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Usea Today
​Asteroid on Collision Course with Earth

Picture

April 21, 1996


FCU President Makes Announcement to Ambassadors and Their Respective Nations

On April 20th, the president of the FCU announced that the predicted collision of the asteroid XF04 with the earth had been confirmed. This information was delivered to foreign nations through their ambassadors. The date and time of the impact, as well as its estimated scope and extent of damage, were made public. At the same time, he announced the start of special interception projects to avoid the impact. This announcement sent shock waves around the world.

​In December of last year, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced that an asteroid was predicted to approach Earth within several years, and that a worst case scenario, a devastating collision, was possible. In response, the necessity of an ensuing investigation to detail the orbital path of the asteroid was brought to the FCU government. An international IAU-lead initiative composed of astronomers, astrophysicists, and geologists was formed, and subsequently the hypothesized impact was confirmed. The colliding body is an asteroid of solid-rock designated “1994XF04 Ulysses,” whose size is estimated to be 1 mile (1.6km) in diameter. Last October, the observatory at Shieldsbridge University first discovered the asteroid, and computers at Comona University calculated its estimated orbital path. The results indicated that XF04 would pass through the Roche limit at 3:30 in the afternoon Eastern Usean Time on June 3rd, 1999. They determined that scattered fragments would inflict damage upon a wide swathe of the northern hemisphere. It was calculated that the impact would be on the scale of 2,000,000 nuclear detonations, and that even taking prediction errors into account, a nuclear winter would ensue.

The FCU government determined that this situation represented an existential threat to its nations. Due to political and cultural considerations, confirmation of the orbital path was withheld. Meanwhile, an aerospace conference was called to develop an effective means of preventing the impact. They deemed that cooperation between the FCU and its allied nations would be indispensable, which lead them to call for this conference.

​The president proclaimed, “This is an impending disaster, not only for Usea, but the entire world." Underground shelters in major cities and other measures to consolidate defense are important, but I also want to consider approaches of intercepting the meteorites. We must take every means so that we may live to see the new millennium.” He called on the world to undertake similar projects.

Secretary of State Expresses Support for NMD Proposal

20th April, 1996. Secretary of State Stetson visited the headquarters of the Central Usean Treaty Organization (UTO) to attend an emergency meeting of the Committee of Foreign Affairs. He explained to the allies how a National Missile Defense (NMD) system could be used as a means to destroy the asteroid, and asked for their cooperation. At a press conference following the meeting he stated, "It is the FCU's responsibility to construct a missile defense system that will protect FCU and its allies from the threat the Ulysses asteroid poses."

Regarding the organization and implementation of the NMD, several FCU allies voiced concerns regarding its military implications. However, they eventually expressed willingness to continue discussions. The Secretary of State, after considering a worst-case scenario, made additional suggestions for the final defense plan. "Without the understanding and cooperation of all countries it will not be possible to implement this defense plan," said the Secretary of State, without disclosing any further details. Plans to divert Ulysses such as attaching a propulsion device to the asteroid or shooting interceptor missiles at it, are being considered. However, once "Ulysses" passes the Earth's Roche limit and fragments, no countermeasures will be able to neutralize it.

Even though the effectiveness of the NMD remains unclear, among the many plans proposed for defending the Earth it remains the most plausible.  Given rising calls in many countries to curtail nuclear proliferation, however, nations involved in the development of the NMD are likely to shoulder a heavy burden.

Overseas Garrisons Temporarily Recalled

Following the president’s statement, Commander Richard Paine of the Defense Department issued an order to recall all FCU military units deployed overseas. The 6th Fleet is already underway to its home port in Waosung from its deployment in the Far East. As of 19:00 on the 20th, the flagship carrier Fort Grays,  with its attached Aegis cruiser Tea-Time taking lead, is heading northwards through the Peyton Canal. However, as the standoff between FCU and Erusean troops on the Republic of Amber’s border with the autonomous province [1] of Ugellas continues, IUN Forces are left with no choice but to retreat due to the present withdrawal of FCU forces.

