Protests Disrupt Gunderland Power Groundbreaking Ceremony 04/13/3133
INN - Interstellar News Network
CAMP MARIPOSA--Local protestors opposed to the use of nuclear fission and fusion
power disrupted the groundbreaking ceremony for PlasmaTech Enterprises’ (PTE)
new fusion-plant factory in the Gunderland province. Decrying the use of nuclear
technology, which is more commonly used in the construction of BattleMechs,
aerospace craft, and armored vehicles rather than commercial or civilian equipment,
many of the protestors from nearby Camp Mariposa declared that the PTE factory
will encourage runaway military development and make Towne a bigger target for
renegade military factions.
Police officials at Camp Mariposa, former home of the Copper Queen Mining
Corporation and decommissioned militia base, arrested five of the protesters during
the disturbance, including Patrick Dell, 19, son of former Gunderland province
Senator Richard Dell. Dell and his fellow antiwar activists allegedly assaulted PTE and
government officials at the ceremony by flinging animal carcasses and spent bullet-
shell casings at them. Police say that those arrested have also been charged with
breach of peace and cruelty to animals.
“Mr. Dell himself apparently led the disruption,” Sergeant Illyana Mustaffa told INN
reporters after the incident. “Approaching as if members of the audience, they
managed to get close enough to throw the remains of two wild animals at [PTE CEO
Charles] Romanovski, and [Camp Mariposa Governor Lorraine] Sun-Li, while several
others tossed spent shell casings that appear to have come from a variety of smaller-
caliber slug throwers. It’s not totally clear if the suspects killed the animals
themselves, and no weapons were found in their possession at the time of the arrests.”
“The warmongers of Towne must be stopped, or we are all doomed,” shouted Dell as
police led him away from the scene. “PlasmaTech will have the blood of millions on
its hands!”
The arrest of the protestors delayed the rest of the groundbreaking ceremony for
close to half an hour, but Gunderland province’s Lieutenant Governor, Valerie
Minnasota, who was also on hand for the dedication, remarked that the incident
demonstrates a disturbing trend in Towne society.
“It’s hard to believe that otherwise fine and upstanding young men and women can
behave so crudely,” said Minnasota after finishing the groundbreaking ceremony. “I
only hope that such short-sightedness isn’t indicative of the rest of Towne’s youth.”
Plans to build the Camp Mariposa factory proposed by PTE were a thorn in the side
of former Senator Dell, whose vocal opposition to the expansion of military-related
industry on Towne further estranged him from his constituency before last November’
s elections. Dell, who lives in Bella Dona, a small town 50 kilometers north of Camp
Mariposa, could not be reached for comment about either the groundbreaking or his
son’s role in the protest.
“The production of portable, affordable nuclear generators and fusion power plants is
not an inherently evil or even an inherently military matter,” said Charles Romonovski,
CEO of PTE and occasional advisor to Senator Westley Branch. “We must not forget
that as industry--both commercial and military—continues to grow on Towne, our
world will face an energy crisis of unprecedented proportions. What PTE offers will
help to address this crisis with convenient, long-lasting, safe, and reliable nuclear
power.”
But not everyone is convinced of Romonovski’s claims. Opponents of nuclear-based
power say that potential risks, particularly radiation hazards and thermal pollution,
make the use of fission- and fusion-based power unacceptably dangerous.
“Even the best safeguards can fail,” admitted Dr. Cameron Killen of the University of
Towne in Port Arthur. “This is particularly true when the technology is used in
military applications, such as BattleMech reactors and aerospace craft, which often
sustain a lot more punishment than do civilian applications. In many of the epic
clashes of the mid- to late - 31st century, for example, we saw entire formations of ’
Mechs destroyed when one ’Mech’s reactor lost containment from a lucky hit.
Another drawback of thermonuclear energy is that it can be used to produce weapons
of mass destruction, a distinct threat in an age in which central authority appears to be
failing and a number of terrorist and renegade military leaders are on the rise.”
“Even though fusion reactors of today are much more advanced and safe compared
to the nuclear reactors of, say, the 21st century, the fact remains that radiation
leakage can happen even with the best systems,” said Theresa McClaine, a member of
the political action group, Towne Against Nuclear Power. “Instances of cancer, for
example, remain higher among starship engineers, as well as MechWarriors,
aerospace craft pilots, and others who work closely with such systems.”
Despite these criticisms and protests, however, Romonovski remains determined to
press forward with PTE.
