"And now Jayli, we move to a breaking story coming in from Fondor... yes... we'd like to warn our viewers that some graphic imagery may be contained... lets go to Takos Morlin in the field.

Takos."

*Camera switches to a reporter standing on an observation deck of a space station.*

"Dan, I am here at the scene of an unfolding tragedy. A passenger liner carrying over five hundred passengers, many of them Imperial military personnel on their way home for leave, [thread=9468]exploded[/thread] right before entering hyperspace. Transport officials have not come out with a comment, so the nature of the explosion is currently unknown, however a source, speaking on a condition of anonymity, has said that "all possibilities, both intentional and accidental are being considered".

*Camera cuts to the starfield, with th ship in view.*

"This footage from Fondor's shipyard security cameras, show the vessel exploding. Again the nature of this explosion is currently unknown."

*Camera cuts back to Takos*

"Imperial officials have scheduled a preliminary press conference in approximately one hour, so we hope to gain more information then."

*Camera splits screen, with studio reporter and field reporter both in view*

"Takos, is here any evidence that this tragedy was the result of intentional action?"

"Again Dan, we're working primarily with scant evidence there has been no official comment, however there has been a rumor that the explosion was the result of a terrorist action, and that a video claiming responsibility is in the possession of Imperial officials. That is however, unconfirmed."

*Camera reverts to studio.*

"Thanks Takos. Our INS affiliates at Fondor will continue reporting on this breaking news story, and keep you updated as we receive more information.

Now, we move onto financial news, the Muunlist Exchange is up..."

Hundreds dead in Fondor explosion

A civilian transport exploded earlier today leaving the Fondor system, killing more than 500 passengers aboard and leaving White Nova Line, the vessel's operator, scrambling for answers. Imperial officials say that many of the passengers aboard the vessel were Imperial soldiers, on their way home for leave... read more

(Very subtle, Drayson. Well done.)

The Financial Post
White Nova Line: Bad hyperdrive part to blame
A hyperdrive Core Charge Regulator, like this one, was
responsible for last month's deadly explosion.

White Nova Line, operator of the ill-fated transport destroyed last month at Fondor, claiming more than 500 lives, has concluded its investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

According to company officials, the explosion was caused by a faulty Hyperdrive Core Charge Regulator. The inexpensive piece of hardware keeps track of the hyperdrive's power levels and prevents the system from engaging if there is they are above safe operating levels. An investigation by White Nova Line revealed that the regulator was erroneously transmitting incorrect information about the state of the hyperdrive system at the time of the explosion.

Normally, the system's fail-safes would catch this error. However, investigators say, the regulator was installed improperly, and likely interfered with the hyperdrive's other safety mechanisms. The passenger liner had been recently upgraded, with much of the work being done by intergalactic weapons manufacturer Belgardi, Ltd.

White Nova Line has grounded all vessels using Belgardi components as a precautionary measure. An official for White Nova Line said "we are very disappointed with the outcome of this investigation - this tragedy could have been prevented so easily." White Nova Line is expected to launch a lawsuit against Belgardi, Ltd, seeking compensation for the destroyed ship, and costs associated with the grounding and potential repair of dozens of other vessels. Inside sources say a class action suite can be expected by the families of those killed. The Empire refused comment, but a suite was quietly filed in the Imperial High Court of Justice earlier today, seeking compensation for those soldiers killed. The Empire and White Nova Line refused to say if they would pursue criminal charges of negligence on the part of Belgardi Ltd.

Stocks in Belgardi Ltd. (BGL) fell sharply and closed at a record low following the announcement.

Belgardi Fires Back
Company Leadership Challenges Claim of Negligence

In a series of statements today at the company's Pavo Prime headquarters, Seriaph Tower, major executives of intergalactic mega-corporation Belgardi Universal answered the allegations that shoddy workmanship was responsible for the recent explosion of a White Nova Line vessel over Fondor.
The tone of the news conference ran the gambit from remorseful (a moment of silence was held to honor the victims, most of whom were Imperial military members on their way home from active duty) to indigence and outrage over the allegations leveled by the investigation.

