This is Matthias Cole, Sirius News Service. Today Freeport 11 was attacked and severely damaged. Right now I'm on board the evacuation transport with survivors.
*Matthias turned to a man sitting alone in the corner, he looked like a Zoner, and a scared one.
Who attacked you, sir? Were those Nomads? How many were attackers there?
*The zoner turned to reporter slowly... Catching air he mumbled slowly.
Nomads... yes. They attacked us.
There were three of them I think... may be four. Nobody knew, first thing we knew that our long-range radar was blown to bits. Our *BEEP* new radar we just got repaired! Station captain called "red alert". Now we had to evacuate quickly before Nomads would arrive.
While I was passing through the lobby area the station got first hit. I could hear several decks got blown out and station announcer said something about fires on upper part of the station, they must have hit the communication tower first. *BEEP*.
And then panic started. People just ran... they all ran to docking bays. It was a pure madness, I thought I would never survive this *BEEP* hell...
When I almost got to docks it got hit too. They *BEEP* seriously did not want us to get out. There were a lot of people out there. I've heard someone saying that fuel tanks beneath the station got hit too.
...they cut us out completely. That moment I just realized that we are doomed now. I could not even hear screaming people around, I could not hear a child crying, I wasn't even seeing *BEEP* panicked people all around me. I sat down on the floor and prayed to Eris.
I don't know what happened then. The shootings... just *BEEP* stopped.
Then I was told that the fuel tanks were leaking, we were just one tiny shot from all being blown to dust like so much *BEEP* BEEP* dust. They told me that the nomads left. Vanished in the air, just like that.
And... I don't know... but...
I felt something was after us... The strange feeling, I felt... hatred all around.
...
I thought we were safe here. Not anymore! I'm not coming back here, you hear me?!! This place is *BEEP*!!!
...
and... there was... (whispering)
*the Zoner was trying to say something else, but suddenly he just stopped, turned off with a blank stare*
Are you alright, sir? Sir?! Are you OK? May be we should help?
Bad... this... I don't know...
*BEEP*... Jessie, call up medic quickly! I said NOW!
On top of that rather frightening interview, the Zoners decided to release the damage report to us. The damages to the station were extremely extensive. It barely held up.
The Control Tower of the station was set fire, but little damage was done, as it was put out quickly. The Second Living Quarters, however, were completely razed, killing many Zoners. The Zoners could not evacuate, as three Docking Bay doors were crushed, and a flying bolt had stuck the other Docking Bay closed. Meanwhile, the Fuel Tanks held at the bottom of the Freeport were badly damaged. If they had been pushed any further, the entire Freeport would have been destroyed.
Outside the station, a Zoner Outcast Destroyer was badly damaged, and several other ships, including an Order fighter, were annihilated.
Meanwhile, Jinx, the protector of the Freeport, actually fled in the battle, leaving the Freeport to it's fate. Jinx was not available for comment at the time of this report.
We also remind that this is not the first incident in the area involving this far outpost of humanity and the Nomads.
...
We have just received the information that there was a faint radio signal emitting from one of the attacking ships. We are unable to decode it or read it, but apparently it is a message of some sort, perhaps even a warning. It occurred during the fighters combat, if anyone got it fully it were those pilots outside defending the station.
SNS will keep an eye on this area of space and keep you informed.
This is a rather terrified Matthias Cole, signing off.
Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
Source: Veranda Incognita, Gran Canaria
In response to the tragic attack on Freeport 11, the TAZ has dispatched several vessels with relief supplies to Omicron Delta.
The [TAZ]Malaclypse, under acting Captain Commodore Puddles, is now at Freeport 11 with Food rations, various Consumer Goods, food, and water.
The vessel [TAZ]Sylvia-23 is also present with Pharmaceuticals and the Zoners' analgesic of choice, Synth Marijuana.
While awaiting authorization to dock at Freeport 11, F-23 Sylvia deLuna sighted an immense vessel near the Station. Queries to the vessel were ignored; but its presence in Omicron Delta near a Zoner base may have interesting repercussions in the ongoing conflict between the Zoners of Freeport 11 and the Nomad fleet which seems to be attacking it for unknown reasons.
