Neocronicle

Greetings dear Runners! 

Today we, at the Neocronicle, would like to bring you great news and joyous tidings. We would like to announce the first winner of the City Administration Lottery, in association with Diamond Real Estate! 

Our first lucky winner has found himself the proud owner of a brand new Via Rosso deluxe apartment complete with a very special set of unique prizes and rewards inside. 

I got the inside scoop on this incredibly lucky runner. (Our transcript follows) 

Gore:

"So Mr Kaden De Ward - the first winner of the City Administration Lottery!" 

De Ward:

"Yes I am so pleased to be receiving my new apartment key today! It really is very exciting!" 

Gore: 

"Yes I can imagine, Mr De Ward can you please tell us a few details about how you found yourself in this situation?" 

De Ward: 

"Yes I am a clerk working for the Pussy Club, I guess technically you could say that I am a Tsunami Syndicate accountant but I have not done any work for any client other than the Pussy Club ownership in a long time. Well this one day I was sat at my desk reading my emails and an email came through inviting me to join in this secret lottery. It said that it was a brand new project and I had been invited to join as a special invitation."

Gore: 

"So it cost you nothing and you stood the chance to win a fabulous prize?"

De Ward:

"Yes basically. The email promised a luxurious apartment in Via Rosso filled with delicious goods and a large celebration party for the winner. I couldn't possibly have turned it down! My own apartment building in Pepper Park is currently undergoing maintenance and repairs as it has leaked for nearly 3 months and there have been reports of mutants in our basements!" 

Gore:

"And this apartment you have just received has instantly catapulted you out of that poverty and elevated you up to a newfound status within your faction?" 

De Ward:

"Well I hope so - I have not actually looked around it yet but I am keen to go there after our interview and see what treasures are in store for me!" 

Gore:

"Mr De Ward it has been a pleasure talking to you. I wish you good luck with your new deluxe home and wish to say thank you for the interview." 

So runners there you go. The first winner is clearly a very satisfied customer! This Lottery has been brought to you by the benevolence of the City Administration in partnership with the most loyal citizens at Diamond Real Estate. 

Keep a look out for an invitation to the next Neocron City Lottery as the winner could be you!

Gore Brunelli

Neocronicle

Safety in Neocron took another blow last week as the localised system which prevents the operation of weapons in Plaza Sector 1, failed without warning. Technicians from NeXT Systems dispatched to the scene let slip to the Neocronicle that vital components of the system had actually been stolen. 

Mere weeks after violence erupted in Via Rosso, this comes at the worst possible time. Both of these events seem to have damaged the sense of safety in the city built up since the end of the Dome of York War. With citizens and runners alike starting to get edgy as they roam the streets. 

Could the recent increase of Anti-City Administration sympathisers in the Inner City be the cause of this mysterious occurrence? Or is this just the work of someone trying to score some quick money? With the sophistication of the sabotaged system, it definitely seems like this was a professional job. 

Thankfully no lasting damage was caused during the downtime and although a Runner died in order to discover this flaw, the NCPD quickly dispatched more CopBot units and put down all guilty parties. All the victims of this shock disruption were tended to by MediCare personnel or revived via GenRep for questioning. 

NeXT Systems have informed the Neocronicle that their technician personnel will stay in Plaza 1 to monitor the situation. 

Jake Davies

Neocronicle

In the first part of your new interview-line "Ask the CEO" we talked to the head of the CityAdmin organisation "Last Generation", Mr. Grogor, who kindly answered our reporter Matt Bunker.

Mr. Grogor arrived to the date agreed in my office inside the Neocronicle building, Plaza 2. He was accompanied by three security guards from his own organisation. One of them took position inside the office, whilst the other two secured the door from the outside. The method of inspecting the rooms and taking positions showed their high level of skill and combat experience.

The CEO radiated the calmness of a veteran, even as his sharp facial features fit the characteristics of a successful businessman, a man, who embodied the very principles of City Administration.

Interview with Grogor, CEO of the clan Last Generation, CityAdmin by Matt Bunker:

Welcome to the Neocronicle office. I'm pleased to welcome you to our first interview for our "Ask the CEO" series.

As you may have noticed the Neocronicle has increasingly published articles lately.

Grogor:

I noticed that and it surprised me.

Matt Bunker:

New reporters were hired and we will release single articles and whole journals on a regular basis from now on.

Grogor:

That's great, I've started to miss this.

Matt Bunker:

In line with this new set of interviews I made introducing the various organisations and clans my business. I also try to give our readers a comprehensive insight about the situation in Neocron City. Would you be so kind to give some basic information about your organisation? How are you organised? Which goals you aim at? Etc.

Grogor:

Of course, but I have to omit some details. You know, to protect my staff. But let's start with the general information. As you might know, Last Generation is a clan devoted to the ideals of City Administration. Even if that may seem obvious, this influences our daily activities. We're here to assist City Administration performing their duty to give the people of Neocron security and a valuable life.

Matt Bunker:

Would you consider yourself a businessman or security personnel? Do you cover both sections?

Grogor:

We definitely cover both. But I may add, security personnel gives the wrong idea. We're not employed by anyone. We do our duty out of a sense of conviction. 

Matt Bunker:

Lets focus on the business part. Regarding the acquisition of goods and the trade with it. How do you rate the current situation in the city?

