Characters in Star Conquest are kept up-to-date via holovision broadcasts from the Intersector News Network, or ISNN, as well as headlines from their news aggregators.
15 September 2325 Headline -- EAOS: Study Shows Civilian Pilots Swallow Five to Seven Mysterious Golden Chalices in Their Sleep Every Year [ESR]
14 September 2325 Headline -- Entertainment: You Will Not Regret Adopting and Regularly Feeding a Large Swarm of Mosquitos [ANX]
12 September 2325 Headline -- Tabloid: EXCLUSIVE: CCHV Footage From August Shows Sera "Calamity" Valeri Fleeing Velouria's Galaxy of Miniatures Following Child-Involved Miniature Accident - Condition of 1/48 Scale "Indomitable" Still Unknown [OTI]
12 September 2325 Headline -- Fringe: "He Had Eyes Like Gumballs": Upsetting Man Sighted At Local Bus Stop [UPN]
Space News Break: Dateline 12 September 2325
The ISNN theme plays to the image of a galaxy of stars swirling around rapidly. "Around the galaxy and into your home... it's the Space News Break on ISNN! Dateline: 12 September 2325."
The music and the planet fade, transitioning to a seated newscaster. "Good evening. One space story you might have missed this week unless you keep up with AEU politics: Anfisa of Marzore, also known as Anfisa the Wanderer, Mutuality Pilot, Spinward Clan member, and ex-Renegade... testified before the AEU Senate earlier this week!"
The newscaster goes on, "Ms. Marzore was invited by the AEU Civilian Pilot Liaison Office to testify regarding a proposed bill that would restore the AEU's technology sharing agreement with the Mutuality, which expired during the Best administration."
The shot transitions to the interior of the Senate chamber, and shows a man identified as Senator Forest Downey of New Earth, member of the Green Earth Party. Seated before a microphone, he asks, "Why are unregs willing to risk their lives to defend Hyperion?"
Now being displayed is Anfisa the Wanderer, a tall woman with long dark hair wearing a pair of smartgoggles with illuminated lenses. She is dressed smartly in a dark suit jacket over a white linen shirt with a dark red silk tie.
"The Free World of Hyperion is a member of the Tandem Pact, and we stick together, no matter what price we must pay to do so," she says. "For those of us who call the stars our home, we know all too well what would happen to a comrade should we falter and decide to abandon them during their time of need."
With a slight frown on her face, she gestures to a bound report the size of a large phonebook. The chamber's central holoemitter whirs to life and begins scrolling through a mostly mosaic-censored list. The uncensored entries show that the presented information is of names, birthplaces, and ages.
"Recognition of the threat posed by the Outsiders is why the Tandem Pact has worked to augment the defense of the greater Cheyanne's Star system, and that same recognition is a reason why the Mutuality has redoubled its efforts to work alongside the Accord in an increased capacity."
"The message I gave my people before departing for beaconed space once more holds true here. If you will allow me..."
She bows her head for a moment and she takes a slow breath. When she looks up, she speaks again but this time she speaks in a language that seems to bear little resemblance to Esperanto, though it seems as if she's said those words before.
She looks from one side of the room to the other and states, "Translated, what I said means: The Outsiders are a threat much too great for us to fight divided. If we do not band together, they will be successful in their effort to exterminate us all."
The shot jumps suddenly, clearly a few minutes later. This time, a man identified as Senator Ezekiel Kemp of Telex, a member of the New Republic party, is asking a question. "If the technology sharing agreement is renewed, what will Mutuality do with it and how will it prevent its proliferation through Tandem Pact to pirate groups?"
"The Mutuality would utilize the Union's technologies for purposes both peaceful and defensive," Anfisa answers, "much as how we have in the past. Given the reciprocalty of this kind of agreement, I would assume that the Union would utilize our technologies in much the same way."
"As for your second question, we have systems in place to limit the distribution of technologies such as our ship designs to authorized individuals, and known bad actors are not granted docking clearance to Free Port signatories."
