Topic: Governor Addresses Organized Crime Rumors

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-08-14 14:25 EST
http://i.imgur.com/BYiBF.gif Junior Columnist: Renmah Gysseth

Governor Addresses Organized Crime Rumors August 14, 2011

SHAMBLES, R.D. —- Confirmed reports reached the Post today that the rumor of riots being sparked in the Shambles district of RhyDin due to a vaccine shortage to the Shambles Clinic is, in fact, true.

When contacted, the Governor's office verified that on August twelfth one shipment containing the vaccine against RhyDin Benghu Fever (RBF) was on its way to the clinic when it was hijacked by an armed group of men, who reportedly later held the shipment for ransom.

*RhyDin Benghu Fever is an uncommon but highly contagious hemorrhagic fever indigenous to RhyDin, and is most typically contracted by those visiting remote mountain woodlands of the continent. The RBF vaccine is currently being manufactured by an off-planet company.

The riots that ensued outside the Shambles Clinic following the incident arose from a number of panicked citizens all fearing increased susceptibility to the disease, and were ended jarringly and vigorously shortly thereafter by a team dispatched by the new company in charge of shipment, Batten Industries.

When interviewed this morning, owner of Batten Industries Ed Batten remained vague about the company's new duties:

"Batten Industries is not the only entity within RhyDin that has a vested interest in seeing that this desperately needed vaccine is delivered safely and quickly to those who need it, and so we have received offers of help from other organizations within RhyDin whom - at this time - will be kept anonymous, for the sake of security. " The only way we will manage to get through this crisis is by working together and keeping the faith that we will survive this, as so many other things have been survived, well before I got here."

The governor of RhyDin was quick to address its inhabitants in the wake of the incident with a firm televised message of reassurance.

"There are rumors that the medical clinics and facilities are denying vaccines and treatment for those who cannot pay. This is not true. " As I speak, shipments of both the vaccine and the nano-treatments are being delivered " securely " to clinics and hospitals throughout the city. There is enough and more of the vaccine available for every man, woman and being in this city who desires it to receive it. There is enough and more of the medicines used to help those who have contracted the RBF virus. There is no shortage."

In her address, Governor Helston al-Amat also alluded to the group behind the hijackings, which has been identified as an organized, Terran-based gang called the Yakuza.

"They think that their willingness to commit an atrocity against our people will be enough to bring us to our knees. They think that murder, robbery and blackmail will get them what they want. And if we give it to them, then they will be back for more."

Unconfirmed reports also indicate that this organized extortion attempt is merely one of several malicious endeavors that have been tied to the non-native crime ring.

"I say to our people, do not let these outsiders make us fight amongst ourselves," Helston al-Amat said Saturday. "Unite. We have a common enemy, and a common threat, but we are not afraid. We will overcome this threat and we will be stronger for it."

A transcript of the governor's full address can be found on page two.

*More information about RBF can be found on page nine.

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-08-14 14:31 EST
The following is a transcript of Governor Helston al-Amat's televised message to RhyDin, aired the evening of August thirteenth and the morning of August fourteenth on audio and vid portals throughout RhyDin City and the Stars End sector.

"Citizens of RhyDin, I come to you tonight with a solemn message and I urge you now: listen to me.

There are rumors in the streets that there is a shortage of the RBF vaccine. This is not true.

There are rumors that the medical clinics and facilities are denying vaccines and treatment for those who cannot pay. This is not true.

As I speak, shipments of both the vaccine and the nano-treatments are being delivered " securely " to clinics and hospitals throughout the city. There is enough and more of the vaccine available for every man, woman and being in this city who desires it to receive it. There is enough and more of the medicines used to help those who have contracted the RBF virus. There is no shortage.

This rioting and fighting amongst ourselves must stop. Our doctors and aid workers are not our enemies in this time of crisis. Those who are currently protecting them, the men and women of the Watch and the private security forces, are not our enemies.

But we do have one.

What is true is that yesterday morning, men who want to hold this city and its people for ransom stole one shipment of vaccine going to the clinic in Shambles. They did this thing for no other reason than greed. They think that their willingness to commit an atrocity against our people will be enough to bring us to our knees. They think that murder, and robbery and blackmail will get them what they want. And if we give it to them, then they will be back for more.

I say to the Yakuza now, no. This is not your Terra. This is RhyDin and we are a free people. We do not bow our heads to outsiders, to petty criminals who think that if they come here we will fear them. We are not afraid of you. And we will fight back.

I say to our people, do not let these outsiders make us fight amongst ourselves. Unite. We have a common enemy, and a common threat, but we are not afraid. We will overcome this threat and we will be stronger for it.

Stand with me now. Support the Watch and security forces. Support each other. Be brave.

Unite."



"Outbreak - Shambles Isolation," and "Public Health Notice: Outbreak Warning" with special thanks to all those involved. Thank you!]]