Note; the following release was prepared before the intervention by State authorities on behalf of the Watch, Zainou, and Aliastra in the Semiki crisis, and had been intended for release prior to the SARO deadline. The text has not been edited, and the response is published here after internal consultations to indicate what had been our intent prior to unexpected events. Clearly, with the stay order, our actions will depend on legal developments. We look forward to filing an amicus brief. We also must denounce the short-sighted, foolish, and frankly terrorist attack against the CONCORD installation in Mastakomon.
Pilots;
Apologies, but this might be a long one, as we have a lot of ground to cover. We will cover, in series, Drust’s demand; ARC counsel’s letter to the Inner Circle; a preliminary report on the malware in Semiki; targets for continued action; and IKAME’s steps moving forward. Finally, I’ll conclude on a personal note
In the first place, let me make this clear. IKAME will comply with Drust’s demand. Materials have been transported to Mastakomon for transfer. We believe his demands are short-sighted, capricious, cruel, and a significant and arbitrary use of authority that is without basis in fact. To elaborate: Drust’s demand likely increases the threat profile, as now the very capsuleers that do deserve his vitriol have been emboldened to build comparable stockpiles of Triglavian trinary samples, whereas before the objects were curiosities that few had any interest in stockpiling. At the same time, many of these samples have in fact been in IKAME research facilities for quite some time, which implies that either the threat profile has changed without Drust or SARO disclosing it to the very people they claim to be protecting, or else that their fear has stripped them of rationality. What’s more, by failing to clarify safe thresholds or make provisions for the crisis in Semiki, it is entirely possible that Drust’s demand will negatively impact containment efforts, and may very well result in the death of Zainou and Aliastra personnel.
At the same time, ARC’s work is too important to throw away in a fit of pique. Capsuleers, as we all know, are at best a prideful and independent-minded lot. The pilots who’ve responded to Drust’s demand with an interest in watching the cluster burn are clearly a demonstration of this. But despite this, and despite accusations by do-nothings, ARC seeks to serve the common good. It is on this basis that IKAME seeks productive multilateral action. It is for this reason that we, whenever possible, disclose our actions, solicit engagement, and focus our efforts on matters of shared interest.
In the second place, ARC counsel Declan Kentonna has submitted a letter to the Inner Circle requesting the unsealing of the directives and codicils governing Drust’s authority. While sealed evidence and sealed proceedings are clearly with precedent in matters where national interest requires it, secret law is an infinitely rarer thing. Indeed, verification of authority and warrant is a vital part of due process, to the point that quo warranto is a standard writ, alongside habeas corpus. At present, Drust is essentially demanding that we take his authority on faith, while we have no means of verifying whether or not he is abusing his commission, and indeed are told we have no recourse. If, indeed, the crisis is so dire that due process is being suspended, one would assume that CONCORD and the Inner Circle specifically would have declared it so, or that we would at least have seen sign of mobilization to combat the crisis. If necessary, we will begin making such filings as are necessary to seek remedy on this matter, and will do what we can to ensure CONCORD’s accountability to the peoples and nations that it is mandated to protect.
In the third case, IKAME has , in conjunction with our partners, compiled a white paper discussing the malware both from a technical standpoint, and from a medical standpoint. This represents a digestible form of the combined work to this point, and includes several working theories on matters. It is important to note that at this time the investigation itself remains subject to operational security concerns, and that this white paper is not the full technical brief.
In the fourth case, it is our belief at present that Lai Dai should come forward to assist the investigation by providing such information as it is able about the whereabouts and activities of Steine Vailakkel prior to his involvement in the attack in Semiki. While we believe that Lai Dai was not directly involved, any information they are able to provide may be essential in determining how Vailakkel and any possible co-conspirators aboard the Zainou station were able to undertake the attack, and why they targeted a rogue drone disassembly facility. Other important investigation targets have been forwarded to appropriate authorities, and are subject to operational security concerns.
In the fifth case, IKAME has compiled a second, smaller stockpile of Triglavian trinary samples. For obvious reasons, we are not currently disclosing the size of this stockpile. To ensure that this is not seen as a flippant response to Drust’s demand, this stockpile has already been relocated to the Mastakomon facility, but has not yet been transferred. It is IKAME’s belief that this stockpile is an essential part of the Watch’s and Zainou’s effort to combat the malware, and that the stockpile is below the threshold that Drust considers a threat. Pending additional information, instructions from Watch and State authorities, and other matters, we will retain control of this stockpile for the time being.
Lastly, a personal note. Pilots, I know many of you fear the Vigilant Tyrannos. This is understandable! They have demonstrated technology and combat capability out of scale with their numbers and their apparent industrial base. At the same time, many of you who fear them have never fought them. From our first foray into the Hive systems, to the defense of the Throne Worlds, to the fleet actions against the Drifter fleets last winter, and our combat patrols in Drifter-held wormhole systems in the intervening period, Consortium forces and partners have engaged the Drifters consistently and successfully for years. You are right to be fearful! But you should not let your fear govern you. The Drifters are not unbeatable.
The only way New Eden will survive emergent threats is to rise to the threat, whatever method we use to do so. To surrender to your fear is not the answer.
That concludes my prepared remarks.
If any of you have questions, do please feel free to ask. We’ll endeavor to answer such questions as we are able.