View source for ONN: Scandal Shakes The Very Foundations of Neo Tokyo

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''Originally Published on December 19th, 2489''<br>
''Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting''
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The Tower of Brotherhood, Neo Tokyo's iconic first Tower, collapsed on the night of the 17th.

For many reasons, this building was iconic and symbolic, it represented peace and unity between otherwise competing corporations, as well as brotherhood to withstand what was in that moment an uncertain future after the Transcendence War. Throughout the centuries, it saw many artists, celebrities, executives, and even criminals walk through its halls and stay within their luxurious rooms. The 155 levels high tower ceased to exist less than 48 hours ago after a series of rocking explosions leveled it and reduced it to a pile of debris, This is the latest link in a chain of corruption and crime that started the day before on Cocoon Station. Witnesses reported the sudden arrival of military personnel to Sector Two, aided by military grade synths and even dropships, one of which collapsed on the main street of Chinatown, rocking nearby buildings with an explosion.That night countless lives were lost, and the damages to many structures is still being calculated, extra official sources claim that the damage may reach over 100 million credits when the assessment is over, probably more. But what happened? What do we know?

The Background

The Hidden Demons, otherwise known as the Kakusareta Akuma, are known by many as the spiritual successors of the now defunct Twin Dragons Syndicate, for a long time, the Demons have established themselves on Sector Two, and have managed to appropriate most if not all economic activity in the area. With rumors of a black market somewhere in the Sector and with deep connections to both Level Zero and Mars, it would have appeared that the Hidden Demons was leading Sector Two to a mostly Corporate-free economic boon. That was until the night of December 16th, 2489.

The Facts

A military team made its way to Sector Two and immediately started to fire upon civilians, explosions and fires soon followed, and in the ensuing chaos, several buildings and establishments were also attacked. Soon, individuals assumed to be affiliated to the Hidden Demons engaged these attackers, by now, the alarm was raised and APD sprung into action. Under Direktor Miwa Hiraki's orders, APD sealed off and quarantined Sector Two, preventing the attacks and threats from spreading to the rest of the station. After nearly two hours of conflict and containment, it would appear that the defense of Sector Two was successful, although not many would consider it such. For the civilians, who were caught in the middle and the crossfire, an attack might as well be faceless, they have lost loved ones, they have suffered grievous injuries, and they have seen their lives disrupted forever, while some of them are still at the Genetectic Facility on Sector One, under direct supervision of AltenTech personnel, others weren't so lucky. A corporate detachment sent by Cocoon Corp is presently on site evaluating the damages. The military personnel has been identified as members of the Rising Sun Security company, based on New Edo and with operations and the exclusive security contract on Neo Tokyo. Rising Sun Security has been under scrutiny for decades for their alleged links to organized crime, and in particular to a Yakuza Family: The Asakura-Gumi. Shinnosuke Asakura, the head of the Family, has denied any links to Rising Sun Security in the past

The Actors

The Hidden Demons, a shadowy and yet, well known criminal organization based on Sector Two, and on Hades Colony on Mars. With a cult aspect that is very predominant on their operations, it is said to have occult practices, ritualistic ceremonies, and extensive and exhausting training methods for their members.

The Armitech Private Defense (APD,) remnants from the now defunct Arboria Tactical Systems (ATS,) purchased and repurposed by Armitech Corporation. Led by Direktor Miwa Hiraki and her Leadership, responsible for protecting the lives of the civilians on Sectors One, Three, and Four. The APD Agents undergo extensive physical tests and examinations very often, ensuring that they are always on top condition, in addition, an extensive cybertech program to ensure their Synths and Cyborgs are always at 100% efficiency.

The Rising Sun Security company, a company based in New Edo, with operations in Neo Tokyo. Oftentimes criticized by their excessive approach to operations, brutality, and their disregard for civilians. Although their success rate is significantly high, they were always walking the light and the dark. They were accused of having links to organized crime, even though these accusations were never proven right.

The Scandal

With Rising Sun Security under scrutiny again, and with most of their high command on suspension while the investigation on the attack on Cocoon Station continues, Matsumoto-Zaibatsu has stepped up, and with assistance from Advanced Research Experimental Systems (ARES) and Armitech Corporation, they have taken over the security duties on Neo Tokyo. At the same time they are conducting the investigation on the explosions that destroyed the Tower of Brotherhood. 

Their results, unveiled some ten hours ago, have proved the accusations right: Rising Sun Security was a front for the Asakura-Gumi, and on their payroll as well. The Asakura-Gumi's modus operandi was also revealed: They would establish themselves on different colonies and space stations, de-stabilize them, and have the main corporation in charge of the habitat grant the exclusive security contract to the Rising Sun Security company. 

In these cases, the name Shinnosuke Asakura has been linked to both Rising Sun Security and the Asakura-Gumi. GokurakuInc, the corporation in charge of Neo Tokyo, has officially disbanded Rising Sun Security, arrested the high command, and put every member under them under investigation. New Edo, under the charge of Miyagi Corporation, has initiated a similar directive, effectively killing off Rising Sun Security. What's more, Medtechs from both Armitech Corporation and Advanced Research and Experimental Systems, have recovered twelve bodies from the debris, one of which was identified as Shinnosuke Asakura. 

One of the theories at the moment is that Asakura was meeting with other criminal bosses at the Tower of Brotherhood, arguments became heated, and it resulted in the attack that would eventually demolish the Tower of Brotherhood. A cybertech from Advanced Research and Experimental Systems retrieved footage from their CCTV systems, managing to identify a group barging in on the penthouse on Level 155. While the members of the group can not be identified due damage to the footage, a preliminary analysis has identified a man known as Sottatsu Yamaguchi, a senior with a great deal of influence over different layers of society, and publicly known to be the head of the Yamaguchi-Gumi. It lends support to the theory that criminal organizations were using the Tower of Brotherhood as a meeting point, and that at one point, something went wrong and it resulted in the attack that ended in the death of twelve individuals, now presumed to have been the crime lords at the meeting. 

Both GokurakuInc and Miyagi Corporation are considering presenting charges of Terrorism, Criminal Affiliation, and Anti-Corporation Activities against the leadership of the Rising Sun Security company before a New Geneva court. As a result, the security contracts on both Neo Tokyo and New Edo will be up for grabs, and both Advanced Research and Experimental Systems, Armitech Corporation, and Matsumoto-Zaibatsu are more than eager to join the fray.

The Aftermath

What happened that night that caused the terrorist attack on the Tower of Brotherhood? Was it truly a disagreement between crime lords? Was it a third party attack from the outside? The investigations continue, and actions are being taken against Rising Sun Security, but the group of individuals that is seen barging in on the penthouse of Level 155 may never be identified. And with high profile attacks like these happening so often and frequently lately, ONN recommends our viewers to extreme precautions and to be careful if suspicious activity is taking place nearby.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think drinking cleaner, purer water will be better for your life on the Station? Please give us your opinion in the comment section below.