ONN: Black Tenet Continues To Spread
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Originally Published on February 23rd, 2491
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
Black Tenet, the unprecedented Malware that has spread through the NET and with unclear origins, continues to ravage the Sol System. Even locations that were considered remote are reporting increasing numbers in infections, and while so far Black Tenet has not been considered lethal, it can lead to situations that will have an elevated cost in corporate assets, and lives.
Earth Site C-4, which had been planned out as a completely automated site to minimize Vulca Group's operational costs, was shut down this morning, after the infected systems and AI running it came to a violent conflict that unleashed a chain reaction and resulted in the destruction of 86% of the Site, and while there is no loss of life reported, Vulca Group reports a substantial financial loss, Ceres Station on the Belt suffered power outages that lasted for five days, affecting not only communications, but in some sectors, life support systems were unreliable, and even gravity controls were gone for almost 14 hours, which complicated ongoing medical procedures in the Station. While there is no word on locations beyond the Belt, due to New Geneva's blockade that is set to be permanent, New Geneva has mobilized more assets to the region and increased the security in the area.
Although only reported by the corporation as a temporary setback, there is word of the newest deluxe space shuttle transportation line, "Charlemagne" being infected as well, with their advanced onboard AI acting erratically, missing flight patterns, and sometimes even disappearing from radar. The Delamain Corporation, owner of the Charlemagne executive transport shuttle has issued a brief statement, in which they assure their users that the temporary setback and being tended to, and it's only a measly 2% of their Charlemagne shuttles that aren't accounted for, freelance contractors are said to be tasked to track down the wayward shuttles and return them to the shop for a complete re-installation.
Witnesses to the Charlemagne shuttle's malfunctioning have reported strange personality shifts on the onboard AI's, going from childish, to aggressive, to glum, and even homicidal. One witness pointed out how one of these shuttles caused a severe accident on the docks of Selene Station, and while fleeing the scene it was heard to scream, "Beep beep, motherfucker!" We will have more on this story as it develops.
With the public's outrage and discontent growing fast, there is no clear cure from New Geneva concerning Black Tenet, however it is said that all drugs that can alter the mind temporarily can be used to minimize the effects of Black Tenet. Genetectic through their CEO, Dr. Ophelia Faith, have come forward and stated that while these drugs can indeed work on a temporary basis, they don't solve the problem entirely, in fact once the effects of the drug is gone, all the symptoms of Black Tenet may return in full force and can be overwhelming. Dr. Faith recommends the affluent victims of Black Tenet to sign up for a Global Monitoring Program at Genetectic.
The first update to overhaul the NET was released a few days ago, and while it seems the transmission of Black Tenet through the NET has decreased, this too is not a permanent solution. Some users have decried this update as having hidden protocols that allow the corporations to not only monitor, but intervene on the ShadowNET, a portion of the NET long thought to be away from corporate control. Many users reported that someone by the handle of "SaveUs" has been barred from NET access while on the ShadowNET. A statement by Network Systems Incorporated said that the new NET protocols will have tools that will allow New Geneva to watch over the security and integrity of all the NET users in all aspects of the NET, included and not limited to the ShadowNET, future updates will add more tools for the safety of all the NETizens. When inquired if these tools were optional, NSI replied that they were, the update was also optional, but Netizens not accepting the updates would be unable to log into the NET at all.
As the success of Dr. Alice Winters and her program Asking Alice during the Black Tenet crisis continues to rise, New Geneva is considering new ventures in which the charismatic doctor can be part of. While nothing concrete has been discussed yet, New Geneva seems determined to turn Dr. Winters into the face of the decisions behind the NET overhaul, and the cybersecurity measures that have led to the fight against Black Tenet infection. New Geneva's investment in Dr. Winters is said to be complete, and some of the councilors in New Geneva's highest circles have started to refer to Dr. Winters as a partner of sorts. Please keep tuned for Dr. Winters's show, Asking Alice, for useful information, advice, and tips in all things medical and cybersecurity.
A medical laboratory located in Nouveau Paris has recently announced a breakthrough in their own research of dealing with Black Tenet. While the personnel there are cautiously optimistic, they seem to be under the impression that they could be days away from finding a definitive cure against Black Tenet. For security reasons, neither the name of the laboratory, nor the identities of those working there have been revealed. What was revealed pointed to an 87% neutralization rate of Black Tenet and its mutations, which shows promise and could mean the way going forward. Interesting to note, is that the origin of the funding for this laboratory is unknown, no corporation has claimed any of their laboratories to get as close as 50% neutralization rate before. We will keep reporting on this story as it develops.
Rumors and chatter about the Blackwall have decreased dramatically, even coming to a screeching halt. While it seemed to be an ongoing and increasing conspiracy theory that every Netizen was talking about, and it even created an infiltration attempt at Earth Site 0041Z, there hasn't been anything more to it. The user mentioned before "HelpUs" was at the heart of this conspiracy storm, and was even suspected of inciting insurrection and anti corporate sentiments on the NET. NSI in a joint statement with ARES, Armitech, and Matsumoto, have declared the Blackwall as just a hoax, and the mysterious "HelpUs" as an anarchist that is on their priority list to hunt down. Reinforcements on 0041Z are still coming, as NSI is hinting at bringing a fifth and final corporation to formally turn Earth Site 0041Z into the safest, and most heavily guarded area in the Sol System.
What are your opinions on the matter? Do you believe Black Tenet will remain non lethal, or that some of its mutations will eventually render it a higher danger? Are you a Netizen? Are you in agreement with the security measures New Geneva is imposing on the NET? With the new NET update approaching more and more, it could mean the end of anonymity. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you believe a cure for Black Tenet is coming soon? And concerning the Blackwall hoax, did you believe it? Did you take part in it? Please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.