EDITORIAL: ARE WE FREE OR ARE WE ANTS?

Samara Prescott
Senior Editorial Correspondent

Five decades ago the human race's home planet of Earth was attacked by terrorists who had the

Fritz Lang's Earth classic "Metropolis"

singular intention of wiping out all life for good. Miraculously, a quarter of our population was rescued along with complete catalogues of our history, culture, wildlife and agriculture. The beings who saved us gave us a new home that those first survivors named Avalon. The beings called themselves Aetherians and we have never met them. We have only met their representatives, the strangely beautiful androids that live amongst us. They are called the Proxies.

But who are these strange machines and do their shadowy masters even exist? They have never caused us any harm, merely guided us in the use of the technology granted us for the perseverance of our society and way of life. They come and go like ghosts, offering advice and help, but never directly interfering with our advancement.

Many would argue that they are interfering. The Aetherians gave us Avalon and all its wonderous technology, along with the means (and guidance) to shape it to our own needs and desires, but is their presence completely innocuous? Are the motivations of their masters truly altruistic?

Since the remnants of humanity were relocated, many have decided to become "free" of the Aetherians who gifted us Avalon with seemingly asking nothing in return. Colonists have settled all across the system. Some, like the "Sons of Mars" have embraced Earth's militaristic past, believing without the Aetherian "watchers" they will forge a new destiny for humanity. Others have chosen to explore beyond the reaches of the system where war rages on between alien factions that have barely paid Avalon any mind.

In the midst of constant change, the Proxies, however, have remained disturbingly inert. The threat of war within the system, predicated by forces like the Sons of Mars has not stirred the Proxies to any kind of reaction. What at first seemed like cordial neutrality is now being construed by some as condescending indifference. They gave us the means to continue our way of life, why not guide us to defend it? Surely, a race of beings that could construct such a place with such advanced technology to preserve a race of lesser beings can continue to preserve that race by offering a larger helping hand?

But, then again, perhaps that is their way. To give us the means to continue, the tools to survive and leave it to us to decide how best to use those tools. To many, this is ultimate freedom, complete choice. But to others, including this writer, it seems too much like ants in an ant farm with no way to block the sun that is slowly being focused through a magnifying glass drawer ever closer to our 'paradise', while the Gods sit back, uninterested one way or another.

This editorial is based entirely on the writer's opinion and does not reflect the views of the Avalon Chronicler. 

ANDROMEDA HOSTAGE CRISIS AVERTED

Ganymede Base Epsilon, where members of the Andromeda Outreach Mission were taken hostage.

AP (Avalon Press) - Two dead, five injured after a terrorist cell took control of the Andromeda Outreach Mission's relief station within Ganymede Base Epsilon.

According to authorities, ten heavily armed terrorists stormed the relief station, taking hostages and transmitting demands to the Avalon government. The details of those demands and the identity of the terrorists have not been released.

The terrorists were overpowered by a handful of hostages, in what authorities are calling a "dangerous", but "carefully plotted" escape attempt.

"There were more than thirty hostages at the relief station," Officer Ken Briggs of the local Ganymede Security Police said, "but, about five of them, including one of the doctors were able to take down two of the terrorists."

Reports are inconsistent about how the remaining terrorists were dealt with, however, rumors have surfaced about an Avalon Defense Force strike team covertly storming the facility. Unfortunately, there is currently no confirmation from authorities that this, in fact, took place.

The Andromeda Outreach Mission is a non-profit organization that provides relief efforts for alien refugees escaping into the Sol System and often facilitates their transition to Avalon Citizenship. The organization employs volunteers from various fields, including military, medical and legal representatives.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32A

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANT PROJECT CANCELED

AP - Holodyne Systems, creators of many of the modern artificial intelligence driven programs

throughout Avalon, has announced that their latest project has been canceled.

Development on the Long-range Operations and Logistics Assistant (LOLA) that was being designed for military operations came to an abrupt end after senior designers noted "inconsistencies in simulated emotional algorithms".

"To put it bluntly," lead designer Howard Feinberg said, "the A.I. was having wild 'mood swings'."

Simulated emotional responses are not new to artificial intelligence technology. Feinberg noted that previous military assistants were able to affect calming emotional responses for soldiers experiencing combat fatigue, while others were made for younger users, offering praise when completing homework assignments and school projects.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44B