Ariel Associated Press, March 21, 2519

NEW RESISTANCE DESTROYED

Today, on IAV Baverdan, Admiral Radivoj Lindholm gave the following statement to the Ariel Associated Press and other news outlets:

"Eighteen hours ago, in an operation spanning multiple planetary systems, the Alliance military performed a clean-and-sweep operation on confirmed New Resistance sites. The leaders of the group have been brought into custody, and their organizational apparatus has been completely dismantled. This operation has been in the planning stages for months, and I would like to thank the men and women of Alliance Naval Intelligence for their tireless work in bringing these criminals to justice.

Nine months ago, the 'Verse saw the greatest act of cyber-terrorism in its history, as the so-called Miranda Broadwave was transmitted in a bid to spread discord throughout society, and widen divisions between the core and rim worlds. Standing here today, I can say with pride that despite the best efforts of terrorists to weaken us, striking at us from without and within, the Alliance has never been stronger, nor has its commitment to a safe and just universe. While the New Resistance has been destroyed, we cannot rest easy. Therefore, I am obliged to report that as of this point in time, there are no plans to rescind the deployment of Army personnel upon border and rim worlds, nor will the Navy loosen its presence. While we appreciate the concerns of Alliance citizenry in these outer territories, the fact remains that there are still people who wish us harm, and who seek to destroy the freedoms that so many men and women of the Alliance have given their lives to protect. Furthermore, although eight months have passed since the Battle of Siren, and no Reaver activity has been reported, we must safeguard these worlds from any threats these savages might present. Every man, woman, and child, whether it be on Londinium or Meridian, has the right to look up at the sky without fear."

Having delivered his speech, the admiral began to take questions. On the subject of New Resistance casualties, the admiral responded "I cannot give figures at this point in time, nor comment on policies of detainment. Again, I must reiterate, that these are terrorists and criminals who sought to destroy the Alliance and send the 'Verse into anarchy." Elaborating on the subject, when asked about the existence of so-called "prison moons," the admiral said "the Alliance does not deny that penitentiaries exist on planets and moons within the 'Verse. Prison camps have operated since before the Unification War, and will continue to do so. I can personally vouch that the prisoners here are treated with the utmost respect, and are being rehabilitated so that they may return to society as productive citizens of the Union of Allied Planets."

The admiral took a few more questions, mainly pertaining to Fleet and Army movements (see page 26 for astro-political analysis). When asked about the press conference he had given eight months ago, where he had made the claim that, quote, "there is no New Resistance – the term "new resistance" is nothing more than a slogan for agitators that have bought into the Miranda Broadwave," the admiral simply stated "circumstances change. Over the last eight months, we have observed these groups organize into a larger terrorist organization. Which is why I must again stress the necessity of our continued deployments along the Border and Rim worlds."

The admiral took a few more questions before retiring. When asked as to the identification or apprehension of the Miranda Broadwave perpetrators, the admiral simply stated, "no comment can be made at this time."

Logged transmission, March 22, 2519

Cortex Point A: IAV Spasskoye

Cortex Point B: Fort Wood, Persephone

/Begin log

Kalista: I take it your saw Lindholm's performance.

[Classified]: I did. Better than yours over the last few days.

Kalista: I'm alive. Denon isn't.

[Classified]: Psi-Zero was damaged. We lost Iris. We lost River. You think I give a damn about Denon right now?

Kalista: Sounds like you give quite a bit. I didn't know you cared.

[Classified]: Don't get cute, Kalista. Reynolds and his ilk are still at large. And we can assume that includes the Tam girl. Not to mention Iris.

Kalista: Or they're with the New Resistance remnants.

[Classified]: You're not helping yourself by pointing out the obvious.

Kalista: If you want to know something else that's obvious, it's that this isn't as big a loss as you think. The girls are gone, but my disciples are just as capable. Psychic soldiers with Operative training. We're on the verge of a new era in espionage.

[Classified]: Which is what you've been saying for years. The Alliance has invested a lot in your pet project Kalista.

Kalista: For which I'm very greatful.

[Classified]: And it can just as easily take it away.

Kalista: I know. But the New Resistance was destroyed. I have time to work out the remaining kinks.

[Classified]: Have time? You think that because the New Resistance is destroyed, there won't be others?

Kalista: We're Operatives. There were insurgents before the Browncoats, and there'll be insurgents after the New Resistance is a faded memory. Of course there'll be others.

[Classified]: I'd take more comfort from that if it wasn't for Caliban.

Kalista: …

[Classified]: You trained her. She trained Lodovico. Should I worry, Kalista? Is there a problem with the source? More madness in your methods than I know about?

Kalista: You dare question my loyalty? After everything I've done for the Alliance?

[Classified]: I'm not questioning your loyalty, Kalista. I'm questioning your competence.

Kalista: And that's your prerogative. But in the meantime, my disciples and I are focused on the Peacekeepers.

[Classified]: Caliban's your mess, Kalista. Clean it up.

Kalista: No. Miranda is the Alliance's mess.

[Classified]: The planet, or the-

Kalista: Both of them.

/End log

CounterShot, September 2519 Edition

The Revolution is Here!

Six months ago, the New Resistance group was announced to have been destroyed by an Alliance counter-insurgency operation. Six months since then, we at CounterShot are left to ask whether the effects of the Miranda Broadwave are here to stay. Because in those six months, ask yourself dear reader – is the 'Verse safer? Is it more peaceful? You might be able to point at the dearth of Reaver activity, thanks to the efforts of the "brave men and women" of the Alliance Navy, but if you ever turn on a flatscreen, try to go a single hour without reports of another mass protest, or another terrorist attack, or another whistle-blower coming forth, only to be named and shunned by the fat cats in Parliament. In case you've forgotten, the days leading up to the Unification War weren't that different. And considering that the Unification War ended less than a decade ago, if you have forgotten, then we're pretty sure we've got some property on Miranda we can sell you. Course you'd have to get past the Alliance naval patrols first.

Now it's not that the Alliance are ever going to give names to these "anarchists" or "terrorists" or "insurgents," or any other term used by fascists to describe those who fight for freedom, but something that crossed our Cortex feed today was this little group called Caliban. Or, not so little, since including to our informant, Caliban is led by a high ranking former Alliance soldier who defected not long after the Miranda Broadwave. Caliban is dedicated to nothing less than the destruction of the Union of Allied Planets, and is willing to go to any lengths to achieve its aims. Even the fake news media has discussed the existence of Caliban, though of course have refused to treat it any differently than any other insurgent group. Make no mistake, the so-called "journalists" who suck at the Alliance's teat know more than what they're saying on the screen. Open your eyes, so you can open your mind.

Whoever the brave souls who revealed the dark heart of the Alliance are, we can only hope that they are aware that their actions have kickstarted the revolution that will bring this fascist order to its knees. And we at CounterShot will continue to do our part to hasten the Alliance's demise. Know this, brave heroes – wherever you are in the 'Verse, as you continue to fight the good fight, you will always have a home here. None braver, none smarter, not more gallant have graced the 'Verse in our lifetimes. Please, continue the good fight, and be the shining paragons of truth and justice we know you to be.

Down with the Alliance! Long live the revolution!

(Please feel free to make a tax-deductible donation to CounterShot in the link below.)