Hypatian News Network [FT][CLOSED]

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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Official Press Bulletin

⮞ Odyssey 2201
Martian Standard Time

Editor Eliza Iverness

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today

⮞ Mars | NORTHMINSTER — Empress prepares for a visit with the Menelmacari Elantari to discuss security and economics according to sources.

⮞ Mars | HARLOW — Debate begins on a £125 trillion infrastructure and humanitarian aid bill for the Rovanian Primarchy.

⮞ Mars | HARLOW — The State Department announced that per the Mutual Security Treaty, Sol is considered neutral in the ongoing Delta Crisis.

⮞ Beta Quadrant | BEYON — New tax law for the Beyonese Realm will go into effect next quarter, says Exchequer.

⮞ Delta Quadrant | CASSIO REACH — Ministry of Commerce says the damage to the Cassio Reach gate will cost an est. £1.7 trillion to repair.

⮞ Delta Quadrant | JARLSTEAD — The Rovanian Leidang elects Ulfric Silverthorn as First Minister.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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ATLAS Project draws concerns, creates chaos

⮞ Summer 131 AL
Martian Standard Time

A program intended to finalise the Automated Revolution's goals has sparked controversy in the Commonwealth and abroad

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Alpha Quadrant | fmr. NORTHERN EXPANSE— 'Antares Sector' chosen for the Northern Expanse's name, says Frontier Secretary Goldie Amberford
// Delta Quadrant | HARLOW LINE — Defence Secretary says that there are no 'continuing hostilities' with the Eridani, advises to begin 'draw down'
// Mars | HARLOW — Prime Minister calls for a 'Constitutional Conversation' in national discourse

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HARLOW — Events in the Martian Forum have left things tense after a bombshell report released by the Menelmacari accused the Commonwealth of willfully violating the Mutual Security Treaty's provisions on alien research. These accusations were then paired with an ultimatum with severe terms according to sources. The State Department did not provide comment, but officials speaking on the condition of anonymity said that it was the 'biggest political blow-out in a decade'.The report was joined by condemnation by other nations in the Forum who raised questions about the Commonwealth's activities in the Advanced Materials Joint Research Initiative (AMRJI), and whether it had also violated treaties there.

The controversy has blown open a secret government program known as the 'ATLAS Project' whose stated purpose is to provide the 'means for an uplift of Hypatia'. According to the Menelmacari, the Commonwealth had engaged with and utilised research based on ancient alien artefacts to achieve this apparent aim. Juliana Rousseau, the Secretary for Enlightenment, released information complying with a 'Government Transparency Act' request that included redacted reports of a 'mega-scale' engineering project intended to expand on the nation's CyberNet infrastructure known as the 'Hive'.

Further requests for information on the secretive program are currently under review by State Security.

While the details of the Menelmacari ultimatum aren't fully known, concerns that this would lead to conflict sparked panic on Mars and elsewhere, particularly after C'tan military presence in Sol was increased. The Five City Council opted to deploy the capital's shielded dome as a precaution. FCC Chairman Dormund Gert told reporters during a press briefing that the council was coordinating with both local Civil Defence and Garda to establish evacuation routes and make preparations for a possible conflict. Gert also acknowledged that tighter security checks would be conducted at the border of the Hellantic state with entry denied to anyone not carrying Level 3 Visas or Shards.

"We do not want to induce further panic than there already is, but rest assured that we are taking the necessary precautions and are in close contact with federal officials," Gert told reporters.

Similar precautions were being taken elsewhere in the Commonwealth. No mobilisation had been detected outside of Sol according to the Ministry of Defence, but that hasn't stopped some states from tightening their own security. Rovania, who is already under an emergency declaration following the 8th of Odyssey attacks, stated that they would begin screening ships entering their systems.

Jacques Belanger-Chastain, the Defence Secretary, sought to assuage concerns following a Security Council briefing held at Pennworth, Mars. "We are working with our security partners to assess the situation and we have teams on the ground keeping an eye on things. I want to say that any fears of an invasion are unfounded. Northminster has assured us that talks continue with the Menelmacari and that the situation is under control," Belanger-Chastain said.

Northminster stated that Hypatia would not mobilise any naval or ground assets in Sol and that it was maintaining its obligations to the MST by treating the system as neutral in all affairs. Chamberlain Rowland announced that the Empress was currently in talks with the Menelmacari over the events in the Forum and was positive they'd reach an 'amicable resolution' without the need for violence.

