GALNET - 4 JAN 3308 - Whistleblower Reveals Imperial Link to NMLA

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Whistleblower Reveals Imperial Link to NMLA​

04 JAN 3308
A potential connection between the NMLA’s dark-comms network and Imperial Intelligence has been made public by one of ACT’s co-leaders.
Captain Saskia Landau sent a personal statement to all major media outlets:
“The majority of my career has been with the Imperial Internal Security Service, but I was seconded for a year to a classified project run by Imperial Intelligence. To coordinate their operations, they use a sophisticated communications system known as the Omega Grid. This is designed to avoid detection or interception by enemies of the Empire.”
“I have reviewed ACT’s research into the NMLA’s dark-comms network and can verify its similarity to Omega Grid technology. Since this is exclusively under Imperial Intelligence’s control, it suggests that an individual or group within the organisation was making it available to the NMLA.”
“I’m aware that revealing this information publicly may end my career or even endanger my life. Nevertheless, I have shared my findings with ACT’s leadership, and call upon the Imperial Senate to open an independent investigation into this evidence.”
As yet there has been no response from Imperial Intelligence or the Senate. However, several agents of the IISS have anonymously spoken to reporters from The Imperial Herald, verifying that the Omega Grid system does exist and has been in use for many years.

 

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Galnet start doing click bait titles... O dear..

The terroists were allready confirmed to have support from empire factions and empire high ranked players...
The supporting factions were allready stated as being hunted down by ACT and in the last CG a supporting terrorist Empire faction was completely wipe out with there last remaining asset removed from in game...

Not realy a shocker that they had access to all empires stuff. they had access to Cutters and all empire class ships, including capital class Majestic-Class Interdictor empire ships...

Edit correct naming of capital class added...

 

[Rainbro]

And there it is. Tick tock, Blaine.

Remember also that ACT noted similarities between this network used by the NMLA and that used by the League of Reparation. The Club provided it to both of them.

 

[HRDiagram]

Considering the circumstances of Theta Seven's liberation, amongst other things, I wonder whether Landau's real rank is Captain Obvious.

 

[GroG79]

“Speculation persists as to why the families have become estranged. For now, Zemina Torval seems to be focusing solely on her direct descendants. With her youngest daughter Petra Torval becoming a fellow senator, and grandson Titus Torval promoted to a senior role in Imperial Intelligence, the future seems bright for the Torval dynasty.”

Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site

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[Rainbro]

“Speculation persists as to why the families have become estranged. For now, Zemina Torval seems to be focusing solely on her direct descendants. With her youngest daughter Petra Torval becoming a fellow senator, and grandson Titus Torval promoted to a senior role in Imperial Intelligence, the future seems bright for the Torval dynasty.”

Galnet News | Elite Dangerous Community Site

community.elitedangerous.com

We don't know when the promotion took place, but that article was after Serene Harbour, and certainly after the NMLA's first use of this network. Perhaps we'll see another scapegoat like with the League of Reparation.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

It was obvious from the start - their assassination of Harold Duval - that someone high up was feeding the NMLA extremely classified information.

For scapegoats, Senator Scordato would seem the obvious one and almost certainly is part of the conspiracy. Question is whether he can now read ahead to the bit where he's killed resisting arrest, and if so whether he approaches it by going into hiding or by setting up a dead-man-switch exposure of his superior(s).

 

[Jaden Capek]

It seems Arissa certainly doesn't think the threat is over, since she's still in hiding when everyone thinks she should reappear. I wonder if she suspects Blaine of treachery and is staying far away from him until he's exposed.

Another question is Hadrian and baby Hector. The Senate seems suspiciously confident that Hector will become emperor some day. I wonder if Blaine wants to get rid of Arissa and Aisling to put the infant on the throne so he can continue to rule as regent?

 

[Vardaugas]

Or maybe we will see a chism in the Empire splitting it into a Royal Empire and a Republican Empire. Then a split in the Federation into a State Federation and Democratic Federation and a split of the Alliance into a Confederate Alliance and a Corporate Alliance (Sirius). And then they release Powerplay 2.0.

 

[GroG79]

Then Fdev would need to redo the Powerplay screen and pictures... That would be work...

 

[Rubbernuke]

Then Fdev would need to redo the Powerplay screen and pictures... That would be work...

I did suggest years ago now FD make all Power leaders 3D avatars like everything else.

But on topic the smart money is on a new Imperial civil war brewing since you have a male heir (which pleases traditionalists in the Senate) v. an either dead / weak looking Empress via Blaine (who most likely loves being the dude) or Aisling- the two ladies currently having no heir, being female (i.e. against tradition) and all having roughly the same claim to the throne.

