[hr] [center][h1][color=0054a6][b]New Horizon United[/b][/color][/h1][/center] [hr] [b]Location: Destiny's Descend, conference hall.[/b] [i]Time: 0522[/i] Philip, Jonathan and Isabelle each sat on the round table of the conference room. With the holo-projector showing the latest reports coming from MAN. All three were tired for different reasons. Jonathan was woken up because of the news and hadn't had time to drink his coffee yet. He had sent an assistant to get some, but that person hadn't returned yet. Dr. Isabelle was overseeing the first tests of networking the basic AIs with the server. When she was called to the meeting, the first array of tests were just about to begin on the 5 humanoid weapons platforms. Prototype drones with 2 legs, 2 arms and something that was supposed to resemble a head. Philip was called in when the security guard fired the warning shot. He counted himself lucky that the crowd didn't do the same at Destiny's Descend than at the TSDC second lab. An eerie silence hung heavy over the room. The windows allowed the early morning light to pass through. "Sir...MAN is becoming a danger." Philip finally said. Jonathan nodded in agreement. "You are right. Something has to be done. But as peaceful as possible." Philip thought for a second, then explained his idea: "We could ground them. We imprison every MAN-reporter in the top of the highest habitation tower, in a room. The process would be quick." Jonathan looked at the several reports of MAN from all over Mars. "Do it. Confiscate all MAN-equipment and imprison all reporters. But make sure that no-one gets hurt. No lethal weapons." Though Philip realized there was a flaw in his own plan: "Sir. There will still be an public uproar." But Jonathan already found a solution for that. He nodded 'no' and said: "La Parranda. They broadcasted that they would take in any refugees. So here's the plan. I want a flight to Fort Solido every 5 hours. First transport the weak, the old, the sick." Philip realized there was a hidden motive behind the surprisingly humanitarian idea. Jonathan noticed his expression and explained: "Weak, old and sick people don't work. They are a burden. They only cost food, water, medicine and aid and give nothing in return. So let them be a burden for those free works. Also, those who aren't ill or old must first pass the recruiters if they want onboard of the Drop ships. We don't want hidden potential to escape to that colony." Philip nodded and removed himself from the room, making preparations. "Doctor. I want those networked drones guarding my gate ASAP. Skip the utility tests if you must. I just want them to walk, aim and fire." And with that, Jonathan took his leave. Dr. Isabelle herself was strangely quite. It was possible because some memories of her on the board of the ethics committee were resurrecting. Machines have been used to fire on humans since the very dawn of industrialism. But almost always the humans pilled a trigger or pressed the button. Now she was making something that didn't need a trigger or a button. What if things went wrong? [hr] [b]Destiny's Descend, Main entrance, [/b] [i]Time: 0755[/i] A squad of 5 guards and an Exo-Trooper were moving through the crowd, while through speakers the turn of events was explained. If you desired to go to La Parranda, you were asked to first go to the recruiters. And thus, very slowly, the first Drop ship was filled. Sadly, there was only space for 36 people, and the sick were transported first. But never the less, it gave the masses hope. "This is Squad Alpha, reporting in. Eyes on the objective." cracked through the radio of the makeshift command center. A lounge Philip now occupied, offering perfect view over the masses assembled before his gate. "Squad Bravo reporting in. We have a visual." "Squad Charlie, prepared to engage." "Give them the go." Philip said to the nearest comn operator. Who nodded and said in her mic: "All squads, you are clear to go." Luckily not a single shot was fired. Charlie and Bravo squad were able to arrest their targets without much trouble. Though at Alpha, they resisted. The camera-guy was busy filming and broadcasting. So they had to knock him out quickly. Though the broadcast clearly showed something went wrong; as the camera suddenly dropped to the ground and the sound of struggle could be heard before everything went dark.