“Doom-sayers have been condemning nuclear power for centuries,” Romonovski
said. “But without it, mankind would never have reached the stars, and there would be
no Towne to speak of.”
Towne Log
+ Well, now, people! Anyone want to say what’s really on their minds about this one?
I, for one, know what those fusion plants will be built for, and it ain’t gonna be your
daddy’s AgroMech! :- Synnik
+ Oh, I don’t know, Synnik. Let me guess. Um, they could be used for emergency
power generation for hospitals. They could go into surface-to-orbit shuttles. They
could be used at the corner recharge station to fill up your electric sedan. They could
power communications satellites. They could even be used to keep the lights and life
support working on those offshore and underwater mining platforms we have all
over. Gee, I don’t know what kind of applications can be found for portable fusion
plants . . . . :- ROSmith
+ You know, sarcasm doesn’t become you, ROSmith. You and I both know damned
well that they’re going to be made for use in BattleMechs. Not to upgrade
MiningMechs. Not to power hospitals and mining platforms. BattleMechs. Our
illustrious Legate just can’t wait to throw away the rules Devlin Stone handed down
and build her own army of ’Mechs. I just wonder who’s coming to lay the smack
down on us before our grand army reaches a battalion. :- Synnik
+ Hey, I’m not saying it won’t come to that, but to assume that all nuclear tech
heralds the rise of the ’Mech is just plain stupid talk. :- ROSmith
+ So, anybody want to hazard a guess as to what old man Dell’s going to do about his
kid? I saw the vids of that little ‘incident’ they’re talking about. Man, Dell junior
looked about as personable as a rabid animal, even as the cops put him in the squad
car. :- RepMan
+ Well, seems to me that Pat Dell is just carrying on his father’s work. Senator Dell
used to bitch about PTE’s plans every chance he had till he was voted out. Hell, he’s
even the chairman for the local chapter of TANP! His son’s just the ‘radical element’
he can use when the corporate and government powers-that-be don’t heed his words.
:- FMLurder
+ You’re saying Pat Dell is just a fall guy for his dad? Dude, that’s harsh! :- RepMan
It fits, though. Doesn’t it? :- FMLurder
+ Ah, what fools these mortals be! When Devlin Stone returns, he will sort out those
who passed his tests from those who failed. For those so quick to lose faith,
judgment will be swift and terrible! :- Hop4Evr
INN - Interstellar News Network
CAMP MARIPOSA--Local protestors opposed to the use of nuclear fission and fusion
power disrupted the groundbreaking ceremony for PlasmaTech Enterprises’ (PTE)
new fusion-plant factory in the Gunderland province. Decrying the use of nuclear
technology, which is more commonly used in the construction of BattleMechs,
aerospace craft, and armored vehicles rather than commercial or civilian equipment,
many of the protestors from nearby Camp Mariposa declared that the PTE factory
will encourage runaway military development and make Towne a bigger target for
renegade military factions.
Police officials at Camp Mariposa, former home of the Copper Queen Mining
Corporation and decommissioned militia base, arrested five of the protesters during
the disturbance, including Patrick Dell, 19, son of former Gunderland province
Senator Richard Dell. Dell and his fellow antiwar activists allegedly assaulted PTE and
government officials at the ceremony by flinging animal carcasses and spent bullet-
shell casings at them. Police say that those arrested have also been charged with
breach of peace and cruelty to animals.
“Mr. Dell himself apparently led the disruption,” Sergeant Illyana Mustaffa told INN
reporters after the incident. “Approaching as if members of the audience, they
managed to get close enough to throw the remains of two wild animals at [PTE CEO
Charles] Romanovski, and [Camp Mariposa Governor Lorraine] Sun-Li, while several
others tossed spent shell casings that appear to have come from a variety of smaller-
caliber slug throwers. It’s not totally clear if the suspects killed the animals
themselves, and no weapons were found in their possession at the time of the arrests.”
“The warmongers of Towne must be stopped, or we are all doomed,” shouted Dell as
police led him away from the scene. “PlasmaTech will have the blood of millions on
its hands!”
The arrest of the protestors delayed the rest of the groundbreaking ceremony for
close to half an hour, but Gunderland province’s Lieutenant Governor, Valerie
Minnasota, who was also on hand for the dedication, remarked that the incident
demonstrates a disturbing trend in Towne society.
“It’s hard to believe that otherwise fine and upstanding young men and women can
behave so crudely,” said Minnasota after finishing the groundbreaking ceremony. “I
only hope that such short-sightedness isn’t indicative of the rest of Towne’s youth.”
