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.

This is a CDF update. CDF intelligence indicates that the robots have switched tactic. The robots seem to be deploying recon teams, mainly in south central Eudoria. Jason Center in particular has been heavily attacked. There is no indication that the assault was intended to conquer or destroy the city, but appears to be designed to protect a sigint unit that came under attack from colonial militia. CDF Intelligence believes that heavy reinforcements are coming.

Please be advised that a state of emergency is still in effect. Civilians should stay indoors, and should move to shelters as quickly as possible if caught in the open when a robot attack occurs. If you want to help, produce weapons, ammunition and supplies for the troops, or care for the wounded. Colonial militia should defend revive and teleport terminals.

This is a CDF update. Robot attacks have continued for the last few days in Hadesheim Central, Zychion, Ithaca, Camp Echidna, Fort Medusa and Fort Troy.

Please be advised that a state of emergency is still in effect. There is still grave danger for anyone in the attacked areas. Civilians should stay indoors, and should move to shelters as quickly as possible if caught in the open when a robot attack occurs. If you want to help, produce weapons, ammunitions and supplies for the troops, or care for the wounded. Colonial militia should defend revive and teleport terminals.

RDI is pleased to announce that the search program for robot parts is successfully initiated. Thanks to the help of vigilant community members, RDI will get a chance to analyze robot evolution.

The award ceremony will take place in RDI headquarters in Port Atlantis on Sunday December 28th at 8pm MA time. Anyone that can deliver a complete sample set of 21 parts at the ceremony will be awarded a full set of Protector of the Empire armor.

CDF intelligence indicates that there are still parts to be found on Calypso.

The robot enemy has concentrated their efforts on Eudoria. It is not yet known whether this is the main thrust or deception.

Civilians are advised to stay indoors. If you are caught in the open and a robot attack occurs, move as quickly as you can to the nearest shelter. If you want to help, produce weapons, ammunitions and supplies for the troops, or care for the wounded. Colonial militia should defend revive and teleport terminals.

Following the heavy battles during the weekend, particularly around Zychion Citadel and Hadesheim Central, the front seems to stabilize. Major Jenny Carramone described the weekend as “a carnage”, but also commends the colonial troops and their sacrifices in the battle.

However, the High Commander was less than pleased to announce the reply from the Federal Imperial government for the pleas for help. In fact, her voice was downright poisonous as she delivered the response from Earth:

“The Under-Secretary of Colonial Affairs in charge of Calypsian Development, mr Otto Kummel, has replied that we seem to be on top of the situation. For that reason, and as the federal budget’s post for extraordinary events is nearly depleted for the semester, the Under-Secretary has decided to call off the relief mission to Calypso.”

Major Carramone did not offer any further comments.

For the last days, robot motherships have threatened several of our cities. We have requested help and stalled for time for Earth to come to our aid. However, the Federal Imperial government has responded that we can’t expect any help from Earth. We’re on our own.

Because of that, and in response to the robot attacks on Calypso, I am declaring a state of emergency. Effective immediately, I am personally in command of all Calypsian civilian and military agencies.

All citizens bearing arms should report to duty stations immediately. Crafters and miners will be needed for the manufacture of weapons, ammunition, provisions and supplies. Anyone found knowingly or unknowingly supporting the robot hostilities or any separatist tendencies will be dealt with accordingly.

This state of emergency will be enforced for the duration of the robot attacks. Questions about this declaration should be directed to Defense Forces personnel or to my office.

Thank you for your cooperation.

/Major Jenny Carramone, Calypso Defense Forces high commander

For the last week, the robots have used the Calypso emergency broadcast system to piggy-back their own sinister messages. Of course, the messages themselves were encrypted.

Thanks to a valiant effort by a community of code-breakers, the robot codes have been cracked, even as the robots switched communications protocol to make decryption harder.

“We owe these clever people a great deal”, Major Jenny Carramone says. “They’ve cracked the code just for the challenge of it, and they have given the CDF a peek inside the minds of the robots. that have been invaluable to us. I would like to express my gratitude to each and everyone of them. They may very well have won the war.”

However, Major Carramone still has concerns about cracking the code on a public forum. “They know that we know” she says, “and the code has evolved all the time. I fear that pretty soon, we won’t be able to read their code.”

A self-proclaimed group vying for independence of Calypso has entered the negotiations with the robots. The hitherto unknown group, called the “Provisional Government of Calypso”, has issued the following statement:

“This is the Provisional Government of Calypso. The Provisional Government is negotiating with the robots and Calypso Defense Forces to ensure our planet’s independence. We will soon be free from Imperial rule!”

CDF authorities confirm that the group exist and has entered the negotiations, but will not give any details at present time.

Calypsian authorities have entered negotiations with representatives from the robot forces.

Sources within CDF indicate that the negotiations are designed to stall for time in order for Earth to send reinforcements to Calypso. There has been no confirmation on this from CDF High Command.