C-E29 Incident

The C-E29 Incident was an important event spanning from May 27 to June 2 in 2122.

Colony E29 was a planet chosen for colonization by ECRT for colonization in 2117. ECF constructed the initial settlement from 2118 to 2119. During this time, it became clear the planet had not had thorough research done into the local fauna. Several intelligent species already inhabited the planet, and all proved dangerous. The most dangerous of these species was codenamed the "Devils" by construction workers, due to their bipedal winged nature. Though the Devils killed several construction workers from sites around the main settlement, UDF pushed for the completion of the colony due to the heavy investments already poured into the project. A particularly vocal proponent for the completion of the colony was Raphael Renou, the man set to become Colonial Director of E29. He insisted that the creatures were not devils but mere beasts, and humanity cold not--and would not--be bested by mere beasts.

An emergency task force sent by ECRT confirmed that electromagnetic pulses had a detrimental affect on the creatures, causing them to avoid the settlement. The Devils were also proven to be nocturnal, which allowed the ECF fabricators to work unhindered during the day. To deal with the problems posed by the Devils, ECF also constructed a large radio tower, programmed to regularly send out EMPs each day from dusk until dawn. All colonists were informed of the EMPs, being told its purpose was to clear the ionosphere of latent radiation.

However, on May 27th in 2122, the radio tower malfunctioned. The signal was not broadcast, allowing the Devils to enter the settlement and create widespread carnage.

The Colonial Director, Raphael Renou, seeing the chaos that had come to his colony, quickly set up an automated emergency beacon. He remained in a shelter overlooking the settlement, but firmly blamed himself for the deaths of each individual colonist below, which he could only helplessly watch from afar. On May 29th, he took his own life out of shame and regret.

That same evening, some of the surviving colonists figured that the Devils must've come to the colony because the EMP had malfunctioned. They hoped that restoring the signal would drive the beasts away, venturing to the radio tower. Thanks to the efforts of Officer Sastre and Reggie O'Neal-Barclay, the EMP signal was restored.

Unfortunately, the same evening that the EMP had been restored was also when ESET sent a squad to investigate the distress beacon. As a result, the EMP caused the engines of the ESS-Falcon to fail. ESET operative Eli was killed during the ensuing crash.

The next four days were fraught with danger and chaos, as the surviving ESET operatives searched the ruins of the settlement for colonial survivors. In the end, only 15 survivors were found---only 10% of the colony's 150 residents. Among these survivors were Sastre, Reggie, Nadine Pasteur, Betty and Barry Bauer, Tex, and Ace. Connor Barclay, husband of Reggie and younger brother of ESET operative Bobby, was confirmed among the dead.

The ESET operatives and colonists were able to escape the colony in the colonial dropship, Der Zirkus, piloted by Alfred "Ace" Hitzig. Following the incident, many of the missteps made by the UDF came to light. There were many changes within the organization as a result, such as Segal being promoted to Director of Rehabilitation.