817 A.S. - Earlier today, the Prime Minister's office confirmed rumors of an attack on the HMS Whitehall, which was carrying Prime Minister Mountbatten back from a diplomatic conference in Liberty. The attack was believed to have been carried out by a pair of independent Corsair pirates who were not connected to any known major Corsair faction.

Despite taking heavy fire, the Whitehall was able to escape from the pirates with only minimal damage, and is presently undergoing repairs at a secure BAF facility. Prime Minister Mountbatten himself is unharmed. The escorting fighter, piloted by BAF Ensign Austin Goodman, was destroyed in the fighting, but the Ensign's escape pod was retrieved, and he is also unharmed. BAF and third party reports indicate that Ensign Goodman's brave resistance was what allowed the Prime Minister to escape the firefight and make it to saftey.

While it is believed that this was an attack of opportunity, rather than a planned assault on the Prime Minister, the BAF continues to investigate the details of the attack. BBC will follow this story as it develops.