster's trial, which began on September 28 at the [[Federal High Court]] on Mars, the prosecution revealed that Webster had his subordinates install new power regulators on Starship One prior to its launch, an action that Webster convinced the first investigation was routine. In 3305, one of the engineers who had installed the replacement regulators realized that, like the [[Highliner Antares]] incident, the regulators could have adversely affected the Frame Shift Drive if they had been modified before use. This engineer contacted the authorities, which led to the opening of the second investigation.<ref name="Trial1">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f71a5ce735d9f51a72f47ce GalNet: Starship One Trial Begins]</ref> On October 5, shortly before the trial's conclusion, Webster offered to confess and implicate the party who allegedly ordered him to sabotage Starship One on the condition that the death penalty be taken off the table at sentencing.<ref name="Revelation">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f7ae6605e1f2e7fab6c0a7f GalNet: Revelation Halts Starship One Trial]</ref> The true apparent mastermind of Starship One's destruction was revealed to be Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]], who was arrested by the Federal Intelligence Agency on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and treason on October 9. Webster provided evidence that Vincent had ordered him to sabotage Starship One and backed up his order with threats. While Webster was given a lenient sentence of 20 years in prison, Vincent was placed in a secure facility to await his trial in the coming months. In addition to reportedly having several policy disagreements with then-President Jasmina Halsey, primarily over her aggressive military interventions in [[Kappa Fornacis]] and other systems, Vincent was also noted to be a personal friend of current President [[Zachary Hudson]]. Hudson did not comment on Vincent's arrest, but a spokesperson affirmed the President's confidence in the Federal court system.<ref name="VincentSaboteur">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8031b0b1c27315910a85d5 GalNet: Fleet Admiral Vincent Named as Starship One Saboteur]</ref> | During Webster's trial, which began on September 28 at the [[Federal High Court]] on Mars, the prosecution revealed that Webster had his subordinates install new power regulators on Starship One prior to its launch, an action that Webster convinced the first investigation was routine. In 3305, one of the engineers who had installed the replacement regulators realized that, like the [[Highliner Antares]] incident, the regulators could have adversely affected the Frame Shift Drive if they had been modified before use. This engineer contacted the authorities, which led to the opening of the second investigation.<ref name="Trial1">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f71a5ce735d9f51a72f47ce GalNet: Starship One Trial Begins]</ref> On October 5, shortly before the trial's conclusion, Webster offered to confess and implicate the party who allegedly ordered him to sabotage Starship One on the condition that the death penalty be taken off the table at sentencing.<ref name="Revelation">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f7ae6605e1f2e7fab6c0a7f GalNet: Revelation Halts Starship One Trial]</ref> The true apparent mastermind of Starship One's destruction was revealed to be Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]], who was arrested by the Federal Intelligence Agency on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and treason on October 9. Webster provided evidence that Vincent had ordered him to sabotage Starship One and backed up his order with threats. While Webster was given a lenient sentence of 20 years in prison, Vincent was placed in a secure facility to await his trial in the coming months. In addition to reportedly having several policy disagreements with then-President Jasmina Halsey, primarily over her aggressive military interventions in [[Kappa Fornacis]] and other systems, Vincent was also noted to be a personal friend of current President [[Zachary Hudson]]. Hudson did not comment on Vincent's arrest, but a spokesperson affirmed the President's confidence in the Federal court system.<ref name="VincentSaboteur">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8031b0b1c27315910a85d5 GalNet: Fleet Admiral Vincent Named as Starship One Saboteur]</ref> | ||
By October 19, Vincent's arrest dramatically changed the Federation's political landscape due to his close ties with President Hudson. Support for Hudson and the Republican Party, which had held a majority in opinion polls since Hudson assumed office, plummeted amid accusations that Hudson and Vincent had conspired to assassinate former President Halsey. Hudson refused to issue a statement on Vincent despite mounting pressure, and over a dozen [[Congressmen]] resigned in protest to avoid association with what some [[News Feed]]s called "the crime of the century".<ref name="TurmoilHudson">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8d7a7e5f584c0de06a5f2d GalNet: Political Turmoil for President Hudson]</ref> | |||
==Timeline== | ==Timeline== | ||
19 OCT 3306 | |||
*Political support for [[President of the Federation|Federal President]] [[Zachary Hudson]] has plummeted after the results of a trial concerning Starship One's destruction. Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]] was charged with sabotaging the presidential vessel, leading to hundreds of deaths. His close relationship with Hudson has triggered a public outcry and accusations of a conspiracy to assassinate then-President [[Jasmina Halsey]]. Political analyst Vihaan Niven reported on the situation: "The Republican Party is officially in a state of crisis. President Hudson has refused to make any statement regarding Fleet Admiral Vincent, despite pressure piling up from all corners of the Federation. Over a dozen congressmen have resigned in protest, refusing to be associated with what some newsfeeds are calling 'the crime of the century'. [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] has stopped short of making direct allegations against Hudson but, in several powerful speeches, she stressed that no elected ruler can ever be above the law. Opinion polls suggest that the Liberal Party now has majority support for the first time in years, and that many people view Hudson as a symbol of corruption. In 3305, halfway through his term of office, the President won the scheduled congressional vote of no confidence by a slim margin. It is doubtful that his administration would survive if it were to be held today."<ref name="TurmoilHudson" /> | |||
09 OCT 3306 | 09 OCT 3306 | ||
*Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]], one of the [[Federal Navy]] chiefs of staff, has been arrested on charges related to the destruction of Starship One. The trial of Chief Technician [[Rory Webster]] was halted by a plea bargain to reveal who ordered him to sabotage Starship One's hyperdrive in 3301. An update on proceedings was delivered by [[Milandu Okoro]] of the [[Federal Attorney's Office]]: "Mr Webster provided evidence that Fleet Admiral Vincent directly commanded him to arrange for Starship One to suffer the same fate as the [[Highliner Antares]]. The orders were allegedly provided on a private channel, accompanied by threats discouraging Mr Webster's refusal. The trial concluded with the judge summarily convicting the defendant of aiding and abetting mass murder. Chief Technician Webster received a lenient sentence of 20 years in prison, in acknowledgement that he performed criminal acts under duress. The [[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] has detained Vincent in a high-security facility, and he has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and treason. However, the case is likely to take several months to come to trial." There was no comment from President [[Zachary Hudson]], who is believed to be a personal friend of Vincent. A spokesperson for his administration said: "As always, the President has full confidence in our court system to deliver justice."<ref name="VincentSaboteur" /> | *Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]], one of the [[Federal Navy]] chiefs of staff, has been arrested on charges related to the destruction of Starship One. The trial of Chief Technician [[Rory Webster]] was halted by a plea bargain to reveal who ordered him to sabotage Starship One's hyperdrive in 3301. An update on proceedings was delivered by [[Milandu Okoro]] of the [[Federal Attorney's Office]]: "Mr Webster provided evidence that Fleet Admiral Vincent directly commanded him to arrange for Starship One to suffer the same fate as the [[Highliner Antares]]. The orders were allegedly provided on a private channel, accompanied by threats discouraging Mr Webster's refusal. The trial concluded with the judge summarily convicting the defendant of aiding and abetting mass murder. Chief Technician Webster received a lenient sentence of 20 years in prison, in acknowledgement that he performed criminal acts under duress. The [[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] has detained Vincent in a high-security facility, and he has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and treason. However, the case is likely to take several months to come to trial." There was no comment from President [[Zachary Hudson]], who is believed to be a personal friend of Vincent. A spokesperson for his administration said: "As always, the President has full confidence in our court system to deliver justice."<ref name="VincentSaboteur" /> | ||