Fed Navy releases Caldari Prime details; citizens react

Luminaire – The Federation Navy today released a statement detailing Operation Highlander, the code-name for the offensive on Caldari Prime that ended with the destruction of the Shiigeru. The statement declared the operation an “overall success”, while noting that certain details did not go as planned.

In particular, the Federation Navy expressed dismay at the crashing of the Shiigeru into Caldari Prime and the damage caused, though it noted that a much larger disaster was prevented by the destruction of the ship's engines while it was still in orbit. Additionally, the release put to question the belief that the Federation had overall supremacy which would have enabled its ground forces to oust the Caldari defense planetside. “Despite orbital superiority, the Caldari forces remaining on the planet had control of enough orbital defenses to make supply drops unfeasible. It is believed any offenses to secure these defense batteries would have been too costly to attempt.”

The statement went on to say that the Navy fully agreed with the Senate's decision to turn Caldari Prime into a demilitarized zone and was already pulling out its forces. “Despite the destruction and chaos on the ground, the Federal Navy understands that leaving its own armed forces on the ground would only cause needless tension which might reignite fighting. That is why we, along with the Caldari ground forces, are withdrawing and turning over security of the planet to Mordu's Legion.”

The knowledge that Mordu's Legion is taking over security for the planet had not previously been released by any party, though representatives for the Senate, Chief Executive Panel, and Mordu's Legion have all independently confirmed its truth.

Citizens across the Federation have been heavily positive about the press release and the knowledge it contained. “We had to get rid of that Titan,” said a citizen of Gallente Prime. “They were holding people on Caldari Prime hostage. And imagine what could have happened if they decided to warp it over to Gallente Prime. I can sleep more soundly at night with it gone.”

Another said, “It's sad that so many people had to die. But that's what war is. The good thing is we can limit to only necessary deaths. If we kept fighting for the planet, more and more people would be killed. And if the Navy is right, and the Federation might not even have taken it... Well, it was the Caldari's planet in the first place. They deserve to live there in peace just as much as anyone else.”