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"Welcome back, all of you. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. But according to Hadrian's report and this second one I just received, it seems the Terrormorph attack on New Atlantis was no random occurrence, but a planned strike. Is what I'm reading here true?"
- Is that second report from who I think it's from? "This report comes from a... particularly confidential source both you and I are familiar with, yes. Among the reasons its findings are so alarming. Now is it true? Was the attack on New Atlantis planned?"
- Yes, but don't you worry. We've found the culprit. "The second report claims to know the perpetrator, as well. Did Reginald Orlase actually commit these attacks, Captain?"
- That's correct, ma'am. It was a deliberate attack.
- (Yasin:) "My god."
- (Logan:) "An attack? Using Terrormorphs? How is that possible?"
- "You will all receive a full briefing once we're done here. So then is what this second report claims correct? Did Reginald Orlase commit these attacks, Captain?"
- I'm sorry. I need a moment to verify something. "All right, but make it quick."
- Hadrian, I think you should tell them.
- (Hadrian:) "You want me to-- Uh, well, we believe that report to be correct, ma'am. Reginald Orlase appears to have committed the attacks."
- [Lie] Yes, it was Orlase.
- (Hadrian:) "That appears to be the case, ma'am. The Captain tracked that information down just after our trip to Londinion."
- (Kulkarni:) "Reginald Orlase? Wasn't there a report he'd been killed recently?"
- (Logan:) "Body was found floating around Etherea. Report mentioned you were sent to try and bring him in, Captain. I guess that didn't go according to plan."
- "Ah yes. I was told about your mission. And who ordered it. Did you two suspect at the time Orlase might've been involved in the attacks?"
- What are you suggesting? "Only that it would've been preferable if you'd managed to find him before he murdered UC citizens. Now are you going to answer the question for me or not? Did you already suspect Orlase?"
- Just a lucky coincidence. I was surprised as all you.
- No idea, ma'am. I was aware of his flight from justice after the Colony War, but nothing more.
- "Hmm. Well, it appears you were ahead of the curve. This report contains definitive evidence Orlase triggered the attacks via this... Lazarus Plant the Captain and Major Sanon uncovered."
- (Yasin:) "Simply harrowing."
- "Indeed. Though it would've been preferable for him to have finally faced the UC's justice... It seems both of you are to be commended for ensuring he was dealt with before he could strike again. You have our thanks."
- That report isn't the whole truth. Orlase helped, but Vae Victis organized the attacks.
- (Hadrian:) "Vae Victis? You said it was Orlase."
- (Logan:) "He did what?!"
- (Sarkin:) "That-that's impossible. He doesn't have the kind of access to--"
- (Yasin:) "Clearly he made his own access, Chief Sarkin. Madam President, I have been saying for years that not dealing with that man was going to end in tragedy."
- "Enough! I hope everyone here understands that what has just been shared is a state secret of the highest order. This information does not leave this room. Now, that's quite the accusation you're leveling, considering François Sanon has not left containment for the better part of two decades. You have evidence to back this up?"
- Why would I make up something like that? "I can think of numerous reasons why someone, after learning Vae Victis is still alive, might want to correct that. So I'm not going to accept such a... stunning claim without proof."
- [Play Emergency Recorder Snippet]
- (Vae Victis:) "It just... transformed. A Terrormorph out of thin air. An invisible weapon. No planet would be safe."
- (Kulkarni:) "Heavens help us. Is that actually him?"
- (Logan:) "I'd know that voice anywhere. That's François."
- "He knew they could do this... and said nothing."'
- (Yasin:) "He's a sociopath, plain and simple, ma'am."
- "Officer, please collect that recording."
- (UC Security:) "Yes, ma'am. Begging your pardon, Captain."
- "We'll, of course, be launching a full investigation into how this could've happened. Though I have little doubt the Admiral will be quick to share all he knows on the subject once confronted with that recording. Chief Yasin, can you send one of your interrogators to have a little chat with the Admiral?"
- (Yasin:) "I'll issue the order immediately."
- "Good. Combined with everything else you all have uncovered... well, I don't think the United Colonies can thank you enough. We... failed the people of the Colonies by not dealing with Vae Victis sooner. I intend to rectify that mistake immediately."
- Can you ensure he has no more outside contacts? He used UC functionaries to get his messages out. "That's... that's truly disconcerting to hear. But cutting off Vae Victis' contact with the outside world is likely to be just the beginning of his punishment."
- What's going to happen to him? "That will be up to the Cabinet to decide. But I don't appreciate our mercy being taken advantage of."
