INN articles 3132-3134 - BattleTech

365 Pages·2012·2.48 MB·English

3132 INN
Bannson Universal Unlimited Acquires DiNapoli Industries
By Alec Felsner, Republic News
06/13/3132
TANTRIL, ANKAA—In an eleventh-hour deal that has already sent ripples throughout the Republic‘s financial community,
Bannson Universal Unlimited (Republic Stock Exchange: BUU) CEO Jacob Bannson announced last evening that the DiNapoli
Industries Board of Directors had finally accepted his company‘s takeover bid for an undisclosed sum of cash and Bannson stock.
This agreement closes the door on a saga that has already lasted ten months and has drawn much public attention.
When Bannson made his first offer in September of last year, Angelo DiNapoli, chairman, CEO and founder of DiNapoli Industries
(RSE: DNI), turned him down outright. While his company showed lower-than-expected earnings in the second and third
quarters of last year, DiNapoli shrugged that off as expenses related to expanding DropShip construction lines on Ankaa and
expressed his confidence that DiNapoli Industries would successfully continue on, operating under his family vision.
That did not stop the maverick Bannson‘s quest, however. ―When he sets his sights on something, he gets it,‖ reports industry
analyst and former Bannson executive Darva Rottinger.
When a key expected deal with Republic Cartage (RSE: CTG) for the purchase of fifteen new DropShips over the course of the
next five years fell through, DiNapoli stock took a major hit. That, combined with a report from independent accounting agency
Tyler Morse indicating another quarter of lower-than-expected earnings, caused DiNapoli stock to lose more than 40 percent of
its value over the course of two weeks in October. With his own value at an all-time high, Jacob Bannson began to snatch up
DiNapoli stock in preparation for another takeover bid.
In an effort to boost its lagging sales and move extra inventory, DiNapoli offered its existing customers huge price breaks on
almost its entire line of AgroMechs. Apparently, DiNapoli‘s stockholders weren‘t impressed. Even with a projected earnings
increase in the first quarter of 3132 and an incredibly prosperous market, DiNapoli‘s stock continued its dive.
Jacob Bannson still had his eyes on the flagging company, however, and in early January made another takeover bid, this time
with the support of the majority of DiNapoli‘s stockholders. Angelo DiNapoli was still dead-set against the merger, and this time
involved the Republic Senate in the mess. Appealing to the Trade Subcommittee, DiNapoli argued that the takeover would
negatively impact trade within the Republic and would inevitably end in the loss of thousands of jobs and the virtual creation of
a monopoly within Prefecture IV—leaving Bannson holding all of the cards.
Neither the Senate nor the market would have any of it, though. Bannson and DiNapoli stock shot through the roof when news
of the renewed takeover bid hit the markets. The DiNapoli Hearings, originally scheduled to run through the end of June, lasted
only three weeks before Jacob Bannson‘s testimony won over the committee and all in attendance.
Apparently it won over DiNapoli as well. The very next day, Angelo DiNapoli withdrew his letter of opposition and began
negotiations to finalize the takeover. Yesterday, the two sealed the deal in the presence of Senator Ross Kain, chairman of the
Trade Subcommittee, at DiNapoli corporate headquarters in Tantril on Ankaa.
Founded by Angelo DiNapoli in 3110, DiNapoli Industries was the largest producer of AgroMechs within Prefecture IV, and the
fifth largest in the Republic. Additionally, its other divisions are significant builders of DropShips and heavy ground transports.
Jacob Bannson is the founder and CEO of Bannson Universal Unlimited. Organized in 3118, BUU has in its short history grown to
be the largest corporate entity headquartered within Prefecture IV. It has operations within each of the Republic‘s prefectures
and offices in every Successor State. Its various divisions produce and sell items ranging from consumer financial services to
fusion engines to DropShips throughout the Inner Sphere.
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Duke Sandoval Departs on Trade Mission
AP-HPG News Services
06/13/3132
TIKOGRAD, TIKONOV—Duke Aaron Sandoval departed today on a diplomatic mission with scheduled stops on Northwind and
Terra.
"I believe this will be one of our most fruitful tours yet," said Sandoval. Thousands cheered as he waved from a podium atop the
boarding ramp of his DropShip, Opportunity. The vessel will transport Sandoval's diplomatic entourage to a waiting JumpShip.
