Serpenta News Network (Open to Comment)

[Serpenta (Ancient)]

Good evening, and welcome to SNN. This news network allows for open comment by other parties and nations, in order to further understand other nations.

USHJ Helios Completed

Play this while reading.

The Helios is the largest vessel of its kind ever constructed by the USHC.
It is 7.2 km long, with a crew compliment of over 50,000.

On February 20, the USHJ Helios was completed after about 15 years of hard labor. It was at the ceremony that Supreme Commander Wallace H. Groose delivered a statement regarding the ship, and its intentions for the future.

"...while I am a man of peace, I believe this warship is a necessary project for the defense of our alliance. For too long have we thought of ourselves on a level equal to that of the highest power, and now that we have seen other nations of extraterrestrial origin, we must show them that while we may carry a bouquet of roses in one hand, we must also carry a mighty sword in the other. For if we do not assert our position of power, then we will become nothing more than a punching bag for others."

The Helios, originally code-named as "The Amaterasu Initiative" after the Japanese goddess of the sun, is a joint project by both nations that has costed over 300 billion federal dollars. Most of the details regarding the ship have been classified to this moment, but as you can see from the caption, the vessel is 7.2 km long, and boasts a crew compliment of over 50,000. About 600 fighters and bombers are stored in its massive hangar bays. According to Grand Admiral Archibald Haddock the project is certainly worth the investment.

"The nature of such a grand ship is one that inspires both fear and awe. The main killer that's on-board is not the beam turrets or the fighters, but the aura that it carries with it. You're just some alien or rebel or something, fighting a battle with let's say, a battlegroup. Then, what's coming out of that immense subspace rift? Bam! In jumps the Helios, ready to pulverize your arse into the next ten lives!"

Haddock was given command of the Helios the same day it launched, and it is scheduled to be part of the 3rd Battlegroup. The ship itself has caused massive controversy, in both financial, military, and political areas. Some argue that a ship like this is a massive drain on resources, and that it shows the increasing militarization that some believe is transpiring in the two countries. That's what Dr. Hatera Denon, a Serpentan from the Temir's Naval University, thinks about this project.

"To be honest, I don't think there was ever any need to construct such a vessel. It's quite simply put, an unneeded leech on our coffers. If the government actually needed such a ship, then we would be in a much worse situation than we are now."

The Temir, Ordnajela VII, released the following statement about the project:

"While it may appear to be something for the government to waste their money on, do not forget the Anti-Alliance rebellions. We were almost evenly matched in terms of firepower, and as a result, we barely won at the cost of over 20 million lives. With the appearance of other alien species in the galaxy such as the Femina, we cannot afford to ignore the possibility of dozens, possibly even hundreds of other such civilizations located across the vast landscape of the cosmos. They may be infinitely weaker than us, or infinitely stronger, and in my personal belief, it is a choice of both wisdom and savvy to assume the latter. If we are to continue surviving as two peoples, we must show any potential invaders and ne'er-do-wells what we are truly made of. For we are not men and women of bone and flesh, but titans of adamantium and steel! Long live the Allied Colonies of Serpenta, and the United Human Federation! And may we prosper forevermore."

[Serpenta (Ancient)]

Caernarvon Manufacturing Reopens; International Arms Selling Under Revision

Caernarvon Manufacturing is one of the largest manufacturers of spacecraft in recent history, but suffered a recent hacker attack 5 years ago.

Gemini, Delos, Arcadia System - On February 21st, one of the largest retailers of private spacecraft, Caernarvon Manufacturing, has finally reopened its doors to the public after about 5 years. Caernarvon, which suffered a major hit when hackers managed to break into the stocks of the company, was able to recover from such a loss, and had promised its customers a new line of products that would include new ex-military ships, and various other civilian vessels. This launch seems to coincide with the USHC General Assembly yet again issuing letters of marque to combat piracy.

Caernarvon's recent release of ships include the venerable UHF Apollo, a fighter from about 65 years ago that was once used to crack down on piracy in the Yangtze system. The fighter was originally produced by Poseidon Extradynamics, but the rights for manufacturing were later acquired by Caernarvon after the latter bought out the former. The UHF Ulysses was originally a joint project between the Serpentans and the UHF in order to create a fast interceptor craft, but was soon almost exclusively used by the UHF. In an interview with SNN, the CEO of Caernarvon, Henry Glasgow, recently commented on the recent release of these spacecraft.

