CNS - Alberta Dark Matter Storm Consumes System

[Colony News Service]

	827 AS - Alberta Dark Matter Storm Consumes System
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Alberta Dark Matter Storm Consumes System

FREEPORT 14 - The main body of the dark matter storm bearing down on the Alberta System is to arrive imminently, as forecasted by Ageira Technologies. Alberta has long been buffeted by the storm's advance waves, which brought disruption and destruction in their wake. Liberty has formally ordered its remaining citizens to evacuate, marking the end of the House's tumultuous presence in the system. The remote frontier region was originally settled by a group of Zoner colonists who founded Freeport 14 in 807 AS. The population of the system later expanded greatly in the wake of a DSE survey discovering valuable Platinum deposits, resulting in the construction of the Ontario jump gate, and the development of an Ageira research facility. This marked a turn in the system's fortunes, with Liberty taking a more direct interest in the area in order to safeguard its economic and scientific interests. Despite this, the system has been persistently dogged by conflict, with the LPI's Red Deer station being destroyed during a pirate attack in 817 AS. The Liberty Rogues and Lane Hackers have remained a pervasive threat since, with the LPI largely withdrawing and ceding security patrols to Liberty Navy flights based from Fort Severn. The combination of soaring losses to piracy and the initial waves of the encroaching dark matter storm also resulted in the abandonment of Camrose Depot and DSE's mining ambitions in the area. Securing Alberta has largely been a drain on Liberty's security budget, particularly during the years of the Gallic War when available resources were strained. It is widely believed that it was solely Ageira's influence and secretive local research programmes that prevented a premature withdrawal from the system. With the early warning of the incoming storm, Ageira's staffing was gradually wound down, culminating in the deconstruction of the Ontario gate. A mere skeleton crew remains manning Leduc Station, overseeing critical salvage works. The final transports are expected to depart for safety shortly, carrying the last consignments of Proprietary Ageira Hardware for redeployment at other corporate sites. Reports of heightened criminal activity have already been received throughout Alberta and Ontario, in what is suspected to be a final effort to profit from the evacuation. The surge in criminality has apparently been significantly assisted by the decommissioning of Fort Severn. Due to the impending arrival of the main storm surge, it is reported that Ageira has subcontracted to other Liberty corporations such as DSE and Universal to expedite the final evacuation stages. Conversely, those Zoners who have elected to stay with their Freeport have remained defiant in spite of Liberty's order to withdraw. Many of the current residents sought Alberta out as an unclaimed frontier, fleeing from Liberty's encroachment on the Pennsylvania System. They perceive the oncoming storm as a return to an isolated and self-sufficient way of life. The Freeport has committed to riding the storm out, and is attempting to fit protective Dark Matter Shielding produced at Ames Research Station. Once immersed in the storm, the Zoners hope to subsist on locally produced stores with minimal external trade or interference. Liberty has cautioned that the Synth installed biodomes are unlikely to function as the sun further dims, and that emergency rescue services would not be offered once the main storm arrives.