September 2008

TERRORISTS RELEASE HOLOVID

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-1 Reported To: INN Reported On: Demaria Reported At: Thu Sep 04 18:30:38 3008 New Alhira, Demaria: INN has obtained a holovideo purporting to show the current fate of hostages seized during the attack on last week's Demaria First Party. INN warns that the vid contains graphic imagery and should be viewed only with proper parental discretion.**The holocamera shakes as it comes into focus on a group of Demarian figures. The centerpiece of the arrangement are six adult Demarians, five male and one female. They are all on their knees, blindfolded with their hands bound in front of them. They are flanked on either side by a pair of young and lean looking Demarians wrapped in sand colored robes, their faces obscured by long hoods. Modern milspec rifles rest at their side almost casually while they watch over their prisoners.They all appear to be in a dimly lit cavern of some kind, the background a drab dark stone and the floor dusted with sand. The scene is allowed to hang for a few seconds, before a new figure walks into frame. At first he is indistinguishable from the others in sand robes, but once he is seated on the sand floor he removes his hood and stares directly into the holocamera. His amber fur is marred on his face by a broad splotch of blood red, a pattern extending over his snout and around his eyes. The golden orbs seem to size up the anonymous viewer on the other side of the holo before their owner begins to speak in Terran Standard.**"I am Wormhunter Redmask Lightspear, once of Clan Thunderstrider but now a true child of the Sands. I am a veteran of the hidden wars which have destroyed my people. It was on my authority that the colony of the Interlopers was attacked, I ordered that they be killed. Our customs compel me to justify this violence. Ever since the return of the Ancients they have disrupted our way of life, leading ultimately to war and bloodshed. We reject that they have any claim to this land, having surrendered it of their own will, leaving our ancestors to die. We have purchased this land with generations of our blood, a claim which overwhelms their living memory. We act in the sense of justice, custom and the laws of our people demand that an act of aggression be met with war. The Interlopers have demonstrated that they cannot share this land, and having exhausted all other options I, Wormhunter Redmask Lightspear, declare war against them. I do not draw my authority from any one tribe but from the courage of all who join me in this struggle. I speak not just to the Interlopers but to those who have sheltered and supported them, traitors among the People and offworlders. We make no distinction. All who inhabit the Interloper's colony will perish if they do not flee. As a demonstration of our resolve we have seized a number of their people. They will not survive if our demands are not met. Consider well their fate as you consider the fates of your own children."**Redmask pulls up his hood. One of the hostages is pushed forward and the Wormhunter pulls a knife from his robes. Before the deed is accomplished the holofeed cuts out.**

FLASH: The Siege of Shadowheart!

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-2 Reported To: INN Reported On: Tomin Kora Reported At: Sun Sep 14 00:00:49 3008 INN is receiving up-to-the second reports of rioting on Tomin Kora. The planet, which has been under siege by Starlight Security for two weeks, is now the scene of civil war. An anonymous contributer has sent us the following feed:"War has come to Tomin Kora," the famed Kapitan Ace calls out from atop the IND Laughing Fox, "But it has been a war of assassination and deception. If you do not wish to get involved, then get to your ships and stay safe, but remember who it is that is cutting off your food, your water and your livlihood!" She points upwards, "Starlight has been blockading your world and secretly killing you off, one by one, so they can control your business. They have hired Black Heart to do their dirty work, to assassinate those who worked for Cabrerra, to pin the blame on one of your own and to choke this planet while it sleeps. They have taken the hospital from you and have interfered where they are not wanted or welcome. You can hide if you wish, but a Nall...a stinking NALL!...has been butchering your crew, your drooks, your business associates and performing barbaric rituals with their remains. I am not going to let another piece of f**king walking luggage take away from me what is not his to take. So now is the time to make a decision. Stand with us, go hide or stand against us, but either way, this will be decided tonight!"The pad erupts into chaos after that, men and women of all races engaged in mindless, desperate slaughter. It is cut with startling images of what appear to be a hospital locked down and held by soliders all wearing bright red armbands. They turn away the hungry and wounded, going as far as beating them.A reporter cuts in, explaining the next series of still images, and warning viewers of possibly disturbing content: a humanoid skull missing its jaw, covered in ragged, tattered flesh and decorated with grisly tattoos. "These have been linked to Akhanvrok of the Black Heart Mercenaries, and not Renous Marquin," notes a woman's voice. "It is believed that Black Heart has been contracted by Starlight to execute the men and women of Cabrerra Industries. What you see here are Naliese symbols - blood markings, indicators of ritualistic sacrifice - on what is reportedly the remains of one of the fifty victims of the mass slaughter which originally prompted the blockade."We will continue to report as events unfold.