Despite security concerns, the Senate became a hotbed of discussion after details came to light of the program. According to those familiar with the closed-door briefing, the Senate had received unredacted information about the ATLAS Project and what it entails for the nation. Concerns were addressed by members of the Government who joined the Senate to conduct the briefing. Lord-Chancellor Jorvik Andersson, who oversees the Senate, stated that the body didn't have "further concerns" about the project.

The atmosphere in the House of Commons was different, however. Questions were raised against Her Majesty's Government about the project and whether claims and rumours different officials had either heard or come across were true. PM Eden attempted to calm the chamber but was, at times, shouted down by MPs upset that details of the program hadn't been made available to them. The National Security Committee said that it wouldn't open an inquiry into the matter after the PM stated that details were complying with the law and were kept from officials without the "necessary clearance" due to national security.

This has only further spurred the rumour mill with the Hypatian public swinging between accepting the PM's comments of the issue or pedalling conspiracy theories about the project. Demonstrators took to the streets in Harlow and other cities with complaints ranging from the Government's lack of transparency to fears that there would be a potential take-over. Some believed ATLAS would serve as some kind of apparatus to further centralise control of the public.

Harlow City has increased the presence of the Garda and requested support from the Imperial Marshals to protect major government sites such as Northminster, Ardern Street, and the Apella. Home Secretary Yasmin Bullwater, whose Home Office oversees the Garda, commented that it was "her utmost hope that demonstrations would remain peaceful for the safety of citizens and law enforcement."

State Security Director, Gordon Serano, and Attorney-General Alessandre DeGuerre made it clear during a joint-press conference that trespassing on government property to inflict harm either on personnel or the property themselves could net citizens "more severe charges" other than civil disturbance. While they weren't clear on what those charges could be, many believe that any trespass could be covered under Title IX of the Federal Criminal Code which includes charges of insurrection and terrorism.

"Her Majesty's Government is an ardent supporter of your right to protest and have your voices heard, but violence and intimidation will not be tolerated," AG DeGuerre stated. State Security acknowledged that it would have assets on the ground to monitor the demonstrations, advising people that if they "see something, say something."

"Most importantly, we want everyone to be safe," Serano stated.

Insofar as the talks with the Menelmacari and the ultimatum, the questions about whether the Commonwealth violated the treaty are a "matter of divided legal opinion" according to DeGuerre. The Treaty of Queenstown, as it is officially known, is a successor agreement to the original mutual security treaty that the Hypatians and Menelmacari renegotiated.

Article 7.3 states:

The Martian Empire [Commonwealth] agrees that the Eternal Ascendancy of Menelmacar shall have equal custody of Martian xenoarchaeological discoveries of mutual interest, and study thereof shall be conducted jointly.

The Menelmacari believe that the technology reportedly used in the ATLAS Project relies on alien technology that was uncovered by Hypatia and that the Commonwealth had not adhered to this provision by permitting the Eternal Ascendancy (of Menelmacar) access to; nor the joint-study of the artefacts in question. Accordingly, AG DeGuerre stated that both governments had "diverged opinions on this particular clause" with the Government believing this did not apply retroactively and applied only to technologies of 'mutual interest'.

Since the technologies in question were likely of no value or interest to the Menelmacari for reasons including that they had already researched such technologies themselves; the Government believed the technology in question could not be reasonably considered of 'mutual interest'. The Menelmacari reportedly took fault with these arguments, stating that the treaty did not cover a grandfather clause exempting the artefacts, their research, and the technology from the clause's provision; and that they could not have determined if it would have been of interest if they had not been notified of it.

Accusations that the Commonwealth had intentionally attempted to circumvent the treaty and willfully engaged in subterfuge was taken as a trespass against the Eternal Ascendancy. "Her Majesty's Government assures that there was no such attempt to willingly mislead the Menelmacari or violate the treaty. We are cooperating with them on the matter to resolve the issue accordingly," AG DeGuerre noted.

Whilst talks continue with the Menelmacari, the treaty does provide for third-party arbitration, something the Attorney-General says they are "considering". Such arbitration would require both nations to present their case before an 'arbitration commission' of impartial third-party states within the Martian Forum according to the treaty's Dispute and Resolution section. It'd then be up to this commission to examine the facts and make a judgement regarding the dispute.

