The shadows of the Great War continue to dance across the stars. My readers will no doubt have already heard the unfortunate news regarding the Vasudan attack on Hillross Station, a management hub for the gas mining corporation Exxon-Beckham. The GTA and the Vasudans have both identified the culprits as Hammer of Light operatives. That may be the case, but it does not change the situation in any way. This declaration accomplishes nothing besides distancing our so-called "defenders" from the problem.

Almost 50 innocent lives were lost in the attack, with many more people wounded. Most of these were freighter and station crew, but several key executives in Exxon-Beckham's corporate structure also numbered among the casualties. These are the people, no matter their rank or salary, that keep the struggling economy of Antares breathing, and the powers that be do nothing but resort to name-calling.

The situation is not entirely grim, however. Local security forces at and around Hillross Station rallied to fend off the Hammer of Light attackers. By the time GTA fighters arrived on the scene, the battle was over. Rosh Korant, Director of Operations at Exxon-Beckham, praised the quick response time of local pilots: "If it wasn't for the timely intervention of our fellow Antarians, I wouldn't be speaking to you now. This incident was a tragedy: I've lost inspiring and hard-working colleagues, and many families have lost loved ones. More than anything, these events demonstrate that we need to stand together if we're going to survive the current crisis."

Truer words have never been spoken. We have tolerated the Alliance's meddling out of a sense that we have no choice. Today's battle and the Alliance's failure to secure their own Senators have started to chip away at the myth of their military superiority. Perhaps now we can start to look for alternatives. The suffering must end.

By: Kalev Ehin
Date: 8/16/2336
kalev.ehin@gulnaranet.gta
