ONN: The Scorpion Affair
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Originally Published on April 19th, 2488
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
As the situation on Mars continues to escalate, new details are reaching the general public.
In case you didn't know, there are reports of several colonies and general settlements on Mars being destroyed, and tens of thousands feeling Mars to find a new home away from what seems to be a planet wide conflict, with Advanced Research and Experimental Systems (ARES) enacting a planet wide ban on Communication Devices that aren't cleared by them, details were sketchy at best. However, thanks to some of the refugees reaching Cocoon Station, ONN was able to get a bigger picture of what really is going on the red planet.
An incident dubbed "The Scorpion Affair" by those in the know, refers to an incident involving a recently disbanded Private Military Corporation operating mainly on Mars, called Scorpion. Scorpion took a contract issued by ARES, in said contract, it was agreed that Scorpion would sanitize a colony known as Gusev Colony, filled with individuals infected with a Neural Interface Infection, rendering dangerous, unstable and incredibly hostile. As Scorpion obliterated Gusev Colony, collected their paycheck, and pegged the affair as mission accomplished, an Inspection sanctioned by New Geneva itself found an alarming number of Martian Natives bodies with zero signs of neural Interface Infection. Historically, there's always been tension between Martian Natives and Corporations, so this sparked outrage through the planet that escalated into the seizing of Scorpion's assets and resources, and the detainment of Scorpion Operatives alongside their Commander.
Almost a month ago, it was heavily rumored that many renegade soldiers were leaving Mars and taking to different Floating Cities, Colonies, and Space Stations, the reason for that is attributed to a botched convoy taking Scorpion members to OIympus Mons for their detainment, the Red Sand Riot would be the reason for their escape. Although Scorpion is considered disbanded and mainly defunct, their surviving members are considered armed and dangerous. As ARES continues to deal with yet another Martian Crisis, one of their Representatives recommends Residents of the many Stations and Floating Cities to exercise caution to unknown and well armed individuals and to contact their local authorities.
We will have more of this story as it develops.