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The Temporary Autonomous Zoners will continue to aid their brethren at Freeport 11 until the Council of Zoners conclude their deliberations regarding the future defense of this beleagured Zoner outpost.
A lone figure stared out at the damaged Freeport. One of the few places his brute of a ship could dock at, and it was being attacked. The place was run by Synth Mary addicts, for the Powers sake! Who in their right minds would attack pot heads who burned the five-fronded plants in their d*mn air processors!?
Ah yes... The nomads. Or, supposedly, the not-quite-nomads. The man wasn't quite sure how that all worked out. It was hard to be a nomad and not be one at the same time... You were either one or the other. Middle ground was hard, if not impossible. And right now, this looked like the work of a nomad.
Normally, this man considered the Nomads friendly. They kept off of his back, anyway. This one, however... This one was not part of the nomads he talked with from time to time. Under his mask, the man scowled. Such destruction, wreaked on those who were one of the few that allowed him and his acolytes berth... No no no, such things could -not- be allowed.
"Helm, all ahead stop! We'll stay here for a while... I don't like free ports getting shot up. We'll have to have a talk with these... 'Nomads'..." DarkStar, was not particularly pleased with this turn of events...
This is the real true story of rock and roll; it was not about anything more then, how to live your life, as a gangster, in sartorial splendor, and turning the world into a place where normality would never return again...- Malcolm McLaren
"This is Matthias Cole, on Freeport 11. I'm here with the Zoner Marcus Freeman after the Freeport was yet again attacked and nearly destroyed.
Matthias: "Marcus, who attacked you? Was it the Nomads again?"
Marcus: "Yes... it was. The repair crews on the outside of the station were... blown off. Thankfully... most of us inside were... were in the docking bays when they hit, which is... it's oddly were the only part of the station not bombarded."
Matthias: "Can you tell us how much damage was done to the station?"
Marcus: "Th- the Communications Satellite that serves the station was completely destroyed, but not before we were able to send out a few distress calls. Our command tower was... it was badly damaged, many people died there... The fuel tanks came even closer to explosion this time, we... we think they were trying to completely destroy us. It was... it was horrible. I want to go, and never come back... it's just too dangerous..."
Matthias: "You mentioned the repair crews were blown off. How many people were out there? And what's the casualty count?"
Marcus: "It was... several volunteer repair groups. Fifteen people to a group, I think there were ten groups out there at the time. All gone, gone... gone!" *reduces to muttering*
Matthias: "Are... are you alright?"
Marcus: "Wha- Oh, yeah... And... and there were these voices... in my head... They just keep coming back..." *Shudders*
Matthias: "Umm.. How about the defenders of the station? What happened to them?"
Marcus: "Jinx and her big battleship... they ran away and abandoned us... they left us to die... The Order came... they destroyed an Osiris... and the Gunboat left us... left us to the mercy of the Nomads... And... and the Shadow Stalkers came... but then they left, they didn't even come close... the only reason we're alive is because of a Corsair patrol from Yaren..." *Sobs*
Matthias: "Please... calm down now... it's alright, it's over."
Marcus: "No it isn't. They said they'd be back... in my head... and... THEY WILL BE! The Freeport's doomed... doomed... run for your lives..."
Matthias: "Thank you. I think you should just go sit down now."
Marcus: "Doomed, doomed, dead, ran, death!"
"Well... there you have it. This.. this is Matthias Cole, signing off... And I won't be doing reports here anymore!"
"Did you hear, that, Brendan?? That Cole twit is running back to SNN Central with his tail between his legs! This is our big chance!!"
"Oh, shut up, Suzette! We nearly get blown up, and you're worried about your stupid career? Besides, I haven't heard from the Phantoms or that Seldon guy. We have nobody scheduled for our segment!"
*Sobs* "But, but... the payment is due on my condo on Curacao... "
"Look! Just go interview someone.. anyone! Get something in the can, and be ready for tonight's remote, or I. will. kill. you! And see if you can get a line on this "Madam Jinx". Go talk some girl talk with her or somethin'. See if she's as big a coward as Mattias Cole seems to be."