Bombing of Nimbus

Anyone tuning into the Serenity Concord news broadcasts would find the familiar, detached expression of news anchor John Boyega would be staring back at them. He cleared his throat, and began to speak.

“Several weeks ago, as many of you know, an Andorian male identified as Koss Th’sherheth entered a hospital on Nimbus station while Commander Mike-037 was visiting an injured Solus Tempus Marine, and bombed the building. Aside from causing massive amounts of structural damage to the hospital and nearby buildings with the blast itself, he took the lives of 100 civilians and hospital workers, as well as severely injuring 20- including the target of the bombing: Commander 037. 30 more civilians were left with minor injuries. Everyone else was unharmed.

“Protests have sprung up against the excessive use of force against the media by ST security forces during the crisis,” Boyega’s words were supported with video of Tobi Angelos straight up yoinking all the media equipment out of the reporter’s hands while the hospital burned in the backround. “However, as no damage was done to the equipment or reporters, none of the outlets involved have pressed charges. Our own Serenity Concord Broadcasting Company claiming that ‘Solus Tempus security was merely trying to keep everyone at a safe distance from ground zero’. The public disagrees.”

The footage changed to video of security forces being obstructed on patrol by a group of protesters. There was no audio, due to the amount of obscenities shouted at the two poor patrolmen. They looked afraid for their safety, hands tightly gripping their phasers as more security arrived to try and disperse the crowd.

“The bomber’s apartment was searched, and it was revealed he left a note behind for Solus Tempus and the Concord at large. For security reasons, we’ve not been permitted to release the exact words on the note, but long story short… Koss Th’sherheth claimed that ST has long discriminated against non-humans of all kinds. He didn’t provide any proof, only accusations. He also accused the organization of becoming a fascist state with the increasing size of the military and the seemingly total control of Fleet Admiral Lance Thomas and Fleet Admiral Sal D’Amico. He claimed to be part of an Onyx supported ring of anti-human terrorists aiming to help bring about the demise of Solus Tempus.

This has sparked more outrage, as it seems the recent attempts to guarantee the safety of civilians have only brought more danger, closer to home.”

Introducing Force Recon

“This already causes some issues for most, as the Spartan-II’s have already been proven to be unreliable and sketchy at best.” A flat out lie, but Mr. Boyega’s job was just to read the words on the screen. He couldn’t have cared less about this himself. “The fact that Solus Tempus continues to increase their military presence is also frightening to many, and protests have begun to try and bring about some sort of limitation on the organization’s growing armies.”

After a very generic, local news type intro with some synth riffs and aggressive brass that was just grating to any ears listening, the actual reporting began. A man behind a desk in a suit, holding a PADD began to read from a teleprompter behind the camera.

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the most trusted source of news within the Serenity Concord. I’m John Boyega, and boy do we have some things to go over today.” The screen changed from his face to footage of the Solus Tempus Marine Corps during a training exercise.

“Just a month ago, the Command Staff of Solus Tempus announced they’d be opening a special forces division of their Marines. They’ve named it Marine Force Recon, and already the news has kicked up dust among the general population in Schatten system. It’s stated purpose is to be the first line of offense between Solus Tempus and anyone who would attempt to attack them, and it’s being led by Spartan-II’s Mike-037 and Alicia-052.”

The screen now showed two pictures, one with Mike standing in his armor without the helmet, and a second with Alicia fully enclosed in her armor.

Now they showed clips from the protesters being interviewed. Boyega sipped his coffee and relaxed, he didn’t have to do anything now. Not until the cameras panned back at least. The first protester was a young woman, around her early twenties it looked like.

“We can’t just let them shoot anyone who disagrees with them! The Serenity Concord was formed to promote peace, and Solus Tempus putting some warcrime machines in charge of a bunch of trigger-happy, brainwashed teenagers is not peaceful. What are they gonna do? Conquer the whole galaxy?”

The other clips were some variation of this, and there were mentions of Leo and the Epoch acting as the mobile headquarters of the special forces. The camera panned back to Boyega.

“That’s currently all the information we have on Force Recon, as the Spartans refuse to release any information- even the names of the men and women they’ve recruited have been hidden behind number codes. Whatever they’re doing, it’s probably no good. And now, on a lighter note: space squirrels.”

