ONN: Candid Statements From an ATS Agent
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Originally Published on July 24th, 2488
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
In what continues to be a fallout from the recent attack against Arboria Tactical Systems, ONN has received a video from a source that wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons.
The ATS Agent on video has been identified as Kimiko Kagiyama, one of the up and coming rising stars from ATS that has been seen making their rounds especially on Chinatown, and, if rumors are to be believed, is also linked into the forced disappearance of Fred Khaled and Gregor Strasse, the former now deceased, and later a known freelance cybermechanic linked to Akira Automotives. Although many justify the disappearances for suspicions of them being linked to Twin Dragons, others condemn such blatant disregard for proper protocol and even accuse the authorities of racial and social profiling.
Please be advised that the following images are loaded with emotional reactions.
| The recording begins, a small, Japanese woman standing in front of a large array of laid out blue and black body bags. Row after row. The woman was wearing black ATS style clothing, under which could be seen bandages. Despite her injuries, the look in her eyes was not broken or weak. Those who know her, would recognize Kimiko Kagiyama. It would appear she had survived the raid. But judging by the amount of bandages peeking out from under her black clothes; barely.
"For you." Kimiko says. Kimiko's gloved right hand rises, holding a large bouquet of ATS ID's. She thrusts them forward, anger on her face. "For you!" Kimiko shouts, voice growing louder, matching the anguish in her eyes. She turns, the camera showing many ATS body bags, panning over them. Then the camera moves back to Kimiko. "AICHI is gone. Anarchy followed. ATS is in ruins. Barely holding on. For you!" Kimiko roars. "We came here to protect - you! We came here to serve - you! We came here to keep - you - safe, from the threat which we all face! These operatives died fighting for your station! Your home! To protect - you - from the threat known as Twin Dragons! Black mailers, human traffickers, organ leggers, murderers, thieves, liars, and terrorists who's history glorifies it's own bloodthirsty violence and lack of regard for all human life! Even their entertainment revolves around their blood lust and violence. A fight club! The attack in Chinatown, rumors would say because of them. Fred Khaled's murder? I saw Jane Rain, since identified as Hana, walking into the taxi service station by myself right before the time of his murder!" Kimiko growls, voice angry, hard. "How in the HELL - can any of you praise these monsters? These murderers? All the lives lost in ATS, your protectors, all the civilian casualties, all the victims left in the wake of this war that they have initiated with no regard for us, or you! Criminals that hold no code of honor, are held to no authority, are allowed to turn this station into their own criminal Empire because they are not held accountable to face the consequences of their crimes!" Kimiko looks back at the body bags. "All of them. All of us! We are here, every day, patrolling, assisting, keeping peace and doing everything in our power to keep you safe and this station secure. Every day we are there to protect - you - from violent criminals, abuse, extortionists, rapists, hackers and those who would profit from rackets and fear mongering! This is a war declared against the people here sworn to protect - you! This is a war declared against YOU!" Kimiko roars again. "Every life lost, for YOU! All of us here are facing this threat for YOUR freedom, for YOUR security, for YOUR home! This cowardly attack dwarfed even that of Chinatown's tragedy in losses. Least of which is our very own base of operations and most of our personnel who's entire purpose was to keep - YOU - safe!" Kimiko's voice lowers, walking up to the camera. She trembles and twitches. Likely pain from her many wounds. Kimiko sets the ID's down, leaning over to pick up a Twin Dragon sword, taken from one of the dead dragons. She draws it, holding it hilt in one hand, the end of the blade in the other. "This is their symbol of fear. Of violence. Of terror. An instrument of death. What was once a symbol of honor stained by the disgraceful acts of criminals. One they use freely against all of us. ATS, and civilians like Khaled-san alike. Difference from the past is, ATS fought back. ATS thinks this station deserves better. ATS thinks - you - deserve better." Kimiko scowls, her bandaged arms flexing, holding the sword at both ends. Her scowl deepens, body tensing, the blade starting to bend. The bend grows deeper, more pronounced, Kimiko straining, until suddenly, almost impossibly, the blade snaps, breaking. The sharp sound of metal cracking. A few drops of blood can be seen from the gloved hand holding the now broken end of the blade. Kimiko did not seem to notice. "The Twin Dragons tried to wipe us out. The twin dragons tried to bring this station back into chaos. But they did not get us all. All we have done, has been for - you - as thankless as you all are. We fought and died here for you! The next time you see an ATS operative. IF you are LUCKY enough to see another ATS operative back on duty, signaling that we have restored some semblance of security, maybe you should remember that. What we stand for. And the terrible price we have paid protecting you