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Rebellion Spreads Through the Federation

A further seven Federal factions have severed ties with the superpower in protest against government monitoring of communications.

These latest secessions have been undertaken by minor factions that do not control any systems, including Unktock Free, United Posenoi League and Progressive Party of Inggale.

Political journalist Sofia Trevino reported for The Federal Times:

“Eight factions had previously declared independence from the Federation, and now an even greater number forms the third wave of rebellion. It’s clear that their populations feel empowered to take a stand against losing their constitutional rights of privacy.”

“Vice President Archer shrugged off this latest development, maintaining that ‘the Proactive Detection Bureau performs a vital security role in these troubled times’. Since none of these latest factions currently govern a system, he may also believe that resistance to the PDB is on the wane.”

“Although these events have only impacted a small part of Federal territory, they remain an embarrassment for President Hudson’s administration. Shadow President Winters continues to implore Congress to repeal the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act, but she has also taken political criticism since many feel her rhetoric inspired these factions to secede.”

Federation Criticised by Alliance and Empire

Alliance and Imperial leaders have responded to the recent wave of Federal systems declaring independence.

Eight factions have now severed ties with the Federation, in response to government surveillance of all private and public communications.

In an interview with The Alliance Tribune, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Corcoran remarked:

“The Proactive Detection Bureau’s intrusive nature has caused millions of people to rightfully demand self-rule. President Hudson should be fearful that history might view him as the Federation’s first dictator.”

Senator Denton Patreus’s comments were featured by Eye on Achenar:

“Of course the Federation’s factions are turning against it. The arrogance and corruption of its leaders will inevitably cause it to rot from within. We can expect to see it dissolve into chaos before long.”

Federal newsfeed Sol Today published a response by Vice President Jerome Archer:

“Both the Alliance and Empire have chosen a reactionary approach to terrorism, whereas the Federation has made great strides in intelligence-gathering and preventative action. I’m confident that the Proactive Detection Bureau will come to be accepted as one of the galaxy’s greatest innovations.”

Onionhead’s Medical Benefits Verified

The Interstellar Health Organisation has validated the Kumo Crew’s claim that onionhead gamma strain, also known as ‘helix’, has medicinal properties.

Dr Nisha Devi, one of the IHO’s senior researchers, told the media:

“We have analysed user data in the independent systems where onionhead gamma strain is on sale. Unexpectedly, the initial marketing claims that ‘helix’ can be used for medicinal purposes have been authenticated.”

“A significant percentage of customers are believed to be using the drug for healthcare reasons rather than recreational use. Reports show that it is a successful treatment for many psychological disorders, bringing faster results than conventional neuroleptics. It may also provide effective symptomatic relief for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.”

“Several research facilities are now running clinical trials on the viability of using onionhead gamma strain in medical practice. The IHO is monitoring these studies and will publish the results.”

Vandermeer Corporation, the largest pharmaceutical company in the Federation, published a statement from its head of marketing Ronan Roscoe:

“These conclusions are biased and informed by inaccurate data. We maintain that all forms of onionhead are dangerous narcotics with long-term detriments to health. Vandermeer’s antipsychotic treatments are effective without the side effects of mild psychedelic experiences.”

A Fractured Federation

Shadow President Felicia Winters has claimed that further systems declaring independence could severely damage the Federation.

Her statement was in response to the conflict in the Kuwembaa system, which resulted in more Federal factions seceding from the superpower. Dozens of others are now openly considering breaking away and becoming independent.

Addressing Congress, Shadow President Winters said:

“We now face the possibility of large-scale rebellion, as more citizens reject intrusion into their private lives. Unless these authoritarian surveillance laws are repealed, we risk many more factions and allies losing their trust in any Federal government.”

Vice President Jerome Archer responded:

“The Proactive Detection Bureau provides increased security and decreased crime levels for all Federal systems. I deeply regret that a few have rejected its benefits, but we must concentrate on the bigger picture.”

The Sovereign newsfeed described how the newly seceded systems are celebrating freedom from government scrutiny. It claims that up to fifty other factions have expressed interest in becoming independent.

However, The Federal Times reported that more pragmatic leaders have voiced concerns that they are now more vulnerable. There are particular fears of retaliation by pro-Federation groups or attacks from opportunistic hostile forces.