According to officials familiar with the Forum, the Menelmacari, however, are adamant in taking control of this process themselves, something that may cause further friction. "The treaty is clear that the matter is to be covered under the Forum if arbitration is invoked and would require at least a plurality of third parties involved in the process. The Menelmacari, feeling they are the aggrieved party, are attempting to strong-arm their way around this particular clause to get an outcome favourable to them. This might be why HMG is willing to conduct talks with the Menelmacari -- because this particular point is going to lead to friction, and the EAM is unequivocally in the wrong per the treaty's mechanism for dispute resolution," Professor Georgina Snottr of Juwon Law institute told HNN.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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HMAF begin draw down from Harlow Line

⮞ 2201.210.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

Recent developments have prompted the Commonwealth Navy to demobilise in the Martian Delta, says MoD

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | HARLOW— 'Hysteria' grips the state of Halland on Mars, says Interior Minister
// Mars | HARLOW — Rumours spread across the GalNet of a 'physical altercation' between PM and HM
// Rovania | JARLSTEAD — Arko-Eridani alliance a 'threat to peace' says Primarch

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HARLOW — Defence Secretary Belanger-Chastain told reporters during a press conference that Her Majesty's Government had decided to issue stand-down orders to the five fleets currently mobilised at the Harlow Line. The Secretary said that the decision to pull the Commonwealth Navy away from a 'ready status' had come after conversations with Ardern Street and the Palace of Northminster had concluded there was no longer a 'present threat' to the region.

"I've provided the orders of Her Majesty's Government to begin the process of demobilisation in the Martian Delta," the Defence Secretary stated. "Rest assured that we will remain committed to the defence of our territories and the preservation of our freedoms and security in the face of aggression," he added.

The move to drawdown has come following several weeks of tense standoffs and rhetoric between the USEI and the Commonwealth. Rhetoric, in particular, has continued to be cold and dismissive on both sides of the line. Recently, the USEI announced it would not seek a renewal to the Treaty of Hypatia, this came after news broke of an apparent alliance between the Galactic Republic of Arkasia and the USEI.

News pundits such as Beckham Furlow from Coyote News chastised the 'weak spine' of President Bailess with comments that the Arkasians had traded sense for 'cheap allies.' Furlow said the move couldn't have been surprising given the nation's past membership with SATMA. Opinions of the Mutual Defence Pact that the two nations signed have been mixed elsewhere with some officials expressing alarm in the Rovanian Primarchy and others dismissing it outright.

The Government itself has not made an official statement regarding the matter, but those familiar with HMG say that talks are happening behind closed doors to determine how best to respond.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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Northminster's silence on Arko-Eridani alliance is defeaning

⮞ 2201.211.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

The Government has remained quiet amidst the news of a 'Northern Lights' alliance

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | HALLAND— Halland urges calm as shieldomes are brought down in the state.
// Delta Quadrant | PARTHIAN VALE — Delta Crisis ends with a whimper despite an explosive start
// Mars | PENNWORTH — The Minasse is set to begin review of 'military conduct' during the Delta Crisis, what to look out for

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HARLOW — As opinions on the 'Northern Lights' alliance splits and frays, Northminster's silence on the Arko-Eridani alliance has been described as 'deafening' by officials. For an administration characterised by its reactivity, the unusual hesitation to issue a formal statement or policy of any kind has hit the country like a 'bombshell' according to those familiar with the palace's thinking.

"Unusual, I don't think, can begin to even describe it. There's a sense of tension right now that the spring is just winding and winding and will go off at the last moment," Victor Kolland told HNN. Kolland has worked with Northminster on shaping domestic and foreign policy and served as a deputy secretary of state under the Rowland administration. Kolland describes the quiet as 'unsettling'.

News broke that the Galactic Republic of Arkasia (GRA) and the United Species of the Eridani Imperium (USEI) had signed a mutual defence agreement, a move that has been widely criticised in the Commonwealth. The news came after the USEI opted to not renew the treaty of Hypatia that is described as having ended the Great War, putting the two nations still dangerously close to a continuation of conflict. Questions were raised if the GRA had essentially 'chosen a side' in the conflict -- having penned such an impactful treaty with a hostile power.

For some Hypatians, it is a 'slap in the face'. Kolland says that there likely has been a flurry of closed-door conversations about the UC-GRA relationship in recent days. Hypatia has responded to the Scutum-Cenaturus Crisis by deploying several fleets to assist the Arkasians in Gamma. The two countries also signed basing agreements allowing the Commonwealth Navy to establish a number of naval anchorages in the GRA/NEGL territories, although only Kinsara has been established so far. Several other treaties including security and economic agreements under the Mutual Prosperity Initiative have also been signed.

