YKE Technologies vows to protect Turner Research Group - Official Statement

[Dylan D]

Recent encounters in the California Nebula have confirmed that Thargoid Interceptors will only exhibit hostile behavior if provoked.
Multiple AX Conflict zones have been spotted, where both Humans and Thargoids have engaged. Evidence of hostility can be seen here alongside encounters with Thargoid Scouts.
This behavior is consistent with the Thargoids' behavior prior to the invasion, and is likely a defensive measure to Meta Alloy farming. Barnacles sites within the affected area have been reported depleted.

Overnight, multiple assets belonging to Turner Research Group were stolen by the Kumo Council, in what is effectively the most brazen take over we've ever seen. Not a single shot was fired, not a single election was held.

Chief Executive Officer, Commander Dylan D, has released a statement in response to Archon Delaine's Call to Action within the California Nebula:

"I have lost my patience. The California Nebula is one of the few no-fire zones between Human factions and Thargoids. It has been this way for years. The sudden seizure of multiple assets within the region is detrimental to the peace movement. It spits in our face. Inter-species peace is fragile, and the Kumo Council is actively impeding such efforts by launching an attack in the region. The Allied Order of Exemplars and McCoy Spaceways shared the region, with treaties in place with several AX groups to avoid inter-species conflict. This was our staging post for peaceful affairs. We recently submitted a request to the Pilot's Federation for a permit locked location where peace advocates could congregate. We were denied, then in 48 hours our only staging post was stolen. Insanity."

Operation: Defend California is now active.
The YKE Naval fleet will be deployed into the region to assist the research group defensively.
A blockade has been established to disrupt The Mictlan in California Sector HR-W D1-28.
Date of Declaration: January 28th, 3309.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Dylan D]

Status Report:

Multiple Private Courier vessels have been identified in California Sector HR-W d1-28.
They are all heading towards The Mictlan Megaship, owned by Kumo Council.

Tracked all the way there...

Upon further investigation, it appears that A.I Relics are being transported in mass alongside other illicit goods.

Prototype Tech is also being found in several Non-Human Signal Sources... Something is going on here.

All of this lines up with Azimuth Biotech. I've been able to recover both Prototype Tech and A.I Relics from Azimuth systems, most notably during the recent Weapon Stabilizers Community Goal.

Discovered within the last few hour, January 28th 3309.

 

[Ned Flandalorian]

Boom state (and some other positive states) triggers private couriers, which carry rare/illegal goods (that's why they're private). There's nothing unique/story-related happening here, you can find the same thing in any boom system.
The same goes for prototype tech, it's a common commodity found in thargoid signals where there are shipwrecks.

 

[Streya]

It's been an interesting time out here in the California Nebula. I came to assist our Pirate King in his task of defending the California Nebula from Thargoids, but on arriving found CMDR Dylan D's blockade. They weren't able to catch me in my slippery and fast Clipper, but I also have restrained my usual bloodlust and have tried to be on my best behavior so as not to risk The Five Strippings. We did come out here to protect people, after all.

There was a nice parley between Dylan D and I. I was just vacationing out here a few weeks ago and consider the California Nebula a nice "timeshare". We both lamented the destruction of the Barnacles, which were all harvested in every single case after the breakout of the election (whereas on my vacation they were in pristine condition). We discussed the importance of sustainable harvest by hand-tool of meta alloys, something I've done to ensure future flow of the wonder-metal. Of course I have supported the Kumo Council in the election, and him Turner Research, but there's much we also agree upon as freedom-loving Independent pilots.

Speaking of timeshares, a Kumo Nation settlement here or there couldn't be too much to ask for, could it? The Mictlan already represents the addition of a Military economy in the California Sector HR-W D1-28 system, but perhaps a more permanent presence could both protect the region and stimulate trade.

 

[Ned Flandalorian]

Speaking of timeshares, a Kumo Nation settlement here or there couldn't be too much to ask for, could it? The Mictlan already represents the addition of a Military economy in the California Sector HR-W D1-28 system, but perhaps a more permanent presence could both protect the region and stimulate trade.

Kumo has already taken control of the systems, they own the main settlements... The elections are Turner Research trying to take back control because they still have much higher influence values (which is a regular BGS mechanic).
Since FDEV used the hand of god to put Kumo in control, it's probably a waste of time to push the election one way or the other because the system won't flip regardless of the result. There will just be constant elections until the influence values start to even out.

 

[Streya]

Kumo has already taken control of the systems, they own the main settlements... The elections are Turner Research trying to take back control because they still have much higher influence values (which is a regular BGS mechanic).
Since FDEV used the hand of god to put Kumo in control, it's probably a waste of time to push the election one way or the other because the system won't flip regardless of the result. There will just be constant elections until the influence values start to even out.