Fleet Admiral Thomas Returns

On December 21st, 2385 Fleet Admiral Lance Thomas was admitted to the military hospital at Nimbus Station under the care of his personal physician Doctor Nevyn. Details are scant at best with military officials having declined to make any comments thus far on the apparent rescue and recovery of the Admiral, thought dead over a year ago. The operational details are scarce, but we do know that the rather new STMC recently dispatched a unit along with several other vessels on a classified mission. Further we also know that acting Fleet Admiral D’Amico left suddenly at around the same time.

As of this moment the hospital will only state that Admiral Thomas is being cared for and is stable but still listed as critical but expected to pull through. No other information is available on his condition or the circumstances which lead him to be classified as deceased. Many are confused by this sudden change in status and how the Concord could get things so wrong. Some may recall that when he was declared death his wife, Drem Confoscho, took leave from her command of the Drakon following some troubling murders on the vessel. Since then the woman has been rarely seen though her command was restored.

Was there a Coalition?

According to unofficial sources a distress call was received by numerous receivers just prior to resources throughout the sector being activated. A number of reports have also come in that a civilian component was present, several cargo, transport, and merchant vessels somehow also responded to this distress call including the famed recluse Marcus Trent head of Excalibur Inc. The coalition force reported included Federation, Klingon, Romulan, Avali, Concord, and Civilian elements but details are sketchy as to exactly why such a large force was deployed or how they all came together in the first place. A coalition of this nature has not been seen since the Dominion War over 10 years ago. One interesting note to make is that the infamous Tal Ravis also is rumored to be part of the assault team, though requests for comment from Mr. Ravis himself or his commanding officer have gone unanswered. Mr. Ravis is known to have been involved in rescue efforts previously and to have been a prominent figure in several battles within the Schatten System itself, once brought up on charges for his misuse of a powerful experimental weapon during one such battle. Even though he was under investigation and facing imminent charges at the time, Mr. Ravis participating in the daring rescue of Admiral Thomas and was cleared of all charges. It appears that Admiral Thomas owes Tal Ravis again, as one anonymous sources states that he lead the team who actually performed the rescue.

Finally we are reasonably certain that a group of four arrivals from an alternate timeline joined Ravis in the team to rescue Admiral Thomas. Tina Lockwood, Jedidah Shafir, Qing Shan, and Eugen Strauss were sighted by multiple sources disembarking with Ravis and his usual team. These four have the distinction of being the only known splices to have occurred outside the Schatten System, they appeared at Starbase Tranquility in the Markab System. Little is publicly known about the quartet other than they are exceptionally skilled operators.

Possible New Weapon?

Other reports have come in that Solas Tempus used an as-yet completely classified vessel which has yet to be publicly known. The vessel itself was said to be the largest vessel ever constructed. A triangular shape the ship was said to have provided cover during the battle and her arrival turning the tides. Additional reports also say that Solas Tempus captured an enemy space station of some kind, supposedly spherical in shape with incredible weaponry. Neither of these reports have been confirmed at this time and requests for comments of Solas Tempus also gone unanswered.

Eyes in the Barracks

The bravest, finest, best equiped. Solas Tempus Marines are elite of Solas Tempus forces. Today we invite you to join with us for day of their training. Read about whole day in barracks, learn about experiences you might get, see what those who decide to pursue this carreer endure.

Today one of our reporters was invited to observe day from a training of Solas Tempus Marines. They receive invitation for whole day and clearance to take footage, obviously with restriction that ST has to see material before it will get aired to make sure no classified information get released.

Morning / Breakfast (0600)

Day of training starts early at 0600, recruits are waking up and suiting up into their uniforms then forming line inside their bunk barracks. Their drill instructor commences inspection of their uniforms and service phaser rifles.

After that they leave forming up at parade ground for announcements. They learn that we are here and are to provide us with any assistance we require. They are also informed that we are allowed to record training. After that recruits go to mess hall for breakfast.

One of drill sergeant stopped us and told that this meal will be special showing us apparently a flashbang grenade used to non-lethally subdue hostile forces. We observe as he sneaks up to mess hall door and few minutes into breakfast throws it in yelling about attack. Recruits that are here already for few weeks without thinking reach to their equipment, some flip tables to create barricades, they are shortly followed by more recent ones…

Apart from one.

