ONN: Aegis Macrogenetics Capitalizes On Asteroid Stations
To view other news releases, visit MediaNet Archives.
Originally Published on October 31st, 2490
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
The end of the Martian Wars brought upon many changes on the Sol System. The ripples of that event will continue to be felt for years, maybe even decades to come. While some of these changes are perceived as positive, for the corporate world there are many reservations.
One of the first actions of the new Martian government, spearheaded by the Five Clans, was to rescind any and all active contracts corporations of all sizes and influences had with the planet. Soon, the Water Merchant Guild (created almost two years ago on Hades Colony,) was seen not only as a viable option for water distribution in the Sol System, it was seen as a serious competitor to the ice hauling corporations: offering cheaper services, and purer water as well. But not only that, it was not a corporate entity at all, any Martian who wanted to have a chance to take control of their own freighter and crew could do it, and they could stand to earn 70% of the general profits, while the guild would use their share to improve freighters and increase their size of their flotilla. With these implementations, the Water Merchant Guild was a very appealing option not only to potential clients beyond Mars, but anyone looking for a legitimate way to make a living.
Mars would continue to seize assets and properties left behind by the corporations, and against all odds (and not without growing pains,) managed to learn, and adapt to the usage of these industries. Ventures like Mars Farms, Mars Heavy Metalworks, Mars Banking, and the Mars created Hermes Network started to bloom. Mars Farms has the technology to clone food in such a way that processed protein based foods normally found on space stations are a thing of the past; however, the Five Clans insist that Mars Farms' sole focus is to provide food for Martians, though they aren't closed to the possibility of envoys from other locations to stimulate potential commerce.
Mars Heavy Metalworks has been a vital component in the Martian recovery. Left almost to a complete loss, several colonies and settlements have been revitalized by replacing and reinforcing some of the mega-structures of these settlements. One of the most benefited locations with the work of Mars Heavy Metalworks is without a doubt Hades Colony. Not only has the controversial and mysterious colony seen a full recovery, but it seems they have increased its size and population due reliable, and strong structures.
After the announcement that SolBank would be the first corporation to work under the new Martian regime, it received heavy backlash from shareholders and the corporate public in general. Seeing the taxation imposed by the Five Clans as too excessive, SolBank gave in to the demands of their shareholders and opted not to dive into the red planet. Mars Bank was created as a result of that move, and the first Martian cryptocurrency, the Spartan, was created and has a similar trade rate than the corporate credit. And finally, the Hermes Network was an alternate means for communication among Martians during the War, strongly implied to have been created within the Hidden Demons Clan, the Hermes Network now serves all of Mars, Phobos, and Deimos, and has connectivity capabilities towards the HoloNET in general.
With these actions from the red planet, it was clear that some corporations would be financially hurt. Such is the case of Aegis Macrogenetics.
Aegis Macrogenetics had the sole Terraforming Contract with Advanced Research and Experimental Systems on Mars. A contract worth perhaps hundreds of millions of credits per month, it was one of the first to be rescinded by the Five Clans after the new government considered that the terraforming operations from Aegis Macrogenetics had destroyed several Martian Holy Sites, and settlements that may not have been vacant. With a blow like that, Aegis Macrogenetics stood to lose plenty, and the megacorporation could face serious financial strain. But the answer to their problems was beyond Mars, quite literally.
The Asteroid Belt, also known as The Belt, is the final frontier as the barrier set by New Geneva officially deems the outer planets as accessed by authorized personnel only. As new Stations are established within The Belt, with implementation of artificial atmospheres, it sounds like this could be the perfect fit for Aegis Macrogenetics, and it is.
In the last month alone, six new stations in The Belt have been finalized and are ready to open for new jobs, and new habitation units. Through its main Executive Branch, Aegis Macrogenetics has made a way for themselves and is on its way to reverse the impact from the end of the Martian Wars and the loss of the terraforming contract on the red planet. While subjected to individual contracts themselves, Aegis Macrogenetics and their technology have been seen as a unique asset to the Belt, and this could very well open the door for heavier corporate influence on the region.
Kazuhira Ishii, CEO to Aegis Macrogenetics, shared a comment on recent developments.
| “Working on providing more chances for the Asteroid Belt has been an incredible experience. We work shoulder to shoulder with the people in the area, and we have learned so much from them that we hope we can put some of their teachings in practice for our own way of life. We at Aegis Macrogenetics are very humbled by this prospect, and we hope to give more to the Belt than just new stations, and jobs, we hope to be part of their lives for a long, long time.
While we understand, and respect the Martian Government's decision, we also hope that in the future, and with all the requirements the Five Clans lists for corporations like Aegis Macrogenetics, we can return to the red planet, and work in a way that we give back to the Martians, but time will tell, and all we can do is hope for a better, brighter future.” |
Ishii’s words indicate a new page in the history of Aegis Macrogenetics, showing a brand new face and perspective to a megacorporation. Could this be the second renaissance to Aegis Macrogenetics? Time will tell.
On local news, word has gotten out that the body of Bao Xi was found by a friend coming to visit in his home in Chinatown, Sector Two of Cocoon Station. Bao was found face down in a pool of blood with what looked like claw marks across his chest and face. According to some words among citizens that lived in Chinatown who knew Bao stated was associated with the Red Tiger triad gang that moved business operations to the area some months ago. Other citizens claimed to have also recently spotted a mysterious figure climbing the walls among the station for split seconds during each sighting before vanishing into the shadows, some of them believing this figure to be the one behind this murder. No clear sightings or descriptions of this figure have been provided other than claims of seeing this individual having what looked like blades for fingers.
After the dissolution of APD as a body of Corporate Law Enforcement, as well as the focus of the Hidden Demons on Mars, Cocoon Station has been experiencing a rise and increase of gangs of all kinds in every Sector and Level of the Station. We had previously commented on the Reapers, a gang that is focused on ripping off augmentations from victims (In most cases while they are still conscious,) in this iteration however, the Red Tigers are said to be a Triad from Xin Beijing that have taken to operate in Cocoon Station, particularly Sector Two, and one of their operations has to do with drugs, this opens the possibility that the killing of Bao Xi is drug related, and a drug war may be on our hands. Let us remember that the Red Tigers are not the only gang operating in the area, as the Asakura Gang also operates in Sector Two and the Hidden Demons still have operations and presence in the sector as well. ONN will keep you updated on this story as it develops.
And on Mars related news, the refitting of Olympus Mons (previously the headquarters of Advanced Research and Experimental Systems on Mars,) has been finalized, now turned into the biggest holy site in the planet, the Five Clans has opened it as a center for culture, faith, and education, inviting all Martians to get to know more about the past of the red planet. Although the traffic there is difficult considering the mysterious red rains that have been appearing throughout the planet after the war ended, they seem to be part of what the locals call "Time of the Red.”
After the nuclear detonations during the war, much of the Martian Landscape changed including the environment. Some of the tribe and clan elders determined this to be a bad omen of things to come, and therefore, dubbed it the "Time of the Red.” At this moment, the Five Clans are determining the best way to take visitors to Olympus Mons and back home afterwards.
What are your thoughts and opinions on this matter? Do you believe that the presence of Aegis Macrogenetics on the Belt will benefit the locals? Would a heavier corporate presence in the sector be beneficial as well? What about a possible gang war on Cocoon Station? Have you prepared yourself for this eventuality? Would a war like this convince you to leave the station for a more appealing destination? Please share your opinions in the comment section below.
Grant Jones reporting and wishing you a Happy Halloween on behalf of all of us at Orbital News Station, and Cocoon as a whole.