This is Hans Hartmann, coming to you from planet New Berlin. In the recent months, our home system has been relatively quiet, with only occassional skirmishes happening between lawful forces and unlawful factions. Today, it looked the same was about to happen: NBC (New Berlin Control) got a warning from the neighbouring Barsine base that a squadron of Reaver ships was headed to the system, pursuing a squadron of ISB ships. Shortly thereafter, Brandenburg station spotted those same ships, now locked in combat with each other. While the battle was still taking place, another warning came from Barsine: apparently, another squadron of Reaver ships passed by them, on the way to our system. In the meanwhile, the fighting moved to the direction of Dresden - and Barsine went silent.
While officials were trying to restore the commlink to Alexandria, Brandenburg station reported that the next squadron of Reaver ships was shortly followed by vessels belonging to the Black Legion. Unlike recent battles, however, the two sides immediately began to fire on each other.
"That was when all hell broke loose", said Carl Berger, an officer aboard border station Brandenburg, in an interview. (Since his wished to be anonymous, we've changed his name.) "While we were frantic trying to restore contact with Barsine, we lost track of the ships in the area, who have moved on to fight elsewhere. Much to our relief, a squadron of ships from the n*o arrived, even though there were no pirates in the system. They left to the direction of planet New Berlin, and we spotted other incoming navy forces: however, before we could hail them, our communications were overwhelmed by reports of fighting coming in from almost all stations in the sector."
Apparently, the fighting has turned out to be a battle royale between the different factions, with the Black Legion and the Reavers striking only temporary truces - and even then, those truces were frequently broken. For a good while, all fighting seemed concentrated at Dortmund station, with Reaver ships appearing from the Ruhrfeld, and Black Legion vessels coming from the Harzfeld. However, all of a sudden, the attacks dispersed, and only some of the Orion ships (that also came to assist in the system's) defense stayed there - who were soon annihilated in a hit-and-run Reaver attack. After this, reports from fighting from all over the system started to come in again, but this time, even the automated tradelane systems sounded the "lane failure" alarm.
For over an hour, skirmishes broke out here and there in the system, with the navy forces centering around Brandenburg station.
"Then, all of a sudden, they announced the threat was over and they were leaving.", according to Carl Berger. "We were flabbergasted: the Reavers and the Black Legion ships were still around! Sure, some squadrons from the smaller factions still stayed and fought, but aren't these people obligated to help us? Or if they're just vigilantes, then why do we receive orders from High Command to stand down from battle when they arrive?"
Regardless, the remaining lawful forces still proved adequate at holding the remaining evil vessels at bay, especially since the Black Legion left the system too. With that, the fighting moved to the Ring, where the Orion and Marauders managed to keep the Reavers at bay, even though they suffered heavy casualties.
During all this, the system's traders (having learned to keep a low profile in such events) remained hidden, so the damage to the economy was not as severe as in times before. The only incident happened when a foreigner trading vessel defied warnings from the Ring's launch control, and took off.
"They launched right into the middle of the battle", a dockworker from the Ring said. "Even with those navy ships around, that poor Thing didn't have a chance. The Reavers blew their hull wide open, and some of their ships quickly hauled the whole vessel away, before we could even send rescuers."
Shortly thereafter, the remaining vessels vanished just as suddenly as they came. There were a few sightings of Syndicate vessels around the system, but the fighting has died down, and peace was restored: it was time to assess the damage done.
Thanks to the numerous shelters constructed since the last war, and the hardened station defenses, civilian casualties weren't as high as they used to be. However, in contrast to previous battles, this one took place all over the system: some stations weren't prepared for that, and suffered extensive damage. Every base still remains operational, but there's a great need for construction material now. While deals have already been struck between the government, Daumann Heavy Construction and Republican Shipping, the demand is still so high that even individual traders can turn a profit. However, independent pilots should be advised that security in the Alexandria system is still lax, so they should enter from the neighbouring Rheinland systems.
This was Hans Hartmann, IRNS news. Back to the studio.
Thank you, Hans. The government has finally lifted the media lockdown that even extended to independent media outlets like us, so now we can show you footage of the events.
In other news, the inter-House vigilante faction known as the 4S Squad has suddenly dropped out of contact. We'll be back with a report after the commercial break.
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