Scattered reports are filtering in from many sources that the Itani Defense Forces crossed into Serco space in the early hours of the morning making what the Itani government claimed were precision planet side attacks on several "targets of strategic importance". However, UIT action news crews in the area discovered that the targets were actually several Serco refugee camps a school and a hospital. In total 17,346 Serco were killed including children. Of the dead only 11 were military personal 5 of which were medics.

The Itani government is claiming that the strikes, which they do not deny...were against actual military targets and that the IDF has never and will never target, much less kill civilians.

All evidence does however indicate that the targets of this attack were in fact civilians, which has led many people to question the Itani side of the conflict.

But thanks for making me think I was reading CNN coverage of the other IDF. I assume that this will later post an "Addendum" that notes that the "civilians" were actually living in the middle of a Serco missile base that was firing on Itani civilians. Said Addendum will be buried where nobody will read it, and be in 4 pt. font.

Is this like that one time when the Itani, believing that UIT were supplying Serco with weapons, invaded UIT territory looking for wmds but didn't find shit?
Instead they lost many good soldiers. But hey, at least they managed to kill an evil CEO, who had been good friends with them before everything went to hell.

OC: Oh lawd, post more RL situations applied to VO :)

In all fairness, everyone knows that Serco children can be picked up and used as rifles should the need arise.

"In all fairness, everyone knows that Serco children can be picked up and used as rifles should the need arise."

Well with all the implants, thats to be expected.

Such barbaric jest in the face of what could be an inexcusable act of genocide on the part of the Itani. I am an admitted pirate and even I am sickened by this display.

Now, to Mr. Reign. I am inclined to ask you as to where you acquired these news sources. I do not recall any of the current networks on Terra II or in any station reporting something which no doubt would be considered a major international incident. I peruse a great many media outlets but not a word of this is being spoken anywhere. Are you sure this is not fraudulent?

And... what is this... CNN?

while it saddens me that my brothers where murdered....bfd they where all doomed anyways

Tseng CNN is Corvus News Network

Naturally journalistic ethics and concern for their well being forbid me from revealing my sources by name. However, I can say that the sources include officials from the "Serco Medical and Maintenance Coalition" as well as Several Itani monks from the organizations..."The Brotherhood of Eo's peace" and "Eo's Brotherhood of Peace" The reports were independently confirmed by several UIT traders who were in the vicinity as well as two high ranking Itani government officials speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. One of the officials theorized that the attack is due to the suspected infiltration of the Itani Defense Forces by the "Order of Akan". When other Itani officials were asked to comment on the infiltration, which allegedly goes to the highest ranks of the IDF...most simply replied "no comment". However, one high ranking IDF suggested a personal meeting in the Edras system.

Earlier today one of our intrepid reporters was reported missing in the Edras system. Scans and searches of the system revealed wreckage from a UIT EC-89 news ship. Several traders and pirates in the area confirmed that there had been weapons fire in the vicinity.

Thus far we have been unable to locate the pilot or the ships black box. We are continuing the the search with the help the UPK, though most feel it is unlikely the reporter in question survived the attack.

Our heart felt hopes and prayers go out to the family and friends of the pilot and our thanks to all those engaged in the search.

OOC: I tried to twist Weak Links arm a few times about giving us Akanese faction.
Alas... his force is still strong and he still resists.

Submit Incarnate, submit!

ryan reign: I don't believe this. The Itani are an honorable nation. They would never do anything like this. Neither would the Order of Akan. You are an admitted serco lover so anything you say is biased. Unless "proof" comes from a respected member of a neutral guild i will doubt this information.

Bess as a self proclaimed loyal "Akanese" I would expect nothing more than your denial of these factual events, which if history is any indicator...will continue to happen.

On a personal note, did you ever wonder why my loyalties shifted from the Itani to the honorable and proud Serco? It is not that all Itani are bad or even war criminals but, time and time again the Itani government has sat idle while The Order of Akan has committed war crimes against the Serco. The evidence of the Akanese infiltration of the IDF is all about one only need open their eyes and look, though I'm certain that a loyal "Akanese" such as yourself would deny the evidence as quickly as you would deny the Order of Akan's ultimate goal of genocide against the Serco.

In fact, I should thank you. A loyal Akanese such as yourself denying such events...