"Many of our products now being released to the public are of civilian use, but certain spacecraft, such as the Apollo and Ulysses, are being sold as paramilitary vessels to be sold to and operated by qualified individuals approved by the Serpentan Ministry of War, and the UHF Department of Defense, respectively."

According to Mr. Glasgow, a recent count of models being released numbered at about 20, including both military and civilian vessels. Widespread distribution of these products will follow in a few days from now, and will most likely be available to other nations in good standing with the Coalition. At a recent summit regarding foreign affairs with other galactic powers, Grand Admiral Haddock had this to say about selling weapons to other nations:

"Most of the other nations in our galaxy have proven to be trustworthy neighbors. However, that does not mean we can assume that they may be carrying a bloody dagger behind their back. While some may prove to be genuinely open about their friendship and generosity as a people, there are the more unsavory kinds, that would take advantage of our aid. If we sell them one fighter, one bomb, or one bullet, we may soon find that weapon being sent right back at us."

However, Grand Vizier Tuda Saefar disagrees with this. In the very same summit, he pointed out that most of the models being sold to other nations were nowhere near as deadly as the ones currently in use by the USHC. One pilot, Lieutenant Commander Emile Garnier, who was one of the first men to encounter other nations in USHC history, had this to say about the whole matter.

"I personally believe that many of the nations out there actually do have genuinely noble intentions. Perhaps if we scratch their back, they'll scratch ours. There's only a certain number of them that will actually stick a knife in place of a scratch. And for those, we already know how to deal with them."

[Serpenta (Ancient)]

Letters of Marque Being Issued

Members of the Human-Serpentan Assembly meet to pass the Marque Anti-Piracy Act

Terena, Devara, Nexus System - The MAPA, or Marque Anti-Piracy Act was recently passed in the United Human-Serpentan Assembly last Friday, with a close majority voting in favor of it. Many would hat there is no necessity for such a bill.

The MAPA bill was introduced as a result of increasing rates of piracy along certain shipping lanes, primarily those in the Yangtze, Nova Sol, and New Capella. These attacks seem to be coordinated, as reports seem to confirm that they happen at similar intervals. Supposedly, these attacks are being directed by the Serpentan pirate lord known only as the Black Fang. MAPA, which issues letters of marque to qualified and approved individuals, is supposed to reduce the rate of piracy and looting in these systems by providing rewards and benefits to tracking down various criminals.

Many critics of the bill question why the navy does not deal with the problems of piracy. Rear Admiral Sanbao Ma of the 7th Battlegroup, which is based in the Yangtze system, delivered a statement regarding the issue.

"While I do agree with the critics saying that it is the navy's responsibility to deal with such uprisings and disruptions, I must also say that, in this new environment that has been forced down upon us with the discovery of other species in this galaxy, it behooves us at times to allocate certain military and government resources towards other goals. With this new bill, we shall be able to control the rate of piracy that has been threatening our socioeconomic conditions thus so, while at the same time, not impairing upon our own naval resources."

Admiral Ma refused to comment on what exactly the government was allocating the navy's resources to. Another point critics have brought up is that this new bill may lead to increased acts of vigilantism throughout Coalition space. Some may view this as ironic, given the government's stance on any forms of vigilantism in the past. However, many who support the bill point out that it clearly states, that "only qualified individuals approved by both the Serpentan-Human Assembly, and the Security Council, may apply for a letter of marque".

Caernarvon Manufacturing, as detailed in the previous article, seems to have had its reopening seamlessly coincide with the passing of the aforementioned bill. While there are some pointing fingers at possible corruption within the ranks of the Assembly and Security Council, there is no room for doubt that Caernarvon will most likely make a substantial profit from this recent turn of events. Henry Glasgow, CEO of Caernarvon Manufacturing, says that "This bill is a good deal for almost all parties, as it ensures further socioeconomic stability throughout Coalition space."

No matter how this plays out, this decision may carry controversy for many years to come. Whether or not the controversy will grow or weaken in stature remains yet to be seen.