Wedding of the century!

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-3 Reported To: E!RN Reported On: Demaria Reported At: Mon Sep 15 13:25:03 3008 Siege, siege, siege, that's all you've been heard about lately, right? Well, E!RN is here with a shot of romance in your life. Battleclaw Silvereye Paintedheart, Demaria's white knight, wed his (soooooo lucky) girlfriend of three years, Ripplefur Windchaser, in a grand seaside ceremony in New Alhira Sunday evening. Take that, terrorism!Spotted among Demaria's finest were President Tuftcheek Longvision himself, decked out in /the/ sharpest Dappercoat suit /this/ reporter has ever seen - simply fabulous! Kapitan Ace took a break from inciting revolution for ten minutes to stop over and offer her well-wishes, perhaps more sedately than the Hound to her Fox, renegade rogue Mika Tachyon. Those two need a crash course in /fashion./ Ugh, can someone tell the kapitan that bloodstains and black are /out?/ Not that Mika's one-black-glove statement, whatever the Nexus /that/ is, was well-advised at all. Fashion /disaster!/ Somebody call an ambulance!Not so for the blushing bride! Oh my, that dress! Did I spy a Nimblepaws /original?/ Other sources may say pink is past-tense, but the lovely Ripplefur worked that gown like it was her job. Understated class-act elegance, I will say it again - simply fabulous! She glittered, she glowed, she was every bit the picturesque princess. But that's not what you're here to read about is, it?Let's talk about the /rings/... or as they do it on Demaria, the bracelets:You'll see the Battleclaw sporting a charming little platinum number inlaid with /fabulous/ tribal knotwork and sandy beige detailing. So innovative, so forward-looking; I smell knock-offs galore. Ripplefur is set to create her own trend by receiving an /achingly/ gorgeous and wonderfully subtle silver bracelet whose designs... oh my goodness, just /look/ at the pictures. Words cannot describe. I am /fanning/ myself over here, you just don't even know.Music was provided by the New Alhiran Symphonic Six, and catering by Glimmercoat's Baked Goods. Dee-/lish,/ let me tell you. Best wishes to the Battleclaw and his lovely new wife! Sigh... I guess its time to cross him off my list of future husbands. Alas!

Siege ends on Tomin Kora

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-4 Reported To: INN Reported On: Tomin Kora Reported At: Mon Sep 15 14:45:18 3008 /Tomin Nebula/ The siege of Tomin Kora ended in a bloodbath early Sunday morning with battles raging both on the ground and in local space. Starlight Security's orbital position was thrown into disarray by an enemy fleet, while a mob of rioters drove the troops from the Shadowheart medical center.Renous Marquin, the newly-appointed Chief of Logistics for Cabrerra Industries, recently stated that the company has deemed travel to and from Shadowheart "as free and safe as it ever has been." He credited the crews of the IND Laughing Fox, the IND Equinox, and LMS Artemis for the removal of hostile forces from the planet and for exposing Starlight Security as the perpetrators of a conspiracy which cost the lives of innocents.Reports indicate that a pirate fleet overran Starlight Security's position in local space, with the unnamed captain of the IND Satisfaction taking credit for the seizure of Starlight's flagship, the IND Seraphim. The current status of Ethan Dawson, Starlight's Commander-At-Arms, is presently unknown, and OATO authorities are offering rewards in exchange for information that leads to the capture of the pirates.Video feed of the riots is available on the INN Matrix. Viewer discretion is advised.