"Nothing is more important to the well-being of our citizenry than the growth of our Republic's economy," said Sandoval. Despite
a windstorm, his voice was clearly audible to officials, press and well-wishers gathered on the starport's landing field, thanks to
a vast array of sound- and vid-projection equipment surrounding the crowd.
"History shows that nothing is more important to the well-being of our economy than technological innovation. Our mission in
the coming weeks, and beyond, is to ensure that all the people of the Republic continue to have access to the best technology
available, and the financial benefits such developments can afford us during this time of peace," Sandoval said.
Since the formation of The Republic of the Sphere, citizen income has risen an average of 28% adjusted for inflation.
Prefect Katana Tormark, of nearby Prefecture III, watched Sandoval's departure via live HPG feed courtesy of AP-HPG News.
"Lord Governor Sandoval is one of the wealthiest citizens in the Republic," she said. Sandoval's worth cannot be determined, but
he is known to control much of his family's fortune.
"His people believe he works for their best interests," Tormark said. "Perhaps. The man owns a DropShip."
When asked to elaborate, Tormark offered a politic response, saying, "Sandoval presents himself as the citizen's advocate, but
many are concerned about the true goal of this trade trip. There is great honor in promoting the good of one's Prefecture,
especially before the good of the House to whom one is loyal. I hope that is his true mission." The Sandoval dynasty has strong
ties to House Davion.
AP-HPG News has been unable to verify the accusations alluded to by Tormark that Sandoval‘s mission promotes a Davion-
sponsored agenda. However, one high-ranking official in Prefecture IV—Sandoval's regime—seems to back up these suspicions.
"Yeah, he's a family man, through and through," said the official, who asked not to be identified and would not elaborate.
Later, when asked to respond to these allegations, Sandoval said, "My record speaks for itself." He spoke from aboard the
Opportunity. "My work fosters interstellar trade based on cooperation in key technological areas. Agreements brokered by my
administration have led to the birth of entire industries! Thousands are newly employed in excellent tech-sector jobs because of
our work."
Several technological breakthroughs in Sandoval's Prefecture have been news headlines lately, notably research based on
Professor Pierre Cormier's groundbreaking work on cryogenics.
"Everyone lives better today than even a year ago," Sandoval said. "My detractors can say what they will, but the citizens know
the truth when they watch the news on their brand-new Tri-Vid."
Sandoval's supporters have credited his administration with developing unprecedented interstellar commerce that has led to an
enhanced standard of living throughout Prefecture IV. Others credit Devlin Stone's "swords to plowshares" philosophy, which
ended centuries of war and began the current era of peace and prosperity engendered by The Republic of the Sphere.
Supporters of the latter view suggest that Sandoval is merely capitalizing on what occurred naturally when industry converted
from building machines of destruction to delivering consumer goods.
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Without the BattleMech: Stone’s Military Materiel Redemption Program 65 Years Later
by Corel Malonne, ComStar INN
06/13/3132
Sixty-five years ago, Devlin Stone promised the newly formed Republic that it could buy peace and prosperity by cashing in on
the tools of warfare. Under his Military Materiel Redemption Program, a privately owned ‘Mech, tank, or battlesuit could be
traded in against obtaining full citizenship and—often—a large piece of land or a business loan. Did he deliver on that promise?
―Of course he did,‖ says Senator Lissa Ruchenko (Nationalistic Party—Procyon). ―It was the ultimate recycling program. I‘m
proud to say that my family was an early supporter. ‗Procyon for Peace.‘ It remains a central promise of the Ruchenko Barony,
even today.‖
Devlin Stone‘s process went something like this:
First, one had to own a significant piece of Military technology, and in that age of Succession Wars and revolution far too much
destructive hardware remained in the hands of private concerns.
Second, the owner of such technology simply agreed to the MMRP value or, in some cases, bargained for a slightly better price.
At the time it was considered a positive testament to many of Stone‘s forward-thinking noble supporters, such as the
Ruchenkos, who signed on with additional incentives on top of the government‘s offer.
Third, and this was the hard part, the owner gave up forever his claim, and the claim of any descendant, on that piece of
military technology. It was to be decommissioned and, with the exception of a few machines bound for museums or the small
Republic-authorized militias, scrapped to make many of the one billion peace medals Stone awarded.
