posted 03-20-99 01:19 AM ET        

My fellow warriors. We have recently landed on this planet. Our independance is assured provided we vigilantly guard our borders. Let no one doubt our resolve, or our capabilities.
Our landing pod is fortunately in possession of supplies sufficient to establish two bases. I am declaring it to be a top priority to establish this second base as soon as possible. Pinning our hopes on one base would be extremely short sighted given the unknown threats that we may face on this planet, both from native lifeforms and from our fellow humans. Therefore I am placing our scouting patrols under strictest orders to obtain for us a suitable location for the founding of a second base.
Following soon on this I intend to found further bases. Sparta Command will retain overall strategic command over our forces. It is my intent to lead us from this first base. Our second base will assist Sparta Command in all things. Further development will rapidly follow. I intend to establish four more bases, one at each of our cardinal points. These four bases will be given tactical command of their theaters, while remaining strategically subordinate to our leaders here in Sparta Command.
Let no one doubt that our skills will serve us well on this new planet. We will prosper. We shall survive. And if our enemies find us, we shall destroy them.

End of speech from Col. Corazon Santiago to colonists upon landing.
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Timestamp: 1640 19 October 2106
Transmission incoming to Sparta Tactical Command, frequency 54995:
From CO Lt. Col. Johnson, 1st Scout Battalion, 3rd Rover Company:
To Sparta Tactical Command:

Sparta Tactical Command we have been leading the colony pod east and south for six years and believe we have located a suitable location for the founding of Fort Liberty. Estimate arrival of materiel and colonists at 4 Feb, 2107.
Additional advisement to Sparta Tactical Command regarding native lifeforms. We recently spotted sensor traces of one of the Unity's survey pods on long range radar MAD scans. 1st Rover Company was detailed to investigate the pod. Upon investigation the pod proved to have been infested with native lifeforms. These lifeforms exhibit some natural esper capabilities and are inimical to us. 1st Company reports the loss of 7 personnel to what they have termed 'Mindworms'. Commander Hawkins, in charge of 1st Company, reports that these 'Mindworms' are easily destroyed with flame-guns provided that our troops do not panic in the face of mental assault. Since this first encounter we have repeatedly encountered 'Mindworms' in this tactical area. Battalion losses now number nearly 20%, but we can report that the area is secured.
Lt. Col. Johnson out.
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Timestamp: 2008 24 Jan 2107
Transmission incoming to Sparta Tactical Command, frequency 64413:
From CO Maj. Ratekin, 1st Colony Command:
To Sparta Tactical Command:

Sparta Tactical Command we have arrived on site with all materiel. Thanks to routes scouted by 3rd Rover Company under Lt. Col. Johnson we have made good time arriving 6 days ahead of schedule. Estimates within 1st Colony Command are that we shall have facilities for basic habitation ready within 3 days. Recommend the immediate commencement of assembly of all personnel to be assigned to Fort Liberty. We will expect them to arrive via our limited air transport capabilities on the 2nd of Feb. It is our pleasure to announce at this time the founding of Fort Liberty. Major Ratekin out.
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Excerpts of address from Colonel Corazon Santiago on 05 July 2107:
Address given at commencement, Sparta Command Military Academy:
Address to recently commissioned personell:

....It is my distinct pleasure to now announce the formation and deployment of this, our second military command. 2nd Scout Battalion it is my hope, and the hope of others....

....will serve in the great footsteps of the late Col. Johnson former CO of 1st Scout Battalion. Take heed from his downfall and do not neglect to approach all native flora and fauna with extreme caution.....

....you will prepare to move out immediately. The tactical arena dictated for the 2nd Scout Battalion is to encompass land to our north. Your immediate directive is to locate suitable territory for the establishment of a new base to our north. Know that all are confident that you will make us proud.
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Timestamp: 0931 1 Jan 2108
Transmission incoming to Sparta Tactical Command, frequency 74596:
From Cpt. Brewer, CO, 4th Company, 2nd Scout Battallion:

Attention Sparta Command. Attention Sparta Command. Immediate technical assistance is requested. My company located what we believed to be the MAD signal from a Unity Survey Pod 2 days ago. Per Tactical Directive 401-b we began immediate moves to investigate the survey pod. Haste was made, despite rocky terrain, due to the close proximity of the pod to Sparta Command. Upon arrival the magnetic signature proved not to be that of a survey pod at all. We appear to have found evidence of alien habitation on Chiron prior to the arrival of Unity! My technical advisors report energy readings to be off the scale on this artifact which resembles a large monolith and outlying structures.
Be advised Sparta Command, we have neither the personnel nor materiel to conduct adequate investigation of the monolith. Also be advised that the monolith appears to have esper properties previously unknown to us. All of my troops report enhanced alertness and reflexes after even a short exposure to the monolith.
Please advise proper response Sparta Command. Captain Brewer out.
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Timestamp: 1141 1 Jan 2108
Transmission to Cpt. Brewer, CO, 4th Company, 2nd Scout Battalion:
From Office of Col. Santiago, Sparta Command, frequency 00001:

Captain Brewer. You are directed to make all military preparations necessary to secure the area surrounding the monolith. Your commanding officer has been advised of your current disposition and has been directed to assist in the securing of the tactical arena in which the monolith lies.
Immediate technical assistance will be flown to you in both of our remaining transport choppers. On arrival they will take command of the situation. You are directed to provide all assistance needed for their investigation. It is our intent to run power cables from the monolith to Sparta Command over the next few months.
Office of Col. Santiago, Sparta Command out.
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Timestamp: 1300 4 Mar 2108
Excerpts of technical report to the Office of Col. Santiago:

So in conclusion we will restate the remarkable findings. We do not at this time understand how the monolith operates but we can state the following regarding the effects of its operations.
1. Somehow the monolith produces massive amounts of power with no perceptible input. This power is currently being transformed and sent via cable to Sparta Command to help boost the base's power reserves.
2. It is believed that the monolith is altering the atomic composition of the soil immediately surrounding it. This effect extends perhaps 1000 meters from the monolith. The effect is perceptible in that it massively increases the numbers and quantity of rare heavy metals available in the location. Sparta Command Civilian Control has already detailed miners and equipment to harvesting this replenishable resource.
3. The monolith additionally alters the soil surrounding it out to 100,000 meters. This effect is not as drastic as it is within 1000 meters and is mostly noticeable in the extreme fertility of the land. Sparta Command Civilian Control has detailed personnel and materiel to farm this highly valuable land.
4. The monolith has esper qualities that increase autonomic responses, alter physiological factors increasing perception and physical strength, and produce highly motivated personnel unwilling to retreat from a task assigned to them. It is the opinion of this forum that all future military units commisioned should be rotated through this area for a one year tour of duty. Sparta Command has already begun the construction of a training base to take advantage of this effect.
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Entry in Col. Corazon Santiago's private journal
Date: 11 September 2109

I am bothered by the social effects of some of our more stringent rules. Just yesterday we had an episode of violent upheaval here in Sparta Command. A mob of female drones rose up in protest of the requirement to bear children as often as possible. Even though the measure is necessary in the colony's initial stages, and all females are subject barring only those in active military service, the drones rebelled and refused to listen to reason. The mob proceeded to employ arson to destroy numerous drone barracks in Sparta Command. With most of the military on patrol of the northern and eastern borders I was forced to seize the ringleaders and nerve staple them to regain control here in the base.
Note to self: First, I must begin commissioning a police force to maintain control in our bases. Second, It is vital that I begin the construction of intelligence and counter-intelligence organizations. If on contact with the other survivors of Unity this act becomes common knowledge it could easily lead to war before we are fully prepared for it.
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Timestamp: 1745 1 Jan 2111
Concluding statements from Col. Corazon Santiago's General Address to all Spartans

...so it is that we look forward to a new decade here on Chiron. Let us not forget the lessons of the past decade but instead use those lessons to look forward. I hereby declare that by the end of the decade we must found two new bases at all costs. Further we must begin to prepare to retake the seas. The fragments of the Unity survey available to us indicate that Chiron is much like Earth in that it is covered with large quantities of water. The implications are clear. We must control the seas. Sea power will decide the fate of Chiron.
Last I would like to address the civilians of Sparta. Do not forget that research and production are vital to our way of life. We must make strides to learn how to change Chiron so that it suits us better. We all know the air is poison, and that the soil can grow some crops. Beyond these minimal points we know all to little.
In the next decade we must change this world! We must progress! WE MUST FLOURISH!

<the address closes with much cheering from the military personnel on-site>
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