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Planet Braillia, Kiev system, was captured from the organisation formerly known as the Reapers of Sirius almost half a year. As ridiculous as the name of the ex-owners was, as idiotic and short-sighted were their decisions and methods. Descending from cardamine-addicted Outcasts, Reapers orchestrated a series of atmosphere explosions aimed at dispersing a large amount of cardamine into planetary eco-system. Their dreams about turning the planet into second Malta failed catastrophically as they lacked the proper scientific organisation to take into consideration all possible outcomes of their negligence. Evidence indicate that they failed at construction of fusion bombs that have no radioactive effect on the environment and instead created powerful “dirty” bombs without even knowing it. As a result the Reapers artificially launched a nuclear winder in the equatorial region, leaving only poles open to clear sunlight. In addition, the explosions released immense amount of radioactive isotopes of heavy metals, contaminating soil and water, and causing acute radiation syndrome for Reapers’ own population and most lifeforms. Due to contaminated soil and water the flora of the planet started to deteriorate and die out rapidly, leading to massive dying out of the fauna. This was an ecological catastrophe.

When Coalition retook the planet, approximately 60% of the local fauna died out, as well as 53% of flora and 89% of marine life (as heavy isotope descended to the seabed and poisoned most of the water in planetary seas). The numbers of the Reapers who died are unknown as their population was relatively small even before our arrival. However, the resistance continued.

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2. Research Conducted

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Braillia survey and subsequent relief operation were the primary purpose of SCEC since the day of the founding. SCEC carried out extensive survey both from the orbit and on the ground. Our surveys were directed at three issues:

• Studying the released cardamine
  
• Studying the radionuclides contamination
  
• Weather pattern changes and nuclear winter
  

2.1 Cardamine

The survey found that the Reapers failed badly at their primary objective as most of the cardamine compounds were evaporated by high temperature of explosion as well as subsequently destroyed by the radiation. The traces of cardamine in the local lifeforms are miniscule as most species started to die out while cardamine did not enhance the resistance capability. As we know from studying the Outcasts, their reproductive system is affected by cardamine, making them less fertile. We hypothesise, that cardamine in local life forms also infringed their reproductive capabilities, making them even more susceptible to dying out as the result of the explosion. We believe that cardamine poisoning accounts for 11% of the species that died out, making it a potent bioweapon if combined with radioactive weaponry.

2.2 Radionuclides

Both orbital scans and on the ground research found presence of highly hazardous radionuclides of Plutonium-238, Uranium-238, Polonium-210, Caesium-137, Stroncium-90, and Xenon-135 in soil, water, lower and upper layers of the atmosphere, as well as many other radionuclides in lesser concentration. The wide variety of the radionuclides found indicates that the Reapers most probably faced shortage of nuclear weapon source material in conditions of economic blockade and constant war. There is also a possibility that the Reapers were desperate and wanted to try out different types of bombs, hoping that at least one will deliver the expected effect. There is evidence for the second theory as we spotted a pattern of geographical distribution of the radionuclides: Uranium-238 and Plutonium-238 were found mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere, Caesium-137 was found mostly in one of the seas and at its banks, Xenon-135 was present in the upper layers of the atmosphere over a mountain range in the Southern Hemisphere, while Polonium-210 was found all over the Planet. Soil contamination comprised 48 Curie/km2, making it barely useful for agriculture.


Pic 1. Landscape near poles with clear sky and limited ecosystem. Primary location for possible bases


Pic 2. Poisoned sea and thick orange fog as a part of nuclear winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Destroyed Reapers' base in the background


2.3 Nuclear Winter

The caused by the nuclear explosions winter clouded 13% of planetary surface with a thick layer of clouds, comprised of the poisonous ashes and soil. At least one of the bombs caused tectonic activity in the Southern Mountain range, leading to massive volcano eruption. However, the nuclear winter was not that severe in the beginning and would have taken about two decades to clear out.


Pic 3. Fallouts in the form of radioactive snow in the equatorial belt of Braillia. Typical landscape with dead flora

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3. Suggested relief methods

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SCEC were keen on finding solution to such an aggravating situation with the use of advanced science and unlimited resources from the Coalition. Naturally, the conditions would take approximately 100 years. SCEC developed special chemical compounds for each region with elements binding radionuclides into neutral fallouts. The dispersion of the compound was to be carried out from the upper layers of the atmosphere by means of launching controlled series of explosions. For seas and oceans was constructed a special pump with capabilities of pumping 60kT/day. A network of such pumps could efficiently add compounds to the water with concentration no more than 1.3% to avoid killing of the marine lifeforms.

