The End of the NLF. In Style
August 12, 29481 - Brad Talamer [Atlantean]
IRRK - Clon**** (IRRK) - July 21st - After fighting a guerilla campaign for so long against notum mining operations, it wouldn't be too hard to expect the Nanomage Liberation Front to go out with a bang. Funnily enough, they followed expectations in their final act of terrorism at the Neutral Rights Day.
For over two years, the NLF had staged acts of terrorism against all sides, and had been known for the actions of some of their more notorious members -- such as George "Gorgefodder" Parsil, who was on Most Wanted lists for both factions before his death last year. Considering anyone pro-mining or anti-Nanomage an enemy, they were at one point considered one of the most dangerous independant organisations in Rubi-Ka.
What a difference a ****-up makes.
What had been planned as a means to sabotage the cannons at the Notum Export Facility was the start of a comedy of errors which resulted in an explosion obliterating the four leaders of the NLF. According to an eyewitness, the only thing missing was a piano nearby to provide a cartoon soundtrack.
As part of the Neutral Rights Day events, the NLF held a press conference outside the facility in northern Clon****. Anyone present who had doubts of the NLF's motives were soon corrected, as the leaders made their communiqué. The main target was undoubtably Omni-Tek, who were lambasted by NLF President Carly "Nuser" Kawarau. "The policy of Omni-Tek seems to be that in stealing 'their' notum, you will end up with the sharp end of a bullet," announced Nuser. "We are merely following their example. Steal our notum and face the sharp end of our 'bullet'!".
This was soon followed up by a cry of Clan hypocrisy from Squad Commander Lukan "Bruntos" Multas - "These scoundrels of the east, have forgotten the main objective of their fight! What freedom is there left in these slaves of notum profit? The empty shells left behind are just a memory of who the leaders used to be!". The ICC was not spared either, with Major "Nyadach" Prabel exclaiming that, "All they care for is nothing but credits, at the expense of all life on this planet."
After a rallying cry of the NLF's catchphrase. "Till all are free!", the explosives were detonated. And that was when things went very wrong. Due to the position of the charges, the plasma was fired into the air by the notum cannons. The resulting shots hit a ship passing overhead, which in a case of serious bad luck, crashed near where the NLF leaders were standing. The subsequent explosion resulting from the crash and the explosive charges devastated the hill on which the NLF made its speech, instantly killing all four leaders on the spot.
Several times during the event, the crowd was attempted to be broken up by Omni-Pol forces protecting the facility, including Officer "Virta" Hendrix in a combat-ready mech. However, in light of the events at Clon**** and the fate of the NLF, Omni-Pol's threats were at best laughable after the NLF did the job for them.
Reports in the aftermath of the NLF attack conflict, with some of the leaders reported to have lacked insurance, resulting in their permenant death. However, at least two of the leaders managed to survive, albeit not completely - Nuser & Bruntos were reportedly resurrected by the insurance system without any memory of the NLF or any of its events. Whether this is due to tampering by Omni-Reform as a result of the former's arrest the previous week is unconfirmed, but it appears that the two leaders have decided to join Third Faction, a long-time friend of the NLF and a key organiser of the day's events, in their new lives.
Since welcomed in by the organisation, Third Faction's President Nohva commented in an exclusive IRRK interview that, "Their leadership has come to the realisation that they can no longer fight their oppressors alone. Many of them, including their current leader, will be setting aside their old prejudices and taking up arms along side us and their fellow neutrals. Today was a tragedy, but also an important wake up call." Acting on the loss of its leaders, Omni-Tek has started an initiative to eliminate remaining members of the NLF - However, sources into the NLF remnants reveal that they are far from over, denouncing the former leaders and going underground within the Omni & Clan ranks.
Whether the former leaders of the NLF will be pardoned by Omni-Tek & the Clans as a result of their amnesia remains to be seen. In the meantime, the demise of the Nanomage Liberation Front seems to bring in a slightly quieter time for Rubi-Ka.
Attached Images:
nlf1.jpg
nlf2.jpg
nlf3.jpg
nlf4.jpg