33 DEAD IN ATTACK ON SKYPLEX

BRIGHTWATCH STATION, PERSEPHONE (Allied Planets News Service) - An apparent suicide bombing claimed over 30 lives yesterday above Persephone, when a small transport exploded while docking with Brightwatch station. The explosion severely damaged a docking pylon and ripped a large hole in the station's hull.

Alliance authorities were quiet about the incident this morning, saying only that they believe it may be connected to an arms theft on Persephone several days ago, and that they are currently pursuing several leads. An anonymous official told APNS reporters that the bombing may have been intended to distract attention from an attempt to free a prisoner being held on the station, but refused to comment on whether the escape attempt was successful.

Cortex Transmission PM008654132158.C

Sender: Unknown
Origin: Landsdown Military Base, Persephone

Recipient: Malachi Weaver
Destination: Eavesdown, Persephone

Message contents:
Malachi, I may need a quick evac. Farlan has ordered an investigation into the theft, and I didn't have time to be as careful as I might have liked. Please be ready if I need help.

-C

Cortex Transmission AC00011342912.HP

Sender: Miko Carter
Origin: Landsdown Military Base, Persephone

Recipient: Shen Farlan
Destination: Alliance Cruiser Reliant

Message contents:
I assure you captain, I was as shocked as you about the weapons theft. You will have the base's full cooperation in your investigation. If someone under my command had a hand in this, I'll have their head.

Cortex Transmission AC00011342876.HP

Sender: Shen Farlan
Origin: Alliance Cruiser Reliant

Recipient: Miko Carter
Destination: Landsdown Military Base, Persephone

Message contents:
Colonel Carter, the loss of the most recent weapons shipment is completely unacceptable. We were able to recover the transport, but the pilots were missing and the crew had been killed. I have ordered an investigation into the incident; I believe someone at Landsdown was involved in the theft. I expect to have the full cooperation of all base personnel.

Incident report - weapons theft on Persephone

Five crates of weapons were stolen from an Alliance transport in mid-flight between Landsdown Military Base and Eavesdown Docks on Persephone. All five guards were killed, and their bodies looted. Both pilots were missing - a search is currently on over the desert for their bodies, as they may have been thrown overboard. The ship was left on autopilot, and touched down Eavesdown on schedule and intact.