In response to earlier reports of what several Serco agencies are calling the "largest massacre of Serco civilians in recent memory", SkyCommand today authorized a show of force against Itani targets in the Deneb System, as well as shows of force throughout grey-space against Itani related corporations.

Admiral Kopis "Halsey" Gilman, spokesman for SkyCommand Operations, held a press conference today, condemning the attacks and calling for increased international cooperation to end what he called the "Itani imperialist aggression."

----Transmission of Adm. Gilman's press-conference----
"As most of you know, today is a day of sorrow and mourning for the Serco people. As many of you have heard rumors, I will present the facts of what has occurred in the last few hours.
This morning, while most of you slept, Itani raiders, claiming allegiance to the Itani Defense Force launched several simultaneous attacks inside our borders. These attacks that the IDF claim were against legitimate targets instead targeted several refugee camps, including a school and hospital area. These blatant attacks on unarmed civilians has resulted in over 17,000 fatalities, and an as-of-yet unknown number of injuries.

In response to this, SkyCommand is authorizing the deployment of military resources to all theaters of engagement.
The SMV Nemesis, and her strike force will accompany the SMV Sentinel and her battle group to Deneb, where they will make a show of force against Itani interests in the region.
Additionally, SkyCommand has authorized the deployment of the SMV Abominable, her battle group, as well as elements from the 475th Vulture, 293rd SCP, and 6712th Warthog to conduct joint shows of force in grey-space against several stations suspected of being used as smuggling hubs supplying IDF raiders with weapons.

I tell the people of the Dominion now, that we WILL NOT stand for this Itani imperialist aggression against the civilian population. We will not rest until the murderers and those that aided them are brought to justice. I swear to the people of the Dominion, that there is no man, no navy, and no Itani papal army that will stop the forces of the Serco Dominion from exacting justice for our people."
----End Transmission----

At this time, CNN reporters embedded in Serco territory report that elements of the Serco Military, as well as several specialized units have been recalled from military leave, and are, as we speak, being prepared for launch into a major military offensive.

It has also been reported that SkyCommand has issued emergency orders activating several reserve battle-groups, and for the recommissioning of several mothballed cruisers.

Itani Defense Force leadership refused to comment for this story, and it remains to be seen if cooler heads will prevail in this crisis before war becomes the only answer.

[Here is where I hijack this thread for some RP commentary of my own]

Verasi System: Sector O-7
Verasi Crossroads: 2130 Hours

"Vice Admiral Essec, sir. I regret to report that we've found no trace of the missing pilot, nor the Economy Class transport's black box."

"At ease Commodore," replied the Vice Admiral, sitting behind his splintery authentic wooden desk. "You know as well as I that sending the Verasi Guard out combing Edras was just for show; if we didn't find them in the debris already, then they had to have been taken."

"Indeed." returned the Commodore. "I took the liberty of contacting Commander Fletholm to see if he could help us figure out who..."

"Any luck, de Blanc?" inquired Essec, cutting his adjutant off.

"He told me that he would 'look into it', sir." the Commodore, de Blanc, responded.

"In other words, he doesn't have a clue." Essec scratched his mullet in an exasperated manner. "Hardly surprising. Whoever did this was thorough enough to take the pilot and the black box; its unlikely that they'd neglect to cover their tracks."

"Probably the Akaneese." de Blanc mused. "Capping a pilot associated with a newsgroup who reported some unfavorable news seems like the sort of overreactive response they'd do."

"The real irony is that that newsgroup, if you can call them that, doesn't know how bad it really is out there." Essec said, standing and moving towards the window, glass of whiskey in-hand. "The Serco locate a great deal of their civilian population in military installations so that every time some gung-ho IDF commander works up the nerve to mount a counter-attack against the Serco invaders, they inadvertently take down a bunch of non-military personnel along with their targets."

The Vice Admiral let out a long sigh.

"After fighting this war for generations, they have to manufacture new reasons to keep their ancient blood-feud alive. Because if they ever stopped fighting an external foe, they'd turn inwards and cannibalize themselves. Its why we know that if they ever won this war, they'd turn on us."

He took a long pause as he looked out the window, watching the ships fly by lazily as he contemplated.

