Paul Baumann: Difference between revisions

*[[Sima Kalhana]] reviews the most newsworthy events of the past year in this series of articles.<br/>"July began badly for the [[Federation]], with more factions seceding in response to the [[Proactive Detection Bureau]]'s establishment. The newly independent nations severed all links with these new surveillance efforts, inspiring many other systems to do likewise. This [[Federal Rebellion of 3307|secession crisis]] would rumble on for the rest of the year. The [[Blue Viper Club Clan Dredger|Blue Viper Club]], one of the rarely seen [[Dredger Clans|dredger clans]], joined forces with the [[Kumo Crew]] to manufacture a medicinal [[drug]] that turned out to be a [[Onionhead Gamma Strain|new strain]] of [[onionhead]]. The drug would ultimately end up being legally distributed by [[Neomedical Industries]], causing [[Archon Delaine]] to seek revenge against the corporation. Tensions soared in the [[Marlinist Colonies]] during an election for the head of their [[Marlinist Consulate|diplomatic consulate]]. [[Aaron Whyte]]'s [[Verity Dexter|candidate]] had the support of an [[Lorcan Scordato|Imperial senator]], which would have given the Neo-Marlinists a powerful voice within the [[Empire]]. When a more [[Kayode Tau|moderate candidate]] was elected, the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] reacted by bombing both Marlinist starports, murdering tens of thousands including First Minister [[Jenna Fairfax]]. It seemed [[John Tyburn|Theta Seven's]] extremist views allowed anyone to be targeted as an enemy, even his fellow Marlinists. The civil war concluded in August, with Whyte killed in battle as his supporters were overcome in direct combat. Following accusations of incompetence regarding the vanished [[Alexandria]] megaship, [[Aegis]] was officially suspended and subjected to a board of inquiry. This would have ramifications for the [[Second Thargoid War|ongoing conflict]] with the [[Thargoid]]s, and encourage [[Salvation]] to position himself as an alternative. In the corporate sphere, [[Zemina Torval]] created a [[Torval Mining Ltd|new subsidiary]] of [[Mastopolos Mining]] that would eventually become an autonomous company. There were rumours that the [[Torval family|Torval]] and [[Mastopolos family|Mastopolos]] families were now at loggerheads after decades of working in unison. In September, the mystery of [[Hyford's Cache]] was finally unlocked. The trail led to revelations of [[Project Seraph|dark experiments]] which are believed to have involved human test subjects and Thargoid technology. When the Thargoids themselves appeared en masse in the Cornsar system, Salvation was ready for them. An anti-xeno superweapon of undisclosed nature was deployed, wiping out some of the aliens and driving away the rest. It seemed that the self-titled 'man of science' had developed something revolutionary, inspiring many to place their faith in him to end the Thargoid menace once and for all."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61bc624fc9a41028410f101a GalNet: A Retrospective of 3307 (Part Three)]</ref>

*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots' Federation ALERT*<br/>Systems in the [[California Nebula|California]], [[Coalsack Nebula|Coalsack]], [[Pleiades Nebula|Pleiades]] and [[Witch Head Nebula]]s are under sustained assault by the [[Thargoid]]s. [[Vox Galactica]] featured this report from freelance war correspondent [[Ernesto Rios]]: "Multiple [[starport]]s have been crippled by Thargoid attacks in recent weeks, with anti-xeno squadrons struggling to protect them. Many [[Commander]]s told me that this latest wave is proving unusually difficult to repel, with a steady stream of reinforcements replacing those alien vessels destroyed in battle. In normal times [[Aegis]] would coordinate the defence effort, but its operations remain suspended due to the Baumann inquiry. Today, it is clear that many of the superpowers' leaders have more faith in [[Salvation]] after his triumph in the Cornsar system, believing that he holds the key to defeating the Thargoids. Both the [[Imperial Navy]] and the [[Alliance]]'s [[Council of Admirals]] have suggested committing naval forces to support Salvation. In the [[Federation]], [[Federal Congress|Congress]] has debated redirecting funds that were ring-fenced for Aegis to accelerate development of the anti-xeno superweapon. As yet these are merely discussions, but do illustrate the wide-reaching impact of the Cornsar incident. In the meantime, in the absence of direct support from either Aegis or Salvation, pilots are sacrificing their lives as they fight courageously to push back the Thargoid fleets."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61a63b4d8b415c236409007e GalNet: Thargoid Invasion of Nebula Systems Intensifies]</ref>

*Admiral [[Aden Tanner]] and the crew of the Musashi [[megaship]] will be placed on trial for attacking [[Salvation]]'s allies. The admiral disobeyed orders by attempting to gain access to Hind Mine [[starport]], the headquarters of [[Taurus Mining Ventures]]. After failing to achieve this, most of the Musashi's crewmembers were detained and repatriated to their respective home systems to face civil or military charges. The [[Federal Navy]] has published this official notice: "Admiral Tanner is formally accused of mutiny and unlawful military action while in command of the Musashi. He will stand trial in a general court-martial. If found guilty, he will be dishonourably discharged and imprisoned for life." Dr Paul Baumann, chair of the independent board of inquiry into [[Aegis]], commented: "Recent events in the T Tauri system clearly fall within the scope of our investigation. For Aegis's chief military liaison to launch an unauthorised attack, at the cost of many lives, will weigh heavily against the organisation." Admiral Tanner claims that the anti-xeno superweapon deployed by [[Salvation]] in the Cornsar system has triggered an increase in [[Thargoid]] attacks. Although there is no direct evidence of this, the Thargoids have performed coordinated strikes against several systems in the weeks since that event.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61a4ca3a7b7c062a03402c47 GalNet: Aegis Renegades Face Criminal Charges]</ref>

*<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pilots Federation ALERT*<br/> Several inhabited systems in the [[Pleiades Nebula|Pleiades]] and [[Witch Head Nebula]]s have come under attack by large numbers of [[Thargoid]] ships. An emergency has been declared by the authorities in multiple systems including Asterope, [[Shenve]] and Onoros. Thargoid vessels have again targeted [[starport]]s, with casualties estimated in the many thousands. Increased Thargoid activity has also been reported in the [[California Nebula|California]] and [[Coalsack Nebula]]s. Independent pilots and anti-xeno squadrons are moving to defend the invaded systems and evacuate survivors from damaged starports. [[Aegis]] is not currently able to assist, as the operational shutdown enforced by the public inquiry has led to many ships and pilots being withdrawn from service. Admiral [[Aden Tanner]], chief military liaison to Aegis, commented: "Many of us in Aegis are frustrated that the Baumann Report has tied our hands. I am also convinced that these Thargoids are reacting aggressively to the weapon of mass destruction that [[Salvation]] deployed in the Cornsar system. Not only should we be fighting the alien threat, but Salvation must be prevented from escalating the war." The [[Taurus Mining Ventures]] [[megaship]] [[Bright Sentinel]] has moved to the [[Merope]] system at Salvation's request. Reports indicate that [[Technology Broker|tech brokers]] on board are offering a [[Guardian Plasma Charger|Guardian-hybrid plasma charger]] as well as material cost discounts to support the anti-xeno effort.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/617a92af979938635b475461 GalNet: Thargoid Fleets Invade Nebula Systems]</ref>