The program was open to any hardware, though it targeted BattleMechs with an efficiency never seen before by any Clan or
Inner Sphere resident. For such a (self-described) selfless act, taken for the betterment of mankind over personal glory and
riches, one became a citizen of The Republic of the Sphere. The owner was enfranchised, with the right to vote in elections and
own significant property.
―No small gift,‖ promises Senator Ruchenko, ―as those residents who have worked just as hard since that time to earn their
citizenship can testify.‖
Sebastian Myrna of the Immigrant Citizenship Coalition, a political action group committed to the rights of relocated families, is
not so sanguine. ―Yes, citizenship was—and is—a valuable commodity. It was also selectively handed out to Stone‘s chief
supporters first, and remains an elusive dream to many residents who work so hard they have no time for five years of public
service. As always, the rich and the privileged hold every advantage.‖ The ICC champions a shorter period of service and lighter
requirements for families who immigrated from outside the Sphere or for those residents who were forcibly relocated to new
worlds by Stone‘s resettlement programs. ―These people have also given much to The Republic‘s success. They were simply born
to nonmilitary traditions.‖
Such accusations of favoritism may not be without merit. Depending on a BattleMech‘s MMRP value, one could also obtain a land
grant or take a government-secured business loan.
―But consider the long-term effect,‖ asks Knight Winsom Tykes, originally of Tikonov (one of the worlds hardest hit by the
resettlement directives). ―Armies shrank, seemingly overnight. Many warriors returned to the farms from which they had
originally sprung, a true ‗swords to plowshares‘ mentality that Devlin Stone preached and predicted. In this case,‖ Sir Tykes
believes, ―the end truly justifies the means.‖
Many economists agree, especially as much of The Republic‘s economic growth can also be tied back to the Redemption
Program. Setting aside the furious rate at which new businesses sprang up (and succeeded at greater than the normal Inner
Sphere rate) due to MMRP loans, there is also the very real effect that disarmament had on the commercial sector. Some ‘Mech
production facilities went out of business, but more converted over to the production of industrial-use WorkMechs such as the
ForestryMech, AgroMech, and MinerMech. With the proliferation of such labor-saving machines The Republic knew a boom time
of over three decades, and enjoys the benefits of that growth even today.
―It is everything we asked for,‖ Senator Ruchenko asserts, ―and everything [Stone] promised.‖
Devlin Stone was many things to many people, but that he was a visionary is without serious argument even from the ICC.
Warfare is all but unknown, except as delivered through the entertainment industry. Residents and citizens of The Republic have
lived through a golden age unknown since the fall of the original Star League.
It is life without the BattleMech.
During his farewell address, Stone said, ―It was once [a MechWarrior‘s] right and responsibility to take up arms for a greater
good. We have given them the chance to lay down those arms for the same reasons.
―Righteousness has prevailed.‖
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Camelot’s Son: A profile of Damien Redburn in his second year as Exarch
By Mace O‘Ronnell, Stellar Associated
06/18/3132
What does one expect from a man who was born to great traditions in military service and historical study? Who earned his way
up the military ladder of command, from MechWarrior cadet to full Colonel of Stone‘s Liberator‘s—one of the Republic‘s most
storied units—in just seven years? Who was one of the youngest men ever knighted by Devlin Stone, the architect of peace, and
the youngest paladin the Sphere has yet seen?
Great Things
So it seems at odds with Damien Redburn‘s history that, two years into his four-year term as Exarch of the Republic, Devlin
Stone‘s handpicked successor seems more intent on maintaining the status quo than in creating a grand legacy in his own
name.
―I have to admit, I expected a great deal more,‖ said CEO Jacob Bannson, a powerful business leader based on Tybalt. ―He‘s a
watered-down version of Devlin Stone.‖
Hardly complimentary. Then again, it was in Damien Redburn‘s first six months as Exarch that he had to contend with trouble of
Bannson‘s making. Labor unions under Bannson‘s influence organized disruptive labor strikes on the world of Addicks, claiming
that the pro-Kurita bias of the local governor kept them from attaining any real collective bargaining position. They demanded
that governmental control of Addicks be shifted to nobles in Prefecture IV.
The Exarch allowed that any world mustering fifty-one percent favor could admit a vote of no confidence in their local
government and request such a change. Bannson, speaking on behalf of the unions, agreed to the terms. But too many local
businesses relied on Addicks‘ economic ties to worlds such as Ozawa and Towne, part of the economic programs instituted by
Devlin Stone, and the disgruntled unions could not muster enough support.
