Disaster At Gates Surrounding Jita
A catastrophic hyperspace incident has damaged all seven stargates leading into Jita. Spacetime fractures, similar to those witnessed inside Fractured Fields, simultaneously opened around the gates, resulting in significant damage to their structure. The majority of operational staff and maintenance workers stationed on the gates at the time were killed instantly by either the damage done to the gates or the massive burst of radiation released as the fractures formed. Many others were badly injured, and some are expected to begin displaying signs of fatal radiation sickness in the weeks to come. The final death toll is expected to be in the thousands.
The gates remain operational despite their damaged status. The radiation, though initially fatal, has already begun to disperse throughout space. As it disperses, it has already become visible from nearby stars as it moves faster than light through the Drifter Hyperspace Network. At this time, only extreme long-term exposure is likely to result in any negative effects. This does, however, make any immediate repairs impossible. Even repair drones are likely to malfunction after long-term exposure, making it only possible to perform essential operational maintenance at this time.
The Caldari State has placed emergency measures on Jita residents while their investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. These restrictions have put pressure on already busy emergency response teams. Additional support has been accepted from EverMore, who are providing aid from their Paragon Fulfillment Center inside Jita.
Caldari State Promises Retribution
The Caldari State has responded quickly by launching a full investigation and placing all Caldari Navy bases on the highest level of alert. An emergency session of the Caldari State’s governing body, the Chief Executive Panel (CEP), was held behind closed doors. Following the session’s conclusion, all eight members and CEOs of Caldari’s megacorporations appeared before crowds gathered in Landfall on New Caldari Prime. Above them, the green aura of the Fracture radiation from nearby star systems was already visible in the night sky.
CEP Chairman Akimaka Saraki spoke on the Panel’s behalf, lamenting the “devastating shock of this terrible tragedy.” He began by wishing the families and corporations of those who died at the gates “resilience in the face of this unprovoked attack.” He went on to clarify the CEP’s position in a speech that has shocked New Eden's political establishment:
“I call this an attack because that is what it was, not an ‘incident’. I spit that word out because it offends my mouth. Have no doubt, this was a deliberate and strategic assault on the Caldari State by subversive forces both inside Jita and beyond the limits of our State. But hear my words, there will be no limits to our retribution.
“For some time now, the House of Records and Caldari Business Tribunal have been investigating what they believed was conventional financial corruption operating out of Jita but impacting the entire State. Due to the specialist analysis of our research teams in the Conflux Eyrie on the aftermath of today’s attack, we can now reveal that this financial corruption was actually high-tech extortion executed via the manipulation of the Drifter Hyperspace Network’s data transfer capabilities. It was the experimental use of this improperly understood technology that resulted in today’s disaster.
“We can also confirm that this theft has been enabled by the treachery of members of the Intaki Syndicate, but we have followed the money, and their benefactors are none other than the Gallente Federation. This was the reason for the hyperspace manipulation that is still ongoing in the space surrounding Jita. Drifter Hyperspace Network experimentation is only available to the Drifter Wormhole occupiers, not the Gallente Federation. So we must conclude that these criminal actions also require a third party, either the Minmatar Republic, the Amarr Empire, the Triglavians, or EDENCOM.
“This attempt to manipulate the Caldari State’s economy and the resulting tragedy are war crimes. We call on CONCORD to take immediate punitive action against the Gallente and offer unmitigated support to our own investigations, or else we will be forced to take matters into our own hands.”
Gallente President Denies Accusations
The Jita gate incident has overshadowed today’s inauguration on Gallente Prime. Some questioned if the event should be delayed, but the new President, Alix Moreau, opted to go ahead despite the possible diplomatic fallout. “While I feel sorrow for those innocents harmed in this terrible disaster, it is not possible for me to resolve any coming crisis unless I have been sworn in.”
Moreau and the Federation Administration have rejected Chairman Saraki’s claims outright, denying any involvement in Hyperspace Network manipulation or the formation of fractures around the gates into Jita. Sources within the Federation Senate have told the Scope that many are assuming the Chairman’s statement was an attempt by the CEP to manipulate the incident into an excuse for warmongering.
Following Moreau’s election victory over the aggressive Roden and veteran Tenzin, concerns have been raised by more hawkish members of the Senate that their new President may lack the experience necessary to command the Federation’s military. With the Caldari State’s call for punitive action, there is fear that they will attempt to strike while this militarily inexperienced leader is still gaining their bearings.
Moreau has assured the Federation that, “I am ready to do every part of this job, and that includes unravelling the complexities of war should it come to that. I hope that we can avoid this outcome, but should it prove inevitable, the continuation of our great democratic experiment remains paramount.”
Conflict Ripples Out to Amarr and Minmatar
The Tribal Council of the Minmatar Republic has co-signed a statement by Sanmatar Maleatu Shakor rejecting any suggestion of involvement in today’s tragedy. The statement makes it clear that “the Republic is saddened to hear of the terrible incidents surrounding Jita” while categorically denying “any suggestion of collusion or involvement in the disaster.”
Brutor Chief Wkumi Pol and Krusual Chief Tenerhaddi Dykon have gone beyond the limits of this statement to point fingers at the Amarr Empire. “The Amarr economy has been suffering as they attempt to keep step with recent Republic advances.” Chief Pol told reporters. “We remember Turnur and their reckless abuse of technology in their endless lust for power. We are watching the Empire very closely as always. The Republic must be certain that no similar tragedy can occur here.”
The Amarr Empress, Catiz I, has similarly cast blame on the Republic, stating that the Republic’s “suspiciously good fortunes coincidentally began within the same period as this supposed financial espionage.” She added that “The Empire is not intimidated by the Republic’s endless posturing; perhaps it is time they were reminded of that.”
Tensions have been ratcheting up between the two nations since the Republic began to increase its military spending back in February. As rhetoric between the major factions of New Eden turns even more hostile, there are fears that the limited avenues of diplomacy between them may soon collapse. CONCORD Director General Panaja Paukonsuo has vowed to step in and try to negotiate between the aggrieved parties personally, while assuring the public that “CONCORD protocols prohibit serious misconduct outside the limits of the designated Warzones. While those hold, so does a path to stability.”