and this station. This war is not only against us. It is against you. And right now... We need you. If we are going to keep fighting. We need to know that you want us to. We need to know that all THIS!" Kimiko gestures back at all the blue and black body bags. "Is not all in vain. Because if it is... If you spit on us after all this... Fuck you. You deserve what these glorified Yakuza thugs are going to do to you. And no one is going to be left to save you. Do you think a third security Corp is going to come in? After all this? Even if they did, what do you think their response will be to reclaim a lost station?" Kimiko throws down the pieces of broken Twin Dragon katana. "And to the Twin Dragons: Not even seven strikes from Akio Saito's sword could slay me. Not even your cowardly attack could make us submit. You faced but a small division of ATS personnel currently stationed here. We were just a single security team. There was no occupation force. But what the fuck do you think will happen now, if ATS Command sends a proper army with a REASON to occupy?" Kimiko snorts. "All the lies you preach. But the truth is, you never had any regard for anyone but yourselves. What comes next, is on - you." Kimiko walks to the camera, sneers derisively, and turns it off. |
Agent Kagiyama was one of the ATS Agents present at the Arboria Tactical Systems headquarters the night of the assault this past saturday, and seemingly, one of the few survivors. Currently, the ATS Headquarters are being rebuilt after the vicious attack from the Twin Dragons, unofficially, the death toll continues to rise in the wake of the destruction as well as a count for missing individuals. At the climax of the attack, ATS forces were ordered to retreat, and witness accounts point out at the presence of a dropship nearby that presumably picked up the surviving Twin Dragon assassins and fled the scene. Notable losses occurred on both sides, with Twin Dragons even counting Akio Saito, also known as Zero, among the missing ones. According to rumor, Akio Saito was never held within the ATS Detention Facility and was shipped out of the station the same night, destination unknown. If these rumors were to be confirmed, it would show a breach of protocol that states all detainees and prisoners need to remain at least 48 hours under local detention before it's decided if they remain for further process or are sent away elsewhere, as mentioned before, these are only rumors and this information hasn't been officially verified.
ATS arrived at Cocoon Station staging an occupation, in what many saw as a worrying move while others welcomed it. Upon their arrival, concerns and complaints about mistreating and mismanaging of individuals belonging to the social strata known as "The Underground" were aired, ATS was also involved as one of the many Corporations that aided ARES in their hunt for Scorpion Terrorists, who were involved in a devastating attack on Gusev Colony some months ago. From that moment on, ATS has been consistently on the spotlight with complaints of corruption from now missing ATS Agent Snowden, and the heroic display of teamwork and deadly efficiency liberating hostages from Genetectic while on the hunt for rogue Replicant Lexxus, many have been quick to accuse ATS of only keeping corporate interests in mind while disregarding basic human rights.
Twin Dragons arrived at Cocoon Station around a year ago, while their public face is well documented, the exact date of their arrival is unknown as they were just a rumor for several months. Unlike their predecessors, the Vipers and Shinigami, Twin Dragons always preached unification of the Underground, with several events leading to the establishment of a rumored Black Market that allowed easier distribution of medicine, food, clean water, cybertech, and other commodities to the people of Sectors One and Two, which were allegedly denied by the Corporations. As the Community Representative, Akio Saito spearheaded the Housing Project, which allowed the creation of affordable homes in Sector One exclusive to people of low income that have been residing in conditions of extreme poverty. They are not without controversy however, as they have been suspected of several disappearances of perceived rivals and opponents, as well as slowly becoming more ruthless on their approaches to authority figures and entertainment.
With a divided opinion between these two organizations, only questions remain. Should the statements from ATS Agent Kagiyama be taken as official ATS Statements? Would her sentiments be the same sentiments reflected by ATS Personnel? Is it possible that Arboria Corporation, the parent corporation to ATS, is evaluating possible retreat plans? Let us remember that unlike their predecessors, ATS is not here under contract, but under occupation. And concerning the Twin Dragons, the disappearance of their more visible leader, Akio Saito, is definitely a blow to the organization, will the criminality and violence increase now that he's absent? Will there be infighting between the members of Twin Dragons in an attempt to keep control? What of the second, less visible leader, Konda Saito? It is said that she is a talented Decker and Hacker, a dangerous one at that, will the attacks on ATS continue, even in a different form?
As mentioned in a past article, it's time to stop, see, and ask yourselves many questions. We're at a crossroads in history, and whatever decision we make, whoever we support, will change the landscape in our home station of Cocoon.