In an open letter, the Duchev log collectors have expressed concerns about some aspects of CDFs actions in the recent past. I would like to respond to some of the allegations of the letter.

There is no secret mission to infiltrate the Calypsian government. CDF is, according to the contract of colonisation between the Federal Empire and private partners, the military branch of the Calypsian government.

The decision to study the Duchev logs was based on a strategic need to get an understanding of mutant activities, mindset and plans. To this end, the Duchev files have to be analyzed and correlated with several other sources. At no point, it was indicated that the intel gained would be shared to the public; the information we are looking for is of strategic nature, and thus there is every reason for secrecy, as is the matter of all military information of strategic significance. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that CDF would not be willing to share this information, in the same way that we would not share information regarding war plans, troop deployment et cetera.

CDF concedes to the point that the files should be open to the public for research, and not locked away. However, CDF believes that private corporations are even worse custodians of the files, as they only have interest in profit. They want return of investment, not open research. To them, the files would constitute a market opportunity.

CDF decided to buy the files in order to get unlimited access to them. For that, we offered what we considered to be a fair price. I do not agree with the Duchev collectors that the price is not fair, but it is not an impassable obstacle.

To that end, CDF makes this offer to the Duchev collectors:

• CDF gets access to the Duchev files.
• For this, CDF pays the aforementioned price plus one Isis LR53 (L) rifle, i.e. one set of Jaguar Foot Guards (Unlimited), one Ach-O Torment’s Tainted Whip (Limited) and one Isis LR53 rifle (Limited) for files #1 to #19; and one Ach-O Torment’s Tainted Whip (Limited) and one Isis LR53 rifle (Limited) for files #1 to #14.
• When analysis is complete, the files will be returned to their owners.

If these terms are not acceptable, the offer is withdrawn.

Major Jenny Carramone, High Commander CDF

One of the mutant leaders, Mulmun Demp, has been sighted in a mutant camp near Twin Peaks. CDF believes that he will try to make contact with another mutant leader this weekend, and urges colonists to keep an eye out for strange activities in that area. “It is imperative that Mulmun Demp is stopped before we lose track of him”, CDF high commander Major Jenny Carramone says. “This is our chance to get rid of the orbs, and it would be highly unfortunate if it slipped away.”

CDF will post an update when the whereabouts of the other leader is known. There is no intel on the identity of the other leader at this time, as they haven’t tracked any other leader coming into the area.

This morning, CDF high commander, Major Jenny Carramone, revealed CDFs plan for closing down the orbs to the public. Using telemetry data from the orbs and some field trials, CDF have created a device for closing them down. However, initial attempts have been unsuccessful.

“There seems to be a control mechanism that counters our attempts of closing the orbs” said Major Carramone, adding that CDF believes that the two helmets described in the Duchev files and in Ms Nakajima’s testimony is that control mechanism.

“The mutants have made a critical error” Major Carramone said, “as both helmets are on this side of whatever gateway the orbs are. If the helmets are removed from mutant possession, CDF will again attempt to use their device to close the gateway.”

The plan consists of two elements: first, the mutants must not be allowed to slip back through the orbs with the helmets. Second, the helmets must be tracked down. The second task requires manpower that CDF do not have; CDF intel indicates that the helmets is carried by an adjutant or servant when not in use, which makes it hard to identify the holder. Intel also indicates that the helmets are held by two different mutant clans.

“I hope that Calypso’s colonists will help” Carramone concluded. “Retrieve the helmets, and we’ll take it from there. We expect stiff resistance from the mutants, so be prepared.”

For security reasons, Major Carramone did not answer any questions about the nature of the device.

In a press conference this morning in response to the allegations of the so-called “mutant menace”, CDF high commander, Major Jenny Carramone, stated that the mutants have never posed a threat to Calypsian society. Although there were mutants in Hadesheim and some colonists were hurt, the only people in real danger were “irresponsible daredevils who ignored CDF warnings and went into the wilderness on their own”.

In related news, EBN reporter Shelly Nakajima was rescued late Sunday by CDF. In what is described as a brilliantly executed search-and-rescue operation, Special Forces and rescue paramedics located and extracted Ms Nakajima. She was immediately taken to the hospital in Hadesheim. She is exhausted, famished and dehydrated, and her condition is serious but stable.

Ms Nakajima has not been available for any comments as yet.

EBN reporter Shelly Nakajima met up with Major Jenny Carramone, the High Commander of CDF, in her headquarters, and managed to get an exclusive interview in a brief lull of the action.

When I reached Major Carramone’s headquarter, I was one of EBNs many employees that were out of job as CDF had closed us down, so I had my personal reasons to dislike her. Still, I am a reporter, and I report news to and for the public and air their views.

The public seems to be split. Half of them endorse the state of emergency, claiming that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. The other half listens to the rumor of the coup d’état, claiming that the extraordinary means were out of proportion to the ends. I asked the major about this.

Major Carramone: “As I’ve said numerous times, I am a soldier. My job is to defend democracy, not enforce it.”