"Of course, the Itani are hardly innocent. Besides starting this whole bloody war on Terra Secondus--I refuse to call it 'Serco Prime' like those narcissistic toasters do--they're more than happy to sit idly by while those Akaneese terrorists commit atrocities that far eclipse those of the Dominion. And yet, in the name of pacifism, they refuse to protect their own people as they're being butchered daily. Hypocrites."

After swiftly quaffing his beverage, he turned to de Blanc, who still stood to attention, as if he were a statue.

"And as for us, we've got the blood of billions on our hands for perpetuating this war; for maintaining that God-damned MAD doctrine. We're so scared to stop this. We know how dependent our economy has become on war-profits, and we're terrified of another series of corporate wars. And we know that no matter who wins in the end, Serco or Akaneese, we're next on the chopping block. On top of that, add the bureaucracy and corruption in the Senate preventing us from taking proper action against the Corvus Syndicate or the Hive..."

Essec hung his head, as though ashamed.

"...I feel so helpless."

"Tenrigan," de Blanc replied informally, addressing the Vice Admiral by his first name to get his attention. "I don't think there's a single officer in the corps who feels any different."

"I suppose thats true." Essec smiled wryly. "But enough of listening to my ranting. Run along now, Edward; I'll finish the paperwork. Dismissed."

[PS--the reference to Whytee's character is completely unsolicited. I just thought that it'd be cool to mention him. -_o]

This just in. The body of the missing UIT Action News journalist has been recovered in the Jallik, Edras, Eo, Deneb and Cantus systems. Out of respect for our fallen brothers family we will not go into details about his death or the obvious torture he was subjected to.

There will be a closed casket memorial service in Dau K-10 from 10am to 10pm tomorrow.

We here at UIT Action News are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our most beloved journalists but, we may at least take some comfort in the fact that he died following his dream and doing what he loved, pursuing the truth.

Anyone with information regarding the un-recovered portions of his body...(including internal organs and the top five layers of his skin)...is asked to contact UIT Action News.

The ball bounced off the wall in tandem with the sentences spit out by the commander of the UIT intelligence network, following his mood with a slight increase in force every time he threw it.

"And so de Blanc asks me if I know anything about it,"

The ball took a particularly hard bounce and something dropped off the wall with a clatter on the other side of the wall.

"leaving me to stand like a complete fool for not knowing what the HELL is going on and having to resort to "I'll look into it" like some goddamned clerk."

The ball was tossed even harder and this time bounced over Commander Fletholm and right into the lap of Captain Slainthel who was sitting on the edge of his seat. He was visibly nervous and hurried to start his explanation.

"Sir, we didn't have anything solid to go with. The attack was conducted according to standard Itani military practice, using standard ships and with no casualties to the attackers. We assumed that it was an IDF mission that had run afoul of bad inteligence."

Fletholm ran a beefy hand through his already scarce hair, a signal to his officers to stop speaking.

"Assume. Makes an Ass out of you and me. Tell me we have something or get the hell out and find it."

"Sir I believe that we may have an eyewitness account of the matter Sir. A local reporter from a small local news network called UIT Action News was covering the annual "Ms Olga-lookalike" contest and was on-planet while the attacks took place. Unfortunately this journalist is now missing."

"Very well, I want all resources put into this Slain, we cannot afford yet another incident where either Serco or Itani thinks we are taking sides. The MAD agreement must be upheld at all costs. Dismissed."

Fletholm sat still while Slainthel exited in a hurry. He then started calling his various contacts to see what he could figure out. Combined they might just figure it out.

###

The Marauder class survey vessel entered Deneb on its last leg of the mission to recover the UIT pilot that had been missing since yesterday. It was showing registration with BioCom, a faction respected by both warring nations and thus granted a certain amount of immunity while not attracting attention. The powerfull search beacon started sweeping the sector for organic matter while the crew of two scanned across the spectrum for anything else. The beacon quickly found the small organic clump of matter that floated some 489 kilometres from the standard jump entry point and started bosting to intercept it. Hopefully this would be the last of the remains of the journalist they had been tasked to find. All hope of finding him alive had been smashed when they found his throat and neck floating in Edras space and now it was merely the grizzly task of finding enough of him to ensure he could be buried properly. A small piece of metal returned the radar energy and the crew ensured that the Marauder intercepted it as well. It might just be a piece of battle debris from a previous engagement, it may be something important. They would never know as the hold was sealed against tampering.