Exarch Redburn credited Devlin Stone‘s foresight.
Jacob Bannson obviously holds a grudge. ―We were only asking for a fair shake. There are a lot of unhappy people on Addicks,
and I‘m not sure if I can control them now.‖
Bannson is not the only business leader unhappy with the Exarch. Later in 3131 came the ComStar bid for upgrading Republic-
controlled HyperPulse Generator stations, with a number of stations to be turned over to full ComStar aegis. Considerable
pressure was brought against the Exarch to accept. Instead, he eventually ruled in favor of the Republic‘s current contract with
ComStar affiliate Stryker Productions Limited. SPL was one of the first corporations to get its start with a loan taken under the
Military Materiel Redemption Program.
Stone Again
―ComStar cannot fault Exarch Redburn for protecting Republic business interests,‖ said Precentor Olivia Palos of ComStar‘s
negotiating team. ―We can only hope he has not sold out the future for the special interest concerns of today.‖
Lord Governor Heather Jarman (Prefecture VII—Irian) is more supportive of the Exarch‘s status-quo efforts. ―Some voices just
like to shout and be heard. The Republic seems to be doing just fine. If it‘s not broke, why fix it?‖ she says, a remark that seems
aimed right at her long-time debate opponent, Lord Governor Aaron Sandoval (Prefecture IV—Tikonov).
Lord Governor Sandoval has repeatedly called on the Exarch to take a stronger hand in policy. ―[Devlin] Stone abandoned us,
and in his place left us a pale clone with no strength to meet the challenges of our changing nation. We require a man of vision.‖
Prefect Kal Radick (Prefecture IV—Tikonov), speaking on behalf of Clan Wolf descendents, is more specific in his grievances. ―If
there is an issue that demands the attention of the Exarch, it is the inequality [Wolf descendents] continue to face even after
sixty years. We have been forever treated as second-class citizens despite our contributions to the Republic. Our cultural
traditions are still met with derision and a lack of acceptance.‖
Such challenges to the Exarch‘s record are uncommon, though, as Damien Redburn is typically held up as a champion for the
regular man. Most recently, the Exarch sent legislation back to the Senate (sponsored by a supporter of Kal Radick) that would
have allowed citizens to purchase government land for the purposes of sharecropping at least half of it to non-citizen residents,
eventually helping the residents take control of their own small farms. Exarch Redburn‘s position was the very real fact that a
common resident could never earn enough to pay for the parcels, leading to a kind of permanent indentured servitude, and
those who did would receive only half value.
What is the old saying? A society is best judged by how it treats its lowest members. ―It‘s very typical of Exarch Redburn,‖ says
Lord Governor Jarman. ―The day he puts special interests ahead of the common people is the day he loses my support.‖
Exarch Damien Redburn often refers to himself as the steward of Devlin Stone‘s Republic. In fact, he has never publicly referred
to it as his Republic. Is this admirable humility, or cunning dissemblance? Exarch Redburn is capable of both, certainly. The truly
noteworthy fact is that he has applied that which is always most appropriate for the Republic of the Sphere, and not once what
might be considered more favorable for himself.
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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That may be the greatest legacy any leader can offer.
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Prefect Katana Tormark Declines Knighthood
06/18/3132
TERRA-In an astounding turn of events, Prefect Katana Tormark has declined appointment as Knight-Errant of The Republic of
the Sphere. No person so honored has ever before turned down the offer. Knight of the Sphere Carter Dylan, who had
recommended Tormark for the position, could not be reached for comment. There are 250 Knights-Errant in The Republic, one
representing each world.
"I am honored to have been nominated by the Knight Dylan," said Tormark at a formal press briefing on Ozawa. She wore a
kamishimo coat and trousers in subdued brown cotton, as well as her ceremonial katana and wakizashi swords slung from a
yellow obi (waistband). Likely because she would not sit, no one present at the briefing sat.
"To accept this honor would require me to abandon my duties as Prefect of my people, and require me to dissolve my loyalties.
The bushido code is very clear in these matters. I would expect the same from any soldier in my Prefecture."
