The Myrmidon Advance

"Et Ferdinand blonde sera descorte,
Quitter la fleur, suyure le Macedon,
Au grand besoing defaillira sa routte,
Et marchera contre le Myrmiden."

"And fair Ferdinand will be detached,
To abandon the flower, to follow the Macedonian:
In the great pinch his course will fail,
And he will march against the Myrmidons."

Nostradamus, Century IX 35

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News from the front.

The Myrmidons have pressed their advantage. Despite abandoning the alliance with the federationists, the USD rose to the challenge.

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[Lord Krakken Hyperion of the Myrmidon Order]

Date: May 7
Title: "Declaration of Responsibilities"
Source: The Myrmidon Order


Greetings

When the Myrmidon Order first came to the Al Raqis system, one of the first accommodations was to maintain order and provide a contribution to the sovereignty and freedom of the Governments of the systems to go about their day without the fear of undue influence and becoming another "satellite" of an uninvited entity. Given the Myrmidon Order was presented the charter and responsibility to ensure that no outside influence would make any encroachment on the Al Raqis/Splintered Rock/Wadi Governments. Given that it was more than acceptable for the Myrmidon Order to be as "supplemental" to the local militias to ensure that the wishes of the citizens and Government would be carried out in this manner.

Sadly, it has come to the conclusion it has not been carried out in full satisfaction to the Governments of Al Raqis. Specifically, the allowance of The Federation and its confederates to have an entrenched foothold in the Splintered Rock area. Understand, we do not seek any extraneous conflict with the Federation, nor do we intend to expand what is already a tenuous situation between them and the Myrmidon Order. However, we would see it as a failure on our part if we did not ensure that our charter and responsibility as part of our allegiance and accords to the Governments of Al Raqis, Splintered Rock and Wadi was not given it just due.

We of the Myrmidon Order cannot stand idly by while sections of the system come under the weight of the very influence we swore to prevent. The local militias have failed and ineffective in regards to this allowance of this persistent 'Ivy" and entangle itself in the life of the system, grow and plant additional seeds in other areas in the system. We cannot allow this to happen.

It is important that such seeds are not allowed to germinate and take root any further than it has now. We no longer have any confidence in the abilities of the local militias nor trust their reason of being given as they have proven time and time again to be less than effective. So to ensure that this situation can be salvageable and until such time a more sincere and effective force is capable of carrying out the needs of the citizens of the Al Raqis system through security, self-preservation, commerce, and culture, the Myrmidon Order is hereby assuming the responsibilities and duties as the sole arbiter and military authority in the section known as Splintered Rock. In that we are confident we can stop any uninvited growth before it multiplies.

We will work with the local governments to ensure them and the local citizens that this is only a temporary measure and we do not expect to be in this role any longer then we have to. Only to the satisfaction of all parties concern will we carry this heavy burden. However, we hope all will be understanding and continue their "peaceful" daily activities.

AresPrime Pryxis
KrakkenAres Hyperion

On Behalf of
AresPrime, Myrmidon Order
AthenaPrime, Myrmidon Order

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Date: May 7
Item: Transmission
Source: Trading Vessel 'J-Jayde-Alsha'

This is Captain Cords.... Please be advised there is a fleet of Gunn starships heading in your direction. They bear the markings of the Myrmidon Order. I have never seen anything this big in my life. It looks like it can carry several squadrons of fighters and a unknown number of troops. I will avoid ..from... getting any.....

**Transmission abruptly ended**

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[File photo - The Gunn starship docked at Alcyon]

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Date: May 7
Item: Official Broadcast
Source: Splintered Rock

WARNING! A large fleet of unidentified vessels is in Al Raqis system. Ships appear to be approaching orbital insertion points. Unconfirmed reports of attacks on merchant shipping. All ship captains are advised to remain grounded or to remain at distance from Al Raqis system until further notice.

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Date: May 8
Title: "The Constable's Report"
Source: Splintered Rock

My Fellow Offworlders,

Yesterday a large fleet of ships entered the Mu Draconis system. We now know that these ship belong to The Myrmidon Order who intended to forcefully establish a base of operations on the planet of Al Raqis. Fortunately, messages concerning the intent of said fleet were received and those space craft which were able to put up resistance as the Myrmidons entered orbit, did so. It is due to the sacrifice of these crews that the Myrmidon Order were unable to land their full invasion force.

