EntropiaPlanets presents: Botnet?

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Dear Colonists and Entropians,

After the devastation caused by the impact of the War Titan Typhon that slammed into our former Capital Hadesheim, and the subsequent return of colonists to Calypso when the nuclear winter caused by this event was over, top-level government officials took a vow never to let the robot menace disrupt our lives ever again.

However, as government bureaucracy has a tendency to kill off efficient processes with layers of mid-level management and paperwork, a private initiative was started with this goal in mind. A first step to secure this goal was to set up alternate channels of communication, as it was deemed that relying on a single major communication hub (albeit complimented by a smaller pirate network ungoverned in any way, with an anarchistic nature keeping most colonists from using this network) would leave mankind severely disadvantaged in case this network would become a target for attacks.

In deep secret, work commenced on a high-level backup communication network. Should the robots at any given point decide to attack the main hub, communications could seamlessly switch over to this new hub, which was constructed by top-level scientists from the private sector. The results of this became a sophisticated web of systems where important databases were closely coupled together in order to form a massive knowledge network meant to preserve all knowledge gained by man about the Entropia Universe thus far.

The backbone of this network is made up of numerous servers and systems spread across all major planets within the Entropia Universe in order to reduce the risk of a robot attack. Since the network was free of any government influence, the new network was more open in nature than the main, regulated communication hub.

The new network, named EntropiaPlanets to reflect its multi-planet strategy, was finally and officially launched late September last year, and quickly gained popular support. Unfortunately, it also managed to grab the attention of some shady individuals, and it has now come to light that at least one of them spent time probing around the network in an attempt to map its technical infrastructure. The defense mechanisms put in place apparently left room for exploitation, and we now have reason to believe that this individual, and a shady organization of money-bent criminals, made contact with the robots in an attempt to sell off the gained information to them.

Luckily, these security breaches were discovered in time, and a new technical solution has been designed to add new levels of protection to the network. At the same time, some of the systems have been redesigned to provide even better support to our colonists. However, in order to get these patches rolled out onto the network, they have to be manually installed on the servers by our technicians.

A multitude of shuttles have been launched, each carrying a small team of technicians, accompanied by small units of Navy Walruses (a private group of ex-Navy Seals, who have undergone further training to transform themselves into even more lethal strike teams), who will each cover specific sectors of the network. The idea behind this strategy of multiple teams is to ensure that even if some of the shuttles would be intercepted by the robots, the operation as a whole would not be jeopardized.

The shuttles are supposed to arrive at their destinations around Saturday, August 15th. The key communication hub will be the first to be patched, basically meaning, that the EntropiaPlanets network will be inaccessible when this takes place. Do NOT be alarmed by this, as this is a necessary step to further boost the security of the systems, which will ensure that our defense against the robots will be more effective.

Back Jauer, CEO of MLP (Multi-Level Protection - which is sometimes jokingly referred to as More Loot Please - the company delivering the Navy Walruses for the mission), described the mission as follows (in between interrogating some suspects involved in the smuggling of the plans to the robots): "My men are probably the best trained and best equipped force within the entire Entropia Universe.

Compared to these guys, the Federal Imperial Navy look like a bunch of bed-wetting newbies. Where Carramone failed, we will deliver. If these robots are foolish enough to try anything, I am confident my men will be able to neutralize any threats. The technicians could not possibly be in more capable hands. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to head back to HQ. We don't have much time!"

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UPDATE: August 10, 2010

The first shuttle reached its intended target, upon which the Navy Walruses secured the area. As they were setting up defensive perimeters, they discovered a small group of robot scouts. The Walruses engaged the group, and terminated the robots without suffering any losses. Staff Sergeant Snafu Tarfu reports: "Upon discovery of the threat, my men determined the size of the group, and then took them out, ensuring none of them escaped. After inspecting their comm units, we discovered that some form of communication had been made just prior to us wiping them out".

"Unfortunately, the message was sent using an advanced high-level encryption mechanism, that we sent to the lab boys for analysis. Until they manage to break the encryption, we cannot say with certainty whether this means the Robot command center has been notified of our presence in the area. In any case, the area is secure, and a high level defensive shield has been set up, basically ensuring this hub of the network will no longer be at risk. The scientists made their way into the control room, and will be patching the systems shortly".