Republic Exarch Damien Redburn held his own press conference on Terra within minutes of Tormark's refusal. "I must respect
her choice, though I regret that she has declined to serve," he said. "I, as well as countless other Republic leaders, hold Duchess
Tormark in the highest regard. Certainly I understand her concern over no longer being able to execute her duties as Prefect,
but that is only a brief appointment compared to the lifetime of prestige and honor attached to Knighthood."
A reporter at the Exarch's conference asked the Republic's leader if Tormark's refusal suggested that her loyalty to House Kurita
might be greater than her loyalty to The Republic.
"I can only comment on her spotless record of service to the Republic," Redburn said. He took a few more questions and left the
conference.
Northwind Legate Tara Campbell, contacted by AP-HPG News, was dismayed by the news. Tormark is Campbell's direct superior.
Because a Knight-Errant must renounce all loyalties to local jurisdictions as well as to the ancient Houses, many Republic
insiders wonder if Tormark's comment about "dissolv[ing] [her] loyalties" suggests that her allegiance is first and foremost to
House Kurita rather than The Republic.
"Treason?" asked Lord Governor Aaron Sandoval, briefly interviewed on the grounds of his palace. "I wouldn't use so strong a
word, but I wouldn't be surprised if her loyalty to the Republic turned out to be less than it seems."
Tormark's only comment on the accusation was, "Anyone who accuses me of treason had better be prepared to discuss their
thoughts with me in person."
© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Senator Kev Rosse Announces Discovery of New Crude Oil Resources on Addicks
Republic Geological Resources Makes Find; Boon for Industry
06/18/3132
GENEVA- Senator Kev Rosse of Prefecture Three announced today the discovery of new oil resources on Addicks. At his press
conference in Geneva he confirmed rumors that a new survey by Republic Geological Resources (Republic Stock Exchange: RGR)
had uncovered major deposits of high-grade crude oil in the western expanse of the Sparro continent. Its discovery will revitalize
industry on Addicks and the surrounding worlds.
"I can confirm that the recent survey of the mid-worlds of Prefecture Three by Republic Geological Resources has revealed
extensive deposits of high-grade crude oil on Addicks. This discovery portends a bright future for Addicks and its neighbors," he
stated with his precise enunciation. "It will ease the deployment of IndustrialMechs on Addicks, supporting both the
manufacturing process and their fuel needs." Senator Rosse went on to detail the extent of the discoveries. "It is expected that
the field will deliver 135 million liters of high-grade crude oil per day, with an estimated life span of over 200 years."
Republic Geological Resources, founded in 3098, has undertaken numerous surveys of Republic worlds, but this is the largest
and most significant find of its 34-year history. RGR administrator Beatrice Cole praised her employees‘ diligence but stressed
the difficulties that those tasked with the extraction were yet to face. "Though some parts of the field are easy to access—
indeed, oil could be extracted within months—much of the newly discovered reserve lies in contaminated land and under the
Loyd Sea. This poses a considerable, but not insoluble, problem to the companies involved in the extraction process."
Senator Rosse also announced the allocation of Republic funds to aid the development process. "After consultation with my
fellow Senators, I have authorized the release of Prefectural funds to the government of Addicks. Prefect Tormark and I spoke a
short while ago regarding her development plans and I understand negotiations are well advanced with appropriately skilled
companies. Details of the find and plans for its exploitation will be available from the prefecture headquarters on Ozawa shortly,
and also from the Republic Records Office here in Geneva."
IndustrialMechs have been used in Prefecture III for many years, but a shortage of appropriate petrochemical resources has
hindered their employment, on some worlds making them as rare as their fusion-powered siblings, BattleMechs. Addicks, like so
many worlds devastated by centuries of warfare, lost its largest employer, Johnston Industries, which left the world after many
of its factories were destroyed in the 3030s, during the Fourth Succession War. The locals, feeling abandoned, rallied their own
resources and determination to stabilize their economy and bring unemployment down. With the new discoveries, corporations
are once again descending on Addicks with the offer of jobs and opportunities.
Despite these developments, the discovery has not found universal favor. Lani Mohr of the Addicks Environmental League has
denounced The Republic's sudden interest in Addicks. "Now we have something he wants, the Exarch is suddenly interested in
our jobs? In providing us with opportunities? Where was that aid for the last 40 years? Where was our 'peace dividend'?" Though
AEL is a nonviolent group, their denouncement, together with less-measured comments from more extreme environmental
groups, have prompted the deployment of a detachment from Rosse's Spirit Cat Galaxy to safeguard the drilling site. The
Senator stressed that this was temporary measure until more appropriate safeguards could be established around the facility.

© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Burning Sky: An Immortal Classic?
by Nero L. MacLeon
06/20/3132
Settle into your seat with the biggest bag, bucket, or barrow of popped corn you can find. Easy on the drinks though, because in
any three-minute restroom run after the opening half-hour set-up you will miss at least two explosions, a few hundred rounds of
automatic weapons fire, and a close-up shot of a favorite BattleMech design. Don‘t worry about missing that moment of
character growth, though.
It isn‘t there.
This is Burning Sky, director Lawrence Kohlman‘s latest (and most successful) foray into the world of immortal warriors and
endless ammunition supplies that originally began under writer/director Mike Haufenpfahl a century ago. Technology has
improved and our taste in Tri-Vids has supposedly evolved in the last hundred years, but the plotlines and characters in this
hyperbole-driven military adventure series have not.
The story follows pretty closely the usual opening pattern: Warrior leaves military and settles down on new world that no one
realized was about to explode into violence. It‘s a modern setting, within the oh-so-fanciful ―Union of the Sphere.‖ This time our
immortal hero is drawn into a conflict that rises out of the old hatreds and rivalries which existed before ―Daniel Rock‘s grand
order‖ was imposed on these poor, defenseless people (hiding a cache of BattleMechs and unlimited small arms) who just want
the freedom to hate each other in peace.
All right, the entire conflict could have been avoided if supporters on both sides just sat down to talk with each other. So what?
The spark that sets it off is a vicious officer so conservative he makes Daoshan Liao look sympathetic. And big deal, it wraps up
in a nice neat package after the final twenty-eight-and-one-half minutes of virtually non-stop violence. Let‘s get down to what
we really care about: ‘Mechs!
Love ‘em or just like ‘em a lot, three-dimensional images of those great war machines stomping across the theater are still a
huge turn-on with audiences, enough so that Burning Sky broke all previous records for Tri-Vids set in the same milieu. Most
critics agree that there were at least eighteen different designs showcased within the space of only two hours, ten minutes.
That‘s about sixteen more than you can usually find on your average Republic planet.
Eighteen BattleMechs. Twelve minutes of footage where they walk, run and jump their way into and out of battle. Thirty-seven
separate cockpit shots. Two hundred and eight weapon discharges and about twice that many weapon hits. The detail level is so
incredible, except for the extra hits, you have to believe the hype that Kohlman shot Burning Sky on a twelve-world tour just to
locate so many varied designs. No mock-ups here; or if they are, they‘re some of the best work to be found yet out of the wizkid
operation of Jay Wise Special Effects.
What more could you want?
In an age where open warfare has been set aside, the adventurous can still live vicariously through the life of a new immortal
warrior.

© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Clan Wolf Accuses the Republic of Keeping Wolf Descendants Secondary Citizens
06/20/3132
Star Captain Katrina Ward of Clan Wolf has long criticized aspects of The Republic, but her vitriolic attack on citizenship policies
surprised even her closest allies. Speaking at a press conference today on Tikonov she claimed, "The Republic of the Sphere
deliberately set out to disenfranchise Clansmen.
―We are a martial people,‖ she continued, ―and the requirement of disarming to gain citizenship is an insult to our culture,
particularly as our arms belong to the Clan, not the individual." In a dramatic move, she drew her Makarov pistol and threw it
across the stage. "There: my warrior status is emasculated, but what do I get from it? Nothing. I have no BattleMech to
surrender in exchange for civil rights, nor do I hold land or run a major corporation. To The Republic, we Wolves are second-
class citizens despite the blood our forebears shed in the Scouring of Tamar and Vlad Ward's drive to liberate Skye. We put our
trust in Devlin Stone and have been betrayed!"
Exarch Redburn's press secretary, Ilya Moran, refuted the accusation, describing some of Colonel Ward's claims as preposterous.