According to Lt. Col. Meyer of the 6th Airborne Division, the 120th Air Wing which had been assigned to the Buffer Zone was prepared to take up station at Schneider on the 21st, but on the verge of changing commands, it was temporarily dissolved on the spot. They intend to fall back around 120km eastward to the Gunther front line base and reorganize there.

Although the rearward movement has already begun at the company level, the work of handing things over to IUN units stretched across the joint front line has greatly complicated the retreat, and it is likely that the withdrawal of all units will extend to the afternoon of the 22nd.

Military Commander to Become Chief of Staff

At a press conference on the 18th, the FCU Military announced the appointment of Army General Robert Tyler (age 54) as the successor to Riass, the previous Armed Forces Chief of Staff, who died suddenly on March 20th.  Lieutenant General Tyler had previously commanded the southern forces last year, adding to his career the accomplishment of seizing the rebel’s headquarters in the southern region of the Scully Islands.

New Regulation Of Cell Phones And Network Information Announced

The Department of Communication announced the enactment of emergency restrictions regarding all forms of communication, in order to avoid panic created by potentially distressing information in the future.
​
There are many exemptions under the law as it stands, however the limitation on personal cell phone and internet access is expected to make communications between private citizens difficult. The government fears that misinformation, hoaxes, and rumors may lead to social unrest, large-scale riots and terrorism. The Department issued the following statement and appealed to the public for calm: "As we are experiencing a global crisis, cooperation from all agencies and nations is imperative. Official information on the asteroid will be released gradually through appropriate channels. Plans concerning the asteroid will be made public through newspapers, TV, radio and magazines, so we ask  everyone to have faith in the government’s announcements."

Translation Notes

[1] "自治州" most often refers to autonomous prefectures of China or autonomous oblasts of Russia, implying that Ugellas is not a sovereign nation.  This translation uses "province" for its culturally neutral connotation.

Original Text

「大統領、大使を通じて、世界各国へ発表」

FCU大統領は20日、予測されていた小惑星「XF04」の地球衝突が確定的になったと声明。 大使を通じて各国首脳へ伝えた。衝突時期と予想範囲、そして被害の規模を公表し、同時に、 衝突回避へ向けた特別計画が始動したことも発表。全世界に衝撃が走った。
一昨年の12月、国際天文学連合(IAU)は、小惑星が数年内に地球に接近し、 最悪の場合、地球に衝突して深刻な被害を引き起こす可能性があるとの予測を発表していた。 その後、この小惑星の軌道を詳しく追跡調査する必要があるとFCU政府に指摘。 IAU主導で近隣各国の天文学、天文物理学、地質学の学者により編成される特別チームを発足し、 衝突の確定に至った。地球に衝突するのは直径およそ1マイル(1.6キロ)ほどの大きさの「1994XF04ユリシーズ」 と名づけられた岩石の塊の小惑星。一昨年10月にシールズブリッジ大学の観測で最初に発見され、 コモナ大学がコンピューターで予測軌道の計算をした。その結果、ユージア東部時間1999年7月3日午後3時30分に、 XF04は地球のロシュ限界点を突破。分散した破片が、赤道から北半球を中心とした広範囲に被害をもたらすと判明。 衝突の規模は核爆弾200万個分に相当すると計算され、予測上の誤差を差し引いても間違いなく 「核の冬」が発生すると予想されていた。
FCU政府はこの件を国家保全の最重要事項と判断。政治的、文化的配慮を鑑み、軌道確定の公表を抑制していた。 その間、航空宇宙学会と連携し、有効な衝突回避策を模索。その結果、FCU同盟国との連携が不可分と判断され、 今回の発表に踏み切った。
大統領は「ユージア大陸も含め、地球規模の被災が予測される。主要都市に地下シェルターを増築するなど、 守りを固めるのも大事だが、隕石に対する迎撃の姿勢も考慮に入れたい。我々が次の世紀へ生き抜くために、 あらゆる手段を講じる」と表明。特別計画の始動を世界にアピールした。 