The Myrmidons did however, manage to land an assault group at Al Raqis North Lowport, the area known to many of you as 'Splintered Rock'. They no doubt have numerous reasons for assaulting this area. The Lowport provides a perfect staging area for landing an invasion force, it is also close to the spice refining facilities. However, it seems on this occasion their main target was the newly reconstructed outpost of The Federation forces. This felt the full force of the Myrmidon assault and was badly damaged. Were it not for the intervention of the United Systems Directorate from their nearby base I'm afraid to say the Federation Outpost may well have been completely in Myrmidon hands.

Forces of The United Systems Directorate were able to push back the Myrmidon assault and drive them from the Lowport area. The Myrmidon assault force retreated to the desert and remains at large. All citizens should be vigilant. Of the utmost concern is that regular offworld spice shipments have been halted by these events. I am appealing to any Merchant Ship Captain with a vessel landed at Al Raqis North Lowport to contact me. Special Licenses to carry spice will be issued to any captain brave enough to run the Myrmidon orbital blockade. Spice must be delivered to the Universe!

Long Live Emperor Palpatino!

Constable Werribee

The Political Indiscretion of Lady Bondar

April 22


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I received a letter today. It arrived through channels.

It was not addressed to me.

Dated some sixteen months ago, it was private correspondence from the Lady Brazen Bondar of House Bondar, to Joan al Jofar, the Chief Magistrate of Al Raqis. The date on the letter, December 26, puts it three days before my arrival on Al Raqis that month.

That this letter found its way into my hands is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of our civil servants ....and to the value of patience in the field of investigation.

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Chief Magistrate al Jofar:

I have pondered over and over whether to send this message to you, however, time may now be of the essence and I fear you you must be given some information about a situation that is developing.

As you know Faith Industries has recently arrived on al-Raqis through the person of Commander William Faith. I do not want to assume anything about your knowledge of Faith, so I will share the following:

William Faith, an Alliance officer, was undercover for a time with the rebels and was known as Teetopwillie, where he ran a trading company on Shadow. The company was called TTW. In the undercover role, he married Brooke Rhea, the woman who came to see you yesterday. In reality, she was already married to another Alliance operative, who had "disappeared" or was believed dead. In fact, the husband was not dead but was somehow connected to Necronum (sic) and Commander Justine Morrow. [Magistrate, I apologize as I know this tale may sound fantastical..but this is the information you need to have]. Faith was undercover to discover who, among the rebel groups was responsible for blowing up the ship his family was traveling on. The entire family (wife and children perished).

I have it on good authority that at the wedding between Faith/Tee and Brooke, Brooke's husband showed up. Faith, fearing his cover would be blown shot him, and havoc ensued. From that time, Brooke has taken over TTW with the individual named Dex, who claims to be a botanist. It is suspected he is actually the father of the child she is carrying [again, my apologies Magistrate for what appears to be idle gossip. In fact all can be corroborated].

The pressing issue is that I have recently learned of a plot involving the former Shadow residents, including Brooke and some of her henchmen. It has come to my attention that they are planning to come to al-Raqis and capture Commander Faith. Putting aside my personal interests, which are well known, there are many reasons why such a plan would be disruptive to al-Raqis: 1) it would bring far too much Alliance attention to us; 2) it would cast dispersion on your ability to govern al-Raqis; 3) it would deprive al-Raqis of the power and prestige that Faith Industries can bring; and 4) will create a lawless environment in our streets.

It has also occurred to me, that there are many questions over the validity of Faith's actions in light of what happened to his family. Since the Rebels do not respect the legal administration of the Alliance, if they catch him, they may execute him without trial. It may be, in the event that capture occurs, you can offer yourself as a neutral judicial authority to be the arbiter of whether Faith's actions could be excused or not. A fairly handled trial would increase your reputation and prestige in the area, and...help ensure you control the fate of al-Raqis.

In closing...the presence of Brooke Rhea troubled me and compelled me to come forward with this information.

With greatest respect.

Lady Brazen Bondar

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Of course, the irony is that Faith's presence alone, as a war criminal at large, was reason enough for increasing the Alliance presence in the area.

I am not saying that Lady Bondar was wrong. If Brooke had indeed taken the law into her own hands here on Al Raqis, it would also have merited investigation.

I'm just saying we were coming either way.

Truce or Consequences

April 15 - Londinium

Deep in the heart of one of the most secure UAP facilities in Londinium, two maximum security holding cells sit next to one another.

There is a bank of monitors. Cameras and microphones that never shut off. Every move, every sound that takes place within those cells is dutifully recorded and measured.

Two cells. Two prisoners.

