The Burning of Desolation

We are scientists. Abducted, tortured and made to work, while our families are held hostage. We are forced to find new ways of destruction. Poisons, weapons, creatures. We gave them our minds and they made us the creators of death. This planet has been left scorched and barren from our work. The atmosphere and water are toxic. Killing machines and creatures inhabit every corner. We had no choice but to obey... The Stenza.

— The Ghost Monument

The reasoning behind the Stenza shifting so quickly from jubilation at discovering intelligent alien life to enslaving and destroying it is unknown. The only reason it isn't classed as a Consensus event is the existence of records from the time showing often severe disagreement: theologians pulled support in droves, and there was an outbreak of violence in the Council Room over this very issue.   But, in the end, the war hawks won. Many infamous weapons of war came from this conflict, including Remnants and early Infantry Drones (referred to by some who found them centuries later as "SniperBots"). These are, in some form or another, still in service with the Stenza military.