Plans to build the Camp Mariposa factory proposed by PTE were a thorn in the side
of former Senator Dell, whose vocal opposition to the expansion of military-related
industry on Towne further estranged him from his constituency before last November’
s elections. Dell, who lives in Bella Dona, a small town 50 kilometers north of Camp
Mariposa, could not be reached for comment about either the groundbreaking or his
son’s role in the protest.
“The production of portable, affordable nuclear generators and fusion power plants is
not an inherently evil or even an inherently military matter,” said Charles Romonovski,
CEO of PTE and occasional advisor to Senator Westley Branch. “We must not forget
that as industry--both commercial and military—continues to grow on Towne, our
world will face an energy crisis of unprecedented proportions. What PTE offers will
help to address this crisis with convenient, long-lasting, safe, and reliable nuclear
power.”
But not everyone is convinced of Romonovski’s claims. Opponents of nuclear-based
power say that potential risks, particularly radiation hazards and thermal pollution,
make the use of fission- and fusion-based power unacceptably dangerous.
“Even the best safeguards can fail,” admitted Dr. Cameron Killen of the University of
Towne in Port Arthur. “This is particularly true when the technology is used in
military applications, such as BattleMech reactors and aerospace craft, which often
sustain a lot more punishment than do civilian applications. In many of the epic
clashes of the mid- to late - 31st century, for example, we saw entire formations of ’
Mechs destroyed when one ’Mech’s reactor lost containment from a lucky hit.
Another drawback of thermonuclear energy is that it can be used to produce weapons
of mass destruction, a distinct threat in an age in which central authority appears to be
failing and a number of terrorist and renegade military leaders are on the rise.”
“Even though fusion reactors of today are much more advanced and safe compared
to the nuclear reactors of, say, the 21st century, the fact remains that radiation
leakage can happen even with the best systems,” said Theresa McClaine, a member of
the political action group, Towne Against Nuclear Power. “Instances of cancer, for
example, remain higher among starship engineers, as well as MechWarriors,
aerospace craft pilots, and others who work closely with such systems.”
Despite these criticisms and protests, however, Romonovski remains determined to
press forward with PTE.
“Doom-sayers have been condemning nuclear power for centuries,” Romonovski
said. “But without it, mankind would never have reached the stars, and there would be
no Towne to speak of.”
Towne Log
+ Well, now, people! Anyone want to say what’s really on their minds about this one?
I, for one, know what those fusion plants will be built for, and it ain’t gonna be your
daddy’s AgroMech! :- Synnik
+ Oh, I don’t know, Synnik. Let me guess. Um, they could be used for emergency
power generation for hospitals. They could go into surface-to-orbit shuttles. They
could be used at the corner recharge station to fill up your electric sedan. They could
power communications satellites. They could even be used to keep the lights and life
support working on those offshore and underwater mining platforms we have all
over. Gee, I don’t know what kind of applications can be found for portable fusion
plants . . . . :- ROSmith
+ You know, sarcasm doesn’t become you, ROSmith. You and I both know damned
well that they’re going to be made for use in BattleMechs. Not to upgrade
MiningMechs. Not to power hospitals and mining platforms. BattleMechs. Our
illustrious Legate just can’t wait to throw away the rules Devlin Stone handed down
and build her own army of ’Mechs. I just wonder who’s coming to lay the smack
down on us before our grand army reaches a battalion. :- Synnik
+ Hey, I’m not saying it won’t come to that, but to assume that all nuclear tech
heralds the rise of the ’Mech is just plain stupid talk. :- ROSmith
+ So, anybody want to hazard a guess as to what old man Dell’s going to do about his
kid? I saw the vids of that little ‘incident’ they’re talking about. Man, Dell junior
looked about as personable as a rabid animal, even as the cops put him in the squad
car. :- RepMan
+ Well, seems to me that Pat Dell is just carrying on his father’s work. Senator Dell
used to bitch about PTE’s plans every chance he had till he was voted out. Hell, he’s
even the chairman for the local chapter of TANP! His son’s just the ‘radical element’
he can use when the corporate and government powers-that-be don’t heed his words.
:- FMLurder
+ You’re saying Pat Dell is just a fall guy for his dad? Dude, that’s harsh! :- RepMan
It fits, though. Doesn’t it? :- FMLurder
+ Ah, what fools these mortals be! When Devlin Stone returns, he will sort out those
who passed his tests from those who failed. For those so quick to lose faith,
judgment will be swift and terrible! :- Hop4Evr
| April 13, 3133 |