Outbreak - is Onionhead the cause?

The past two weeks have seen the drug Onionhead being spread far and wide across the Federation. Seen by the politicians as a social malaise, contained forcefully by the military, and as the livelihood of the farmers of Kappa Fornacis. It is a continuing source of escapism by the young.

But that doesn't stop Onionhead being what it is: an alien plant.

Taken recreationally rather than medicinally is there room for Onionhead to bring longer term side effects that are only now starting to emerge?

CMDR Charybdis responded to a medical emergency mission in Tau Ceti last night, one that contained an outbreak. A mission that required agri-medicines to contain.

An outbreak of... what, exactly?

Empire GalNet news and analysis (at 31-Dec-3300)

Story Arc:

The independent Durius system, unable to pay even the interest on the loans, has defaulted to the Empire's Senator Patreus. The Imperial Senator's forces have entered the system supported by mercenary forces. Governor Malachai has called for help from like minded independent governments for assistance.

The tension between the Emperor's disinherited granddaughter, Aisling Duval, and the slaver Senator Torval, has burst out into the news again, bringing the welfare of the Empire's slaves to the fore. "We have no beggars... they are down HER mines... starving in private".

Arissa Lavigny also pledged support for Excellency Chancellor Anders Blaine, the Emperor's right hand man for 5 decades, and promised to ensure continuity and stability for the Empire.

Analysis:

The actions of Senator Patreus once again raise the issue of the divide between the business interests of a single senator and that of the Empire. Durius is an independent system that has owed business debts to the Senator, what is not known is how many times those debts have already been paid off.

No doubt the ships bought by Durius under loan from Patreus are now being put into service against the fleet and mercenaries arrayed against them.

The Empire continues to struggle with its use of former members of society who voluntarily enter into slavery due to circumstance. The romantic notion held by some is that these slaves are "house servants" who provide for the smooth running of the great houses of the Empire as their path back to honourable society. What is forgotten are the numbers sent to work in the harshest worlds to mine resources as cheaper labour than machines.

Aisling Duval reminded Senator Zemina Torval of this, and that there was no clear rebuttal or denial was telling.


Link: GalNet news archive

Federation GalNet news and analysis (at 31-Dec-3300)

Story Arc:

The high burden of welfare and the increasing costs of the military have led Federation President Halsey to announce an increase in taxation for the new year. Long held to be a problem due to the imbalance between frontier worlds and the core systems, this has plunged the President's popularity to a new low.

The frontier system of Sanna has already called for secession from the Federation in a powerful speech made by Congressman Marcus Albertson. Retaining the taxes and forfeiting the vote in Federal Congress has attracted a firm response and a Federation battle cruiser will shortly be deployed to help retain Sanna's membership of the Federation. Shadow President Hudson sympathised with Sanna, and pointedly called for lower taxes, welfare and bureaucracy.

Analysis:

The tensions within the centralised government of the Federation have stepped to the fore again. Individual systems that do not feel connected to the core worlds will watch Sanna with interest, wondering if they dare pursue the same desire to secede from the Federation.

They should look first to the independent worlds or the loose collective known as the Alliance to see what there costs would be. The local taxes no longer paid to the Federation would have to go towards local defence forces, local bureaucracy, and local business investment, otherwise the system would fall into decline as feudal or anarchy states.

Sanna has already attracted the attention of a Federation battleship, certainly not the return of taxpayer credits that they were looking for.

The Shadow President has given, if not tacit for support and encouragement for Sanna, then at least a used the events to advance his own agenda. One that would still be in place, no doubt, regardless of where the issues played out at Sanna fall. The call for conscription for the young to address the welfare and Onionhead issues of the day still remains un-costed, and does not take into account the young and strong members of the Federation that contribute and do not place a burden.

If the platform set out by the Shadow President advances further then he might well find the conscripted are sent to frontier worlds to hold the Federation together.

Link: GalNet news archive

Federation - story arc catchup

Story Arc

A narcotic plant discovered in the independent system of Kappa Fornacis has led to the blockade of the system by Federation forces, with President Jasmina Halsey citing concern over the effects of this new drug called "Onionhead" on the young and impressionable.