Sivad and Sol Sign Treaty

Posted By: Joker Article: SEPT08-5 Reported To: INN Reported On: Sivad Reported At: Tue Sep 16 22:51:03 3008 Today, during a meeting that was kept strictly confidential until now, the Governments of Sivad and the Solar Republic finalized a Treaty of Free Exchange. Signed by Sir Ferdinand Abignail, Minister for Trade and Commerce, and Steven Arcturus, a member of the Martian Senate, this new document opens up several channels of trade between the two governments."This is history in the making," says Rupert Jones, political analyst for INN. "The two have always been at odds, being two military powerhouses. Even after the war their relations could be described as polite at best. This could very well mean the start of something great. I mean, all things considered, this is very surprising. The Republic has yet to name a new First Consul and then there are those rumors about King Richard terminally ill. No one expected this, but it's pretty damn interesting."The treaty in question allows for open exchange of technologies between the two governments, though no further details have been revealed. Both Sivad and Mars are keeping the specifics close to home.

Solar Republic Reclaims New Luna

Posted By: Joker Article: SEPT08-6 Reported To: INN Reported On: Mars Reported At: Tue Sep 16 23:13:00 3008 The current state of politics in Mars is shrouded in mystery. Since the retirement of First Consul Ellesmere, the Senate has kept silent and has yet to appoint someone to fill the position, or alternatively make that decision known to the public, yet the government continues to function and make moves that have many surprised and others rather excited.During a press conference today originally scheduled to address minor changes in infantry deployment to certain outer colonies, General Albert Ross revealed plans by the Republic to reclaim New Luna. "For months now the world has been uninhabitable or close to it, its government dissolved, with even the remnants of their military working very closely with the Vanguard. This world was once a part of our great Republic and it is only fitting, in the face of such devastation, that we extend our hand in aid. As of today, the Solar Republic is reclaiming the planet and will begin work to resurrect it."The statement was followed by an explanation of plans to deploy the military over the next few days and details about the proposed rebuilding plan. The Martian government has also reached an agreement with Hancock Station in which the base will be allowed to operate within Republic boundaries as a neutral port if it so chooses to.This decision has been met with mixed responses. Given the defunct state of the world, several believe this is the only chance it has to be reborn. Others, on the other hand, have met it with a general outcry, declaring it no more than illegal conquest and landmongering. Some have even gone as far as to declare the Republic a more diplomatic manifestation of the Nall.The General wrapped things up with an invitation: "Furthermore we encourage all interested parties -- be they governmental or civilian -- to help us make New Luna the wonderful world it once was."

Protests Against Sol

Posted By: Joker Article: SEPT08-7 Reported To: INN Reported On: La Terre Reported At: Wed Sep 17 21:16:00 3008 Earlier today protests broke out across New Paris where demostrators both native to La Terre and refugees from New Luna took to the streets in opposition of the Solar Republic's recent activities. The crowd called for an independent New Luna and decried what they labelled a "hostile action against its people.""If the Martian government wants to help us restore our home, that's one thing, but just reclaiming it for their own is a clear violation of our rights," says John Hirsch, one of the leaders of the protest. Before the Decimator Fleet came to his homeworld, he owned a small sporting goods store in Greenville. "We have a right to return to our planet as a people free of Republic tyranny."Protesters also called for the intervention of other governments. While New Luna's bid for OATO membership was denied, they claim they have as much a right to foreign aid as any of its member worlds.In response to these manifestations, the Solar Republic released only a simple statement: "Help was needed. None gave it. We stepped in. New Luna was once ours and it is only fitting that we reclaim our rights."The La Terre Defense Force was dispatched to oversee the protests, which ended uninterrupted and peaceful.

