(Intercepted private video recording from Eden Prime, found hidden in the files of a general civilian broadcast in order to evade security checks.) (It appears to have been made with an improvised helmet camera) The recorder activates in a dimly lit room. A young Kimo’s face comes into view. He looks very excited about something. “Hey sis, I’m sending you this the usual way because I’ll lose my job and get sued all the way to Barada if anyone finds out I’m recording here…. Anyway, you’ll never guess who just landed here so I’ll just show you.” The point of view now shifts to that of the young Kimo and he climbs out of the prefab building he was in through a hatch in the ceiling. The sudden amount of light makes it hard to see anything until the camera refocuses, revealing the impressive sight from atop the building. In the distance, rolling plains spread out as far as the eye can see, interrupted only in a few places by an outcropping of rock or a small patch of trees. A river glimmers in the distance and white clouds drift across a faintly red sky. There are many more prefab buildings around the one the Kimo is standing on, most are storage units, living spaces, common areas and basic laboratory facilities but there are some more advanced units as well. A massive dome has been constructed over the excavation site and a very large communications tower has been erected near the main military barracks, which have been dug in. A discerning eye may also notice the various defensive measures that have been taken. On the perimeter of the compound containing the main buildings, a dirt mound has been created atop which stands a security fence of about a metre-and-a-half high. Kimo marines can be seen manning this defensive circle from reinforced trenches and four metal bunkers, each equipped with a heavy laser cannon capable of destroying incoming airborne as well as ground targets. There are also strange new turret-like devices mounted on the rooftops of various buildings. They don’t resemble anything that is officially in active service with the Federation armed forces for the moment and appear to be SAM-launchers or sentry guns, though their true function is a mystery so far. “Ok now, I’ll try to zoom.” The Kimo’s voice is heard again and the camera focusses on a landing pad in the centre of the compound where a military shuttle has landed. Before the shuttle stand several prominent members of the research staff stationed on Eden Prime as well as a small marine compliment. The scientists are in conversation with a female Kimo and her assistant, a quick search reveals she is in fact professor-doctor Kass Need, the famous lead researcher of the Tsoni institute. Important to note as well are her two bodyguards, wearing new heavy combat harnesses painted in the bright blue colour of the Federation Intelligence Service. One of them looks vaguely in the direction of the Kimo making the recording and this spooks him. He quickly moves back down into the prefab building he climbed out of and takes off his helmet. “See… that’s her isn’t it? I’ll try to get an autograph from her to so I can send it to you. Now I really have to go sis, lots of love.” The recording ends here. … (General broadcast to all Federation military vessels operating beyond the home relay) New standing orders in light of alien armed conflict: All Kimo military vessels are to remain uninvolved in alien on alien fighting unless said fighting enters the 20Ly perimeter around the Home relay or the 5Ly perimeter around A-623 in which case Fifth fleet is authorised to deploy overwhelming force to guarantee Federation neutrality. All contact with alien species is prohibited. If aliens attempt contact on their own, refer to section 422-01 of fleet manual and respond with pre-recorded ‘first contact’ message before notifying fleet headquarters. … Summary: the famous and highly important Kimo scientist Kass Need has been sighted on Eden prime and all other races within range now have detailed knowledge about the compound there and of its ground defences. The Federation has further declared it will not get involved in any alien on alien fighting anywhere.