Johnston,
It seems that we have finally run up against the true power of our corporate opponents: their control of the media. Here are a few headlines from the Network newsfeeds that we have received recently -
TERRORISTS BRING NEUTRONIUM PRODUCTION TO A STANDSTILL - Unrest continues to plague several systems in the Badlands cluster with the start of a new wave of unprovoked attacks on corporate facilities. These attacks, mainly targeted at a number of the largest neutronium production sites, are believed to be the work of a small criminal band also responsible for the increase in pirate activity in the cluster. Production at the plants has temporarily ceased, and Maas Corporation, operators of the mines, has announced that if these attacks are allowed to continue there could be a significant rise in the price of neutronium, affecting the cost of star ship operation throughout known space.
CORPORATIONS TAKE THE BRUNT OF TERROR CAMPAIGN WHILE POLICE DO NOTHING - The recent terror campaigns conducted against corporate facilities are believed to be the responsibility of the infamous 'Marauder' gangs who have plagued the Badlands cluster recently. Millions of credits of damage has been done to numerous corporate manufacturing facilities, forcing many corporations to temporarily withdraw their presence in the cluster. Law enforcement agencies in the cluster are reported to be incapable or unwilling to deal with the situation, and in some instances reports of police collaboration with these Marauders have been received, leading to calls for intervention by Naval forces to clean up this cluster now known as the sewer of known space.
BADLANDS PIRATES HIJACK JUMP ACCELERATOR In an attack shocking in its brutality and speed, groups of pirates from the Badlands cluster have seized the Earthside terminus of the cluster's jump accelerator, situated in the Fomalhaut cluster. Angry representatives in the Gagarin Senate have called for swift and decisive action by the alliance Navy to re-take the accelerator and free the innocent citizens of the Badlands Cluster now cut off from the rest of civilisation.
THIS MADNESS MUST BE STOPPED NOW! - The recent tide of Marauder activity that has spilled out of the Badlands Cluster into Fomalhaut with the capture of the system's jump accelerator has drawn attention to the weakness of both the Alliance assembly and the high command of the Navy. Both seem hesitant to take any action against the rising tide of anarchy that has brought terror to the ordinary citizens of the Badlands, and cost several key corporations billions in damages and lost revenue. When will the powers that be wake up and realise that they are here to protect the ordinary citizens of the Alliance? How many must die before the Navy takes steps to bring these thugs to justice?
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Clearly the media lackeys of the corporations are pulling out all the stops to depict our actions in the most negative terms. Although this rubbish does not have any effect on anyone directly involved in the conflict, it worries me that public opinion in the core systems may swing central government to commit Naval forces on the side of the corporates. We must tread carefully.
Speak to you soon,
Franklyn Hoffer