(Yes, but in-character. Dylan D and I actually had a good out-of-character chat and lamented that we can't simply build our own settlements at this point or cut any sort of deal/make an impact in the story as players involved in the relevant factions' roleplay)

 

[Streya]

Kumo has already taken control of the systems, they own the main settlements... The elections are Turner Research trying to take back control because they still have much higher influence values (which is a regular BGS mechanic).
Since FDEV used the hand of god to put Kumo in control, it's probably a waste of time to push the election one way or the other because the system won't flip regardless of the result. There will just be constant elections until the influence values start to even out.

I just checked and Redmarch Laboratory flipped immediately back to Turner Research once they won the election there. That is because it was the attack/defend objective of the election and so they won it back immediately. The elections are still worth doing.

 

[Dylan D]

Discussion was peaceful, refreshing and insightful to say the least. Thankful for the Black Widow squadron's ability to engage in diplomacy

Sirius Corporation seems to be responsible for spearheading the Barnacle harvesting out here, as Kumo Council representatives also seem to agree that harvesting is wrong. We are eager to work with the crew of the Mictlan to identify a new region for Kumo Council to operate in, which does not impact the three historical systems. Many uninhabited systems exist out here which could support Human occupation, though to avoid escalation we must be sure the Thargoids agree with this decision as well.

YTEC agrees that a Kumo Nation settlement would be a viable compromise. The Allied Order of Exemplars originally had Kumo Council moved out here to fix Mission board related issues. Not enough infrastructure was created to support the change.

The California Nebula is currently broken in terms of BGS, the Mission board does not provide enough mission variety.
This agreement would provide assistance to TRG and Kumo Council in tandem, by providing the necessary resources required to support both groups. A facility to operate within the California Nebula for Kumo Council, and a new economy to interact with for Turner Research Group.

The Mictlan already represents the addition of a Military economy in the California Sector HR-W D1-28 system, but perhaps a more permanent presence could both protect the region and stimulate trade.

This compromise should acknowledge Sirius Corporation's lack of awareness in regards to Thargoid behavior, with Kumo Council opting to avoid business with SC.
It should also acknowledge Kumo Council's desire to operate within the California Nebula, and the current issues that plague the Mission boards here.

Since FDEV used the hand of god to put Kumo in control, it's probably a waste of time to push the election one way or the other because the system won't flip regardless of the result. There will just be constant elections until the influence values start to even out.

Fortunately we were able to restore control to Turner Research Group, with the changes reflected in the Galaxy Map & System panel.

 

[Ned Flandalorian]

We are eager to work with the crew of the Mictlan to identify a new region for Kumo Council to operate in, which does not impact the three historical systems. Many uninhabited systems exist out here which could support Human occupation, though to avoid escalation we must be sure the Thargoids agree with this decision as well.

Is there something wrong with HIP 18390, which Kumo already controls?

 

[Dylan D]

Is there something wrong with HIP 18390, which Kumo already controls?

It does not connect to the mission boards located in the California Nebula unfortunately. It would require much closer locations, if we were to compromise & repair the issues out here at the same time.

 

[Streya]

(OOC)
I also noted a perturbing lack of Material Trader services out in the California Nebula, the nearest being in the Ceos-Sothis area. Not "far" for more seasoned CMDRs but a little drive down the road at least. More developed and connected infrastructure in various nebulae would definitely be a logical move forward in the lore as portions of humanity begin to flee the Bubble, and would likely be welcome by both local and visiting CMDRs . Odyssey settlements for on-foot missions would also add for more mission variety, especially if there's a native Anarchy faction people don't mind being perpetually at 1% Influence to raid perpetually.

Also hopefully I didn't actually trigger any sort of worlds-ending events I'm newer to the lore scene and Elite in general relatively speaking, so genuinely learned a lot of backstory coming out here. Thanks again!

(IC)
When we came out here, I wanted to honor Archon Delaine's word to the letter. So we did not hurt any humans, since the stated goal is protection duty. The Council is pretty tight-lipped about their internal workings to rank and file Kumo Crew Watch members, so I only had their stated directive to go off of. Ignorant to the longstanding ecological treaties, I did fell approximately half a dozen Thargoid Scouts and the Cyclops they summoned for help.

Dylan D kindly warned me to cease and desist first and educated me on the region's proud history. A region which despite being under the Alliance banners feels like it has its own independent identity, steeped in a passion for the frontier life and studying xenobiological life. We hypothesized together over the barnacles' lifecycles and how methods of safely harvesting or making our own meta-alloys would be beneficial over completely clearing the barbs. After our parley I did not engage any further Thargoids in the area, but instead turned to the political situation in the election.

Each side voted in the elections with fervor, and as the polls come to a close it's clear Turner Research is preferred. This isn't a surprising outcome as Kumo Nation residents make up a smaller portion of the population in the nebula. We can only await further indications from Archon Delaine and the Kumo Council themselves, and until then I have pulled my carrier out of the area to Kumo's own California Freeport.