Shelly Nakajima: “Isn’t that an old-fashioned view?”

MC: “I am an old-fashioned person. I do what I have to do to do my duty.”

SN: “My own personal feelings aside, there are a lot of people that are nervous about that. There are some that say that there will not be a democracy after this crisis.”

MC: “Yes, I’ve heard them.”

SN: “And?”

MC: “Look, there are all different kinds of protective measures preventing that. It is very hard for the Federal Imperial Armed Forces to abuse power, even emergency powers. If a local commander, for instance me, violates the Colonial Charter by setting up a military governorship, the Joint Chiefs would not be merciful. The perpetrator would be arrested, court-martialed, dishonorably discharged, tried by a civilian court of law and given a harsh sentence at a penal labor colony.”

SN: “If Calypso secedes, that will not be a problem.”

MC: “Miss Nakajima, do you have any idea of what would happen if I tried that? If you believe that the Federal Empire will allow the only known naturally inhabitable planet beside Earth to secede, you’re a lot dumber than I thought!”

SN: “Then there is no truth in the rumor that you’re planning a coup d’état?”

MC: “None at all. Besides, I’m too busy fighting the robots to even consider it.”

SN: “It seems you take this robot business very seriously.”

MC: “It runs in the family, I guess. My father and two of my older brothers died fighting them.”

SN: “Yes, the famous General Carramone. We owe much to him for the last robot war. I see that you’re still wearing his armor, by the way. Do you know what happened to the other two sets that were issued?”

MC: “They were given to my older siblings and were lost as they went MIA. There are rumors that parts of the sets have turned up in private collector’s hands, but I haven’t managed to track them down.”

SN: “Back to the robots again; what do you think your father would do if he was still here?”

MC: “It’s funny you should ask that, Miss Nakajima. I’ve asked myself that question over and over again. I think he would do pretty much the same as I have done, but I can’t forget his last message, ‘remember Circe’s advice’. I think he knew something important. “

SN: “Oh yes, Circe was a nymph that tried to poison Odysseys and turned his men into pigs, was she? What was her advice?”

MC: “When Odysseus and Circe parted, Circe told Odysseus how to get home to Ithaca. First there were the island of the Sirens; then there were a choice of sailing to the Wandering Islands or through the strait of Scylla and Charybdis; and finally he would come to Thrinacian Island where he would be tempted to harm the cattle of the sun, and if he did he would never return to Ithaca.”

SN: “You seem to know that myth by heart.”

MC: “I’ve spent a long time researching it and thinking about it.”

SN: “Do you think that it’s a clue of the goal of the robots?”

MC: “Possibly.”

SN: “Do you have any ideas of what their goal might be? Is it in Ithaca? Or East Scylla? [pause] Nymphtown?”

MC: “[laughs] Damned if I know. And to be honest, it’s likely that I would not be able to tell you even if I knew, for security reasons.”

SN: “Speaking of something else, Major, could you share your thoughts of the Provisional Government of Calypso?”

MC: “My professional view is that PGC is dangerous. They or their affiliates have resorted to acts of terrorism. PGC is a loose cannon on a rolling deck.”

SN: “So you had them arrested?”

MC: “Yes. [pause] There were two options, to allow them to remain free, or to take them into custody. Having them free would risk further acts of terrorism, and the risks of having them in custody would be a worried public. I judged the risk of the latter to be smallest, both in probability and severity.”

SN: “And your personal view?”

MC: “No comment.”

SN: “What were your thoughts about EBN?”

MC: “Very similar.”

SN: “That we are terrorists?”

MC: “No, that you’re a loose cannon. I don’t need that in this crisis.”

SN: “Let’s see if I get this right, Major: we used our constitutional freedom of speech, and since what we said upset you, you had us shut down. Don’t you think that’s a bit out of proportion?”

MC: “Let me correct you, Miss Nakajima; what you said didn’t upset me. It upset the public. It upset them to the point that there was a real danger of a violent uprising. Words have power, and in this crisis they were used irresponsibly.”

SN: “Yes, but guns…”

MC: “[interrupts angrily] Guns don’t instill revolution. Words do! And I can’t fight a civil war while fighting the war against the robots!”

I was a bit taken back by this powerful display of emotion from the Major. As I was upset myself, I decided that it would not be in our best interest to continue at the time, and we ended the interview. I typed this text at night and did some fact checking.

The morning after, I was summoned to Major Carramone’s headquarters again, where she asked for forgiveness for her temper last night. “I am a soldier” she said. “I do not have a knack for words.” I responded that I would forgive her, provided that EBN would be allowed to publish this story immediately, unedited and uncensored, as insurance to the people that their constitutional rights would be reinstated the moment the crisis was over. Major Jenny Carramone agreed.

This reporter still thinks that Major Carramone’s actions are unconstitutional and out of proportion, but I am less worried that she will not resign emergency powers after the crisis was over. As she said, “I’m more for action; and I’m willing to have my actions judged after the crisis.” History will judge Major Carramone, but I am no longer so sure that judgment will be harsh.

For EBN News, this is Shelly Nakajima.