ONN: ShadowNET Breaks Activity Records
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Originally Published on September 9th, 2490
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
The ShadowNET feed has been absolutely alive with activity in the recent weeks, the highest activity ever registered since the creation of the ShadowNET proper. Many speculations arise that this could be a new band of individuals; some even suspect an influx of Fixers now on Cocoon Station. Several reports indicate this individual may go by the name Hydra; a decoded name continually broadcasted within the messages and even mention of inviting people to actively seek their materialized figure within the ShadowNet itself. No additional reports have been stated to include just when and where this individual will be located, or if this person is linked to any particular group - perhaps even a group of their own creation. Fixers are well known to organize jobs, conduct them and run them throughout the Sol System. A source close to the group has indicated their banding together to serve a higher network may be in play. This all happens in addition to the call to arms set forth by Gh0st, a mythical Hacker behind several cyber attacks and disruptions. As the activity, attacks, and the emergence of different non corporate entities proliferate in the ShadowNET, several Security Corporations are bracing themselves system wide for what they perceive to be copycat attacks, taking inspiration from Gh0st, Hydra, and ultimately, the still shocking outcome of the Mars Wars.
The rampant criminality continues to strike Cocoon Station, two nights ago there was an altercation on Sector Four, specifically at the Strip. Early reports suggest two wounded, taken to the Genetectic Facility in Sector One for Medical Evaluation. Last night, amid unclear circumstances, one of these individuals broke free and escaped Genetectic by jumping through a window. The last holorecords of Genectectic show this man running towards Sector Two, a private CCTV holorecording would later show this same man somewhere on Level 3 still on Sector Two. At the moment, the identity of this man remains unclear, but corporate records at Genetectic suggest the man is afflicted by potential neuropsychosis and is considered dangerous.
A new scandal has shocked the corporate world yet again, as the infamous Hexa-Eco Industries is now thrown in the middle of turmoil. In an unbelievable display of recklessness, the Luna Headquarters to Aegis Macrogenetics had been raided by allegedly Hexa-Eco Industries personnel, wanting to lead their own investigation, Aegis Macrogenetics requested a media blackout concerning these actions to the Governor's Office, which was granted. Now, Aegis Macrogenetics has finished their investigations and have revealed a nefarious plot concocted by Hexa-Eco Industries which involved replacing key Aegis Macrogenetics personnel with clones with attempts to undermine Aegis Macrogenetics from the inside. This information was made public earlier today and it has resulted in a historic stock fall for Hexa-Eco Industries, in addition to further revelations that Hexa-Eco Industries had hoped to use the same tactic with other corporations. As Corporate Law Action is being called, the Hexa-Eco Industries CEO, Zack Dollars is missing. There is no activity on his SolBank accounts of any kind so the speculation that the CEO may have taken his own life is running rampant. Kazuhira Ishii, CEO of Aegis Macrogenetics has requested in New Geneva the seizure of Hexa-Eco Industries assets in favor of Aegis Macrogenetics. During the reign of Advanced Research and Experimental Systems on Mars, Aegis Macrogenetics held the sole terraforming contract to the red planet under ARES, but since the Martian Wars ended in favor to the Five Clans, Aegis Macrogenetics had to leave Mars and the estimated loss in revenue is calculated in approximately 33.5 Million Credits a month. Analysts have predicted that Ishii's request will be granted, considering the good stance that Aegis Macrogenetics has with both Advanced Research and Experimental Systems, as well as with New Geneva itself. Unfortunately, Mr. Ishii was not available for comment, but he was said to have been very pleased with the outcome of such an ordeal and is calling for a thorough investigation on the scandal.
Hades Colony has finished its rebuilding process and the Five Clans have called for refugees looking for a home, and the populace in general to build a new life and start anew on the newly liberated Mars. A steady traffic of several shuttles a day is now being registered to be headed to Mars, and the newcomers are being taught about the laws and customs on the red planet. Several jobs and habitation units are now open and available to anyone willing to start over on Mars. With this, Mars' population has now entered the long road to recovery. It is projected that at least a quarter of the over 300,000 refugees that were displaced from ill fated space stations destroyed by ARES will migrate to Mars, while the rest have either found a home elsewhere, or have expressed interest in working on the rebuilding of their previous homes, now under the direction of corporations that report directly to ARES.
As the crisis for food continues, there is no sign that Luna Colony will be opening its borders anytime soon. You may recall that Governor Bancroft spent a sizable amount securing most of the food from suppliers in the entire Sol System and has destined it for Luna Colony and a few corporations he favors, such as the Morpheus Group Management, and Aegis Macrogenetics. And while the Mars Farms have been reactivated after the Martian Wars, their operations are solely destined for Mars, Phobos, and Deimos. While the criticism against Bancroft continues, new criticism is now emerging against Mars and the Five Clans, for not sending food to colonies, space stations, and locations that are in dire need of it. The Five Clans have stated, however, that while their main focus is to provide for Mars and its moons, they are not closed to trading with anyone, and their borders are not closed to anyone either.
On Earth, a series of riots on sites, including X-17, have shown how acute and dire the situation still is to some refugees. Getting at odds with residents of the Earth Sites have ended in lynchings and brutal beatings. Earth Site D-79, under Logos Incorporated has enacted a curfew and has closed its doors temporarily while they ensure the security crisis is abated. That is not to say that some of the Earth Tribes haven't taken kindly to the refugees, seeing them as thieves, they often organize hunting parties against stray refugees and enact acts of cannibalism too. In addition to all that, the radiation in the air, water, and some of the food does not sit well with the Refugees who are neither used to these conditions or have never been to Earth before, several Earth sites have reported hundreds of deaths linked to radiation poisoning.
What are your thoughts on the news? Are you taking proper measures to protect you from the rising criminality? Does the scandal surrounding Hexa-Echo Industries affect you in any way? Would you consider moving to Mars and starting a new life there now that corporations don't have the same kind of influence over it as they once did? What is your opinion on Governor Bancroft still keeping Luna's borders closed? If you were one of the Refugees on Earth, would you consider leaving Earth? If so, where would you go? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.