Securing the organic matter they started the long trek hom to Dau to deliver their findings to the UIT military and a well deserved rest.

###

Commander Fletholm was in a bad mood. The top brass had decided to put all of UPK on full alert following a general call to arms in the Serco military. The tension on the border was so think you could cut it into slices. And on top of that he had nothing, nada, absolutely buttkiss. If only he could figure out who did this and find proof of it, he could defuse the situation. Too many rumours were flying around; The Akanese did it as part of their plan to exterminate all Serco, The Serco did it themselves to have an excuse for attacking Itani space, UIT did it to make sure that the Serco and Itani bought more warmaterial, TGFT had done it to protect some special trade secrets, etc., etc. While most of it was preposterous, it was hard to disprove. He needed a clue, something, anything. The door opened and Eggert peeked in.

"This better be good,"

Commander Fletholm rumbled but knew that it probably would. Eggert didn't let him down very often after all. And the grin on his face said it all.

"You won't believe what the salvage Maud found Sir."

"And I am not going to start guessing now. Tell me and get it over with."

Eggert grinned even more, he liked it when the commander was pissed off at someone or something. That was usually when stuff happened.

"The salvage ship found this small piece of metal that looks to be from a necklace. It has one word on it."

Fletholm frowned and leaned back in his chair while holding his hand out and making a rolling motion to imply that Eggert should go on.

"It says Yarina Sir."

"Why am I not jumping around filled with ecstacy right now Egg?"

Eggert grinned some more and moved inside closing the door behind him.

" Sorry Sir, I keep forgetting that not everyone are as deeply into the Itani as I am. Right, Yarina was the name of the Akanese sleeper agent in project Omega. She died while the attacks on the station occured, remember? Good, now, we have been puzzled to figure out why the Itani wanted to attack that place of all the places they could have. Turns out, and this is the beauty Sir, that the place were a breeding creche and that this particular creche had raised among a lot of others, one particular person who would later come to work for the Serco Diplomatic Service."

Fletholm leaned forward and uttered one word.

"Asteroth!"

"Correct Sir. Looks like the creche was the main target for the attack Sir, thus the large amount of civillian casualties. And I think it is fairly safe to say that with these facts we can assume that the Akanese were behind this as a vengeance action directly aimed at the Diplomatic Service."

Fletholm nodded and relaxed slightly.

"Good, good. You know what I say about assuming but I'll buy this one. Now scuttle, I have confidential calls to make."

Eggert made a mock salute and got out of the office. As soon as he had closed the door Fletholm punched a number he knew by heart.

"Commodore de Blanc? I have something for you..."

I hang out in grey so i have no idea whats happening near Deneb. But i can't belive this fiction.

Genocide by the Itani keeps coming up, but i fail to see why. The Order of Akan has only been about protecting the Itani people for centuries. To my knowledge the Order has taken no action against serco, especially civilians, since Akan was alive, except when a direct threat was made against the Itani nation and its people. If the serco can be forgiven for an (or two) attempted genocide planed and supported by its LEADERS. Then I feel the Itani should be forgiven for killing a few Serco centuries ago. And remember the crime was committed by the a small section if the Itani and not supported by its leaders. The serco leaders and its people thought us dead and were proud.

If the report is true, I think the serco (scum) probably staged the attack themselves for some sympathy. And why would there be "innocent" civilians at a military base anyway? Do the serco use their own people as human shields so they won't be attacked?

Remember Deneb is Itani space. The serco routinely enter our space to wage war daily. Do you see hostile Itani in GR? Just get your facts straight and remember who is trying to invade who.

We at the Corvus News Network would like to state that the use of our registered trademark CNN® brand by others without compensation is illegal and will result in serious legal action against such parties that utilize our registered trademarked CNN® name without prior compensation or mutually agreed-upon contract.

And if anyone has seen our missing anchorwoman, Sally Koshuni, please alert our missing-persons response team at Odia M-14. She has been missing for some time now, and our newsgathering efforts have suffered greatly.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

P.S. UIT Action News is a bunch of newbish hacks - and you call yourselves journalists.

OOC:

Pa-twing. No more baiting vIsitor:)

Feel free to use the good Commander and everyone else if you feel like it:) Tis why they were made after all.

OMG the tani women are going to eat my children..... (take that anyway you want :P)