The fleet action led by Federal Admiral Vincent is engaged in the prevention of ships entering and leaving the system, while the farmer's leader Georgio Algeria has called on support from the free thinking against the oppressors "If the Federation doesn't like it then it MUST be cool".

The Federal bombing of the drug crops has had a sharp negative impact on the social media, directly affecting the President's perceived popularity. The act of distancing herself from the actions of Admiral Vincent, and denying that the bombing was a presidential order, has drawn sharp criticism from Shadow President Zachary Hudson who has pointedly separated the execution of law enforcement from the drafting of laws and policy making.

Going even further the Shadow President has used his congressional speech to call for the return of conscription, with his own military career as an example of how it would benefit the lazy youth of today.

Analysis

It must be the doldrums between election years.

The Federation President has triggered the blockade of an independent system in order to tackle the problems of the youth of today, and no doubt to show action is being taken to the concerned middle class. In doing so she has tripped over the oldest degree of separation: politicians set the objectives and exit criteria, while the military plan and execute the operations needed to achieve those objectives.

The intervention by a politician in the operational decisions of the military, and then withdrawing that support in what, on the face of it, appears to be based on falling popularity, will be seen as faltering and indecisive leadership in some quarters.

It doesn't help that the Onionhead farmer's leader sounds like he is sampling his own wares, though the drugs themselves must be making quite the profit for someone. The battles raging about Kappa Fornacis are being led by top of the line Anaconda and Python warships, and CMDRs of the Federation of Pilots drawn to the fight are finding this unexpected resistance disquieting.

The recent incursions by the Empire into independent systems must have struck a nerve among the hawks in the Federation, with the Shadow President openly calling for a return to conscription. Expect voices to be raised more shrill over what is happening just across the border, and calls for an increased militarisation of the Federation.

So far the battles between the Federation and Empire are in proximity only, but could escalate into "by faction proxy", before falling into open warfare. Has the touchpaper been lit?

Empire - story arc catchup

Story arc

The Emperor Hengist Duval has fallen gravely ill and the line of succession is unclear.

Having shunned the life extending drugs available to the nobility, and disinherited his son Harold for participating in drug excesses that have taken their toll, this has left the Emperor's grand daughter Aisling Duval without a clear line to the throne. While she does openly talk about her reformist views towards slavery, this is not welcome in many quarters.

In an attempt to provide a legitimate heir to the throne the Emperor is to marry his sweetheart and recognise their illegitimate daughter Arissa Lavigny. This is allowed by Imperial law, though the 30 day period before the wedding may be a challenge to the Emperor's ailing health.

The outspoken Senator Torval, whose riches are based on her slaver business interests, has openly criticised the attempts to ensure the throne remains within the Duval family. She has also supplied ships of the line to ensure the continued peace at the Sorbago system during a slave uprising.

Senator Patreus has embarked on his interests in the independent systems: supporting a rebellion that did not gain traction in Jera, and also calling in on the debts of Durius for arms provided by Patreus. That Patreus is popular is clear, and he has spoken out to say that succession should be determined by power and not family.

With the Sorbago slave uprising crushed, Torval has voiced support for the idea that power should be the basis for succession.

Analysis

The Empire is faced with a choice of a drug addled son who has been declared "unsound of mind" along with his grand-daughter who openly talks of dismantling the practise of slavery within the Empire. Or the late attempts to shore up the claims of the daughter of a noble lady tumbled in the Emperor's youth.

The Emperor's failings in ensuring the continuity and strength of the Empire are there for all to see.

That the Senator's Patreus and Torval are openly critical shows the contempt that they hold for the Duval line, though their own power struggles driven by their business practices, as arms dealer and slaver, are also in plain sight.

Senator Patreus has stepped out as an early candidate to start a new dynasty within the Empire, as a popular choice, though whether he is able to step up and take the best interests of the Empire at heart (rather than his own business interests) has still to be seen.

It has been commented that a populist choice has more in common with the way that the Federation elects its leaders, falling far from the Empire's traditions.

Make no mistake, although the political manoeuvring in public appears to be gentle words, there is a sharp knife here ready to gut its victim after one wrong move. Who holds the knife, where it points, and who will push it bloody deep is still to be seen.

The fate of the Empire is at hand, and something as simple as naively believing in the Empire may still mean supporting the losing side.