「国務長官、NMDの推進を表明」

ステートソン国務長官は20日午後、中央ユージア条約機構(UTO)本部を訪れ、 緊急外相理事会に出席した。席上、同盟国に対し、隕石迎撃に関する本土ミサイル防衛(NMD)の採用について説明、 同盟国の理解を求めた。理事会後に記者会見した同長官は「FCUと同盟国を小惑星ユリシーズの脅威から守るため、 ミサイル防衛を構築するのはFCUの責任である」と強調。また、 「同盟国も脅威について理解を同じくしていることがわかった」と自信をみせた。
NMD機構採用については、一部の同盟国から軍拡につながるとして慎重論が出る一幕もあったが、 最終的には構想受け入れへ柔軟な姿勢を示した。 同国務長官はさらに、最悪の事態を考慮したうえでの本土最終防衛案を追加提言。 「各国の理解や協力なしには実現不可能な防衛案」として、記者団には具体的な手段を明示しなかった。 小惑星の軌道をそらす方法としては、小惑星に推進器をとりつける、迎撃ミサイルを打ち込むなどが考えられるが、 XF04が地球のロシュ限界点を突破し、複数の欠片に分散した場合、それぞれへの有効な対応手段は現在のところ存在しない。
NMDの採用がどれほどの効果を発揮するものかはまだ未知数であるが、 多重な防衛案のうち重要な位置付けである事は間違い無い。 また理事会の一部では、これによる世界的な保有核縮小を期待する声もあり、 依然としてNMDが関係国の重荷になっていることを印象付けた。 

「海外駐留軍、一時帰還へ」

大統領発表を受け、国防総省リチャード・ペイン司令官はFCU指揮下にある海外駐留軍全部隊に対し、 一時帰還命令を発令した。これにより極東方面に展開している第六艦隊が母港ワオスンに向けて移動。 20日19時現在、旗艦空母フォートグレイスと、随伴艦のイージス巡洋艦ティータイムを先頭に、 ペイトン運河を北上している。しかしユージラス自治州と接するアンバー共和国南部では、 FCU軍とエルジア軍の睨み合いが依然続いており、今回のFCU軍離脱によってIUN国際部隊は後退を余儀なくされる状況。
第六空挺師団のマイヤー中佐によると、緩衝地帯に派遣された第120航空部隊は、21日のシュナイダー進駐に準備していたが、 寸前になって司令変更を受け、現地で一時解散。120キロほど東に後退したガンター前線基地にて再編成を行う予定としている。
既に中隊単位での後方移動は始まっているものの、共同戦線を張ったIUN部隊への引き渡し作業は難航を極めており、 全部隊の撤収には22日午後に及ぶとのこと。また隊員への通知がなされた20日午前中より天候は荒れており、 C-17輸送機は通常の積載量から下方制限。一部の備品を撤去処理するようIUN部隊に委託した。 

「陸軍司令官が軍参謀総長に」

FCU陸軍は18日の記者会見で、先月20日に急死したライアス国軍参謀総長の後任として、 ロバート・タイラー陸軍司令官(54)を任命すると発表した。同司令官は中将で、南部方面軍司令官だった昨年、 南部スカリー島で反政府勢力の本拠地を制圧した経歴を持つ。 

「携帯電話、ネット情報等、規制へ」 

?通信省は、今後懸念される情報の混乱を避けるため、情報発信をする全ての媒体に対し、国家緊急法の適用を発令した。
現行法の適用除外対象は極めて多く、また個人加入の携帯電話やインターネット接続等も制限される為、 市民間での情報のやりとりが困難になることが予想される。政府は誤報やデマ、うわさによる社会不安は、大規模な暴動、 テロに発展する可能性があると懸念。「地球規模での被災が想定されるため、関係機関や各国との調整が不可分である。 情報発信の一元化や、段階的な情報開示を予定している。隕石対応策は随時新聞、テレビ、ラジオ、雑誌等で公開する予定であり、 まずは政府発表を信用してほしい」と、冷静な対応を国民に求めた。 
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