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In Game Theory, the study of strategic human interactions, there is a problem of particular interest called The Prisoner's Dilemma. In its simplest form, it illustrates a situation where there is a tendency towards non-cooperative behaviour between participants, even when there are greater gains in working together.

The scenario goes something like this:

Two suspects are detained in connection with a robbery. Perhaps they are carrying weapons that are linked to the crime. They say they purchased the weapons on the black market, but claim they are innocent of any other misdeed.

We separate them for interrogation.

If they both hold to their story (cooperate with each other) and maintain their silence in the face of our interrogation, then they probably dodge the robbery charge. We charge them with a weapon's offence.

If one of the suspects turns state's evidence he is granted full immunity from prosecution. His erstwhile partner receives the maximum sentence. We throw the book at him.

If both of them confess (defect from their agreement) then they both do time. A reduced sentence because they cooperated with the authorities. A plea bargain.

In the single round version of this 'game', the dominant strategy is actually for each player to defect or betray the other player. Confess to the crime. Do a lesser sentence. Look out for yourself. You also minimize risk to yourself, because if you stay silent and your co-conspirator confesses, you will be left to take the blame.

This is great news for law enforcement. It is not so helpful if you are innocent and your friend fingers you for the crime.

However, once this problem is applied to a wider field of human behaviour such as the political arena, where there are multiple players and no set limit to the number of repetitions the game can be played, cooperation between players often evolves as a preferred strategy. Or more specifically:

• Cooperate when you can.
• Hold accountable those who betray you.
• Forgive them when they seek genuine reconciliation.

Why? Because now players have the opportunity to penalize each other on further rounds of the game for non-cooperative behaviour. In this iterative version, social gains and losses accumulate. Strategies must now incorporate the long term.

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As the month of April progressed, there were a number of developments that set the stage for the events that would follow. The first came in the form of two official announcements from the United Systems Directorate.

On April 5, USD Lt. Commander Randt released the following statement:

"The alliance held between the STC and USD, is no longer in effect. Our alliance recently broke down and we are no longer considered allies. Please, take note of this for reference in future conflicts."

Diplomatic sources hinted that factions within the federationist movement either could not fulfill or did not recognize any alliance obligations to the USD.

Within the week, five days later to be precise, the USD High Council, took a further step and declared the United Systems Directorate an armed neutrality - which is to say they would no longer be participant in the war between the Orions and the UFS, but that they reserved the right to defend themselves to the fullest extent of their capabilities if attacked.

This move by the USD along with rumours of deep divisions within the federationist movement left the region without an effective counterbalance and provided the opportunity for the Myrmidon and Orion agendas to unfold.

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And on April 9, I received the following message:

** Secured Channel ** Aurotharius Wylder has been moved to a more isolated location nearby. Coordinates herein. ** End Secured Communication **







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[ooc - Thank you Jai. Pictures courtesy of UAP Special Projects]

Boros (Part Three)

April 3 - Boros

"What can you tell me about House Orion?" I asked.

"What do you want to know?" asked Calina.

"Anything that strikes you as important," I urged, "you mentioned a rapid rise in fortune."

"Yes. When Captain Barbosa arrived a year or so ago, the Orions were on the fringes of Al Raqis society. Boorish, rude, self-interested. At the Faith Industries Ball, they were dancing on tables and someone challenged an Orion woman and myself to a duel of who could be more... alluring. Not appropriate and not fair," she added with a playful yet confident grin.

I listened quietly as the Companion spoke.

"As to the new Advocate," she continued, "Auryn Sapeur... hmmm... she intrigues me. She is saavy, astute, driven, and something here..." Calina put her hand over her stomach, "just says to me there is an ulterior motive. When I said something hinting at that, she seemed genuinely hurt that was my opinion."

"When did this new Advocate begin her term?" I asked.

"Some months ago. There was even a ceremony with the Orions and Myrmidons. I was not able to attend so I am not sure of the intent or how it joined the Houses. But the Sinisterhood was the sponsor. And the Reverend Mother.... hmmm... well... she and I could probably pace around one another like two big cats sizing each other up... trying to decide which one will blink first."

"Sinisterhood," I repeated. I had seen the outside of their manor. I had met Sister Kat. I had very little else in the way of first hand knowledge.

Calina chuckled, "The local name I suppose for them.... Their House is at the base of the stairs before going up to Shanjian's. Stunning beautiful garden behind their walls."

"A garden?" I interrupted, "on Al Raqis?... they must be indeed wealthy."

"Keepers of religion can be," replied the Companion.