For soil we planned to relocate the upper contaminated layers deeper underneath (no less than 10 meters deep) to allow to cultivate plants to support the ecosystem. Initially, the relocation was to be carried out in strategically important places. Planetary-wide procedure of soil relocating would have required no less than 7 years.
Combatting cardamine contamination was proved to be unnecessary as cardamine compounds were damaged as it has been indicated previously in the report.
More technical details on the relief methods can be disclosed if so requested.

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4. Current State

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To our regret, SCEC had to scrap all our efforts on restoring the planet in view of the developments described below.

As SCRA reclaimed the planet, our ground forces started to sweep the planetary surface if search of the remaining groups of the Reapers. Them knowing the planet quite well, it took more than four months to locate their HQ and find information on the existing network of bases. Realising their imminent end, the Reapers coordinated a range of “dirty” bombs explosions on the ground, wiping themselves out as well as four battalions of the Coalition Ground Forces present on the planet at that time. The explosions of crudely made bombs led to aggravation of contamination with even more radionuclides (like Ruthenium-103, Promethium-147). Moreover, the locations for the explosions were well chosen strategically-wise, causing clouds of dust and nuclear fallouts to rise in the upper layers of the atmosphere, increasing the percentage of planetary surface covered with nuclear winter from 13% to 57%. We possess no data on the rate of lifeforms dying out, however we are certain it has increased beyond the point of return.

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5. Conclusion

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It appears, that Reapers’ last strike was to make the Planet uninhabitable, leaving the victor with nothing. Our current prognosis for the planet is pessimistic: it will remain a desolated barren world for hundreds of years even if we succeed with our previously planned relief efforts. Re-vitalisation of the planetary ecosystem with lifeforms from other worlds is not an option as the life forms will be not only exposed to new world but also to all the perils of nuclear contamination.

The damage to the planet is also too severe to cover it with the available funds and resources of the Coalition. Although possible in principle to make Braillia habitable again, it is not cost-benefit rational to do so. Therefore, the efforts of SCEC and other organisations directed at Braillia relief are advised to be stopped at re-directed elsewhere. Braillia is thus excluded from Project "Tselina". SCEC is currently undertaking project “Istanbul” that might require the financing and allocation of personnel.

Comrade Smovdarenko,

Usually, the young researchers of your rank cannot get a mobile laboratory of their own so fast, basically just after joining the Corps. However, in view of your specialty and necessity to host animal specimen and the transportation thereof, I believe it is possible. The expeditionary corps are limited in resources and therefore even should we provide a big ship for yourself, we can not risk it being piloted by a not seasoned young personnel. Therefore, I give clearance to you to have a mobile laboratory ship on condition that the control of the ship will be carried out by a trained military serviceman, either of Militsiya or SCRA.

In the meantime, you can avail the vast storage of CPRV "Plesetsk". However, it being not designed for hosting alien wildlife and supporting its life in space, we shall discuss either construction or leasing one of the bigger ships. For your needs, we can refit "Hurricane" class battlecruiser, that will allow for enough protection while carrying out expeditions in outer space and enough storage for wildlife at the expense of the marines crew and some energy systems. I will arrange for the necessary blueprints for modifications be developed as soon as possible.

In the meantime, I want to you contact your scientific supervisor, Dr. Virtanen, and discuss on the research framework. It is also encouraged that you assist Dr. Virtanen in her own research endeavours.

Looking forward to hearing on your progress.

With respect,
SCEC CRO Dr. Mstislav Belov

Comrade Grachov,

I salute you on behalf of our scientists and engineers! There is a matter that might require your attention. Soon, an alleged renegade, Katherina Alferova, will be delivered to our X3 facility for questioning. We both know that with our efforts she has been already questioned by Commissar Krsnik, now Field Marshal, but was mostly terrified of his imposed presence. I believe, that we can use her in the interests of TFS and SCEC as we previously discussed. Please, arrive to X3 at the earliest possible convenience. I debrief you on the short summary of the case on the spot and provide with the necessary equipment. The logs of the interrogation will be stored here in case you will be delayed en route so that you can catch up with the events.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,