"I see the Star Colonel has inherited her ancestor‘s love of rhetoric, but shows a poor appreciation for history. The Republic was
founded on the principal of equality for all, civilians and warriors alike. Turning in privately held war materiel to reduce tensions
is one method—the Military Materiel Redemption Program instituted by Devlin Stone—but it is not the only way. Service to The
Republic, though gaining less immediate results, is an honorable path to gain citizenship and the one I followed myself. While I
appreciate that some paths may not be open to former members of the Clans—all the Clans, not just Clan Wolf—they have, in
fact, an advantage with some methods of gaining citizenship. Service with the Republic Armed Forces is one such avenue, five
years of service granting a warrior citizenship, and I would have thought members of the Wolf Clan would embrace this method
wholeheartedly.‖
Khan Seth Ward of Clan Wolf refused to be drawn into the matter, though Senator Kev Rosse, a former Nova Cat MechWarrior,
issued a brief statement. "I understand Star Colonel Ward's grievances and appreciate her bravery in raising this thorny issue.
The question of citizenship is a difficult one, fraught with pitfalls and complications, and I pledge that the matter will be given a
fair hearing in the Senate at the earliest possible time." Star Colonel Ward was said to be pleased with the Senator‘s advocacy,
especially given his affiliation with a different Clan, and optimistic regarding the outcome.
It seems, however, that there is little prospect of change; the terms of the Republic Formation Treaty and the arrangement
between Vladimir Ward and Devlin Stone are clear and unambiguous. ―Every resident of The Republic has the same paths open
to them to gain citizenship,‖ reiterated Secretary Moran, ―and no one faction is singled out for special treatment or hindrance.
Devlin Stone created The Republic as an egalitarian society and we strive daily to ensure that it remains so.‖

© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.
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Earthwerks Ltd ’Mech Plant Opens ConstructionMech Division
06/20/3132
LYNCHBURG, TIKONOV-Tikonov‘s Earthwerks Ltd (TEL) opened the first phase of their new ConstructionMech division
headquarted in Lynchburg today. Chairman Ezra Marquez used an Earthwerks AgricultureMech to cut the ribbon across the
entrance to the new manufacturing plant, signifying its official opening. Becoming fully operational later this month, the division
is expected to have produced more than 500 GRD-9 Girder ConstructionMechs by year end.
In a speech at the ceremony, Marquez said that the opening symbolized the growth their ‘Mechs have helped create throughout
the Prefecture. He said, ―Having planted the seeds of good will and service to our neighbors, we are harvesting the benefits. And
we will reinvest what we have harvested in a new direction, helping to build a stronger future for our children and our children‘s
children.‖
The new direction Marquez spoke of includes new design features for the Girder model developed in an effort to set it apart from
the pack of ConstructionMechs already on the market. One promised innovation includes reverse-induction heating coils for the
welding tool, which TEL engineers claim will halve the heat buildup compared with conventional welders. Another is a more
efficient fuel injector, which engineers claim will raise the ‘Mech engine‘s efficiency to 29%, and burn fuel 12% cleaner.
Industry analysts say this could put Earthwerks on top of the ConstructionMech heap in Prefecture IV, and possibly in The
Republic. The economy around the Sphere is in its best shape in 40 years, since the decommissioning of the BattleMechs and
the end of the wartime economy under Devlin Stone‘s leadership. Last year, construction within the sphere grew so rapidly that
new equipment production barely stayed even with demand. At the same time, TEL has shown seven years of continual growth,
reporting more than 10.8 billion C-Bills in revenue last year, up from 9.4 billion the year before. Their rate of growth outpaces
even the rosy economy of the Inner Sphere.
The local economy of Lynchburg, a city of 80,000 people, is also expected to skyrocket. The manufacturing and construction
plant in Lynchburg is expected to create 9,500 new jobs in the area, and pour over 50 million C-Bills into the industrial town
over the next five years.
City councilwoman Maya Standifer said, ―Lynchburg has always welcomed partnerships with Tikonov‘s Earthwerks. They have a
proven record of working with citizens and government to create better living for everyone. We‘re inordinately satisfied with our
relationship, and feel we have much to offer one another.‖
Lynchburg was chosen from the three finalist cities for its low tax rates, trained work force, and potential for growth. City
leaders also promised nearly 20 acres of land to TEL for building.
In addition to generous government land grants, Lynchburg is already home to TEL-owned oil refinery, Synasco. Experts cite
TEL‘s choice of Lynchburg as an attempt to integrate the two, fleshing out the company‘s horizontal business strategy.
Antipollution protestors from other parts of Tikonov appeared at the opening ceremonies, but were quiet and respectful
throughout the proceedings.

© 2012 The Topps Company, Inc.