I nodded. "And they sponsored the event that marked the alliance between Orion and Myrmidon," I frowned turning this information over.

"Yes, they did," confirmed Calina. "The Myrmidons... what I know of them is that they are generally well-cultured, though when they first landed, one of them burst into the House and pointed a gun at me. He later apologized when we met at a social event. Seem to be connected to an ancient warrior culture that reminds me of Earth that Was ancient Greece."

"And they are the shock troops of the Orion and Morloch," I paraphrased, "with the blessing of this Reverend Mother."

"Yes," said Calina. "They crash landed on Al Raqis and one of them burst into the House. He lifted his rifle... a rather large rifle... at me and we exchanged a few words and when he was satisfied that I was neither armed nor would reveal his position, he left."

"And now they have a manor house of their own," I added.

"They do?"

"Yes," I replied, "far out in the Wadi Emet."

"Ahhh.... near House Morloch?"

"Yes."

"I have only been to that house a couple of times," said the Companion, "Clearly some construction has occurred since my last visit."

"Indeed. It would seem you have your work cut out for you, Miss Tereshchenko."

"Very much so." Calina nodded, and then added some reflection, "There are stories around the Guild Houses of one retired Companion. Her name is Inara. She was called 'The Ambassador.' I believe it was somewhat of a derisive title given to her by the Captain of that Firefly she was on, but stories and rumors flew quickly around."

"Please let me know if I can help further," I said.

"Thank you Major. Information that you learn would be greatly appreciated. But enough of this serious and potentially terrifying talk, how have you been? How is Lynx?"

"He is on Paquin," I replied, "recuperating from an ordeal of his own."

Calina blinked, "What happened?"

I looked through my belt pouch as I spoke.

"He went missing... an attack on the ship he was on. He is fine," I added quickly, "the Consulari found him in a stasis chamber. He is now awake." And with that I passed Calina the letter and photographs I received from Lynx.

"Oh dear... that is... good. I'm glad that he is safe."

I continued, "I would like to speak with you about fostering him with your House... do you offer training to young gentlemen? Etiquette and so forth? for those young men entering the diplomatic service."

Calina smiled as she flipped through the pictures, "He has gotten taller. He is going to be quite the talk among the acolytes there on Paquin." She paused for a moment "I could, yes. He would be very welcome to stay here on Boros."

"Good," I said, "I want to give him options. He has some training already we have found..."

"With the UAP presence on the moon," elaborated the Companion, "all the ship building... it is safe and he would have opportunities to meet those connected both with the civil and military authorities."

"Splendid," I replied. It did sound promising. "We still don't know his origins...." I added with a small sigh.

"Nothing?"

"Just clues," I replied, "I would like him to spend some time with Bai Feargananym of the Bihar Sanctuary. Perhaps through meditation he will recover some memories."

"Very true," she agreed, "I would think his memories would be there... somewhere."

"I just hope they are not so traumatic that they are better left untouched," I added.

"Nothing in any databases?"

I hesitated a fraction of a moment. "No, nothing," I replied.

This was not exactly true. There were still tests we could run. I had used the utmost caution with any database search when it concerned Lynx. Keeping the search narrow and well controlled, avoiding the involvement of too many people. And though I was perhaps better placed than most to deal with anything unforeseen, something stayed my hand from conducting an exhaustive system wide search.

What if he was not lost?

What if he had been... hidden?

These were my private and irrational thoughts.

"He is too young to be in any Guild databases," remarked Calina.

I hesitated again then spoke, "And it could be best if he retrieves his memories on his own..."

She shrugged her shoulder slightly, "Answers are out there. Does he really want to know the answers?"

That was not what concerned me. "I confess, I think about his mother... Is she safe? She must worry..."

The Companion nodded, "Very true."

"Well, I should be moving on," I paused for a moment to again take in the view from where we stood. The gentle lapping of the water. The soft glow from the lanterns. The scent of night blooming jasmine. "Such a pleasant world ..."

Calina smiled, "Thank you for coming to visit, Major. You are always welcome here."

"Thank you Miss Tereshchenko," I replied, sincerely.

Boros (Part Two)

April 3 - Boros

I was shown to a small wooden gazebo, perched at the edge of the lake. My boots sounded heavy on the wooden planks. The creaking of my leather armour sounded coarse in contrast to the delicate sound of wind chimes.

I did not have long to wait.

Calina Tereshchenko made her way to the gazebo with a small basket in hand. A flask full of tea, snacks and other sundries.

"Hello Miss Tereshchenko," I smiled.