His battle-buddy tried to pull him behind cover before its too late but poor recruit was noticed standing in the open by DI. We overheard one of other recruits saying

“Oh god, no”
Recruit from the Same Unit

As Sergeant approached recruit he started yelling at him, and telling him that he would be dead if this would be real attack. In end he asked recruit for his unit then announced that, quoting

“[Since] this unit has such stupid dead rookies they need to now clean whole mess hall. Later expect even more fun!”
Drill Sergeant Kerry Adamns

While unit started cleaning rest of marine trainines went to their respective training areas, we followed one one them.

Morning / After Breakfast

Unit we followed arrived at range where they were issued power packs to their rifles. Taking positions they loaded them in and at command started firing at holographic targets. Taking their time they aimed down the sights scoring hits. After that they moved to obstacle course. This too went mainly calm as recruits moved under, over and across obstacles. After that recruits got some time off. We got informed that they will be going on a walk around country side soon, and that if we want we can go with them or go to other team, we decided to take walk with the recruits.

During that march i heard one of funnier exchanges between drill sergeant and recruit:

“Recruit Kowalski, I didn’t saw you at camouflage training yesterday!”
“Thank you sir drill sergeant! I appreciate your compliment!”
Recruit Kawalski and Drill Sergeant Kerry Adams. We must congratulate Recruit Kowalski for his outstanding performance during training in camouflage

Noon

Recruits walked out of base in column and started walking down the road, each one carrying whole kit weighing 50 pounds (this is kit without their Exoskeleton, this team didn’t reach point in training to use them yet). One of sergeant approached us carrying even larger backpack, which for recruits was majority of their gear, imagine our surprise when he showed us that his backpack, which was two times size of recruits one, was filled with pillows. He told us to stay silent about it.

During exercise we saw him approaching multiple recruits asking to swap bags with them, we weren’t surprised that they were refusing, although our cameraman could barely hold laugh at whole situation, so did I to be honest. Finally one of recruites decided to swap, his face was pure shock when his 30 pound backpack got suddenly replaced by maybe 5 pound bag of pillows. He quickly regained his composure and continued on like nothing happened. One of other recruits told us later that some instructors love to pull antics at recruits, we could see that few more times.This walk took majority of day with only break for MREs as team was scheduled to arrive after last meal.Instructor asked if we want to stay for night to see how barracks operate at that time, seeing it as good occasion we obviously agreed. I decided to stay with troopers in barracks while rest of crew went to more comfortable accomodations at DI quarters.

In middle of night I felt slight poke.

Middle of Night

When I woke up I saw teams DI showing me to be silent and pointing to “firewatch” who was asleep.

This occurrence requires some backstory, in old age when firearms were propelled by powder and most common type of explosive was TNT (a very unstable material) Firewatch was officer that was on guard to wake up sleeping soldiers in case of fire, in early 2000 that function became more symbolic, or as some called it “torture”.

Firewatch currently Is sentry that guards barracks from unauthorized personnel (i.e recruits from other teams). This firewatch as I mentioned was asleep.

Next thing I saw I will probably never forget, it was just so out of this world. Drill Sergeant in full camo fatigues and face paint dropped on ground and started crawling under bunks toward firewatch desk, I saw some soldiers on his path waking up, but they swiftly turned to observers, no one even thought to warn poor bastard that stood guard. As the Sergeant approached the recruit he pulled out phaser and put it to his back screaming some gibbering in bad Klingon. It is no wonder to anyone that watch woke up reaching to his service rifle that DI swiftly took.

This recruit probably didn’t had next day easy as his whole unit was so called “smoked”, that is disciplined through intense training (I heard he received “Ridges” as nickname although I wasn’t able to confirm that).

Next day we gave all material we had to ST intelligence to inspect and after receiving green light, we send it to you right here.

Orbital Deployment Exercise

What you’re about to see is really something special. Each trainee must complete some of the most extreme combat and insertion maneuvers we can put them through, so when they are out in the field they can go through whatever is needed and complete their objectives. I don’t personally know of any training programs which do this as a standard training program either.

Recently Vice Admiral Emily Artis allowed reporters from the Soteria News Service to tag along with the latest group of trainees which are nearing graduation from the Solas Tempus Academy and become members of the young but illustrious new group, the Solas Tempus Marine Corps. Our reporter met with their commanding officer to tell him about what this was all about.

