Spin Doctoring

Writing: David Hyatt and Brian Schoner
Additional Writing: Robert Boyle
HTML Conversion/Layout: David Hyatt

For ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Gospel of John, 8:13

In case you've developed a severe case of brain damage lately and decide to believe the official party line, remember what the media, corps and guvmint all said when Chicago got eaten by bugs. While they were feeding us lies about plague outbreaks and quarantines, people inside the Containment Zone were struggling to get the truth out. That said, here's the most eye-catching news reports I've dug up from various newsnet feeds. Read carefully, and don't spare the salt.
:: Posted by Captain Chaos on 7 February 2060 at 02:31:24 (EST) ::


KSPS CHANNEL 9-LIVE ON THE SCENE!

//BEGIN FILE//
Transcript 217, "Renraku Arcology Tragedy." December 19, 2059.

KARDOS: This is Kyla Kardos, reporting live from the Renraku arcology. Neither Lone Star nor Renraku personnel have yet made an official statement, but here are the facts as we understand them at this point. At approximately six o'clock this evening, roughly twenty-five minutes ago, the entire Renraku arcology apparently lost electrical power. Almost immediately after the lights went out, shoppers in the popular arcology mall heard the sound of automatic weapons fire.

//CUT TO: MIDDLE-AGED ELVEN WOMAN. TAG: "Sheila Pendarski/Eyewitness"//

PENDARSKI: Well, the lights went out, and I thought maybe it was some kind of show, you know? Some kind of Christmas show. And then I heard this guy yelling, you know, "Calm down, stay calm, and walk slowly to the nearest exit." He musta been a guard or something. Anyways, as I start going towards the door, I hear this, you know, banging noise from back inside the building. And I thought maybe one of the rides at FunZone was, you know, crashing or something. Then all these people started screaming, and everybody started stampeding toward the door where I was! I mean, they just shoved me out the door and kept going, and then I saw the doors starting to close, and there were still people trying to get out, you know? And I just kind of watched, thinking the doors would stop or open up again 'cause there were people in there, but they just didn't. It was weird.

//SERIES OF RAPID CUTS SHOWING WOUNDED SHOPPERS, PARAMEDICS, LONE STAR, BLOODSTAINS ON THE SIDEWALK, CLOSED ARCOLOGY DOORS, HELICOPTER WRECKAGE, ETC.//

KARDOS: Hundreds of shoppers fled the scene, and hundreds more apparently remain inside the arcology. Some victims reported hearing other strange noises in addition to the gunfire; others say they smelled chemical gas. In addition to the people injured in the panicked rush to the exits-hold on, I've just received word that Ken Barrington is standing by with an update. Ken?

//CUT TO: EXTERIOR, KEN AND A CROWD OF OTHER REPORTERS SURROUNDING THREE MEN IN UNIFORM STANDING BEHIND A PORTABLE PODIUM ON SOME KIND OF PLATFORM.//

BARRINGTON: Thank you, Kyla. Representatives of Renraku and Lone Star have just begun to brief us on the night's events. Now speaking is Captain David Stone of Renraku Security Services. Let's listen.

//CUT TO: CLOSE-UP, CAPTAIN STONE//

STONE:: ... approximately 6:02 this evening, an unknown event caused both a power outage and the subsequent triggering of the arcology's security systems. This, in turn, led to the sealing of the arcology and the activation of several defense systems. At this time, we cannot say with certainty whether the systems were activated by an actual security breach, some sort of false alarm, or by malicious activity on the part of some outside agency. We have regained control of all affected systems, and there is no further risk to anyone in or near the arcology building. The individuals inside the arcology when the doors were sealed will be released as soon as they have passed a physical examination and given us a brief statement about the incident. Any medical treatment they may require will be performed in the arcology's own hospital facilities, free of charge. Given the serious nature of this incident, the arcology will be closed to the general public for an indefinite period until we have thoroughly investigated this matter, and until all security systems have been checked and rechecked to ensure public safety.

That is the end of my prepared statement. I can now take a few of your questions ... yes, in the red there.

ROYAL (OFFSCREEN): Brad Royal, IIN. You mentioned "malicious activity on the part of an outside agency." Are you referring to terrorist activities or some sort of criminal attack on the building?

