Towne Governor Announces "Siege... has come to an end." 11/16/3132
INN - Interstellar News Network
People of Towne this is your Governor, Renee Oscar. I am speaking to you this
evening from the Republican Assembly building from where I have watched today’s
tragic events unfold. As you have all heard by now, the protracted siege of the
ComStar HPG station here on Towne has come to an end.
At 3:15 am, Republican forces operating at my request and under the authority of
Legate Jurik moved against the terrorists holding the HPG compound. The enemy had
anticipated our resolve and had booby-trapped the southern approaches to the
compound. So, our first personnel into action were sappers whose task was to
neutralize the rebels’ defenses and pave the way for our assault troops.
On the northern side of the compound such a stealthy approach was not possible due
to the scaring caused by the car bomb the terrorists had used to gain entrance,. It was
decided, therefore, to employ one of the government’s BattleMech, a Legionnaire. It
was never our intention to use this vehicle to storm the compound but rather to
employ it to draw the terrorists’ attention away from our other preparations. The
‘Mech arrived on-station at 3:25am and the rebels immediately assumed the worst and
opened fire with rifles and light anti-tank weapons, giving lie to their prior claims to
abhor violence. The ‘Mech and its pilot were unharmed, though as many of you have
seen numerous local buildings were damaged by the assault. After this provocation,
the Legionnaire returned fire with its autocannon, though MechWarrior Parilaud
exercised extreme restraint in selecting her targets and did not pursue the rebel forces
when they retreated into the compound.
If they expected to find succor there, the rebels were sorely disappointed. Having
cleared the southern entrance of traps and sensors, Republican armored infantry used
the distraction of the Legionnaire’s approach to infiltrate the compound. Equipped
with silenced weapons, their sudden assault overran the guards and the teams fanned
out to secure the key parts of the facility. Though called upon to surrender, few of
the terrorists were willing to lay down their arms and the Hauberk-wearing Republic
troops had little choice but to use deadly force. Of the sixteen terrorists now known
to have been involved in storming the compound, eight were killed in the firefight and
three more died subsequently from their wounds. Two more are in critical condition
while the remaining three are in Republic hands. They are currently being interviewed
by the security services and are expected to stand trial for their crimes. Six Republic
troops were wounded in the operation, none fatally.
While I abhor the wasteful loss of life, I hope this demonstrates Towne’s resolve to
those who would seek to impose their beliefs and undermine the legitimate authorities.
Towne is part of the Republic of the Sphere and will remain so while any loyal to the
Republic remain. The ComStar station is an indivisible part of that whole and an attack
on the station is an attack on Towne, while an attack on Towne is an attack on the
Republic. Though they styled themselves ‘freedom fighters,’ these ‘Voice of the
Dragon’ were terrorists, no more, no less. Their bloody assault on the station and
their brutal murder of Giovan Benetti during their takeover of the compound–
something they conveniently neglected to mention in their so-called “truth broadcasts”
– demonstrated their true colors. Those of you touring the compound this afternoon
will see first hand their depredations as well as additional evidence of the terrorists’
crimes.
Though a terrible tragedy, this crisis has demonstrated the staunch spirit of Towne,
exemplified by several individuals who – though I know they deny it – are heroes of
the Republic. Ann Parilaud’s skillful ‘Mech piloting gave us a decisive edge, while
Major McInnery’s armored infantry did sterling work in securing the compound. Nor
must we forget the fallen: Josephe Connolly, Ric Liu, Lucy Adams and Giovan
Benetti. As you know, this morning I exercised my executive powers to appoint Lev
Bouzerau to succeed Sacrist Benetti as the head of the HPG station. The administrator
is currently assessing the status of the HPG and its numerous sub-systems and hopes
to report back on its status within the next few days.
INN - Interstellar News Network
People of Towne this is your Governor, Renee Oscar. I am speaking to you this
evening from the Republican Assembly building from where I have watched today’s
tragic events unfold. As you have all heard by now, the protracted siege of the
ComStar HPG station here on Towne has come to an end.
At 3:15 am, Republican forces operating at my request and under the authority of
Legate Jurik moved against the terrorists holding the HPG compound. The enemy had
anticipated our resolve and had booby-trapped the southern approaches to the
compound. So, our first personnel into action were sappers whose task was to
neutralize the rebels’ defenses and pave the way for our assault troops.
On the northern side of the compound such a stealthy approach was not possible due
to the scaring caused by the car bomb the terrorists had used to gain entrance,. It was
decided, therefore, to employ one of the government’s BattleMech, a Legionnaire. It
was never our intention to use this vehicle to storm the compound but rather to
employ it to draw the terrorists’ attention away from our other preparations. The
‘Mech arrived on-station at 3:25am and the rebels immediately assumed the worst and
opened fire with rifles and light anti-tank weapons, giving lie to their prior claims to
abhor violence. The ‘Mech and its pilot were unharmed, though as many of you have
seen numerous local buildings were damaged by the assault. After this provocation,
the Legionnaire returned fire with its autocannon, though MechWarrior Parilaud
exercised extreme restraint in selecting her targets and did not pursue the rebel forces
when they retreated into the compound.
If they expected to find succor there, the rebels were sorely disappointed. Having
cleared the southern entrance of traps and sensors, Republican armored infantry used
the distraction of the Legionnaire’s approach to infiltrate the compound. Equipped
with silenced weapons, their sudden assault overran the guards and the teams fanned
out to secure the key parts of the facility. Though called upon to surrender, few of
the terrorists were willing to lay down their arms and the Hauberk-wearing Republic
troops had little choice but to use deadly force. Of the sixteen terrorists now known
to have been involved in storming the compound, eight were killed in the firefight and
three more died subsequently from their wounds. Two more are in critical condition
while the remaining three are in Republic hands. They are currently being interviewed
by the security services and are expected to stand trial for their crimes. Six Republic
troops were wounded in the operation, none fatally.
While I abhor the wasteful loss of life, I hope this demonstrates Towne’s resolve to
those who would seek to impose their beliefs and undermine the legitimate authorities.
Towne is part of the Republic of the Sphere and will remain so while any loyal to the
Republic remain. The ComStar station is an indivisible part of that whole and an attack
on the station is an attack on Towne, while an attack on Towne is an attack on the
Republic. Though they styled themselves ‘freedom fighters,’ these ‘Voice of the
Dragon’ were terrorists, no more, no less. Their bloody assault on the station and
their brutal murder of Giovan Benetti during their takeover of the compound–
something they conveniently neglected to mention in their so-called “truth broadcasts”
– demonstrated their true colors. Those of you touring the compound this afternoon
will see first hand their depredations as well as additional evidence of the terrorists’
crimes.
Though a terrible tragedy, this crisis has demonstrated the staunch spirit of Towne,
exemplified by several individuals who – though I know they deny it – are heroes of
the Republic. Ann Parilaud’s skillful ‘Mech piloting gave us a decisive edge, while
Major McInnery’s armored infantry did sterling work in securing the compound. Nor
must we forget the fallen: Josephe Connolly, Ric Liu, Lucy Adams and Giovan
Benetti. As you know, this morning I exercised my executive powers to appoint Lev
Bouzerau to succeed Sacrist Benetti as the head of the HPG station. The administrator
is currently assessing the status of the HPG and its numerous sub-systems and hopes
to report back on its status within the next few days.
| November 16, 3132 |