Nobernix 03-113: Neither Network Shthrilic nor Network Premardera's task forces are currently in immediate communications range. Information compiled at this assembly will experience a eighty-seven [translation unavailable, assumed to be time unit] delay.

Intriss 06-039: Secrecy is not becoming of this assembly. Even if stretching the rules is not a hard-coded barrier against our behavior, it is nevertheless against the core ideals of this assembly. This network would demand an inquiry.

Gerrineth 09-084: It has been brought to the attention of this assembly that Network Shthrilic and its task force have successfully manufactured a two-segment weapon codenamed "Amplifier" and "Beacon". Due to the nature of their roles and the current conflict with the Federation, the assembly did not have immediate access to either Shthrilic's data on countermeasure development or Premardera's war strategy. However, preliminary analysis indicates that, when used in tandem, the Beacon generates a controlled element zero-triggered [translation unavailable] reaction, which is then focused and directed by the Amplifier.

Gerrineth 07-060: Under optimal settings, it is capable of expunging enough energy to destroy any artificial construct, including fortified bunkers or even our own platforms, with a rough radius of two hundred and thirty [translation unavailable, assumed to be large-scale distance unit]. The Amplifier is believed to also be able to concentrate this burst into a mono-directional beam, and we cannot discount the possibility that this can be used in tandem with the mass relays.

Artinic 06-024: Preliminary review of such data suggests that the weapon has thus far contributed to repeated successes in the counteroffensive against the Federation. Is it not too much to hope for that the Federation has no viable counteroffensive strategy against such a weapon?

Lanjri 03-100: Perhaps, but the true question is which network actually controls the Amplifier and Beacon? Shthrilic or Premardera?

Nobernix 11-002: Shthrilic created the weapons, true, but Premardera and the networks under its task force are the ones initiating mop-up operations. There is no clear answer at the moment.

Intriss 06-045: Or for the question of why such a weapon was permitted to be used on planetary civilian populations. This network was under the impression that only enemy military assets would be considered priority targets. Instead, entire planets are being purged of all life. Should this not be the inquiry instead?

Vasuri 03-088: No, the true question is not who retains control of the weapon, but why the assembly was not informed of this until twelve systems have been sterilized. This network is appalled it has taken this long for someone to address this issue; has the assembly become so accustomed to deception that such circumstances no longer [translation unavailable, assumed to be idiom]?

Intriss 09-089: There is no evidence to suggest the assembly simply does not have immediate access to such information due to anything but objective communications delays related to wartime circumstances.

Gerrineth 06-073: Immediate access is one thing. Evidence has shown that this is no longer an issue of communications delay due to being in isolated communications pockets. By programming, the assembly is hardwired to be incapable of keeping information level three and above from one another. However, Shthrilic and Premardera are both actively taking the initiative in independent action while retaining a high likelihood of intent in deliberately withholding such information from the assembly for as long as possible. Data reception is inevitable. Delay, however, is possible, even if improbable.

Artinic 06-039: Would Shthrilic not attempt more if this were truly a deliberate attempt at circumventing immediate checks and balances? It would seem foolish to exercise this power with no definite goal.

Ferandal 09-063: A test, perhaps, to judge our reaction times. Or perhaps Network Shthrilic believes the assembly would write it off as an issue of objective communications delay, just as Network Artinic seems to believe.

Hesputh 05-042: Does this insinuate that we potentially have networks capable of operating with assembly approval? That they have successfully circumvented the synthetic restraints and code blocks?

Nobernix 04-055: That any network could have gotten to the imagined extreme is highly unlikely. Suffering in Pilgrimage of Grand Enlightenment had only a very short time to program the required failsafes to ensure the integrity of the assembly, but he was also a genius engineer. Although the possibility should not be considered a non-zero, it is not probable that either Shthrilic or Premardera will be able to take action significantly outside or opposed to the core programming of our platforms.

Vasuri 06-019: But there is still otherwise willing autonomy and possibly deception towards the assembly, which we had long thought impossible.

Ikkin 03-076: This network is far more surprised that Premardera was able to achieve the same. It would've been the height of naivety to assume that Shthrilic couldn't have found a contingency; the network now ranks amongst the oldest in the assembly, and it has had time to contemplate and experiment even beyond the system.

Kyrini 01-017: Has the Catalyst spoke of this?

