Federation: Difference between revisions
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The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref> | The Federation's shift of focus to the Thargoids was demonstrated by the completion of the Blackmount Orbital [[Asteroid Base]] in HIP 17692 on July 7, 3303, and the announcement on the same day of a campaign to gather the resources for the construction of a survey outpost in the system to monitor Thargoid activity.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e07ff82824f10a91fc919 Galactic News: New Superpower Bases in the Pleiades]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/595e51e1478524147370660a Community Goal: New Federal Outpost]</ref> The campaign proved successful and the outpost, Blackmount Habitation, was established on HIP 17962 A 1.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/596791606336076f0c53eb23 Galactic News: Federal Outpost Campaign Concludes]</ref> | ||
By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of [[ | By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Federation and Empire were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Federation nor the Empire had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> This development was soon followed by the withdrawal of the Federal blockade of Professor [[Ishmael Palin]] on [[Maia]] A 3 A.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b265cafee03f60465ee584 Galactic News: Federal Blockade Ends]</ref> | ||
On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref> | On September 15, 3303, Chief of Federal Security Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] announced that another Thargoid attack had recently occurred which resulted in the destruction of multiple Federal vessels, including one Farragut Battle Cruiser. While the motives for this attack were unknown, Admiral Tanner confirmed that the Thargoids were now officially considered enemies of the Federation. President Hudson gave Tanner full authority over the [[Federal Navy]] to deal with the Thargoid threat.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59bb9793d5777560b7216455 Galactic News: Federal Capital Ship Destroyed by Thargoids]</ref> Amid speculation that Federal forces had provoked the attack, the Federation insisted that black box data from the wreckage indicated no provocation on their part; this was confirmed by Aegis, which had also analyzed data from the attack.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a0e02468d745a72f97a0 Galactic News: Federation Addresses Rumours]</ref> The incident spurred the Federation and the other two superpowers to widen Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence on September 21st. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</ref> | ||
On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref> | On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref> | ||
Relations between the Federation and the Empire appeared poised to continue warming on June 22, 3304, when Princess [[Aisling Duval]] of the Empire announced her engagement to Federal Ambassador [[Jordan Rochester]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b2a5313ac998e5aec013c6b GalNet: Aisling Duval Announces Marriage to Federal Ambassador]</ref> The planned marriage proved controversial not only among Federal citizens, but also in Imperial circles.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b335f4b308c8b18a33feb05 GalNet: Galaxy Reacts to Federal-Imperial Betrothal]</ref> However, days before the ceremony was scheduled to occur in August 3304, anti-slavery activist [[Jarl Toredo]] revealed to the public that he had been in a secret relationship with Aisling, and Jordan's mother, [[Isolde Rochester]], cancelled the wedding.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b742ce2563afa25f241db2f GalNet: Aisling Duval's Secret Relationship Revealed]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b7d48ec3cc7f7442d0414e4 GalNet: Aisling Duval Wedding Cancelled]</ref> | |||
In 3305, Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]]'s administration narrowly survived its mandatory vote of no confidence in [[Federal Congress]], allowing Hudson to remain in office and continue his term until 3309.<ref name="TurmoilHudson">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8d7a7e5f584c0de06a5f2d GalNet: Political Turmoil for President Hudson]</ref> | In 3305, Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]]'s administration narrowly survived its mandatory vote of no confidence in [[Federal Congress]], allowing Hudson to remain in office and continue his term until 3309.<ref name="TurmoilHudson">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8d7a7e5f584c0de06a5f2d GalNet: Political Turmoil for President Hudson]</ref> | ||
On September 18, 3306, coming on the heels of the conclusion of a criminal investigation into the Starship One disaster by the [[Federal Attorney's Office]],<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f5ba22df6205f3148762781 GalNet: Inquiry into Starship One's Destruction Concludes]</ref> Chief Technician [[Rory Webster]] of the [[Federal Navy]] Engineering Corps was arrested and charged with mass murder and treason. The investigation claimed that Webster was responsible for ordering unauthorised changes to Starship One's [[Frame Shift Drive]] shortly before it departed on former President [[Jasmina Halsey]]'s ill-fated official tour in May 3301.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f64d17f13f948281632094e GalNet: Arrest Made in Starship One Criminal Case]</ref> Webster later confessed and exposed Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]] as the person who ordered him to sabotage Starship One, leading to Vincent's arrest on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and treason.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8031b0b1c27315910a85d5 GalNet: Fleet Admiral Vincent Named as Starship One Saboteur]</ref> Due to Vincent's close friendship with Federal President Zachary Hudson, the public and some news feeds concluded that Hudson had been involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Halsey. As a result, support for Hudson and the Republican Party had fallen sharply by October 19, and the Liberal Party regained majority support for the first time in years. Amid Hudson's refusal to issue a statement on Vincent, over a dozen [[Congressmen]] resigned in protest to avoid association with what some alleged was "the crime of the century".<ref name="TurmoilHudson" /> | On September 18, 3306, coming on the heels of the conclusion of a criminal investigation into the Starship One disaster by the [[Federal Attorney's Office]],<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f5ba22df6205f3148762781 GalNet: Inquiry into Starship One's Destruction Concludes]</ref> Chief Technician [[Rory Webster]] of the [[Federal Navy]] Engineering Corps was arrested and charged with mass murder and treason. The investigation claimed that Webster was responsible for ordering unauthorised changes to Starship One's [[Frame Shift Drive]] shortly before it departed on former President [[Jasmina Halsey]]'s ill-fated official tour in May 3301.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f64d17f13f948281632094e GalNet: Arrest Made in Starship One Criminal Case]</ref> Webster later confessed and exposed Fleet Admiral [[Lucas Vincent]] as the person who ordered him to sabotage Starship One, leading to Vincent's arrest on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and treason.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8031b0b1c27315910a85d5 GalNet: Fleet Admiral Vincent Named as Starship One Saboteur]</ref> Due to Vincent's close friendship with Federal President Zachary Hudson, the public and some news feeds concluded that Hudson had been involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Halsey. As a result, support for Hudson and the Republican Party had fallen sharply by October 19, and the Liberal Party regained majority support for the first time in years. Amid Hudson's refusal to issue a statement on Vincent, over a dozen [[Congressmen]] resigned in protest to avoid association with what some alleged was "the crime of the century".<ref name="TurmoilHudson" /> | ||
Simultaneously with the Federation's political turmoil, the [[Empire]] was focused on an internal anti-terrorism operation to root out the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army]]. Believing that supporters of the [[Marlin Duval|Marlinist]] ideology were collaborating with the more radical and violent NMLA, the [[Imperial Navy]] attempted mass arrests of Marlinists. Millions fled their homes to escape persecution, and by October 20, 3306, many had arrived in several outlying Federal systems. The Empire formally requested that the refugees be returned, but Federal Ambassador [[Jordan Rochester]] refused and asked Federal Congress to grant the refugees asylum.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8eccd964813d010413e662 GalNet: Marlinist Refugees Flee to the Federation]</ref> | |||
==Society== | ==Society== | ||