"What we fundamentally have is a foreign power doing something, that, to many in the halls of power of Hypatia, feel is a betrayal of their trust," Kolland explained. The major question plaguing everyone's mind is what Northminster will do to respond. Kolland doesn't think the Commonwealth would pull agreements from the GRA, he points to the sudden call to withdrawal from the Harlow Line as an example.

"Northminster values its relationship with Arkasia far more than it probably does with most powers. Only the Domain and the Menelmacari have garnered the same reverence. And that is likely why we withdrew from the Harlow Line -- it's become clear to both the USEI and the Commonwealth that they got fooled and the conflict was unnecessary. But also because Northminster does not want to risk further conflict with the USEI if it threatens that relationship with the GRA. However Northminster chooses to respond, it will be carefully calculated," Kolland stated.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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PM urges calm amid crisis

⮞ 2201.182.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

Marto-Menelmacari Crisis continues to exacerbate anxiety

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | HARLOW— Garda deployed to cities across the Commonwealth
// Delta Quadrant | PARTHIAN VALE — No new activity reported, says MoD
// Mars | HARLOW — Senate begins 'special session'

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HARLOW — Prime Minister Eden has urged calm during a press conference in Harlow as anxiety surrounding the Marto-Menelmacari Crisis worsens. Several nations have issued travel advisories urging their citizens to not travel to the Commonwealth as the deadline looms for an ultimatum given by the Menelmacari. Despite fears, Eden has said that the talks are 'going well' and Her Majesty's Government is looking forward to a new era of 'peace and understanding' between the Menelmacari and the Hypatians.

The Ministry of Defence stated that military activity from other powers 'of concern' have not increased and remain at pre-crisis levels with the exception of the Ctan. "We have seen a slight increase in their numbers within Sol, but as we have stated before, these are merely a defensive response. Hypatia is still committed to the policy of Solar Neutrality and we have not seen any worrying signs that there may be an impending attack on Hypatia," Secretary of Defence, Belanger-Chastain, told reporters.

While Ardern Street plays down the threat to the Commonwealth, citizens across the nation have remained concerned. The Senate has reportedly convened in a 'special session' called by the Prime Minister to discuss the matter. Meanwhile, Commons is considering an emergency relief bill in case a conflict does break out though some are calling the move 'premature'.

"Any threats to our frontier are overstated," Eden told reporters during the press conference when asked about a possible Eridani escalation. Her government has continued to try and fight hysteria like what gripped the state of Halland just a few weeks ago. Some officials have described Eden's administration as if it were 'under siege'.

Concerns about the Arko-Eridani alliance have also continued to exacerbate fears. Secretary of State, Guinevere Belmont, however, told reporters that the Commonwealth was 'still committed' to its partnership with the GRA and downplayed the alliance as a 'minor setback' for relations. Belmont further stated that Hypatia would be convening talks with the Arkasians at some point in the 'near future' to discuss the matter, but that Northminster's opinions of the alliance were cordial. Asked if the alliance would affect Hypatia's ongoing security support for the GRA, Belmont stated that wasn't 'even on the table'.

"There are some things that can be placed above petty politics and ensuring the GRA is supported in this region, particularly against the static, is our utmost priority," Belmont stated.

Currently, there's only around a week left until the deadline runs out, described as the 'Zero Hour' for the ultimatum the Menelmacari issued the Commonwealth in the Martian Forum. The Empress has been on Arda conducting talks with the Menelmacari's leadership to ease tensions, something that has gained her some popularity in Hypatia. Often described as the 'quiet princess' by the public, many have been supportive of the move, hoping she'll take a more active role in the nation's political atmosphere like her mother. Others, however, have cautioned against it. Eden's Labour Party, in particular, has been having talks about a constitutional convention in recent weeks, with Labour members chastising the Empress for her role in the crisis. Despite growing calls for greater democratisation and for Eden to make good on her campaign promises, the embattered prime minister has mainly focused on putting out fires abroad.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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A 'Diplomatic Victory', says PM

⮞ 2201.252.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

Talks between the Hypatian and Menelmacari heads of state have ended positively, says State Department