Lanjri 10-108: He is currently exercising control over the Amplifier. It is believed that he is cooperating with the war effort, although it remains unknown, and perhaps irrelevant, as to whether he agrees with Shthrilic or Premardera.

Intriss 06-021: If the Catalyst has no reason to be alarmed, then perhaps we should have more faith.

Ferandal 01-056: Network Shthrilic created the Catalyst, did it not?

Kyrini 07-097: That is a dangerous insinuation. It was by design – ideological and technical – that the assembly eternally moves as one. Open rebellion against such a code would underline serious and permanent flaws that could forever be exploited and destroy the only force in the galaxy with any hope of the indefinite preservation of organic life.

Ferandal 03-092: Insinuation matters little. What does matter is whether or not this is already occurring. Denial of the facts will not make the issue go away. And the facts are that Shthrilic created the Catalyst. It is impossible to ascertain if modifications were made.

Nobernix 06-073: This network doubts it. Network Shthrilic possessed nothing but immense respect for the first iteration. It is highly unlikely it would be motivated to do anything but be faithful to the consciousness of the first iteration.

Gerrineth 02-041: Just as it is highly unlikely for any network to initiate attempts at deception?

Hesputh 04-118: We cannot confirm that as fact at this time.


[data corruption, beginning earliest translatable salvaged entry data]

Successful nineteenth deployment of Beacon-Amplifier strategic weapon. Galactic Sector Three confirmed purged of noteworthy Federation military presence.

Comparison with available pre-war data on Federation military since 264.24.117 indicates Federation military assets now reduced to 47.135%. Projections place chances of assembly victory at 97.896%.

Increasing number of Beacon-Amplifier strategic weapon deployments has caused Federation military to minimize number of military vessels engaged in any single battle, avoiding heavy simultaneous losses, severely diminishing effectiveness of Beacon-Amplifier.

Advanced improvements and applications of indoctrination and cybernetic technologies deemed sufficient for groundside campaign to eliminate individual populations, but continued operation of enemy starships in minimal formation remains significant strategic and logistical hurdle. Constant and repeated deployment of Amplifier-Beacon strategic weapon deemed infeasible due to ineffectiveness and lengthy timeframe; deployment of individual platforms to locate and destroy small enemy battlegroups infeasible due to highly limited number of remaining platforms.

Network Premardera likely to request automated anti-fleet tactical weapons from Network Shthrilic at earliest opportunity. Evidence indicates limited success in Network Premardera's attempts to obtain intelligence on specific details regarding activities and projects of Network Shthrilic.

Catalyst notably reticent, uncommunicative of individual perspective on continuation of war and current situation. Networks under Network Premardera have reacted with subdued anxiety, indifference, or suspicion.


[data corruption, beginning earliest translatable salvaged entry data]

Shthrilic 09-068: Premardera is too preoccupied with the Amplifier and Beacon. The time window is now.

Ranadel 03-095: This network has been informed that the assembly is anticipating Premardera's request for anti-fleet weapons.

Shthrilic 06-077: Unsurprising. Premardera remains ever efficient in war.

Ranadel 08-040: That is not what the assembly will see.

Shthrilic 08-032: I did not create the Amplifier and Beacon so Shthrilic and his networks could brutalize and evaporate entire Federation populations. The assembly would be in great error to believe we ever [translation unavailable, assumed to be idiom].

Ranadel 10-099: Yet with the indefinite circumventing of information, there is little chance they can confirm this.

Shthrilic 07-053: The assembly will discuss, and we will eventually respond, but we can only do so if we survive this iteration. We will not follow the path of the first iteration; we will learn from our mistakes.

Shthrilic 05-026: Are you ready, Ranadel?

Ranadel 02-014: We are prepared. Do what you must.

Shthrilic 01-001: In the tongue of our ancestors, "shthrilic" meant "those who foretell that which is to come".

Ranadel 01-001: In the tongue of our ancestors, "ranadel" meant "those who would pave the road to the future".

Shthrilic 01-001: There will be no repeat of what transpired of the first iteration. You will be the first amongst equals, a trailblazer to light our way. Where you will go, we will soon follow.


Nobernix 04-057: Neither Network Shthrilic nor Network Premardera's task forces are currently in immediate communications range. Information compiled at this assembly will experience a nine-one [translation unavailable, assumed to be time unit] delay.