- Ma'am, I would request his life be spared. He did help us against the Terrormorphs, after all. "I'm not sure I see why someone with UC blood on their hands would merit leniency... but I will note your request when the decision is made."
- Whatever the Cabinet thinks is the right course of action. "It's well past due."
- Good. The world will be better without Vae Victis in it. "I'm inclined to agree, Captain."
- "Now, with our villain unmasked, we can attend to the other matters at hand."
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Regardless of whether Orlase or Vae Victis was accused:
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"With the threads you've brought together here: the Lazarus Plant, the attacks, the Heatleeches... The three of you have likely spared thousands of lives. But it now falls to the Cabinet to ensure this can never happen again. As such, the Cabinet will be securing the Lazarus Plant on Londinion. All materials related to the plant will be classified to ensure no one else learns its true nature."
(Yasin:) "A sound decision, Madam President."
- What sorts of measures will the UC be taking to protect the Lazarus Plant? "Well, luckily, the natural hostility of Londinion makes keeping out trespassers relatively easy. But we'll ensure its growth is contained, that access to the plant is only permitted via highly regulated clearances, and that our troop presence on Londinion is increased."
- Securing the plant isn't enough. It should be wiped out. "We're already discussing the elimination of one species, Captain. Explain to me why you wish to eliminate another."
- Actually, I changed my mind. "I see. So then you have no qualms with the plan to secure and classify the Lazarus Plant?"
- I'm shocked you don't want to destroy it. Is the UC planning to keep this for themselves? "I'm not sure I like what you're suggesting. The UC's only plan is to protect lives. Though... I won't discount that perhaps your proposal could get us closer to that goal. So, explain to me your thinking in destroying the plant."
- Destroying it - and asking the Freestar Collective to help - proves the UC has no ill intentions.
- (Yasin:) "That... that is an idea with some merit to it. Decrease the likelihood of anything like this occurring again and further relations between our two factions."
- "Two birds with a single stone. Very well. We'll include the Collective in the removal process. Thank you for the suggestion, Captain."
- Hard for anyone to commit new attacks with the plant if we erase any trace of it.
- (Logan:) "And with Orlase having been dealt with, this problem can end here."
- (Logan:) "And once Vae Victis has been dealt with, this problem can end here."
- "And allow us focus on the grander task to come. Very well. We'll clean up the plant. Thank you for the suggestion, Captain."
- Ma'am, I believe the other factions should be involved in securing the Lazarus Plant.
- (Yasin:) "Tell the Freestar Collective? Why? So they have another tool to utilize against us?"
- "I'm in agreement. I fail to see the value here."
- No, I guess you're right. "Good. So then the plant will be secured and knowledge of its existence classified."
- The UC doesn't exactly have the best track record. This would ensure good behavior. From both sides.
- It'd demonstrate to the Collective the UC isn't planning to secretly use this down the line.
- (Kulkarni:) "Hmm. That is an interesting idea. A grand gesture, showing definitively this Cabinet doesn't think like those of the past."
- "The observers on Mars have proven such a gesture can bear fruit."
- (Yasin:) "So you want us to make nice with the Collective by sharing our state secrets?"
- (Kulkarni:) "No. I want us to display plainly the UC's actual intentions - that the plant will never be used as a weapon again."
- "Hmm. That does sound worthwhile, Chief Kulkarni. Very well. We'll get the Collective involved in the management. Thank you for the suggestion, Captain."
- Agreed. That's the right call, ma'am. "I'm glad you think so."
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The final topic:
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"So then. To our final topic. The Cabinet has agreed to implement a plan that will deal with the Terrormorph - and now, also Heatleech - presence on human worlds. In fact, we've already begun enacting measures to check all UC ports and settlements for undiscovered nests... but we all understand this is only a partial solution. The project we're embarking on will be a long and difficult one. So our first step must be deciding how exactly this all will be handled."
(Yasin:) "Madam President, this microbe is clearly too much of a risk. The Aceles are the safer approach."
(Kulkarni:) "To someone with limited knowledge of biology, perhaps. The technology behind the microbe is solved science, Madam President. It isn't dangerous. Using it to wipe out the Terrormorphs would be the quickest path to protecting humanity."
(Yasin:) "And fast results always lead to the best outcomes, don't they?"
"As you can see, there remains debate among the Cabinet. We were hoping your group might issue a recommendation. Major?"
(Hadrian:) "We've been having similar debates ourselves. But the Captain has yet to weigh-in."
"I see. Captain, I know this may not be your area of expertise, but we'd like to know your take on the matter."