Torval may be trying to guide things in the background via her offspring (since she has loads) while Dentons off playing with his trains Majestics.

 

[Danieros]

I find it really sad that 1000 years in the future we'd still be having folks having a problem at one gender over another in leadership.

Scordato doing so much to try and enable the NMLA into Congress is probably the link. The question will be if there was someone else even more important than him (or just more Senators), or if he'll be considered as the top link and things will stop there.

 

[Bottom Hat]

The picture in the OP, is that the current share price graphic?

 

[Jaden Capek]

The picture in the OP, is that the current share price graphic?

Looks more like Hudson's approval rating

 

[Ian Doncaster]

I find it really sad that 1000 years in the future we'd still be having folks having a problem at one gender over another in leadership.

It's interesting that they're choosing to include that bit in the story, too, even as just a one-line comment - it was a big part of Imperial identity in FE2/FFE and part of their eugenics programme but basically (along with several other of their more unsubtle "we're the bad guys" indicators) removed or substantially revised in ED and I assumed they'd dropped it entirely. Wonder where they're going with it.

(it doesn't feel particularly credible to me given that the Empire demonstrably has no more issue - even among its traditionalists - with women in leadership than any of the other factions in the game)

 

[Bottom Hat]

Looks more like Hudson's approval rating

Liked for excellent topicality!

 

[Astaran]

Considering the circumstances of Theta Seven's liberation, amongst other things, I wonder whether Landau's real rank is Captain Obvious.

Pretty much this. We know since the Serene Harbor logs that ISS had been compromised by NMLA supporters to a very serious degree. Having access to the Omega Grid might just be another aspect of it.

Option #1: A group of rogue ISS staff supported NMLA for ideological reasons (e.g. Marlinists within the ISS who somehow passed security screening)

Option #2: Someone with access to them is using ISS assets to support the NMLA to achieve some personal goal (e.g. assassinating the Duval dynasty to overthrow the legitimate Imperial government)

All things considered, the number of people who could pull off Option #2 should be very, very limited. You need to be in a position of power to directly control at least parts of ISS, you need to have the knowledge of very classified ISS Operations, you need to be in a position to personally benefit from NMLA actions.

Looks like Theta-Seven and his NMLA terrorists were just useful idiots for someone else afterall.

 

[Rubbernuke]

It's interesting that they're choosing to include that bit in the story, too, even as just a one-line comment - it was a big part of Imperial identity in FE2/FFE and part of their eugenics programme but basically (along with several other of their more unsubtle "we're the bad guys" indicators) removed or substantially revised in ED and I assumed they'd dropped it entirely. Wonder where they're going with it.

(it doesn't feel particularly credible to me given that the Empire demonstrably has no more issue - even among its traditionalists - with women in leadership than any of the other factions in the game)

When things go wrong, or the futures uncertain people do look to the past for direction sometimes. Maybe Imperials will yearn for previous glories, or that they want a visibly strong leader along with a non-complicated succession for stability. My guess is its a little of everything.

Its ironic because Hadrian (having lived a common life as well) has a background a bit like ALDs, in that she 'went undercover' to see life as it is (and not what its said it is)- so ALD has more common ground with Hadrian then it first appears.

If anything, it will be the Senate and tier 2 guys pushing Hadrian, ALD and Aisling into conflict since all 3 could do the job.

 

[Jaden Capek]

If anything, it will be the Senate and tier 2 guys pushing Hadrian, ALD and Aisling into conflict since all 3 could do the job.

Of the three, ALD is the most qualified, having been a senator for several decades before her Duvality was revealed. Meanwhile HAD was a civilian trucker all his life with only a couple years of leadership as ruler of Nova Imperium.

Aisling is at least somewhat experienced, being both a political activist and director of politically active non-profits for at least a decade, as well as being charismatic and PR-savvy. Though I don't know how much governing or diplomatic experience she has since I don't know if it was ever stated if she's a senator as well.

It's interesting that a lot of characters want Hector on the throne, considering he's an actual baby.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Duvality

This has to go into the ED lore. It has to.

ALD is the most qualified, but its if she is alive! Something has happened and the longer she is away the more questions will be asked (at least IMO).

I always have issues with Aisling as (going by the snippets here and there) how much actual clout she has. Yes she is a humanitarian, but its when she has to say "right, time to kill people" which is questionable, that and who actually backs her (in the Powerplay blurb she seems to be more of a catspaw to corporate interests than driving force).

I do have a pet theory that she is really a monster, being the concerned cousin in public while pushing buttons elsewhere.

Hadrian is the most humble, but he is also the most battle proven and a 'ground up' leader- he also has an heir as well as being male (so bonus points with traditionalists).

All in all its finely balanced which makes it a compelling situation- now FD have to cash that in