STONE: As I said, we cannot yet determine whether any outside agency was involved at all. Therefore, I can't speculate in any more detail along that line of thought. Yes, young lady.

ROSALES (OFFSCREEN): Alicia Rosales, KONG. What can you tell us about the helicopter crashes? Were those also caused by the arcology's security systems?

STONE: As far as we can tell, yes. The arcology's air defense systems were activated along with the rest of the building's security measures, and the systems apparently identified the helicopters as threats. We have not yet independently identified those craft, so we do not yet know if that identification was accurate.

WRIGHT (OFFSCREEN): Wright, Matrix News Services. The Arcology's Matrix host went off-line when the power failed, and it hasn't come back up yet. Can you address that, please?

STONE: The power outage downed the arcology's host systems. We are conducting detailed systems diagnostics and event analyses before we reconnect the arcology to the public datanets.

WRIGHT (OFFSCREEN): Can you address the reports of unusual activity in the arcology's host systems shortly before the power failure?

STONE: I haven't heard any such reports. I can't comment on that.

BARRINGTON: Ken Barrington, KSPS. The arcology is powered by several underground nuclear reactors. What caused them to fail, and is there any risk of radiation or explosion?

STONE: No risk at all. The reactors did not fail, and in fact continued to function normally during the entire incident. The power outage was apparently caused by a problem between the reactors and the rest of the arcology, but the reactors themselves are working perfectly. Yes?

MARLOWE (OFFSCREEN): Melanie Marlowe, KORO. This question is for Chief Herthel. Chief, what is Lone Star doing in response to this situation?

//PAN TO CHIEF HERTHEL OF LONE STAR//

HERTHEL: Well, the incident occurred primarily on Renraku corporate property, so it falls under their jurisdiction. We're concerned with the safety of the public now that the incident is over, and we want to make sure that the non-Renraku citizens inside are safely reunited with their families. Captain Stone and his people have been very cooperative, and we're sure this will be resolved quickly.

//PAN BACK TO STONE//

BURRIS (OFFSCREEN): Do you have any exact casualty figures? Deaths, serious injuries, that sort of thing? Um, Max Burris, FastFaxFacts.

STONE: No, Mr. Burris, but we will release that information as soon as we have it. Ms. Curry, is that-Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid that's all the time we have. Thank you. No more questions, please.

//CUT TO: CLOSE-UP, KEN//

BARRINGTON: So there you have it-some questions answered, but much more still to be learned about this tragedy. KSPS will continue to bring you the latest updates on this breaking story. This is Ken Barrington, reporting live from the Renraku arcology.

//END FILE//


//BEGIN FILE//
Transcript 242, "Christmas Without Loved Ones." December 25, 2059.

BARRINGTON: This is Ken Barrington, reporting from outside the Renraku arcology. There has been no change in the arcology's status since the shutdown. The monolithic building remains sealed, and as far as we can determine, no one has entered or left it since the evening of December 19. All telecom and Matrix communication lines into the arcology have likewise been cut off. Renraku's continued silence regarding the arcology and the people inside it has given rise to a growing sense of outrage from the Seattle community. The megacorporation has not yet provided a detailed explanation for the shutdown, and has given no indication of when the arcology will reopen. Hundreds of shoppers and tourists were inside the building when it shut its doors, and most are still missing. Their absence has cast a pall of sorrow over Christmas day for more than one local family.

//CUT TO: MIDDLE-AGED MAN. TAG: "Mitch Lawson / Wife Missing"//

LAWSON: She was only supposed to be gone for a few hours. That's all. Sarah wanted to buy a dress for her cousin in D.C. Just a short trip to the Chasma outlet and then back home. (Voice breaking.) I just want to know she's all right. I just wish someone would tell us what's going on! I can't even explain this to my kids. They don't understand why their mother wasn't here for Christmas ... I'm sorry ...

//CUT TO: KEN, OUTSIDE THE ARCOLOGY//

BARRINGTON: We tried once again to get some answers from Renraku, but they had very little to tell us.

