Third Faction stage protest inside Omni-1 bar.
May 20, 29482 - Lisa Corahnay [Atlantean]
Omni-1 Entertainment (IRRK) – 20th April – The neutral organisation, Third Faction, are seriously reprimanded by Omni-Pol for staging an ‘occupation’ of Omni-Tek social premises in attempt to gain sympathy for the situation in Borealis. Investigation draws questions into Third Faction’s possible affiliations with militant clans and rumours of the engineer, Retoolkit.
On a typical day in Borealis it’s loud. The hubbub of the general people traffic provides an ambient background for the shouts of traders and occasional clash of metal as duels turn so easily into small riots. This day seemed no different at first as I headed into the city to investigate a tip-off that a group of people in red armour were causing some kind of disruption. I was half expecting to teleport into the middle of a battlefield and to have to step over bodies to get a glimpse of Red Freedom soldiers. But fortunately that wasn’t the case. I strolled around for a couple of minutes, hearing the occasional garbled shout and was wondering if I’d been misinformed, when suddenly I was all but trampled by a scarlet stampede that rounded the corner in front of me. This wasn’t Red Freedom, this was Third Faction.
As I struggled to keep up with the fast paced and noisy group as they made their way out of Borealis and into Omni territory. My questions weren’t getting answered by the determined crowd, but what I did learn was that they were not happy about the occupation of Borealis (No surprise there), they appeared to be being led a woman who was taking them deep into Omni towns, all the while shouting the usual things you’d hear at a ‘Free Borealis’ protest and yes, their armour did indeed appear to be very similar to that of Red Freedom. Curious.
The Omni-Tek employees we passed were obviously not happy with the protest being brought so close to their homes but at this point no one seemed very eager to escalate the tension. Things soon took on a different tone. The shouts for freedom became something altogether different, taking on a vengeful air as the procession turned into the Entertainment district. “Let’s see how you like being occupied!” I heard someone shout. It soon became apparent that this was slightly more than a peaceful protest, this was a small invasion; of the Rompa bar.
Sparks flew as the bar was declared Neutral Territory. And, as expected, a visit from Omni-Pol was not far away. I still was not able to ask some of the questions I would have liked to have asked as the preoccupied Third Faction faced-off with a (let’s give them credit here) pretty brave couple of Omni-Pol officers. Brave as they may be though, they soon saw sense and retreated, presumably to wait for backup.
It didn’t take long for backup to arrive in the form of a lone officer in riot-gear. Let me say that this one was not at all afraid to get straight to the point. The point being Third Faction’s near immediate and forceful removal from the Rompa bar via their insurance policies. I can only describe the massacre as the Omni-Pol officer stepped up to each Third Faction member in turn and asked them once if they would leave. Each declined and each was escorted off the premises by the airwaves. I say I can only describe this to you and it is the truth. Unfortunately, although I got some excellent shots of the removal, my camera was seized as evidence. Omni-Pol guaranteed its return but ‘regrettably’ were not able to accept responsibility for any damage or loss of data.
As were asked to leave the area, it turned out that Third Faction had made a swift, if slightly groggy, regroup outside the bar. I sensed it was about to get heated again and discreetly left the city by the quickest means I could find. I did, however catch up to Third Faction to discover what had happened next. A Third Faction officer, Captain Tamara "Lasliana" McCovery answered my questions:
“Well the Omni-Pol, asked each of our officers whether we would accept responsibility for the actions of our members in Rompa. After each of us did we were warped into a secure facility. He also warped a number of our members into the holding cell with us. He then offered us terms which were a one day ban from Rompa... The officers, myself included, declined but urged our members to do so, and be thus released. We continued to refuse and were held over night... I did however manage to escape for a time along with generals Agrestus and Latradeja.”
How did you manage that?
“Well they never bothered to search us. So I still had a lock pick handy. I managed to pick the cell doors lock on the first attempt. We then proceeded to attempt a full escape, but at the exit to the facility we caused it to go into lockdown, which was interesting. With no way of escaping we searched around a bit for a…”
At this point we were interrupted by crossfire from a pair whose argument seemed to have spilled into violence. That would be my fault for having the interview in Borealis of course. But we continued nonetheless…
“We looked around, hoping we would find Retoolkit in a cell... But we didn’t. So I guess he is being held in a different facility to the one we were in. well we went back to our cell, and the door actually locked fully behind us. We continued to refuse their offers and in the end were threatened with being held for a week before being sent to omni reform...”
Never a nice thought.
“We continued to decline their offers until finally the Omni-Pol trooper got orders from above to hold us for the rest of the night before releasing us in the morning, which he did. So the omni reform threat was a total bluff it seems.”
Who else was with you?
“General Agrestus, General Latradeja, Squad Commander Baylorr, we shared the cell for the night.”
Sounds Cosy.
“It wasn’t. Just a sofa, with threadbare cushions and a table and we were also given no food or water.”
Are you happy with the way it went?
“I think that in future we will only be doing the protest march part, and will not be occupying anything apart from Borealis. But it did show how much Omni-Tek does not like having any of their territory occupied, which was the main point of the sit in at Rompas.”
About the Red colour… I’ve been told it symbolises neutral blood spilt in defence of Borealis.
“Yes it does, and the black the dark times ahead... it was decided upon by Admiral Nohva for those reasons as well as it being readily available.”
Did you ever think it might be associated with the clan Red Freedom?
“I have yes, and so have a few of our members. Luckily I suppose we have not met red freedom, and have yet to be mistaken for them… But I believe it would be in the best interests of our members to stay well clear of them, as well as any other neutral. We are in no way affiliated, similar or in contact with Red Freedom, anyone who says otherwise is lying. We do not stand for the same ideals as Red Freedom and I hope never will.”
Anything that you'd like to make the public aware of?
“The occupying of Rompas was to show Omni-Tek what it is like to have your home occupied by foreign forces, like they do in Borealis. It showed in their reaction. Also it was Omni-Pol who escalated the situation and began the violence. We tried to calm the situation down, as it was supposed to be peaceful. And of course… Neutral Freedom! Neutral Forever! Neutral for Life!”
Interesting thoughts from one of Third Faction’s leaders. Interestingly enough, despite the words from Lasliana, I have since been hearing rumours of Third Faction’s involvement in a Red Freedom operation. So far I haven’t managed to get many to comment on that hearsay. Apart from one Third Faction member named Bandarra. I will leave you with our conversation and you can make up your own mind. (I have yet to ask General Agrestus about this.)
What's this I heard about Third Faction helping in a Red Freedom operation?
”I am not aware of any such thing.”
Really? Interesting, I heard that it was just over a week ago, on Saturday.
”Ah, I see now what you refer to. Please address queries about that to General Agrestus, I was not there.”
So you know a bit about what happened then?
”A bit, yes, the freeing of Retoolkit?”
Retoolkit? I'm not sure I heard about that. I've only heard rumours.
”Just what I heard from others. Please address further questions to someone of rank. Thanks for your interest.”
Attached Images:
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