Metal Rain New London Atmosphere
Freighter Combat Event
Background
Harry McCarthy is a union organiser and labour activist who has been a thorn in the side of factory managers in the Stratford district on Planet New London for too long. His penchant for radicalising the workers to campaign for better pay and conditions has brought the attention of the corporate-lobbied legal apparatus upon him. Shortly afterward, McCarthy's ties to Molly terrorists were "uncovered", charges were issued, and the police moved in to arrest the "terrorist sympathiser". To their misfortune, he was not at home when they arrived, and they were not able to keep the operation under wraps before it made local news.
Protests broke out, with workers blocking the streets and refusing to start their shifts until the charges against McCarthy are dropped. A number of riot control units have been allocated to the task of suppressing them after a paid informant relayed that McCarthy is hiding among the protesters.
Meanwhile, the Mollys, though surprised to learn of their new "asset", sense an opportunity to gain influence within the planetside populace. If they can extract McCarthy before the arrest is made, they will gain sympathy from the workers protesting his arrest and have a minor, but nevertheless leading figure of the working class owe them a favour. The fact that the man himself has not asked for a rescue operation, which will inevitably be used to confirm the allegations levelled against him, has been glossed over.
Under the guise of a BMM freighter convoy, a strike team was able to enter the planet's orbit and engage with the police force that was inbound to McCarthy's location. The police have sounded an alarm, but until backup arrives, they must stand their ground with freighters intended for riot control and prisoner transport.
Event Details
This is a combat event, taking place in the New London Atmosphere at 20:00 UTC, 22nd of March 2025.
Allowed ID: Mollys, Bretonian Police Authority and their official factions, RPA and CDI.
Allowed ship classes: Freighter.
The BPA freighters will gather near the New London Landing Site docking point inside the planet's atmosphere. The Molly freighters will gather near the exit back to space from the atmosphere. Once both sides are ready, they will move towards each other and commence combat.
Standard engagement rules apply. There are no respawns. Any ship that flees from combat, leaves New London atmosphere for any reason or docks with the Landing Site is considered eliminated.
The event will end once one side has been entirely eliminated.
Despite taking the police by surprise, the Mollys were not able to overwhelm them. The riot control freighters swiftly recovered and forced a pitched battle in the skies of New London. Multiple ships were shot down on both sides, with wreckage falling on the industrial area below, causing casualties and substantial property damage. Sensing their opportunity window closing, the surviving Mollys abandoned the operation and withdrew before police reinforcements arrived.
The mangled but intact police freighters proceeded to deploy to the Stratford district and pacify the protests. Enraged by the Molly attack, the BPA officers clashed with the workers, showing little restraint and dispersing the crowd quickly and effectively. Many people were injured in these clashes, with dozens arrested, stuffed into the freighters' cargo compartments and lifted off to the police station.
McCarthy surrendered to the police in an attempt to de-escalate the violence. With him and other activists in custody, the protesting workers were left leaderless and scattered. Locked up and awaiting trial, his chances of acquittal are slim to none with the now confirmed Molly involvement in his case being investigated.
The sun rises over Stratford district, and the people go back to work among pillars of smoke and wailing fire engine sirens. Peace is restored.