"Ni hao, Major," she said, "Welcome to House Shanjian. May I offer you something to drink?"

"Yes please," I said. "I feel.... overdressed," I confessed.

Calina grinned, "I hope that you will find it as peaceful as we do. Aside from some local trouble when we first arrived, the House has largely been undisturbed." She set the basket down and prepared two cups of tea. "There are some biscuits, cookies, local fruit... the apple trees just became ready for harvest a few days ago."

"Ah splendid," I replied.

"We try to be self-sufficient here," she continued, "as much as possible." She offered me a cup of tea with the words, "May your journeys be peaceful," then she picked up her own.

"Thank you," I said, taking the cup, warm in the cool night air. "I was asked to contact you," I began, "to help you prepare for your talks on Al Raqis. I do have some papers..." I offered her a collection of documents sent through diplomatic channels including one from some official in the federationist movement. "...it would seem that the request for extradition was refused," I added.

"Wonderful. Thank you," she said as she took the papers, "I have sent an invitation to the Ambassador and his... her... Superior. I will find that out before I meet with them... but they have not responded to my invitation to meet at the Shanjian House on Al Raqis as of yet."

I nodded, "It would seem that there are a number of groups operating on Al Raqis that claim to be part of this federation."

Calina read over the documents, "Interesting... did the Magistrate, Lady Rashad or the Orion Advocate have a response?"

"I am not party to that information, I am afraid," I replied, "I am only loosely connected to the Zenobian Embassy... in an advisory capacity. Most of my dealings on Al Raqis are on UAP business."

"Just as well, to be honest," she replied, "Politics is an amazingly gray area. Who is actually in power, pulling the strings and directing the chess pieces is sometimes not clear. And the reasons behind for certain moves or associations do not make sense. I would imagine military life to be somewhat clear - this is your order. You follow it."

"Yes," I concurred, "and unlike politics, one usually knows who your enemies are."

The Companion chuckled, "Very true."

"It is possible," I offered, "that the group that formed an alliance with the USD are not the same command chain as Lt. Ravenheart. When you begin talks with these people, you may want to keep that in mind."

"A rogue group? Or just that she was not aware of the connection with USD?"

"They could be operating as part of a multi-prong incursion," I suggested, "Operating independently even." I gave a little smile, "Too early to know."

"Major," began the Companion, "if I may speak frankly, this entire incursion seems to have something else behind it. Since the attack on the refineries, the Orions have very quickly gained a foothold in local politics the likes I have never seen for an off-worlder. I have occasionally wondered to what end their purposes are...."

I nodded, "That could be."

"...and why they chose to bring their problems with this federation to Al Raqis," she added.

"Well, like you said...a chess game."

Calina continued, "And why the desert-born have not risen up in greater numbers to expel all the off-worlders. It is a marked change from when I arrived and after BriAria tried to poison Lord Faith... they were much more controlling of off-worlder movements."

"Perhaps they have weakened," I suggested, "or perhaps they are keeping their forces in reserve."

"It will eventually move into a very dangerous end-game," she said.

I paused for a moment. It was always possible that this conflict would spread beyond the Mu Draco system. "I would have to agree," I said.

The Companion picked through her basket and pulled out a cookie, "Have you had much contact with USD?"

"I have spoken with Lt. Colonel John Collins on a number of occassions in the course of my investigations."

Calina nodded, "It may be good to speak with him as well. Have you spoken to him since the hostilities started?"

"Just last month in fact."

"And the Myrmidons," she continued, "Other than a military force, I am not sure how they fit into this. Did he have any information or opinions? Opinions can sometimes be just as useful as the facts."

"It would seem that they have strong ties with House Morloch," I offered.

"Yes, they do," she agreed, "I attended an event and Lord and Lady Rashad of House Morloch were guests."

I took a sip of my tea. Some things needed to be said. "If things go from bad to worse," I began, "and the UAP decides to offer evacuation to its citizens ...this of course, includes you and your staff as well as House Zenobia and House Bondar."

"House Bondar?" asked Calina, "I was not aware that Lady Bondar was a UAP citizen. Then again, where she is from never came up in our few conversations."

I honestly did not know either way. Brazen Bondar did a great deal of trade in the 34 Tauri system in the past. Perhaps she had connections with some one in the foreign office.

"Have you spoken to Tillery?" asked Calina, "He has interests on Al Raqis as well and would want to see them protected."

"About this? I have not," I said.

It would be a large evacuation indeed. I could see scores of refugees huddled on the floor of the Trade Association frigate. UAP warships running escort.

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