ONN: SolBank Pulls Out From Mars
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Originally Published on August 26th, 2490
Orbital News Network/Grant Jones Reporting
As it was reported two days ago, SolBank had made a move to become the first regulated corporation to start operations on Mars, it was reported that they would be taxed 10% of their monthly operations on the red planet. These news however, weren't received positively by SolBank's investors and that protests immediately took place in what can only be described as a very heated meeting. According to some of these protests, SolBank being the sole responsible for financial and banking operations on the Sol System, was expected to be exempted from regulations and taxation from Mars, even if it was made clear that any and all corporations wanting to operate on Mars would go through the same process. Due to mounting pressure, the SolBank Directives took the difficult decision to pull out from Mars, calling their freighters transporting ATMs and credit consoles to turn back. It is unknown how much would SolBank lose in the long run, but considering that SolBank is a direct corporation created by New Geneva, it is said that New Geneva corporates are less than pleased with this move.
Mars on the other hand has historically relied on local trade, but in the historic times that we are living in, with Mars free of corporate control, they have also opted for the creation of their own crypto currency. Dubbed the Spartan, it means to work as a digital currency similar to the credit in concept and value, the Spartan can be traded off for goods and services on the planet as well as converted to credits if needed. The Spartan will be deployed as a valid currency in the days to come.
Covering Mars still, efforts to rebuild the damaged colonies, in particular, Hades Colony have already begun. In the past 36 hours brigades have been deployed to the colony and have started the painful work of retrieving and identifying some of the bodies that were still in the colony, as some were trapped under the debris or were exposed directly to Photon Blasts from the ARES. attacks. While unconfirmed at this time, there appears to be a significant number of remains that, due the nature of the mentioned attacks, can't be identified. However, pieces of ID chips retrieved are being sent to Al Sad Al Dhabih for loved ones and families to identify and pick up, the bodies are also being transported there. Bodies that are not claimed after two weeks will be incinerated. A new dome for Hades Colony is set to be transported to the region in the next few days. Its absence has caused the sands of Mars to get inside and start to claim many of the structures of the colony and make recovery works all the more difficult, once the dome is installed, the colony is expected to be repaired and brought back to full functionality within weeks, maybe even days.
The Council of Martians is calling for support and help from sympathizers in the Sol System to their cause to unite in the efforts to repair all damaged structures, and send donations in the form of clothes, blankets, toys, respirators, pressure suits, tools, heavy machinery, and anything that can be used to ensure a quick recovery of all the damaged colonies and structures. In return, those who assist in these times of need, will be offered Martian Citizenship as well as future employment within the Mars owned industries, such as the Water Merchant Guild, Mars Farms, and the Mars Heavy Industries mining complexes. At the same time, Mars opens its doors to any and all refugees that were affected by the War and displaced from their homes and lives, offering them a new life under Mars.
In local Cocoon news, in an unexpected and very interesting move, the Morpheus Group Management (MGM) has begun leasing the XX Casino located on the Level 2 of Sector Two in Cocoon Station, right in the heart of Old Town. While such a move is not uncommon or unheard of for certain companies to do that, such moves are usually linked to struggling entities. However, there is no evidence that MGM is struggling, on the contrary, their RISE program seems to have already paid dividends by training and locating refugees under their corporate umbrella, their relationship with Luna and Governor Bancroft are better than ever, (let us remember that Cervantes Rexen, the MGM CEO was honored with the epithet "Son of Selene",) and their operations in New Vegas are also soaring. There is also conflicting information when it comes to who, or what is the XX Casino being leased to, as some sources point out to an individual and others point out to a group. MGM has not issued a statement of any kind regarding this situation at this time, but it does open the door to speculation: Is this a new commercial move by Cervantes Rexen? Could this be something more sinister than what it seems? It appears that even Cervantes Rexen's office has been moved to a different location, some if not all will remember that his office was located within the XX Casino and it made the Casino the de facto "Headquarters" of MGM on Cocoon Station, it'll be interesting to see where Cervantes Rexen's office relocates in the coming days. We will have more information on this story as it develops.
What are your opinions? Do you think SolBank pulling out from Mars due investor pressure was a right move? Does SolBank stand to lose more than they could save? Would you be looking into the Spartan, Mars's new digital currency? Would you also consider helping and/or donating to the rebuilding and recovery efforts from Mars, especially when future employment and citizenships are being offered to those who do? And what about the mysterious and sort of under the Table move that MGM appears to be doing? Is this reason for concern? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.