Old News

Not quite old enough to properly call history, but certainly not news…

All shown in reverse chronological order, newest at the top and oldest at the bottom.

Grand Admiral Ibn Battuta announced that he was stepping down as the Commander in Chief of the IEN. He will be replaced by the current First Space Lord. The Second Space Lord will also retire at the same time as the Grand Admiral and Admiral Sir George Tryon, IEN, currently Director INI will become the Second Space Lord. The changes in Senior Staff will take effect from 3208.099. Further consequential senior staff appointments are expected to be announced in due course.

The 22nd Battle Fleet arrived at the Sol M25 on 3207.386 and made it into orbit around Earth on 3207.396 in time for 15 days of well deserved shore leave in time for the customary new year celebrations. This is their first shore leave since deploying to Wing in a peace keeping capacity over a year ago.

The IEN will shortly be commissioning several new ships that have recently completed construction.

The following vessels will be commissioned before 3208.049 ESS Adventurer (SCI) built by SY Solent (Sol L4) ESS National Enquirer (SCI) built by SY Solent (Sol L4) ESS Deucalion (SCI) built by CSY Alpha (Sol S4) ESS Pyrrha (SCI) built by CSY Alpha (Sol S4) ESS Enkidu (SSI) built by UOX

ESS Adventurer and National Enquirer will be transferred to Q6, Deucalion and Pyrrha to Q7 to replace C5A currently in the colonial fleets. On arrival of the remaining SCIs being built to replace the current vessels in the QDF scout fleets those C5As currently deployed there will return to the Star Guard. The transition is expected to be complete before the end of 3208 (in T73).

Keels were laid down for two new semi-automatic battleships at SY Solent and two at CSY Alpha (Sol S4) in addition to the two recently started at UOX shipyards under contract for the IEN. These vessels are expected to be commissioned for operational training at Sol by 3210.049.

A joint IAO/Imperium Security investigation has lead to the removal and arrest of the First Minister Senator Lee Zhang. Lee Zhang, his wife and one of their domestic servants were arrested at his home as part of an on-going in depth. At this stage it is not possible to discuss the details of this investigation, but the charges against Lee are very serious indeed and relate to breaches of Imperial Secrets legislation and espionage. Under the circumstances, the First Citizen has, reluctantly, removed him from office, and in the interim Senator Hilmi Ozkok will be taking on the duties as caretaker First Minister while a replacement is elected.

As one of the first speakers in an emergency Senate debate on 3208.002 Senator Danso Tupac Ashanti said: “The allegations against Senator Lee Zhang are of the most serious nature and if proved are totally unacceptable. If we cannot trust those in the highest positions of power then we are doomed to repeat the mistakes that the republic has made in the past.

Now is a time for strong leadership rather than inter-necine strife. Earth is the home of humanity and we are the leaders of humanity. We need to rally around and choose one of our number that will provide strong purpose and direction for us all. There are numerous threats out their to the very existence of Earth and it is up to us to ensure that they are all effectively and promptly dealt with.

Lee Zhang's record in office is not all bad, although it remains to be seen whether history shall remember him as a traitor of the worst sort, or as a reformer of the economy who brought economic prosperity. We need to maintain economic prosperity while ensuring our own security and safety from all those who would do us harm.”

• Summary of Actions of the Bailey Report
• Report into Allegations that a Sentient Artificial Intelligence Device (SAID) was developed by the Greater Asteel Federation Colonial Government based at Over in Quadrant Five. - Executive Summary

• Minutes of the Potomax Summit 3198.231 - 239