Ross 128... A most wretched hive of scum and villainy and home of the Warren Prison Mine, the Federation's highest security prison. Contained within its walls are such notorious criminals as
Jeremy Hunt, David Attenborough, Karl Marx, and even the notorious Twilight Sparkle.
14 months ago (September-ish 3303), following an extraordinary campaign of expansion, the Alliance instigated a coup in Ross 128 while Federation backs were turned. Following their success, and in order to justify their occupation, they spun a yarn about forced labour camps, toxic institutions, etc. Nobody ever denied that Warren Prison Mine was a toxic place, it's a maximum security prison for Tharg's sake. Whatever their justifications really were for their crusade, they lost sight of the Greater Good. There is no version of reality or a safe Galaxy where the Federation is not in control of Ross 128. So now I'm going to tell you a short story with minimal gloating, because it was that moment, 14 months ago, that GARD was born.
Following the coup and despite much consternation among the citizens of the Federation worried what would become of the prison population, the Federation put the issue on the back burner until May 3304 when they made a push to take Ross 128 back and succeeded. Unfortunately, once again they failed to hold their prize. In August 3304, some say from inside the prison itself, a coup was attempted by Anarchy forces supporting the Ross 128 Silver Society, a cut throat band of bounders and cads if ever there was one. Following a surprisingly intense but short conflict, the Anarchy group took control of the system and the prison due to Federal complacency and unwillingness to commit enough resources.
This was a low point for the Federation, the Alliance crusading forces were still present and Ross 128 was now in Anarchy hands, the fate of the population of the prison, completely unknown. Minor efforts were made but the Anarchists were in control and uprisings were soon brutally dealt with. GARD watched and wept, not at operational readiness yet, we could do nothing but plan...
Then, three weeks ago, we couldn't afford to wait any longer. By manipulation or by random chance, a war sparked off between the Alliance faction and the Ross 128 Group, for control of the Federation's only remaining asset in the system, Galton Hangar. Despite not being quite at full operational readiness, a huge effort was made and a successful propaganda campaign initiated among a few groups who recognised the need for the Federation to reclaim Ross 128. We felt confident we could win and keep the station.
On the first day we destroyed hundreds of ships. Like a Phoenix from the ashes of Federation complacency, we initiated a massive assault and easily won the war by a landslide. Due to the lack of meaningful opposition, our momentum was so high and the morale of the coalition also, we decided to make a push for control of the system immediately. I had never envisaged being able to accomplish this goal so quickly.
2 days later we were pending the final push, a control war with the Ross 128 Silver Society that had been plaguing the Federation for months.
In the final week of November, the battle with the Anarchy forces for control of Ross 128 was fiercely fought by GARD pilots and a coalition of sympathetic groups and individuals. To say we won is more than an understatement. The Anarchy group was utterly smashed, it will take them some time to build up their forces again and we will be watching from now on.
Today Ross 128 once again rests in the hands of the Federation, along with the prison, and also the outpost. Where it all belongs. GARD is also able, relieved, and pleased to confirm that the vast majority of the prison population remains inside Warren Prison Mine.
After being liberated by the Anarchists, the Station had become one huge anarchistic city, so most of the inmates had chosen to stay. Those that escaped during the last 14 months are not currently being actively sought, though large bounties have been put on their heads by factions in all the core systems, so we expect it's only a matter of time until at least vital parts of them are reacquired. Nobody wants a genocidal maniac in their midst, after all, do they?
So today we can thank the dedicated few, Federation space is
notably safer. We proudly and gratefully cleaned up this little mess, utterly obliterated the Anarchist forces and dealt a heavy blow to the Alliance invasion forces that continue to hang around in Ross 128. We only have one thing to say... Expect us.
I personally wish to thank the entire coalition of pilots and groups that helped, if they wish to announce themselves, that is up to them, but GARD knows who you are and owes a debt of gratitude. If you call for us, we'll be there.
Congratulations everyone on a great victory for justice and the Greater Good of humanity!
AD MAIUS BONUM!