//CUT TO: A TANNED, WELL-DRESSED YOUNG MAN. TAG: "Eric Yoichi/Renraku Media Relations Officer"//

YOICHI: You must understand that the arcology is our national headquarters, and sensitive operations are going on in it at all times. The safety of our employees, our residents and our corporate property must come first, and we're not prepared to release any information that will put that safety at risk. We are very concerned with the health and safety of everyone inside the arcology, and we are doing everything we can to get these people home to their loved ones. But the arcology is Renraku's corporate property, and we are under no obligation to discuss its condition with the media.

BARRINGTON (OFFSCREEN): Are you in contact with the people in the arcology?

YOICHI: Of course.

BARRINGTON (OFFSCREEN): Are they safe?

YOICHI: Yes. And we intend to ensure that they remain safe, which is why I can't give you any details.

//CUT TO: KEN, OUTSIDE THE ARCOLOGY//

BARRINGTON: The Seattle Transit Authority today announced that they would be reactivating the downtown monorail system, which had been temporarily shut down just two days after the sealing of the arcology. Downtown monorail service is now being re-routed around the arcology. There is no official connection between the monorail shutdown and the arcology's condition. However, a transit official speaking on condition of anonymity told KSPS about reports that a malicious computer virus had affected the arcology's systems. The transit authority was apparently concerned that the virus might spread to the monorail system. We asked Renraku officials about this story, but they refused to comment.

How long will it be before Renraku breaks its silence? Only time will tell. This is Ken Barrington, reporting from the Renraku arcology.

//END FILE//


IIN - LIVE NEWS BULLETIN!

//BEGIN TRANSCRIPT/01032060ARCARMY/ARMY ARRIVES AT ARCOLOGY//

//FOCUS ON: SIONY ECKLUND STANDING OUTSIDE THE ARCOLOGY IN THE RAIN. ARMY TROOPS ARE DISEMBARKING FROM A SWARM OF TRUCKS AND BEGINNING TO ESTABLISH A PERIMETER AROUND THE ARCOLOGY.//

ECKLUND: ... rolling ... Okay.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Siony Ecklund with the Independent Information Network. As you can see behind me, an entire division of the UCAS Army has arrived at the Renraku Arcology in downtown Seattle to deal with the ongoing crisis. The unit, under the command of Brigadier General Angela Colloton, was ordered to Seattle by President Haeffner, and is apparently taking over the arcology investigation from Renraku personnel.

//SEVERAL SOLDIERS APPROACH THE CAMERA. THE CAMERA PANS UNSTEADILY BACK AND FORTH AROUND SIONY.//

ECKLUND: News of the Army's arrival came just moments after a shocking announcement by Renraku America president Sherman Huang, who told a closed-door meeting of Seattle's United Corporate Council that the arcology had been-HEY! Let go of me, dammit!

//TWO SOLDIERS GRAB SIONY, POLITELY BUT FIRMLY; ANOTHER PULLS SIONY'S MICROPHONE FROM HER LAPEL. AS SHE IS PULLED AWAY, THE CAMERA PANS CRAZILY SKYWARD. A UNIFORMED PAIR OF LEGS IS SEEN, THEN A HAND, THEN THE SCENE GOES BLACK.//

ECKLUND (OFF-CAMERA): Ladies and gentlemen, these men are trying to-OW! I said, let me go! I'm the PRESS, dammit!

//TRANSCRIPT ENDS//


I collected the above piece from a former IIN employee who was manning the newstruck at the time. Apparently the Army jammed their frequency, so it never actually got broadcast. The employee managed to escape with the disk and is now underground. I collected rumors from several pirate-trid reports that within minutes of the incident, the UCAS Army raided and temporarily shut down IIN's Seattle offices. Within hours, Siony Ecklund had been charged with treason and deposed from her position on the United Corporation Council-she is currently "awaiting trial" under heavy lock and key at an unknown Federal prison. The Army apparently leaned on IIN hard enough to incite an internal purge. Rumor has it that several others besides Ecklund "disappeared," and that IIN now has a permanent, in-house "advisor" who wears combat boots. The UCC also saw fit to suspend IIN for an indefinite period for "severe violations of the UCC's ethical standards." The other media corps blacked out the story.
:: Posted by Captain Chaos on 7 February 2060 at 02:33:18 (EST) ::