TERROR ATTACK IN ROMULAN SPACE, STARFLEET MOBILISES

Posted on Fri Oct 20, 2017 @ 8:59pm by Lieutenant Marisa Cheshire

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Federation News Network Bulletin
Timeline: MD 32

Terror. That was the scene yesterday in the city of Prisicus on the independent Romulan planet of Cassandara. Students attending the newly founded university in the city ran from the scene as men dressed in hazardous material protective equipment opened fire in the courtyard. They then proceeded to douse the campus in a yellow chemical. All those caught in the gas quickly fell to the ground.

A video was uploaded to the Romulan Extranet in the hours following the attack, a figure in the same hazmat suit the terrorists wore. "The attacks will continue until the colonies of the Independent Romulan Systems Alliance rejoin the Republic or every separatists lies dead. One way or the other, the Empire will be made whole once again."

A Romulan Republic spokesperson responded shortly after saying "Of course we are saddened by the fact that so many of our Romulan brothers and sisters feel the need to go their own way, but we would never condone such an attack. We ask that the group responsible end this misguided and horrific campaign and turn themselves over to the local authorities. We also ask the Governor of Cassandara to allow our medical ships past their boarder defence and allow us to aid in medical treatment.

Governor Linscus released a press statement earlier today regarding the attack. In it he said "My brothers and sisters, a great tragedy has befallen us. In a short moment, we lost so many of our kindred. Our hearts mourn their loss as our hands clench with rage. I want to assure our citizens that we are doing everything in our power to keep you safe and bring the culprits to quick justice.

The govenor then went on to address some of the criticisms that were coming from Republic and IRSA news outlets. "The Prisicus University was the first major step in establishing infrastructure to make the territories of the IRSA truly independent from the Republic. It was perniciously chosen by the Loyalists to undermine our efforts. Running back to the Republic for aid at the first hurdle is to invite the shadow of the fallen Star Empire to envelop us once again and quite frankly, we're not there yet. Our facilities are capable of dealing the aftermath of this attack and we're currently working with other powers in the quadrant to secure our territories."

Following the announcement the United Federation of Planets announced a care package would be sent to the colony. Starfleet has tasked the Odyssey class USS Triumphant to assist in humanitarian efforts. The declaration was expected to have a large backlash from the Conservative Party in the Federation senate, however little word has come from them on the subject. While we were unable to get a comment from Fed senate representatives, we were able to discuss the matter with the Earth Governments representative for the Pilbara, the Honourable William Cheshire (Con).

"Following Hobus our humanitarian efforts were on the Romulan people as a whole, the [Conservative] Party saw the separatist movement and the IRSA as an internal conflict within the Republic, and to interfere with it would be a violation of the Prime Directive. With the attack, it's clear that the Republic can't keep its supporters in line and the IRSAF is indeed an established independent power. Along with their request for help we are now able to consider issue outside the purview of the Prime Directive."

When asked about the fact Starfleet was tasking one of its most powerful vessels to the region, the representative had this to say "The Odyssey class has some of the most advanced medical facilities Starfleet has to offer in addition to it's weaponry. In regards to it's tactical capabilities; the IRSAF has done an admiral job of securing their territory, but they are understandably under strain with current developments. The party has been assured by Starfleet Command that no additional forces will be committed and that the mission will not establish a lasting military presence in the region."

The current death count for the attack is 317 with over 1500 individuals injured. All of us here at FNN hope for speedy resolution to the incident and a bright future for the Independent Romulan Systems Alliance.

This has been Deckard Windsor for the Federation News Network.