Demise

[Boss]

Sirius
News
Network
Unknown Forces Defeat Terrorist Plot
Tracy Chapman LIVE

"Early yesterday morning we received word from an anonymous source that a pair of men were in the process of bombing Pueblo Station to extort Ageira. While nothing is known about them, what is known is that their cobbled-together fusion core bombs were all too real. We go live to our reporter at Ageira Headquarters, Dean Henderson. Dean, what do we know about these bombs?"

"Well, Tracy, it's clear that they were devised by persons who knew what they were doing. The only video we have of the devices or of the attackers was received on this terminal here when the extortionists made their threat."

An image of a complicated-looking device appeared on-screen

"This is the closest match that data miners can locate, a Kishiro-built jKzpT-44 self-calibrating fusion core. The actual devices had a complicated device affixed to the side, however, that apparently acted as both a timing device and as a calibration disruptor."

"So what does that mean, exactly. What is a 'calibration disruptor'?"

"It means, Tracy, that it tricks the calibration circuits into thinking it's out of equilibrium, when in fact it's running fine. It corrects the issue, but since it's got false data, the reaction going on inside reaches a critical point, at which the contents of the core burn their way out and detonate once they come in contact with an appropriate material."

"What sort of appropriate material?"

"It depends on the fuel used in the core, but with a jKzpT-44, it's a common alloy of Beryllium and Niobium. Pueblo happens to be armored with this alloy."

"So if they hadn't been deactivated in time..."

"Pueblo Station would have been annihilated."

"Thank you, Dean. Next we have an analyst from Ageira, who has asked that we not disclose his name. Tell us, sir, do you know who stopped this attack?"

An obviously modulated voice speaks next.

"No. As I've stated before, the hole in the hub is nothing more than a random asteroid strike that got through the shields while they were disrupted. Whoever saved the station was already on-board, and is either currently in protective custody along with the rest of the station's crew, or departed some time before recovery crews reached Pueblo. That's all I am permitted to say at this time."

"Do you know how the terrorists got aboard the station in the first place?"

"No. I really can't say more at this time."

"But sir, what about the rumors of missing stores? A-and where did the fusion cores go?"

"Ms. Chapman, I am not permitted to say any more. Good day."

"Wait! What about the unconfirmed reports of a gun..."

The feed went black

"...boat. Right. I see. Well, thank you anyways. As always, I'm Tracy Chapman for Sirius News Network, bringing you the first, the best, and the latest news!"

************

The executive behind the analyst held a comm unit to his ear. "Get me Admiral Hale. I have a feeling he'll want to see the rest of this recording..."