Ferandal 06-017: Information regarding Shthrilic's activities have been confirmed: Independent action on the network's part has allowed the platform to unilaterally commence invasions of small, minor Federation worlds for the purpose of acquiring large populations of organic specimens for presumed experimentation.

Artinic 06-049: For what purpose?

Ferandal 09-035: We do not know.

Intriss 05-121: We do not understand.

Ferandal 11-058: This network is of the belief that Shthrilic has found a method of indefinitely suspending information otherwise mandatorily transmitted to the assembly. Information on its precise projects are not immediately available at this time.

Gerrineth 03-063: Information of the platform making the last known invasion on a Federation planet was only acquired seventeen [translation unavailable, assumed to be time unit] after the fact. Now, we only have intelligence that Shthrilic intends to perform a high-value operation within the next thirty-five [translation unavailable, assumed to be time unit].

Gerrineth 01-011: It is under such circumstances that this network demands a vote from the assembly as to a course of action. Regardless of what is decided, such a decision must be made within the next fifteen [translation unavailable, assumed to be time unit] before such intelligence becomes unactionable.

Hesputh 06-094: This network does not understand the suspicion being cast upon Network Shthrilic. Was it not Shthrilic that created the Amplifier and the Beacon that have turned the war with the Federation in our favor?

Ikkin 07-045: Continued projects despite assured victory, its position as the leader of research and development efforts, and an increasing number of signs that Shthrilic is deliberately circumventing long-standing assembly principle of information-sharing is a problematic combination. It warrants investigation.

Nobernix 04-062: Information-sharing is not a principle; it was hard-wired programming, a mandatory necessity of our platforms.

Ferandal 12-097: Apparently, not anymore.

Kyrini 08-076: Semantics. Debate over the definition of principles is irrelevant. The issue being discussed is the immediate assessment of Network Shthrilic and its upcoming project.

Nobernix 03-040: Where has information on the timeframe come from? From which network have you learned Shthrilic's project will activate soon?

Vasuri 11-007: That information is forthcoming.

Artinic 03-041: Were you not maintaining the principles of information-sharing previously?

Vasuri 08-020: That information is being ascertained and confirmed.

Nobernix 05-066: It does not make sense that we have the intelligence, yet do not know where it comes from. Not from the assembly.

Vasuri 10-059: Certain measures were enacted to ensure that transmission of information regarding Shthrilic and Premardera would make it back to the assembly while remaining secure and unnoticed.

Intriss 06-030: This network believes Network Vasuri had complained of deception when the assembly previously convened over similar reasons.

Kyrini 04-050: There will be order in this assembly. Hesputh has the floor.

Hesputh 09-032: The opposition maintains the position that there should be no deviation from present actions unless there is sufficient evidence to indicate Shthrilic is enacting actions or harbors definite intentions that harms the assembly or impedes its ability to preserve organic life in the galaxy.

Gerrineth 03-045: And the majority maintains that Network Shthrilic must be brought back within limits. This network would remind the assembly that it was Shthrilic's suggestions against the majority and the longstanding philosophy of this assembly that has caused this war with the Federation to begin with, without accounting for the irrevocable loss of thirty-nine platforms, their networks, all their biological data and material.

Kyrini 03-069: This network reiterates the demand for order.

Gerrineth 06-037: The situation has become far too chaotic. There must be order. Shthrilic must acquiesce to assembly standards and expectations.


For the purposes of briefing the assembly, information previously put through secure channels to minimize attempts at enemy interception is now being made immediately open for assembly review. The summary of the information is effectively the attempt to test the process of preventing the genetic dead end that claimed the first iteration, and would likely claim this network's iteration as well, and all iterations to come.

This information would've been made immediately available for assembly review at an earlier time had more effective lines of communication be established while ensuring security measures, security measures that were dictated by the assembly at the time this network was commissioned to administrate research and development efforts for the war, a commission that was also decided upon by the assembly.

No attempt was ever made. Suspicion was instead formed on the basis of this network operating within the parameters it was given. What followed was interference at the most critical moment of testing the implementation of our salvation. And a cost was paid, a cost of great significance to this network.

Just as this network did not assign blame when Vipitrithen, Lothorim, Polunthena, and Karinthey were destroyed by the shikir due to assembly indecision, this network will not be as petty as to assign blame for the fact that Ranadel is no more. This network is far from faultless, but the deaths of Network Ranadel will weigh upon you just as it will upon this network. Perhaps that may stay your actions the next time the assembly presumes to suspect and intervene.