Federal Surveillance Sabotages Independence

Communications intercepted by the Proactive Detection Bureau are being used to prevent further factions from leaving the Federation.

A report by the civil rights organisation Advocacy proves that the Federal Intelligence Agency is targeting pro-independence individuals via their private messages. In many cases, they are being arrested for planning to commit crimes against the constitution.

Deputy Director Bethany Blake, who runs the PDB, gave a statement to the media:

“I can confirm that gathering such intelligence is within our legal remit. Unilateral declarations of independence are criminal acts that violate the Federal Accord. Therefore we are identifying perpetrators before they cause harm, which is precisely what our surveillance network was established to do.”

In Congress, Vice President Jerome Archer defended the PDB for boosting arrest rates and saving lives. However, Congressman Bai Zheng remarked that the PDB was “incapable of locating the NMLA, but fantastic at finding enemies among our own people that didn’t previously exist”.

Both President Hudson and Shadow President Winters have personally contacted the leaders of many systems within their spheres of influence, aiming to address their concerns and convince them not to secede from the Federation.

Winters Claims Civilian Surveillance is Illegal

Shadow President Felicia Winters has claimed that the Proactive Detection Bureau is unconstitutional as it violates the Federal Accord.

In an address before Congress, she said:

“The Federation’s constitution explicitly guarantees citizens the right to data security and privacy. The PDB tramples over this by raiding everyone’s personal communications, casting aside decency and dignity so that algorithms can probe into every aspect of our lives.”

“Furthermore, if ACT’s hypothesis is correct and the NMLA is using an advanced dark-comms network, then the PDB’s existence is baseless and unjustifiable.”

Vice President Jerome Archer responded:

“The Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act is emergency legislation that temporarily suspends constitutional statutes, until we are satisfied that the terrorist threat has been negated.”

“Following the PDB’s success in uncovering extremist groups, we are widening the search parameters to include other related criminal activity.”

Opinion polls suggest that a slim majority of Federal citizens accept that some liberties must be sacrificed in return for increased security.

However, according to the civil rights organisation Advocacy, the speed with which the PDB gained access to data hubs suggested that “The infrastructure was already in place – all the government needed was an opportunity to make it legal.”

Federal Surveillance Identifies Domestic Terrorists

The Proactive Detection Bureau, which monitors all civilian communications in the Federation, has detected several home-grown terrorist groups.

Deputy Director Bethany Blake of the Federal Investigations Agency told the media:

“Our combination of sophisticated algorithms and skilled operatives has unearthed over a dozen extremist organisations, all previously unknown. The FIA launched pre-emptive raids on these groups before they were able to strike against civilian targets.”

“In addition, we have arrested several thousand individuals who were conducting research into terror tactics, radical ideologies and other suspicious subjects.”

“The PDB will continue monitoring all comms networks, and liaising with local security agencies via the Federal Justice Department.”

Vice President Jerome Archer hailed these results as validation of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act, and stated that the PDB will help prevent the mass murder of Federal citizens.

Civil rights groups have claimed that these extremists could have been detected via conventional policing methods, rather than intercepting personal messages. Independent criminologists added that the statistical likelihood of such amateur groups committing actual attacks is low.

Federation Begins Anti-Terrorist Monitoring

The Proactive Detection Bureau has been set up by the Federal Intelligence Agency to scan civilian communications for signs of terrorist activity.

The new department was formed following congressional approval of the Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act. This was drafted by Vice President Jerome Archer, who told the media:

“The PDB is a vital tool to prevent further massacres on the scale we have recently witnessed. It will unearth NMLA terrorists and other dangerous activists concealed among innocent citizens, and help keep our families safe.”

Deputy Director Bethany Blake, who has been appointed to run the Proactive Detection Bureau, explained its operations:

“Highly advanced algorithms will scan all data transmitted across public and private networks on a system-wide level. Any suspicious communications are redirected to a regional hub, for review by trained investigators.”

“It is important to understand that only specific activity within narrow parameters will be flagged, and must pass dozens of automated checkpoints before our operatives can access it.”

Shadow President Winters and civil rights groups have protested that this violates long-standing privacy laws. However, President Hudson has championed the PDB as a cornerstone of the new counter-terrorism statutes.