VOX GALACTICA
ADMIRAL PRICE - THE SANDERLYN INTERVIEWS
The journalist Jade Sanderlyn of Vox Galactica was recently invited to conduct rare public interviews with admirals of the three superpowers.
This excerpt is from a conversation with Admiral Maxton Price of the Federation.
Jade Sanderlyn: My name is Jade Sanderlyn, reporting for Vox Galactica. I’m here with Admiral Maxton Price, onboard the FNS Amphion in the Sosong system. I was very impressed with the tour of the ship prior to our interview, Admiral.
Maxton Price: I can’t say I’m surprised, Miss Sanderlyn. Is this your first time on a Farragut-class battle cruiser?
JS: Yes. It’s one the reasons I was so excited that my interview request had been granted. The Amphion is just as impressive as I’d hoped.
MP: That’s gracious of you to say. Of course, the Farragut-class vessels value performance over aesthetics. It’s a lesson our Imperial friends would do well to learn one day.
JS: I take it, then, that you consider yourself a utilitarian?
MP: In military matters, what other philosophy is there? A sleek ship will turn heads and attract investors, but when something dangerous enters your space, most soldiers would choose a powerful response over a pretty one.
JS: Which brings us to the current conflict in this system. The Federal fleet has been asked to contain the Thargoid threat while Salvation prepares his anti-xeno superweapon.
MP: And I have no doubt that we will succeed. Federal military power is as strong as it’s ever been. Funding provided by the Hudson administration over the past seven years has allowed us to expand and modernise our fleet. It’s a pleasant time to be an admiral.
JS: I presume that you are in favour of Salvation’s work.
MP: Wholeheartedly. His results speak volumes to a man like me. The anti-xeno superweapon has incredible range, a devastating impact on Thargoid craft, and is harmless to our own ships. What’s not to like?
JS: Aside from independent studies by the engineer Ram Tah, we have very limited information about the weapon. We also know nothing about its long-term effects on human physiology. Do you think there is any risk to the public?
MP: Let me ask you a question, Miss Sanderlyn. Do you think this hypothetical health risk poses a greater danger to the general public than a Thargoid fleet crawling through a populated system?
JS: No, but surely the lack of transparency…
MP: No, it does not. I’ve seen what the Thargoids are capable of. It’s impressive, it’s scary and it results in considerable loss of life if not dealt with quickly. Salvation has proven he can achieve significant victories for an entire system. Timid hand-wringing over the future is fine with me, once we’ve secured a future in which to do so.
JS: Let’s take a break for a word from our sponsors. We’ll be right back.
Continuing the Vox Galactica interview with Admiral Maxton Price, who commands the ongoing defence of the Sosong system from Thargoid Incursion.
Jade Sanderlyn: Thanks tor staying with us. I'm here with Admaral Price or the Federal Navy. We were just talking about Salvation's contributions to the Thargoid war. Do you believe he is a true replacement for Aegis?
Maxton Price: Absolutely. Aegis hasn't been a factor in this conflict for some time. I've viewed them as an auxiliary torce, at best. A hindrance at worst.
JS: Could you elaborate on that?
MP: Where would you like to begin? Perhaps with the lack of concrete results for several years. Or the over-reliance on independent pilots to fight their battles for them. Maybe the loss ot the Alexandria and the valuable Guardian artefacts it carried.
JS: The Alexandria was sabotaged by outsiders, as proven in audio--
MP: Whatever the method, the outcome was the same. Poor decisions and bad leadership led to the Alexandria's loss. Look at the chief military liaison for Aegis, Aden Tanner. The man tried to forcibly Invade Salvation's allies over some wild conspiracy theory about illegal research. That's the kind of leadership we're talking about.
JS: Aden Tanner was formerly an admiral of the Federal Navy.
MP: Never liked the guy. Bought into his own hype a little too much. Now he's in custody while a judge decides how long he'll spend in jail. The Federal Navy is better for It.
JS: I appreciate your honesty, AdmraI. Before we wrap up, I was wondering if you'd asked for command of the fleet here in Sosong.
MP: I did, yes.
JS: May I ask why?
MP: I felt the defence of Sosong was a high-priority task and wanted to oversee matters personally.
JS: This isn't the first time you've taken part In a Thargoid-related operation.
MP: No, it isn't. At this stage of the war, any officer who lacks experience with Thargoid vessels is doing a disservice to the people they lead.
JS: In 3302. you ordered Farragut-class battle cruisers to the Merope system soon after the discovery of Thargold barnacle sites. It was claimed that independent vessels exploring the area were fired upon.
MP: Claimed incorrectly, but yes.
JS: It was reported that the JAG would open an inquiry those claims, but no further details were ever released. Can you share me outcome of that investigation?
MP: If the findings were worth a damn, you'd have heard about it. And if a crime had been committed, maybe I'd sitting alongside Aden Tanner in a jail cell. But instead here I am, doing what I do best. Protecting us from the Thargoids. Does that answer your question?
JS: It sure does. Thank you for your time, Admiral Price. This has been an enlightening conversation.
MP: I'm sure it has. Miss Sanderlyn. I'll have someone escort you to your shuttle now.
JS: That's kind of you. From the FNS Amphion in Sosong, this is Jade Sanderlyn for Vox Galactica. Stay safe out there.
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