Disturbance in Hancock

Posted By: Joker Article: SEPT08-8 Reported To: INN Reported On: New Luna Reported At: Thu Sep 18 22:19:08 3008 Earlier tonight, a rather peculiar event took place in Hancock Station. Unofficial reports claim there was a psionic disturbance in the landing bay, which resulted in heavy damage to the section in question. Images from surveillance caught glimpses of floating objects. What seems to trouble officials is the fact that witnesses claim a human was responsible. After the man in question was subdued, he was taken to the medical facilities where he died due to a cerebral hemorrhage."After careful analysis, we found no evidence that the human was the cause of the disturbance," says one of the doctors on call during the event. "Which makes sense, really. Humans are incapable of engaging in psionic abilities. There has never been a recorded case of a human with psionic abilities, though such things have happened in the past where they served as vessels for a different entity. Security is still investigating the matter in full."Seven casualties have been reported, along with countless wounded.Hancock officials could not be reached for further comments.

More Details on Hancock Disturbance

Posted By: Joker Article: SEPT08-9 Reported To: INN Reported On: New Luna Reported At: Fri Sep 19 17:49:15 3008 More details are being revealed about the strange events that took place in Hancock Station during the past hours. The man accused by witnesses, though cleared by the medical staff of any fault, has been identified as Igor Federova, who has been missing since the destruction of Ungstir. He was originally aboard the Tovza, one of many refugee vessels in route to Sivad and the only one to have disappeared without a trace. The RNS was dispatched to investigate but no conclusive evidence was ever found as to its whereabouts. With the mysterious reappearance of Federova, it is now believed the Tovza crew may still be alive. Allied Force Command has stated its intentions to reopen the investigation."With these new developments, we know at least one person aboard the Tovza made it to relative safety," said a spokesman for the military. "We intend to give this matter all our attention so that we can finally provide several Ungstiri families involved with the closure they deserve."While the Allied Force promises to investigate the matter in full, it is not believed they will concentrate on the Perseverance System, where the dangers of piracy and theft now far outweigh the possible benefits.

Tostanavich heads Ungstir restoration

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-10 Reported To: INN Reported On: Ungstir Reported At: Wed Sep 24 16:30:19 3008 Vadim Tostanavich, Captain of the IND Raider, released a statement to the press this week regarding the rumored restoration of Ungstir U-001, "Avalon," once a wildlife preserve rumored to house such legendary beasts as laaskavolk and unicorns in the Perseverance belt. Since the destruction of the City of Resilience at the hands of Phyrrian conquest in 3007, what remains of the Ungstiri planetoids has become known as "Myort Ungstir," or the Graveyard, a dangerous den of smugglers and pirates.Tostanavich envisions a new future for the belt and for the Ungstiri people. "Come home," he beseeched them in a statement released Wednesday morning. "Ungstir is still your Mat. Avalon still stands resilient, and she urges her children to /come home./ Show those who would usurp your rightful place in the galaxy the true meaning of /Ungstiri seel'niy/ - Uber Allas Ungstiri, come home."Following the announcement, Tostanavich released the project's contact information to media networks along with coordinates and asteroid drift codes.

Rescue effort ends in disaster

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-11 Reported To: INN Reported On: Demaria Reported At: Thu Sep 25 14:40:29 3008 /NEW ALHIRA, DEMARIA/ Demarian Militia sources are reporting that five Demarian marines and two Vanguard soldiers were killed and many more wounded in an attempt to rescue hostages seized at the Demaria First political rally in the ruins of Old Alhira on Wednesday night.The Militia spokesman reports that the joint operation by Demarian and Vanguard forces encountered almost immediate and heavy resistance from entrenched and heavily armed tribal forces upon reaching the city and were forced to retreat beore achieving their objective. The Battleclaw could not be reached by INN for comment, though a Militia official, speaking on condition of anonymity claimed that: "We were almost certainly set up. This operation failed because the tribals knew that we were coming, and more importantly how we were going to conduct the operation."The Senate has launched a bipartisan investigation into the incident, to be conducted alongside the Solar Republic. The names of the Vanguard soldiers are not being released, and a public memorial has been scheduled for Demaria's fallen.

