It was dangerous for a corporation to send out such a message. Socialist colonies would loath to cast allegiance with a corporation like the TSDC. Terrorists would see it as a direct confrontation. Even some companies would prefer to work alone instead of taking orders from a bigger corporation. All those things Jonathan was considering as he watched the message for a 5th time on his holo-screen on his desk. His office was as clinically white and polished as most of the buildings. With 2 plants in the corners and a massive window looking over Primus Park. The biggest bio-dome park that was dug some few years ago when Destiny's Descend was build.

After the broadcast ended again, Jonathan swiped it away with his finger and began to write a document.
[indent][i]New Horizon United officially pledges its full support towards the TSDC and its unification of Mars' colonies and corporations. I, Jonathan DeLaLune, fully believe in Argus Marvalic's union.[/i][/indent]

[color=0054a6]"Send that message to all major news agencies and publish it on our website."[/color] Jonathan said. And his secretary AI pushed the short message through. After that, DeLaLune opened the only drawer on his fancy, edgeless desk and took out the pack of cigarettes. He took one out, together with a lighter. Five seconds later and he blew out his first puff of smoke. He didn't smoke often. Only during stressful periods. A bad habit he got during his teenage years. One he never quite got rid of.
[hr]
[color=0054a6]"Do the test again!"[/color] Demanded Maison. She had barely been at Digsite Alpha. This was the first test she conducted and the results were almost impossible. [color=0054a6]"Madame, it's the 7th time we're doing this. The results are nearly always the same. The material really is that conductive.[/color] a technician protested. But one glare from Dr. Maison and he was at it again. Isabelle was going over the numbers. Pure raw data that she couldn't believe. This metal had one of the highest conductivities ever. Higher than gold. Much higher. If the numbers were right, it could revolutionize data-transfer rates. Therefor it was critical that she was right.
[hr]
After the cigarette burned out, Jonathan threw it in his waste bin. Right then Azure, his Secretary AI said: [color=0054a6]"Sir. I am receiving a broadcast message from the former Hephaestus  Metallurgy location. Currently a colony there rose under the name: the Free Workers of La Parranda. Shall i show it now?"[/color] Jonathan chuckled. He remembered Hephaestus. A thorn in his side until the giant 
collapsed on itself. The workers revolted and that seemed to have been the end. Those 5 revolutionary days on the other side of Mars were celebrated at Destiny's Descend. Booze had flown and music boomed loud in Primus Park as he and most of his employees celebrated the destruction of their biggest competitor. It was that day that Jonathan vowed to never treat his employees like slaves. It sure was a cheaper way, but it never lasted.

He cursed after the broadcast. It had seemed that new, revolutionized Hephaestus Metallurgy had risen from its ashes. Just when he thought the he could easily cripple the remaining mining competitions. Now a new one had risen, with infrastructure and equipment at the ready. [color=0054a6]"Call La Fontaine."[/color] he said impatient. His earpiece went of twice before the Prime Commander picked up. [color=0054a6]"I want all tactical reports about Hephaestus Metallurgy on my desk by tomorrow."[/color] he ordered. [color=0054a6]"Sir, that company went down almost 4 weeks ago."[/color] the commander pointed out. [color=0054a6]"Yes. And like a phoenix a new colony rose out of its ashes. Get me the reports."[/color] and Jonathan ended the call and lit another cigarette. He wasn't planning on attack them, of course. He would negotiate at first. Try to buy off their equipment. Maybe offer them some sort of deal. But if they refused that, he wanted to hit them where it hurt. The question was, could he?