By Delta Sweetwater
Special to CNS

After the events that led to the destruction of Shadow, more and more voices condemn the actions taken by the Alliance. Recently the United Systems Directorate released an official statement condemning the bombing of Shadow as a “terrible and unnecessary act of violence”. Furthermore, the USD held a press Conference on Acriobrea regarding the happenings on Shadow and presented another survivor of the nuclear apocalypse.

Lt.Col. John Collins, Officer of the United Systems Military: Ground Forces was on the surface on November 7.th and was caught in the conflict. “I was on leave and spend some of my free time on Shadow, together with a friend of mine when I saw bright flashes in the sky. I knew on the instance that it were re-entry vehicles from Orbital Weapons. We were in the center of the town and I shouted to get out asap.” Colonel Collins said.

On the question how he survived he said “I was wearing a power Armor at this time, I just had completed the refreshment training every power armor wear has to make and didn’t removed it when we landed on Shadow.

We all ran out of the town, into the direction of a river. Shortly after that the nuclear warheads detonated behind us, so we hit the deck. We later took cover in a abandon looking bunker and hid in there. 24h later we crawled back to the surface and could establish a commlink with a freighter that was in orbit and we got picked up.”

The story sounds incredible and but was certified by the Official USD Spokesperson: “We have a detailed report and we have several eyewitnesses that can certify the report and we should not forget the Data collected by the Power Armor inbuilt sensors.”

Still that raises some question: how can an Lt.Col. of an foreign power simply be take its leave on Shadow and take a stroll through the town wearing Power Armor? Was he really just with a friend, a civilian or is there more than meets the eye? And who are those eyewitnesses and what freighter picked them up after 24h?

One question could at least be answer, how the Colonel could survive the high radiation: “The PA-M45 Advanced power Armor type “Enclave” has full NBC protection for a period of at least 4 weeks if necessary” The Colonel said.

The United Systems Directorate (USD) is a unification of several star systems in the Aurora out arm, with a federal government style system which is located at Naruni Prime. The ruling bodies are the High Council and the Senate who compose the main ruling body for the separate sector administrations.

Having been neutral for a long time, this change of positions is quite a surprise and may relate in cold relations between the Alliance and the USD. At this time, the true power and potential of the USD is unknown and The Alliance has yet to react on this statement.

By  Woodrow Wilson Smith
Cortex News Service

The edge of the Splintered Rock desert was graced today by a grisly sight. The head of Charles Thomas Flux a long time resident of the Rock was found on a pole just beyond the edge of the Tarmac. His body as yet has not been located. "We will get to the bottom of this attrocity, you mark my words," Constable Vooper was ademate in his resitation of what will happen to those involve in this devistating occurance.
 
As of this posting, no body has been found. Locals say that it is traditional to strip it of all water and feed the rest to the worms.

May what ever Gods he worshiped find peace for his soul.

CNS Staff Reports

Reports that Alliance citizens have been taken into custody and held without charge in the wake of the events of November 7 remain impossible to confirm, as government officials refuse to release the name, number or location of persons in "extraordinary detention".

Now a new source of confusion and anxiety surrounds the seizure of ships and crews in the exclusion zones declared during the operations against Caliban and Shadow. In the latter case in particular, large numbers of craft and people remain unaccounted for, including cases where witnesses confirm they had escaped the areas under attack.

A military source who declined to be identified for this report told CNS that "persons remaining in the exclusion zone after the beginning of the operation were designated as enemy combatants, and will be processed to determine whether they pose a continuing threat to the security of the Alliance." This source refused to state the nature of the process, or when anxious relatives and the public can expect to learn whether missing persons are in fact in custody and where.

Relatives of missing persons have petitioned military and government officials, but report receiving no assistance. In one case, a mother whose two small children were aboard a ship bound from Shadow to Persephone cannot determine their whereabouts, or those of the ship.

"I don't know what to believe," she told our reporter. "If the military has them, wode ma, why won't they tell me? And if not, tian shaode!"

By Vooper Werribee
Splintered Rock Ning

AL RAQIS - Originally a standard docking station, the Al Raqis magistrate was able to acquire this station as non-
operational salvage. When towed into orbit over Al Raqis on 12Nov, it hardly seemed worth the effort to
renovate it. However, looks were deceiving, and a small orbital construction crew began welding and
adapting the docking port into service, delivering a pressurized environment, complete redundant airlocks,
lighting, and beacon, in record time. The Highport began operational certification in limited service on
6Dec with the activation of the beacon. The Al Raqis Highport began full commercial service on 18Dec with
the arrival and clearance of the TTW Freighter "Christine".
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By Woodrow Wilson Smith

There are many Stories from the recent events leading up to and after the destruction of Shadow Moon and Caliban. This Reporter has recently tracked down one such Story. One that shows the depth of the recent events on the local populations.

Valiant Vuckovic, the Tri V Corporate Representative to this sector recently gave us an interview and the culmunation of what happened during the attack.

"The Lady of Opportunity was docked at port 3 of Serenity Station, where the Entertainment facilities aboard were being used by Station personel and those passing through the station. Fortunately my Chief Engineer and I were aboard when the Station was hit..." he pauses looking thoughtful.

"How did you manage to save the ship?"

"Oh, my Chief Engineer was at the entry just as the station was hit, barely getting aboard before the blast. She managed to release the docking clamps just as the ship was thrown clear. We were damaged severly along the port side, and it took a few moments to get the port engine working sufficiently enough to be of any use to the colonist."

"It's said you actually flew over the Colony during the bombardment."

"Yes, several times actually but we weren't the only ship doing that. As soon as it was possible we began shuttling survivors aboard the ship. Don't mind telling you was havin a bitch of a time keepin the engines aligned well enough to stay in the air. Lady was never a great atmosphere puncher, she carries a lot of weight..."

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By Anastasia Horngold

Monday night Shindig at the Opera House! 6 pm SLT. Join the upstanding citizens of MacLaren's at the Wh...Opera House for an evening of fun. Opera House management says purchase not required [wink]. Christmas attire optional--the theme is "Red."

All citizens of the 'Verse are invited to walk through the BlueSun Corporate Grounds, and enjoy the Christmas Walk put on by BlueSun employees.

The Christmas Walk is an extravaganza you won't want to miss.

The Walk begins at the Gates of BlueSun, and goes throughout the property, culminating in a visit to Santa's Workshop.

Along the way, take time to enjoy the romantic pavillion by following "Snowflake Lane" to the scenic overlook. Or, spend some time in front of BlueSun Headquarters, where you can enjoy refreshments.

The path along "Toytown" is full of exciting new displays, and the ice rink has been specially decorated just for the Christmas Walk. Free skates available, as well as hot cocoa. Have a snowball fight. Snow has been created using shaved ice and the balls are by the toy soldiers.

Wander around, or rest under the Smiling Santa archway and watch the skaters.

Stop and rest, have some BlueSun Cocoa, and continue on, following the candlelit path to "Nativity", our display located appropriately in the BlueSun Stables.

Next, prepare for a visit to Santa's Workshop, where you may find him working - or he may be at one of our other facilities. Inside the workshop are gifts for you and your family.

The playground, dog park, pool and spa are open. However due to recent issues with crime, we ask that no children be left unattended. These areas are not part of the Christmas Walk.

Transportation to the Gates of BlueSun is provided inside Santa's Workshop.

The Walk runs now through January 15th, and is provided free of charge.