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | HARLOW— State of Emergencies declared across Commonwealth
// Delta Quadrant | PARTHIAN VALE — An uneasy quiet reminds Deltans of the horrors of war
// Mars | HARLOW — Senate grants HM emergency powers

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HARLOW — The negotiations between the Commonwealth and Menelmacari heads-of-state have concluded and brought an end to weeks of tension and looming concerns of war. PM Eden described the outcome as a 'diplomatic victory' for Hypatia and welcomed the return of Her Majesty to Mars. According to officials, the two nations agreed on a new memorandum relating to the Mutual Security Treaty, incorporating a number of negotiated terms surrounding the Menelmacari ultimatum. The Senate was brought into an emergency session after HM's return and unanimously adopted a resolution affirming the agreement.

Part of the agreed resolution will allow inspectors from the Menelmacari to analyse Revenant technology and artefacts and determine if there are any risks ahead of the launch of the 'Ascendance Project'. The Commonwealth has agreed to a number of points and both nations have opted to not utilise an arbitrator. Menelmacari ambassador to the Martian Forum, Lady Oreldis, told the body that the Eternal Ascendancy (of Menelmacar) was pleased with the agreement and would put the matter to rest.

Several travel advisories were issued in recent days as nations worried about another galactic conflict. The Galactic Republic of Arkasia, considered a long-time ally, had also taken steps to distance itself from the Commonwealth and withdraw from the Foreign Basing Policy, a move that the PM described as 'regrettable'. Protests against the Arkasians broke out in Harlow outside the GRA's embassy where the Garda were forced to make several arrests after some protestors began to chuck eggs into the embassy grounds. Similar demonstrations have occurred at the embassy of the Ctan, though they have been regarded as 'peaceful' according to the Garda.

While tensions may be thawing, other demonstrations have continued against the government's role in the ordeal. A cordon was created by the Garda near Parliament Square in downtown Harlow after several attempts to trespass on the grounds of the Apella. Ryan Vensson, a spokesperson of the Halland Garda, said they had made nearly a dozen arrests because of vandalism and trespass. Protestors were seen carrying signs demanding PM Eden step down.

One place where tensions are still high is in the Martian Delta. The Rovanian parliament, known as the Leidang, passed a resolution extending its state of emergency and giving Primarch Ulfric Silverthorn emergency powers to deploy troops into Rovanian cities. While war with the Menelmacari may have been avoided, anxieties regarding the frontier remain. Home Secretary Yasmin Bullwater is expected to travel to Hafnir and meet with officials to ease their concerns. Bullwater described the situation as "troubling but not unmanageable." Her confidence is based on intelligence reports by the Hypatian Intelligence Services which have ruled out any major escalation.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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Empress addresses nation

⮞ 2201.505.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

HM Tristan I addresses the nation ahead of preparations for the Atlas Project

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | JUWON — Explosion in Juwon investigated, says MoE
// Delta Quadrant | ALULA — Alulans celebrate 'Union Day'
// Sol | MAKEMAKE — 10th and 11th fleets launched

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HARLOW — Empress Tristan I addressed the nation following the recent crises, the first national address of her reign. HNN has provided the full transcript of HM's address below and unedited.

Good evening, my fellow Hypatians. I speak to you tonight from Northminster as Empress over all the realms of Mars, and I do so with the hopes that you will join me for a story. By the end of it, I feel I will have answered many questions that you all may have.

Several years ago, before the Commonwealth, there was the Martian Conglomerate, which had existed for over a century by this point. As you all know, the Conglomerate eventually met its end shortly after the Great War, having fought valiantly to a pyrrhic victory, but having sustained wounds far too great to heal. In the end, it was my mother, Nerys I, who fashioned a new identity for our people after the humiliation of that monumental conflict. You see, the Martian State has long had a troubled history brought on by the machinations of a byzantine bureaucratic state that we are all too familiar.

The Commonwealth of today rests on a foundation of blood and bones that the Conglomerate had built. This legacy was not the future Nerys wanted. It was because of this that the Atlas Project was created, a key to the future that would rid our great nation of that foundation and build something new. Nerys' vision for our future was one of democracy, independence, and a society that cherished the contributions of all its people and prided itself on innovation and industry.

For many years, this project has been developed by the Ministry of Enlightenment and worked on in various stages to bring us to this moment. It is true that much of these feats have been made possible thanks to the assistance of the Revenant, who wish for a home. It is unfortunate, but not unwarranted, to see why our neighbours were hesitant and perhaps fearful of what these technologies could bring. And I can certainly understand the same for our people, those who worry for their freedoms, for their way of life.