The commander of the whole operation, Mr. Back Jauer adds: "After extracting information from the people we captured and interrogated, we can say with certainty that the robots are aware of most of the locations that scientists have been sent to for the restore operation. The fact they had a recon team ready and waiting at this particular location clearly proves that they were expecting us. We can only feel lucky that our team got there before their positions were reinforced. We are not too sure that the other locations will go as smooth after this. Seeing this particular site has been secured and is now protected with additional security measures and a brand new shield, it can no longer be threatened by the robots. In the meantime, I have dispatched additional resources to the other sites, in an attempt to provide additional backup to the teams". Jauer declined to elaborate on the extents of the additional resources and measures.

The site in question is the main location of the World-wide Information Kept Intelligently (WIKI) system. The scientists will close write-access to this system, ensure all information contained in it will be stored on secure backup media, and then upgrade the system. This should not effect any other parts of the network, though during the period of their work, the network might appear to be slower.

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UPDATE: August 10, 2010 (Part 2)

MLP CEO Back Jauer: "Great news. The scientists working on the World-wide Information Kept Intelligently (WIKI) have finished their work on the systems. They will remain on site for the next few days to closely monitor the effects of their work. Please join me in congratulating and expressing our grattitude to the scientists, and the brave men and women of the Walruses who excelled, even when being put to the test by the unexpected presence of the Robot scouting team".


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DISCLAIMER:

Please do not be alarmed. The EntropiaPlanets website and infrastructure are secure, and have not been compromised in any way. The above is intended as a role-playing way to introduce a technical upgrade of our forum software, which will to take place Saturday, August 15th, with a wink at the event that was launched by First Planet Company when the Entropia Universe was migrated to CryEngine2.

 

Some new developments in this story have been added to the OP. The scientists are expected to start their first upgrade within the hour! The availability of the communication forum will not be in jeopardy, though you might expect some slower load time while they perform their magic.

 

It seems as if the first victory in this new war has been achieved. Despite facing unexpected challenges and foes, everyone in the team managed to keep themselves together, and the mission was finished succesfully.

Bots: 0, Men: 1

 

Harumph. Some news from the front.

Some of the shuttles that have been sent off have met robot resistance during their flight. As the shuttles were built for speed, they were only lightly armoured, and not equipped with a wide arsenal of weapons. While the Walruses onboard have fought valiantly, and destroyed many of their attackers, an overwhelming force of robot vessels managed to destroy the shuttles that were on route to fix the Yellow Pages and the Auction system, and a second shuttle that was headed towards the area hosting the bug tracking modules. These systems were due for replacement as it was, so rather than wasting additional lives on them, they will be shut down when the rest of the network will be upgraded.

The brave men and women on board of these shuttles will be direly missed by us all.

We do have good news, though. Dr. Harlet O'Scara: "As stated, the two systems that are now in an area that is swarming with robots were considered redundant. A new system has been designed, and rather than spending valuable resources trying to salvage whatever is left, we will instead fire up the new system. We trust that the new systems will be able to outdo the old systems, so there really is no reason to sweat any of this. The robots managed to win a small, and very insignificant battle".

Another shuttle, headed towards the system dealing with EPD has dissappeared off the radar. It is assumed that this did not happen due to any robot intervention, as we picked up an automated transmission from the shuttle. It seemed to hint that the shuttle was dealing with mechanical trouble.

A Search and Rescue opearion has been launched.

MLP Ceo Back Jauer: "We have every reason to believe that the crew on board of this shuttle will complete its mission. As soon as the shuttle has been patched up, the EPD systems will be brought back online.

In the meantime, we would ask colonists to consider participating in OPERATION: H-DAY. The more resources the robots have to call back and send into that battle, the higher the chances are that our shuttles will be able to make it to their target sites unscathed. The past has always shown that forcing an enemy's hand so it will have to fight on different fronts is a darn solid strategy. So while Frodo makes his way into the uh...".

At this point, Mr. Jauer stops and looks confused for a moment. He then recovers himself and continues:

"While the robots will be forced to assign valuable troops to the battle, our scientists will use the distraction to get their jobs done".

Robots 1 - Men (and women, and circus midgets and even cousin Dopey, who we have noticed drags his knuckles along the floor, and has an amazing amount of hair and sometimes can be seen carrying books around the library while mumbling "ook" under his banana-laced breath) 1.