"Nothing said here today can return the dead to life, or ease the devastating pain that comes from the loss of a loved one, " said Vice President of Operations Rayard Valoris. He continued, "As a company that has experienced a similar loss (apparently referencing Belgardi security personnel lost in the skirmish with Imperial forces at Bespin), I know that only time can help remove the sting, and even then the hurt lingers. I can only say that, on behalf of myself and the entire Belgardi family, we express out solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives."

Jon Skilgri, who manages Belgardi's primary shipbuilding subsidiary Starblaze Shipping, was in a much less conciliatory mood.

"I am sorry that this incident happened, but I am angry that the White Nova Line is trying to shift the blame, and focus the attention on a scapegoat. Their commission is bogus, the results are a farce, and I can personally guarantee you that the upgrade had NOTHING to do with this incident. In fact, the upgrade was only necessary due to the pathetic state of disrepair that the White Nova line allowed their vessel to deteriorate into."

When asked if the regulator was faulty, Skilgri replied:

"I've been with this company for over a decade, and never once encountered this problem. The chances of this regulator, which is not even a complicated component, being non-functional is almost non-existent. You might as well be looking for a competent Coalition admiral... you'll find one before you find a bad regulator. The point is moot, however, because if the hyperdrive is working properly you've got no explosion. We didn't touch the hyperdrive itself- they said they were satisfied with its performance... which we all know is a bullshit line they used to mean that they weren't interested enough in the safety of their passengers to pay top credit."

Rico Belgardi, Belgardi's CEO, was no less firm, if somewhat more diplomatic in his statements.

"I'm glad to know that the Financial Post and White Nova Lines are up with current events" he joked, in reference to the fact that the company was referred to on numerous occasions as Belgardi Ltd, which was the company's formal name before a merger with Agro Inc. The merger led to the company being re-coined Belgardi Universal.

"I challenge vigorously the assertion that Belgardi is in any way at fault in this incident. Our products are of the highest quality, and our safety precautions are the industry standard. We don't rush out hundreds of new products every month, like some of our competitors, we work with proven techs and proven designs that are as reliable as they are effective. "

When a reporter mentioned that White Nova was grounding any vessels with Belgardi components, the CEO responded,

"They're doing a disservice to their customers. The vessels without that have yet to undergo our refits are barely space worthy... and those that have are the only White Nova vessel I would feel comfortable booking passage on."

Belgardi went onto assert that his company would fight any legal action with "until our fine company is vindicate of these slanderous charges" and was not seeking any settlements. He also said that the company would continue operating normally and would continue to produce the component in question, as well as honor an contract requiring its installation.

Financial analysts noted a sharp drop in Belgardi stock on several Imperial exchanges, and a minor drop in the Corporate sector, but expected the strong stance would help reverse that trend. The company, once the fastest growing corporate entity in the galaxy, has seen its growth stagnate slightly, in large part to an influx of large competitors, especially in the weapons industry. Belgardi has, however, gained market share in other ventures, including agriculture, and medicine and remains a leader in the entertainment industry.

“You hear all kinds of bullshit in the media today,” proclaims a middle aged man clad in suit and tie. His hair, slicked back in away from his tall forhead, glistens with grease in the bright stage lighting. “But what you’ve got to remember is that anyone with a dollar to defend has an agenda also.”

The man, eager in his ministrations, pulls a 8’ x 11’ rendering of a dead body. Or at least, as he explains, the remains of what used to be a body.

“This is what happens to a body when it is exposed to explosive decompression. If you include the typical reactor-based explosion typical to most starship accidents… you have to understand that the evidence left behind is minimal. Where does that leave you? Where does it leave us?”

“This man was killed in the Nova Lines explosion that occurred recently. His family has not been offered any formal compensation. No one, from either side of the blame game, has taken the time to send his wife and children a letter of remorse. He is not an Imperial soldier.”

“So you have to ask yourself who has the most to gain and then you have to take a look at who is doing what about it. Here these two mega corporations are going head to head over who is to blame for the deaths of those involved… while neither can cooperate with the other long enough to redirect some of their considerable resources away from the blame game and work on some sort of apology for the families left behind.”

“But that’s just my opinion.”



(Speakers Corner and Character - a pending TRF project in Satire, News and Media. Watch for more.)