- I need a moment to collect my thoughts. "I suppose we can take a brief recess. Return when you're ready."
- I still had questions about the methods. "Please. Ask."
- Who exactly is doing all this work, deploying whichever method we choose here? "The responsibilities will be spread across multiple branches of the UC. Research and day-to-day administration will be handled by a new group under the Science Division. All diplomatic concerns and coordination will fall to Chief Yasin and Interstellar Affairs. But most of the actual on-the-ground work, that'll be handled by the Vanguard."
- Will the other factions have any role to play in the clean-up? "This won't work without them."
- (Yasin:) "Exactly right, ma'am. Thus far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The spirit of mutual cooperation displayed between the UC and the Freestar Collective in managing the Terrormorph data set a good tone for the work we're doing, Captain. We expect we'll hit some resistance, but our office has plenty of carrots and sticks to ensure the program's widespread success."
- Are there risks to blocking the Heatleeches' transformation and sterilizing the species?
- (Yasin:) "If we're doing it via a microbe, then yes, there's certainly risks."
- (Kulkarni:) "Risks, though, that can be mitigated. And taking that route, well, the existing Terrormorphs, they'd still be out there. And they're not... short-lived creatures. But they would be the last of their kind."
- What are the chances - really - that this microbe could cause problems to humans and other species? ::(Kulkarni:) "Infinitesimally low."
- (Yasin:) "But not zero."
- (Kulkarni:) "The chance of a starship landing on you as you sit here isn't zero, yet you still attended. Personally, my fear isn't mutation... but Terrormorphs developing a resistance. But that's something our group can continue to address if we decide to take this approach. As I believe we should."
- What are the dangers of bringing back the Aceles?
- (Kulkarni:) "I can field this one. While intimidating creatures, certainly, Aceles are docile unless provoked. They're honestly closer to oversized mobile scanners than deadly predators. The concern is that, while all proposed methods will be long-term efforts, the Aceles are the slowest. Slow to breed. Slow to deploy. We'd do everything we could to accelerate that process, including mustering some of our mothballed cloning technologies... But if we do elect to use this method, we'll be doing things at the pace of a mega-fauna, which is not an expedient one."
- I don't have any other questions. "Very well. Then did you have a preference on the method we should deploy?"
- [Xenobiologist] Less risk using an existing organism than making a new one. The Aceles is the wiser choice.
- (Yasin:) "I am in full agreement. No need to be delving into unpredictable sciences."
- Do we need to do anything? Shouldn't securing the Lazarus Plant be sufficient? "I believe we have a responsibility to do something, yes. Heavens forbid, years from now someone reopens the Pandora's Box that Vae Victis discovered. It falls to us to enact every measure required to ensure that day never comes."
- Terrormorphs have caused enough damage. They need to be wiped out quickly with the microbe.
- (Kulkarni:) "Hmm. That would protect more lives than waiting for them to die off on their own. Very well. The Science Division agrees."
- Deploying the Aceles is the safest route. That's my vote.
- (Yasin:) "I am in full agreement. No need to be delving into unpredictable sciences."
- "Order, please. And Major Sanon? Doctor Walker? You'd find this acceptable?"
- "Then the matter is settled. We'll begin the process immediately. Today marks day one for the United Colonies Terrormorph Management Division, making you three the founding members of the TMD. As befits such a group, the Cabinet wanted to display its gratitude. Today, we will be adding three new "Class One Citizens" to our ranks."
- (Percival:) ""Class One?" For the three of us? Are you joking?"
- (Hadrian:) "Oh yeah, yeah. Thank you, ma'am."
- What's a "Class One Citizen"? "It's a status reserved only for those who've dedicated their lives to the United Colonies... or done great things for its cause. Class One's enjoy an ample credit disbursement, an additional reduction on the cost of Colonial goods... And I'm told the penthouse is... rather impressive."
- So long as I'm getting paid, I'm happy. "Then I expect you'll be quite pleased."
- Thank you, Madam President. "You all have earned it."
- "Now, there's much to be done. Major Sanon. Doctor Walker. I hope you two are willing to continue your efforts, spearheading the TMD's research on Mars?"
- (Hadrian:) "We'd be honored, ma'am."
- "As for you, Captain, the Vanguard will be providing much of the on-the-ground support for the TMD. As a member of both the Vanguard and the TMD, I believe you'll have your pick of duties. Speak to your commander. Tuala, if I recall correctly. He should be able to provide you with assignments going forward... plus help you collect the benefits that come with being named "Class One." On behalf of the whole of the United Colonies, you have our sincerest gratitude. This meeting is adjourned."
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