ONN: Mutant Protest Turned Violent, Inspires Riots Across the System

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Originally Published on February 22nd, 2490
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting

Ever since S.U.C.K.A and the E.V.I.L Act, there have been demonstrations and support pouring through the NET and surprisingly, even some corporations. New Geneva was quick to act if you recall, and has been taking action against non-compliant corporations, anywhere from fines, to complete de-funding and liquidation of their assets. It certainly hasn't been easy for anyone involved.

Mutants, deemed dangerous since late last December, are now forced to register to their local Corporate Law Enforcement Agency, and to be issued a sponsor, as per the Extremely Violent Instinct Lost (E.V.I.L) Act. There were many kinds of reactions to this, from outraged mutants, to relieved humans, and anything in between. From somewhat violent demonstrations, and even calls to arms to rise up against New Geneva, to a highly rumored group of individuals that were smuggling mutants to a safe haven that has been theorized to be Hades Colony on Mars. Even the ultra rich lifestyle of Luna has been affected with several scandals revolving around mutations.

Today, at 2 pm, Local Cocoon Time, one more demonstration was taking place outside Armitech Private Defense headquarters on Sector Three, and it didn't take long for it to become violent. A furious mob armed with knives, guns, sticks, and even rocks continued to pour in, and in no time at all, despite the instructions from APD to disperse, the mob turned violent and started to attack both APD Agents and innocent residents alike. APD Agents, as trained as they were to deal with a situation like this, and having undergone hundreds of hours training almost daily, had to make a choice, and that choice was to protect themselves, and innocents from attacks from the furious mob that kept chanting "Down with New Geneva!", "You will not murder anyone anymore!"; unfortunately, there were casualties on the side of the mob, as the battle hardened APD and their tactics overcame the mob, and the mob seemed to disperse when the would be ringleader, now identified as "The Voice" was destroyed, as it was revealed to be a synth that apparently was controlled from somewhere else.

Megabyte, the terrorist that was believed dead and gone last year, made themselves known in the ShadowNET with apocryphal messages. While at this time, no one can confirm the dreaded terrorist is genuine, many have agreed that the individual sounded, and felt like Megabyte. From the defeated remains of The Voice, a countdown was initiated, Master Sentinel to APD, Brooke Line, did what she saw fit, and took the remains and leaped down to Level Zero to attempt and protect as many innocents as she could from the blast that rocked all of Sector Three in Cocoon Station. As of this moment, and thanks to the combined efforts of Genetectic, AltenTech, and Armitech Private Defense, ONN has been informed that Master Sentinel Brooke Line is alive and well, and recuperating from her injuries, and that she will be back on her feet in no time.

A few minutes after this riot started, someone within the mob was streaming this demonstration on to the ShadowNET and broadcasting it system wide, several riots all over the Sol System took place, without the fully confirmed list, these places include:

Cocoon Station, where the riots originated
Alva City, Mariner Research Center, Auriga City, Aegis Macrogenetics Research Center 05, Gusev II Colony, Illiad City, and Rhodes Complex, all on Mars
Black Genome Research Station
Aphrodite Luxury Station
Selene Energy Development Station
Ceres Station
Neo Tokyo
New Edo
Nu Berlin
Xin Beijin
Nu York
New Vegas
New Atlanta
Aztlan II

At the moment, the full list of Floating Cities, Colonies, Space Stations, and different settlements is not confirmed, and please be advised, that in many of these locations, the riots may still be active. Orbital News Network advises you to steer clear from any conflicting zones.

While Armitech Private Defense and its brave and valiant Agents and Operatives managed to arrest several members of the mob and residents (for their own protection,) the case was not the same on the different locations we just listed. Advanced Research and Experimental Systems (ARES) reports a brutal suppression of over 25,000 criminals and terrorists in the demonstrations, divided among the different locations under contract to them, with about 10,000 arrests. Armitech Corporation estimates 10,000 or so suppressions, with almost the same amount of arrests. Matsumoto-Zaibatsu, however, reports no suppressions, and about 5,000 arrests. The three biggest military megacorporations in the Sol System are currently mobilizing fleets to different stations and floating systems that may be under attack and offering their support should they need it.

Michael Nikolaidis, member of the New Geneva Council, had a brief word to offer.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank Armitech Corporation and Armitech Private Defense for their stellar participation and performance during this very delicate time. Master Sentinel Brooke Line is an inspiration to us all, and we wish her nothing but a speedy recovery. We have recommended APD Direktor Miwa Hiraki and Armitech CEO Mr. Stromm a commendation and a bonus to the Master Sentinel for her sacrifice. In the coming days, New Geneva will be summoning all the members of its Council to an extraordinary session. These are trying times, and there have been significant losses. Our initial estimate with all the compromised locations ranges in the hundreds of millions, this is however a very rough estimate only, the amount may increase significantly as time passes by, no matter your reasons, or your causes, nothing should ever lead to economic losses of this kind to the commercial entities that are only trying to preserve the way of human life, tonight, unregulated Mutants, which are no better than lowly criminals, have raised their voice, and we have heard it, loud and clear, now if you excuse me."

What are your thoughts on this demonstration turned violent, bloody, and deadly riot? Does the mutant cause justify the loss of life, the economic loss to corporations and New Geneva? What about the early reports suggesting the return of Megabyte? If this Megabyte is the real article, then one question remains... Are the dissident and non compliant mutants working alongside Megabyte? You may recall that last year, several reports of forceful mutants conducted by Megabyte were flying around, could this be its culmination?

Your opinion is very important to us, please submit your comment on the comment section below and share your thoughts with the rest of the NET.