There have also been many untrue rumours about this program that I wish to clarify. We are not and will never construct something of a 'hivemind' or 'gestalt' -- Atlas' role will be to upgrade and replace a lot of our existing infrastructure. Travel and communications will be faster, the ability to perform telepresence will be made available to all, and we will build a more interconnected society through Hypatia's more efficient cyberspace infrastructure, but it will not threaten your identity or personhood. The reality is that our society is wrought with ethnic and special conflicts that have been allowed to propagate because of the isolated nature of our realms. This will be no more. Atlas will bring us all closer together as a nation, it will increase our security, and it will lay a new foundation for us all. This is why the term 'Ascendance' has been used -- because Nerys' and my hopes is that these technologies will allow us to rise past the old dogma that dictated our lives.

This will, however, not come without cost. For years our nation has been plagued by an old bureaucracy that has fought every attempt at regulation to maintain control. Many of the highest officials in this hierarchy have supported past coups and conflicts within our nation to keep power. Until now, they remained untouchable, but this is no longer the case. That is why I have ordered over a dozen state agencies in our nation to make preparations to bring an end to the last refuge of the Conglomerate. They will be brought to trial to face their crimes. Good night.

[Hypatian Commonwealth]

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'An Empire for the Future'

⮞ 2201.630.131 AL
Galactic Standard Time

Editor Eliza Iverness | Harlow, Hellas Province, Hellasmark, Mars, Sol System

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⮞ Commonwealth News | Top Stories Today
// Mars | JUWON — Explosion in Juwon investigated, says MoE
// Delta Quadrant | ALULA — Alulans celebrate 'Union Day'
// Sol | MAKEMAKE — 10th and 11th fleets launched

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HARLOW — Eerily calm. That's the general atmosphere of much of the nation's capital after a few weeks of high profile raids on Conglomerate-era conspirators of the Van Allen and Rowland administration coups. While the Commonwealth awaits more information from Arda regarding the use of Revenant technology, Northminster has approved a limited roll-out of Atlas' systems that do not incorporate 'RevTech' to replace parts of the government's bureaucracy that have been affected by the raids. Considered the goal of the administration, Northminster and Ardern Street have taken to the idea of these limited implementations as a litmus test for the larger project. As explained by Northminster's Chamberlain, Cora Rowland, Atlas is designed to replace much of the bureaucratic machine to increase 'administrative efficiency'.

"We're striving to eliminate waste in the system by automating certain aspects of government that do not require human involvement, in doing so, we expect to not only reduce administrative costs but better manage our resources to the benefit of the wider public," Rowland stated during a press conference where she unveiled the limited roll-out.

With the dawn of 'algorithmic bureaucracy' as one pundit put it, many have begun to question what future lies ahead for Hypatia as a whole. A dramatic shake-up of foreign and domestic policy has rocked Ardern Street, forcing the Eden administration to weather crises involving travel advisories, protests, and concerns of a wider conflict with several powers.

Alessandre Rousseau of Victoria's Political Institute believes there will be a few key changes in the Commonwealth's doctrines along the following lines.

Pro-activeness

Rousseau describes the reactive politics of Hypatia's past as something that will fall to the wayside as the nation enters into more prestigious diplomatic institutions.Kaseism, the political philosophy that defined Marto-Hypatian policy for nearly a century, has had its main tenents rejected by the 'New Era' administration of Eden and Rowland, says Rousseau.

The philosophy's idea of being 'ever vigilant' against Non-Martian nations was a defining feature of an ideology that fostered the militarist ethos at the core of Marto-Hypatian culture and ensured a jingoistic attitude against several nations that ran counter to its interests. Conflicts such as the Colonial Wars and the Great War further entrenched Martian Apartheid until the collapse of the Conglomerate.

Rousseau believes that Harlovism's rejection of this dogma and the fall of the Conglomerate-era institutions that reinforced it have allowed for a 'prosperity of ideas' to develop in the Commonwealth. Part of this involves building stronger diplomatic ties with nations and engaging diplomatically in international organisations and the wider community. "By just engaging, Hypatia is setting down the foundation and responsibility it must take in securing its image internationally, this in turn means taking on policies that reinforce that image, creating a sort of feedback loop. There's an advantage to shifting away from reactive thinking and becoming more pro-active," Rousseau explains.