What you’re about to see is really something special. Each trainee must complete some of the most extreme combat and insertion maneuvers we can put them through, so when they are out in the field they can go through whatever is needed and complete their objectives. I don’t personally know of any training programs which do this as a standard training program either. The trainees are taken up to around 250 km, with an orbital velocity of right around 180,000 kps. Our drop point is randomly chosen at liftoff to prevent anyone from knowing what they’re going to jump into. Once we’re in the window for the drop point, the trainees are deployed. They must safely deploy from the vehicle and arrive within the target landing zone within a set time from. So what you’re about to see is their final exam of sorts, these people have been training for a long time to do this, all building to execute this drop.
Captain Reginald Armando

Captain Armando is quite proud of his people, he talked further about how the trainees are trained in order to accomplish this. The Orbital Deployment Exercise is just one small part of the overall examination process.

The team loaded up at Serenity Station in a Type 6 Shuttle, giving each other a hard time about who might fail and making jokes about who might throw up in their armor. The armor is of particular interest, as Solas Tempus bagan developing advanced exoskeletons before the incorporation of the Serenity Concord, what the marines are wearing is termed as Class 1Z Advanced Cybernetic Exoskeleton, developed specifically for use by the marines. We spoke to one of the trainees about the armor and what it allowed them to do.

Oh, the 1Z? Yeah, it’s pretty amazing technology, it’s like it lets you do what your mind sets out to do. It’s some powerful stuff, we’re all pretty good soldiers, well trained, and there’s always limits. The body can only handle so much, with the 1Z though it’s like a perfect kind of partner. The 1Z helps you do what’s got to be done.
Trainee Brett Evans

Mr. Evans, soon to be Ensign Evans, went on to talk about how the armor was an extension of who he was, just a hunk of alloys and technology until someone like him straps in. Many of his fellow trainees felt the same way, like they were pretty good but the armor let their body do what needs to be done, beyond what others can do. Of course, the Captain had a slightly different take on things.

The 1Z? Yeah it’s impressive hardware, and these kids really like it. There’s a lot to like about it. They aren’t wrong when they talk about the fact that it becomes an extension of the wearer though, we picked these people for a reason though. Each one of them makes the 1Z look like a toaster in comparison to the possibilities. These kids have the best training without even touching that armor before they even qualify to look at it.
Captain Reginald Armando

Captain Armando went on to talk about the training that each person goes through, in fact one of the qualifying tests is about armorless-operations where for their finals the trainees will go head to head with seasoned veterans who know all the tricks and tools of the trade. The program is really impressive.

The Jump

Once the shuttle lifted off, the trainees were made aware of their drop coordinates and the joking stopped. That’s when the Captain issued orders for the trainees to prepare to drop and each one secured and checked the armor, plugging the drop coordinates into the armor’s on board computer and securing their helmets. The rear hatch opened and the trainees gave the thumbs up, when the shuttle was over the right orbital window, they got the green light and jumped out, two at a time, right out of the protective force field and over Soteria in hard vacuum.

The Captain as well as the Vice Admiral and myself watched from the shuttle cockpit as the trainees descended and hit the atmosphere, according to the Vice Admiral that was the moment where a lot of the pass and fail grades would be decided, being able to go from hard vacuum to atmospheric reentry in a suit of armor is not an easy thing. All the trainees made it to the ground in the end, though their grades are still being decided. On the ground, the group was in good spirits, some expressed wanting to hop back up to orbit and do it again. They would get their chance, this wasn’t the only orbital drop they’d have to do in order to become marines. All of them were eager to get onto the next phase of the process.

SPECCOM / STMC Training Orders

Credible intel has lead to the discovery that Onyx has obtained the designs for the Mark X Informational Assistant, or XIA. It is very likely that they are constructing these units. Due to the obvious potential threat, as of now all SPECCOM and STMC personnel shall begin training in using area of effect weapons to disable XIA units. Disabling XIA units in the field could become critical to defense in field operations. Training schedules will be available using a variety of weapons for multiple time periods as well as testing for weapon designs and deployment.

See your direct commander for additional information about the new training protocols. Personnel should also remember that continued use of derogatory terms for potential threats is to be stopped immediately. Derogatory or racial terms used while on duty or off can result in disciplinary actions as they limit perceptions and thoughts.