2175 C.E.

XXVI: "The Council of Elrond"

As of one standard Earth day ago, my diplomatic staff and I have been expelled from the Federation's embassy in Beijing. The embassy itself has been shut down and, I am sorry to say, opened to protestors, who have destroyed as much of the building as they could. Further, I have been unsuccessful in acquiring transport out of the Sol system; the Terrans have frozen all flights exiting the Hegemony except for those under state sponsorship. They have done the same regarding communications, although fortunately my staff was able to retrieve my own communication equipment, which enables me to transmit this message to you, Lord Praetor.

My staff and I have been offered refuge for the time being in the African state of Congo, which your predecessors made profitable business partners. Specifically, my friend and interlocutor Theresa Mwangi has made arrangements for my staff and myself to stay in safety within Congolese borders. I have set up a temporary headquarters in Congolese government offices, though I suspect that these arrangements may not be permitted to last for long.

I have heard of the defeat of the Federal Grushan Star Fleet. I offer condolences to all who have lost loved ones in battle against the black ship. May they be the last.

Dumarith, Ambassador of the Grushan Federation

Letter: From Chinwe Opeyemi, 440 E Ormarith Rd, Jimeso, Ghana: To Eglantine Kayode, 1001 Sherman St, Imladris, Nova: Translated by Ibrahim Wassume

My dearest Eglantine,

I know that you will never get this letter, for the Hegemony has closed communication channels with Nova and the Grushan worlds. For all I know, you may be dead, lost in the Terran invasion of Nova. News here cannot be trusted, but it says that the Novan Stellar Navy was dealt massive damage; the propagandists tell us new numbers daily, some of them claiming that the whole Grushan fleet has been destroyed.

I'm writing anyway because there's something that I need to say that only you will understand. I have failed you. In your last letter, you urged me not to take up active resistance against Ambience corporation. You said that I would only endanger myself and my family. At the time, I knew that you were right. But I was unable to stop myself. The Ambience Corp. vans kept coming, and people I knew began to be fitted with the fourth generation Interlink. I saw them change in front of my eyes; where they had once been vibrant, bold members of the community, the Interlink has made them into house-ridden recluses. Those who expressed political beliefs were radicalized further; followers of Theresa Mwangi have traveled to Russia to follow Gennady Semyonov. Those few who wanted closer relations with the Zaha-Katchem have organized the nude marches that have become so much in style to honor them. More and more of the people that I knew and loved have become overcome by the Interlink and the Hegemony.

Finally, I could no longer stand by and hide. Do you remember Chaz and Barak, who were children with us? They have hidden from the Ambience butchers as well. I sought them out and together we have formed a band, and we fight now to stop the Interlink in its tracks. We attacked the facility yesterday with Kalashnikov rifles and explosives. We killed only the mercenary guards that protected the facility. Those who have already been taken, we cannot help. But at the least we can halt Ambience from making slaves of any more people in Jimeso.

I am sorry. I wish that the path we have chosen was one which would allow us to be together. I wish to God and all that we hold dear that I had gone to Nova with you. I wish that I had not been forced to take up arms against the Interlink and Ambience Corp. But what is done is done. I cannot undo it. If somehow you hear me across the stars, say a prayer for me. Say a prayer for Earth and Ghana and Africa. We will need it.