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The Praxis Incident
The Praxis Incident saw the Rohkandan Directorate's strategic deterrent Genetic Corruption (GECO) devices deployed against a Grand Tide core system.
These pieces of experimental technology utilised archotech combined with modern innovations to launch a two-pronged attack, one biological, one technological. The devices reduced all biological matter in a programable distance into little more than primordial soup. This was coupled with exceptionally powerful, scrap code, electronic warfare AI's that attacked, corrupted, and destroyed anything remotely digital. All these weapons left behind in their wake were empty worlds drowned in genetic residue.
Whilst the horrific nature of GECO weapons remains undisputed, and their use against the Praxis system confirmed. What varies was how people define and defend the action on the galactic stage.
If you ask any ISTO affiliated official, it was a legitimate strategic strike on mostly military targets, and whilst the loss of life was horrendous it wasn't a genocide as there's no systematic desire to eradicate the Poliesu people. The diplomatic narrative focuses on the blame laying firmly with the Grand Tide. For using the system as a staging ground for offensive operations and the ongoing Federation FTL terror campaign.
In comparison, the Jingashi Concordant, and Grand Tide government in exile claim that the worlds were innocent, defenceless targets with minimal military value. That there was no legitimate military reason to deploy such horrific strategic weapons and the only explanation was a systemic desire to wipe out one of the few Poliesu only systems within the Grand Tide.
Both imperial alliances have funnelled trillions of credits into these narratives, yet the system remains off limits by orders of ISTO high command. Heavy FTL jamming, and extremely controlled jump points have effectively sealed the Praxis system off from all but senior officials and those involved in operations past it's jump borders.
Was Praxis a massive Federation staging point? Or did extremists within the Directorate decide to send a message to the race that had been frustrating their pushes at every turn. Anyone who knows is either dead, or so vehemently loyal to their cause they would never willingly say.
The truth is likely lost to time. However, Praxis has become a rallying cry for the Poliesu in exile. Just as the devastation of the Core worlds was for the Coalition.