Pro-activity, says Rousseau, means becoming more involved on the galactic stage. The Commonwealth took its first steps with this idea by establishing 'security protocols' and basing agreements with friendly nations such as the GRA, the Domain, and the ASHA. This expanded Hypatian influence and also seeded its involvement in matters across the galaxy, ensuring it has a presence at the table. There have been some setbacks: the GRA's recent slide has been a major disappointment to Northminster, and the 'Northern Lights' alliance between the GRA and the USEI has sparked a reassessment of the nations' relationship. Despite this, Rousseau believes that Hypatian foreign policy will be rooted more in aligning its concerns with allies and taking more carefully measured steps.

Automation

Automation has become a hot-button issue in the Commonwealth. The Automated Revolution put millions out of work and forced the creation of welfare programs for Hypatians across the nation. A rising surplus and growing productivity have further destabilised the nation's understanding of economics forcing more drastic shifts in how it handles the 'economic machine'.

"Hypatia has artificial scarcity, where supply is carefully regulated to moderate prices on the internal exchange, but the Automated Revolution has introduced new destabilising forces to the system, making it harder to regulate," says Rousseau. Supply caps, internal tariffs, subsidy waivers, and other means of controlling supply and inducing scarcity to keep the economy running seem to be obsolete amidst the surplus. Rousseau believes that this won't eradicate the concept of 'currency' but rather shift the current understanding of how we measure value in our economy. "We are moving into something that is post-capitalist that rejects the traditional idea of a supply-demand economy and re-organises our priorities on what we assign value," Rousseau noted.

"Economies before now, whether they be capitalist, communist, corporatist or whatever -- focused value on things like labour and supply and demand. But now that there is so much automation and productivity has climbed off the charts, you cannot assign a meaningful value to either of these metrics. One possible route is something of a moral-based economy where one is currency for being upstanding in our modern society; or a shift towards the luxury-side economy like how we shifted from agricultural to industry to service-side economies. It's a major philsoophical debate happening now between economists -- what do we value?"

Rousseau further noted that automation has changed warfare. "The recent Delta Crisis and the Hypatian counter-attack on the USEI did not disrupt the national economy in the slightest. It's the first time that the Commonwealth has reached a pivotal point where it can comfortably out-produce a number of its rivals and this has created a new set of questions about how we conduct warfare," Rousseau stated.

Warfare becomes impersonal, and Rousseau sees that as a bad thing. "Losses aren't attributable to lives but to numbers of machines, it removes a very human element in conflict that, ironically, I think we should keep. Otherwise, there's little incentive in warfare to not limit mass casualty conflicts or even spaient right violations," Rousseau explained, noting that it would be up to military planners on how much automation is too much. There has been a push-and-shove in the Minasse and other high level institutions over this very quandry.

Society

The social fabric of the Commonwealth is more a mosaic than a melting pot, according to Rousseau. There exist several states with diverse origins and their own political forces that are bound by treaty but have very localised concerns. This arrangement was a part of a 'divide and conquer' type strategy that enabled a degree of federalism to promote stability but also weaken major challenges to Martian hegemony. While the ropes have been expanded, Mars remains the president of the federation, and a major political force, despite losing out to the rising prevalence of the Martian Delta.

Rousseau feels Atlas will shake up the entire landscape and cement a more 'Hypatian' identity by increasing connectivity and reliance on all the parts of the 'national system'. "When you can communicate and travel to anywhere in the Commonwealth, almost instantly in some cases, to exchange ideas and culture, then you begin to change your identity and how you perceive not just yourself, but the people around you, and the environment you're in. The world becomes smaller and more personal to you, the individual," Rousseau explains.

Despite fears about Atlas, it is believed that it will ultimately be beneficial, fostering a stronger national identity and brotherhood among Hypatia's more diverse states. Until now, most identify themselves as Martian, Rovanian, Alulan -- rarely do you hear 'Hypatian' -- says Rousseau. This will have an impact not only on politics domestically but also foreign policy.

"A more interpersonal community means a greater sense of how they fit into the galaxy.It'll mean something to say, 'We Hypatians are for this or against this.' and that will resonate with our neighbours," Rousseau believes. A blending of ideas and development of these interpersonal connections will also slowly erode away the last remaining pillars of Kaseist thinking.

"Hypatians will look less at the stars with apprehension and more with concern towards the less fortunate among them," Rousseau believes.