With her right hand, Anfisa grabs a thick report from the table and holds up the document for all to see. The room's central holoemitter activates and begins slowly scrolling through an after-action report of the battle against the Outsider ship identified as "JUSTICE" as she speaks.
"Furthermore, allow me to clear up a possible misconception: the Tandem Pact's primary purpose is that of a defensive organization; it is no band of low-minded brutes. I do not think that the League and the EAOS would maintain their agreements with the Tandem Pact if it was; as in the Free Port Doctrine, bad actors are not tolerated."
Time jumps forward again. Senator Kirby Monroe is in view, from Endymion and a member of the People's Extrasolar Union Party.
He asks bluntly, "What was your role during the Renegade War and do you still hate the alliances?"
Anfisa sighs softly. "Senator Kirby of None... with all the respect that is due, I must preface this by stating that your queries do not appear to be germane to the topic of this hearing," she states, then pauses for a moment.
The senators begin to murmur among themselves. Senator Monroe is trying to interrupt to insist on an answer, but Anfisa is already steamrolling forward. "...but regardless, I shall respond to them."
"Indeed, it is true that I fought against the alliances in the Renegade War: I served primarily as a pilot and engineer, with no command authority. You did not ask this, but my approximate age would have been 16 Earth years at the time."
She slumps her shoulders and exhales sharply as she shakes her head. While keeping her elbows down by her sides, she slowly spreads out her forearms. "As to your assumption, I would challenge it directly. If I had truly hated the alliances as you so allege, Senator, I would not have fought in the Outsider War, or the Resistance after that."
"I recall a squadron of Pinnacles as Telex fell. They refused to back down, and instead cried out to ally and enemy alike. I know not what happened to them after that, but I thought their actions to be... honourable."
"If I held true enmity for the alliances as you assert, I would not have offered my skills to the effort that led to the rediscovery of Aria VII. That world is one that we now know to be of critical strategic importance to the Outsiders."
She straightens her back and looks directly at Senator Kirby Monroe. The light from the room's harsh fluorescent lighting catches the pair of medals on her breast: the AFW Meritorious Service Medal and the Aria Star.
"If I so truly held a hatred towards the alliances as you accuse, I would not be here, on a world where I have been physically accosted and assaulted for who I am: one who fights for the Better Way."
Senator Monroe is trying to get in another question, but the chairman says he's out of time.
Anfisa exhales, and the silver pendant around her neck sparkles from the chamber's lights. "Far more importantly than any of that, I would not be known among my people as 'the Wanderer.'"
The view returns to that of the newscaster. He smiles. "President Rebane issued a statement thanking Ms. Marzore for her time and testimony, and said she hopes that the Senate will 'keep the true enemy in mind' and pass the technology sharing bill, which she has promised to sign."
He chuckles. "We're also told that during Ms. Marzore's visit to New Earth, she enjoyed shopping in Velouria and visited a miniatures museum, apparently a keen interest of hers. But it remains to be seen whether the AEU Senate will be swayed by this diplomatic visit and pass the bill."
The view begins to zoom out as the newscaster says, "But, of course, we'll let you know right here on Space News Break! This has been ISNN!"
11 September 2325 Headline -- Interalliance: Forces of Humanity Prevail Over Cheyanne's Star in Minor Skirmish the Size of a Major Skirmish [ISN]
8 September 2325 Headline -- Economy: Will Robot Clowns Take Jobs From Real Clowns? Clown Union Says Yes, Interstellar Clown Conglomerate Says No And Also There Will Be a Mandatory Meeting of All Clowns on Friday Afternoon to Discuss the Company's Future [VAR]
5 September 2325 Headline -- Mutuality: "Calamity" Valeri Strikes Again After New Airlock Slipping Hazard Incident [DFP]
4 September 2325 Headline -- EAOS: Area Man Found Behind Couch All This Time [ESR]
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