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Chaos hit the streets of Freyholm yesterday leaving fourteen people dead and 83 injured in the crush of people trying to leave the city. This panic followed Capital News announcing the latest shocking plot by the Valhalla First extremists.
Jussi Pakkarinen, one of Valhalla First's official spokespeople, announced that VF has equipped a large asteroid with thrust and guidance systems. Unless their demands are met within one month the asteroid will be launched at Valhalla itself. When asked to justify this extreme measure, Mr Pakkarinen said "We would rather rebuild from ruins than endure further corruption of Valhalla's proud heritage at the hands of the off-world tyrants."
A spokesperson for the Valhalla Military said "We take this threat very seriously. An inert asteroid would be very difficult to spot until it entered near space, and by then it may be too late to stop it."
However, after an emergency session was called last night, the Valhalla Senate announced that they are sure that this latest VF threat is only a bluff and there is nothing to worry about. Sadly, this cruel deception has left many families diminished this evening, and the Valhalla Herald can only add its voice to all those calling for the government to bring these terrorists to justice with all haste.
Ten more senators have publicly announced that they will support a vote for a referendum on the future independence of Valhalla. The referendum now has over 100 vocal supporters, but political analysts still think that a vote could go either way. One opponent of the referendum, Senator Mary Hargreaves, commented: "We do not want people being forced to vote at gunpoint. I will not support a referendum until Valhalla First agrees to a cease-fire."
Senator Jurgen Follie has resigned after allegations of bribery.
Jurgen Follie's frequent calls for a quick and peaceful settlement of the recent troubles had led to his fellow senators referring to him as the "Voice of Peace". However, a darker side to ex-Senator Follie's calls for negotiation has now been revealed.
Our sister paper, the Valhalla Informer, has revealed damning evidence that Mr Follie had knowingly accepted funds from Valhalla First to rig the negotiations in their favour. Although we must await the result of the official investigation now underway, we can all draw our own conclusions as to why Mr Follie chose to resign rather than face the evidence. The resignation of Mr Follie will no doubt lead to many Senators to rethink their allegiance to what come to be known as the "Peace Party".
The stockmarket has had a very unsteady 24 hours after the extraordinary general meeting of the Easter Shareholders placed an embargo on all Valhallan exports. Easter, as Valhalla's daughter planet, has long been one of our strongest trade allies and the embargo will cause serious financial difficulties for many of Valhalla's leading companies. A spokesperson for The Easter Shareholders announced "The embargo will remain in place until Valhalla settles its problems at the negotiating table rather than at gun point."
Vanir Starport, Valhalla's largest spaceport, has announced that it will be at least three months before they can re-open their gates to commercial traffic. Vanir Starport was forced to close eight days ago after a computer virus destroyed the Customs and Excise database there. Vanir Starport normally accounts for 20% of Valhalla's freight trade, but it cannot function without the C&E database. Although all ships now en-route can be safely landed, it will stretch the remaining starports to their utmost capacity. A new group calling itself the Valhalla Independence Army has claimed responsibility for the virus which destroyed the computer system, though C&E have refused to comment on this.
A government report has accused the Pegasus based Digital Dreams multimedia company of transmitting subliminal messages in their multimedia products. A government psychologist announced that the messages discovered could easily promote stress, insecurity and paranoid tendencies. Anyone who has purchased anything from Digital Dreams in recent months is urged to contact their local health council who will arrange for a free psychometric testing to ensure that they have not been affected by these buried messages.
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The Crown-Prince of Crusade will be celebrating the anniversary of his investiture on the 21st of April. Mercenaries are wanted to augment his Ceremonial Guard for the duration of the month long celebrations. Offered pay of 4,000 9SC, no bonuses. Merc Bureau mission risk assessment: Zero risk. Contact: prince.charming#crusade.starnet
Valhalla News needs reporters to cover the Valhalla First uprising. We will pay you 1000 9SC for each minute of air-time we use from your story. Contact: newstuff#valnews.com.valhalla
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Our regular look at companies and organisations making the news today.
Anyone who has been on Valhalla in recent weeks would have to have been living as a hermit not to have heard of Valhalla First.
Believed to have been formed as long ago as 279 AI, they have recently been so active as to have been described, by sources close to the Future Party leadership as the biggest threat to their re-election.
They believe, according to their spokespeople, that Valhalla should be truly independent, and cut all ties with all off-world governments and companies. They choose to use the tactics of terror to make sure that this dream comes true.
Valhalla First has had periods of great activity in the past, but little to compare with recent events. The changes seem to have occurred during the early part of the year, as the lead up to this years election has begun. Rumours that VF was going to become more active started in early January, believed to be connected with a change of leadership. This was put down by government commentators as scaremongering. This seemed to be the case, as the weeks passed, and there were no incidents of any kind.
Then, on 15th February, without warning, they struck at Trojan Medical Corporation, a large off-world company, causing very serious damage estimated at millions of credits. At the same time, a military drone, on loan to the Valhalla government from the Star Kingdom of Pegasus, was shot down, and not recovered.
Military analysts have suggested that the shooting down of the drone indicated that Valhalla First had stepped up the level of their arsenal. On the 19th, they destroyed three rail bridges, leading to a large industrial complex, where several off-world companies were based.
The companies concerned requested permission to send in their own security forces to defend their installations. The government refused these demands, knowing that public opinion would not like an influx of off-world troops. They did agree, however, to put a number of their own troops at the disposal of the corporations, to improve their security.
As a direct result, VF launched a strike against a military base, near the off-world industrial zone. The skeleton staff of the bases could not hold off the attackers, and 17 military were killed. A sizeable amount of personnel weaponry was stolen, along with three grav-tanks.
In response, the government announces, a few days later that Mercenaries will be hired, to reinforce government troops.
On 3rd March, a Valhallan arms supplier, Telluras Weaponry, was linked, in an article in the Valhalla Informer, with Valhalla First. The government announced that all arms sales to non-governmental organisations must cease.
9th March. A VF force, attacking a military base, is defeated. 4 VF terrorists are killed, and 27 captured. They appeared to be low on ammunition. A government spokesman stated that 'Valhalla First is on the run'.
Yesterday, Valhalla First announced that they have an asteroid, poised to tumble onto Valhalla, if their demands are not met. Military analysts are speculating that despite the weaponry that they gained in their attacks, their resources are getting low, and they are getting desperate. Tales of an asteroid are not widely believed in official circles. Not On the record.
From recent news reports, it seems like Valhalla First is truly on the run. However, we have seen this before, and they have always returned to the bullet and laser. As always, only time will tell.
Watch your local stockists for more news, in the Valhalla Herald, and Valhalla Informer.
More news from Valhalla Herald: 23 Feb 297 - 9 Mar 297 - 19 May 297 - 25 Jul 297 - 27 Jul 297