Presidential race tied

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-12 Reported To: INN Reported On: Demaria Reported At: Fri Sep 26 16:09:46 3008 /NEW ALHIRA, DEMARIA/ For the first time since the race began the INN/Giddyup Poll shows a statistical dead heat between incumbent President Tuftcheek Longvision and challenger Senator Twinstripes Sandwalker. Expert attribute Sandwalker's surge to the botched rescue mission, which the Senator was quick to seize on in remarks to the Senate:"Once again we have evidence of a corrupt, incompetent regime. This President and this Battleclaw could not, even with resort to Vanguard foreigners, free our own people from the claws of a mere desert /rabble./ Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those soldiers who gave their lives in this noble effort, soldiers who were betrayed not by their courage but by their leadership."In statements to the press after the session Senator Sandwalker speculated on the Militia's charge that the action had failed due to eliberate sabotage: "I can't say whether or not the allegation is true," Sandwalker said, "But if there is any culprit, one would think that the first place to start looking would be towards an individual with ties to the tribals and who is intimately connected to the highest levels of Militia command."

Cabrerra Industries backs Avalon project

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-13 Reported To: INN Reported On: Tomin Kora Reported At: Fri Sep 26 17:22:53 3008 /SHADOWHEART, TOMIN KORA/ -- Cabrerra Industries has announced its willingness to contribute hundreds of thousands of credits in aid to the Avalon Restoration Project.The commitment of financial and political support follows this month's gunbattles between rival Shadowheart factions that led to the troubled CI routing Starlight Security forces with the aid of prominent offworlders such as Kapitan Ace of the IND Laughing Fox.CI Chief of Logistics Renous Marquin said that the company will give up to 250,000 credits to develop a government infrastructure, such as building schools and providing drinking water."We will not leave millions of Ungstiri at the mercy of pirates and terrorist organizations," Marquin said.The Matrix has been buzzing with talk since the announcement. Many believe the Shadowheart-based conglomerate has an "outside agenda," and accused the organization of seeking to corrupt the struggling project and the colony it hopes to establish."We reject that," Marquin said. "It is the position of Cabrerra Industries that there is one Ungstiri people, and there should be one Ungstiri state."Marquin added that to ease the suffering of those Ungstiri throughout the Arm, the company will also be donating 25,000 credits to the OATO Relief and Works Agency.When asked how protection could be assured for those in the dangerous and crime-infested Perseverance Belt, Marquin expressed hope that "the people of the Orion Arm would understand that it is important for the intergalactic community to be able to respond to the humanitarian conditions there."

Ungstiri split over Avalon project

Posted By: Danger Article: SEPT08-14 Reported To: INN Reported On: Ungstir Reported At: Thu Oct 02 21:05:42 3008 Recent surveys of the remaining Ungstiri population have shown a clear divide in support for Captain Vadim Tostanavich and the Avalon Restoration Project. Of the 4,500 Ungstiri polled, 18% "wholeheartedly support" the project, 52% are "optimistic but uncertain," and 20% "wholeheartedly oppose" the project."I think it's a good thing. I think it needs to happen," said Kirill Sidorov, one of the estimated 650,000 survivors of the Ungstir-Two bombing, and now a technician with Dynamic First Response in New Paris, La Terre. "Knowing that our belt, the Ungstiri belt, is still there and we can't return to our way of life? It kills me."While many others expressed similar sentiments, not all could agree that Avalon was the solution. Zhanna Andrevna, a former commissar with the City of Resilience, told our interviewer: "Do we need to go back? Yes. But I do not believe now is the time, and I do not believe Kapitan Tostanavich is the man to lead us."Many have called Tostanavich's choice of financiers into question. Cabrerra Industries, whose notorious "Boss" has long stood as a symbol of corruption since the founding days of the Tomin Kora city of Shadowheart, has publically announced its intention to contribute hundreds of thousands of credits to the Avalon project."We're turning over a new leaf," said Renous Marquin, CI Chief of Logistics. "It's time for a new direction, for both the company, and the galaxy. All we ask is that you judge us by the good that we are doing now -- and not the harm we once did. This is our way of making amends."That's enough for Grygory Yaroslav, who lost his two daughters in the Phyrrian attack. "This war changed the Arm and its people. I'm beyond the point of judging others. I just want to go home."

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