Grogor:

Well, we try to help the people of Neocron outside the city limits, too. Therefore we're bound for the Wastelands often and fight the growing spawn of mutants there. I don't think I'll exaggerate saying the city is much safer from mutant attacks since we have played our part.

Walking the Wastes gives us the opportunity to collect valuable materials to support our battle. The materials are used directly or sold to selected customers.

Matt Bunker:

Our war correspondents describe the situation in the Wastes as critical for the CityAdmin and their allies. It is said that outposts had previously only be owned by enemies of the system. Doesn't that cause problems for the acquisition of certain goods and of course the use of facilities, for example to create special items?

Grogor:

Your information on that is correct, we're aware of that, but we're currently facing a moral decay unusual even in these unsteady times. Many people just want to make a fast buck and enjoy some fame. Some of them want to explore their criminal imaginations. That's making it easy for all the scum to acquire more and more members with such promises.

Matt Bunker:

You think that an ongoing stream of renegades are leaving the city, which leads to an overwhelming number of enemies?

Grogor:

Exactly, but we're working on it.

Matt Bunker:

Fascinating and at the same time alarming. How do you see the odds turning on the situation in the Wastelands?

Grogor:

We do what we can. At the moment we take action behind the scenes to increase the manpower of our allies and ourselves. That takes time and resources, but we're willing to pay them.

Matt Bunker:

I see. How's the collaboration inside the faction? Could alliances with other clans lead to success?

Grogor:

We've considered this already, but it's highly classified at the moment.

Matt Bunker:

That sounds promising.

Grogor:

Yes, indeed, and to be more precise: Soon we'll kick their asses.

Matt Bunker:

Finally maybe we could talk again about the topic our readers are interested most. The security of Neocron itself.

Grogor:

Look, today you need two things. You need spirit but you also need a knack for diplomacy. Which leads us to the situation in the city. We've set up a camp at the brink of Pepper Park, and we have a close eye on that Gomorrah, the Black Dragons and Tsunami Syndicate turned that once beautiful district into.

But for now we're tilting at windmills.

Matt Bunker:

At the Neocronicle we currently have the problem, that almost on a daily basis there are fights in front of our building. Some colleagues have been forced several times to spend the night at the office. Additionally there are more and more people saying the security of the whole city is endangered.

Grogor:

That's the war Mr. Bunker. Sometimes you can't choose the battlefield. But I'll tell you what, promote Reeza and his ideals. Security is always fragile. Always. Question is, do we lose our heads over it? The answer is: no. We don't go down. We won't lose the battle.

Matt Bunker:

So you wouldn't say the city is threatened?

Grogor:

What you mean by threatened? Of course the city is always threatened, but we have it under control. Some of those terrorists slipping through the net can't be avoided though.

Matt Bunker:

I can, according to your opinion, tell our readers, the city is safe?

Grogor:

Yes, you can.

Matt Bunker:

Last but not least I'd like to ask for your personal opinion on a recent case.

Grogor:

Shoot.

Matt Bunker:

As you may have read in one of our previous articles there has been a surprising takeover of business in Pepper Park. Snack'A'Tack owned by Harry Morgan has been closed and the day after a Yo's store opened right there. According to the official statement Harry Morgan retired, but he's only 41 and who is retiring at 41?

I hope you understand, that as a reporter I'm interested in all sorts of rumours.

Grogor:

Well, as far as I know, Yo's is a corporation approved by the City Administration. So you can trust the statement. And what is wrong with retirement at the age of 41? As far as I heard the business went well there, so why waste the good years with working? And I'm sure he made the right choice.

Matt Bunker:

Ok, you don't have additional information on this topic. Is there anything else you want to pass on to our citizens?

Grogor:

No. Well, maybe yes.

He who wants to protect what he owns has to stand up for it. I'd like see those who are able to fight for freedom, to protect the weak; to make our time here livable enlist.

Matt Bunker:

As I see it, great concluding words. I'd like to thank you for your time and wish you success with the tasks lying ahead.

Matt Bunker

Last night the Neocronicle received many reports of fire fights in Via Rosso 2. According to these reports the hostility between Tangent Technologies and BioTech has flared up again leading to violence between security staff of both corporations. In addition to injuries sustained by members of these security teams, Runners have also been hurt in the cross fire. A number of Runners who were caught out by the fight even had to be revived via GenRep, after getting involved in the combat. 

Historically the relationship between the neighbouring factions has never been a friendly one, but after a period of neutrality during the height of the Dome War, it seems the two have now fallen back to their hatred of the past. 

The Neocronicle has reached out to both parties for a statement regarding the recent violence, however at this time neither corporation has responded. According to a Runner at the scene both factions will shoot any hostile factions on sight to protect their position in this conflict. 

The violence reached such a height last night that the City Administration had to deploy STORMbots into the area to regain control of the sector. During the violence a number of Runner clans descended into the fray to engage in combat.

We advise all Runners to avoid the area, especially those who may still harbour long-standing grudges against the two Via Rosso-based corporate giants. While a cease fire was called after negotiations with City Administration, we suspect the hostilities in Via Rosso are not quite over.

We will have more from our reporters who were on the scene soon, stay tuned!

Jake Davies

Neocronicle

Late Saturday evening breaking news reached our office of a huge strike against the Tsunami Syndicate clan Rockshore Surf Club by a spontaneous alliance of the clans; Last Generation (City Administration), Retired Extremely Dangerous (Black Dragon) and 17th CityMercs Platoon (City Mercs).

Acute investigations of our war correspondents and valuable information from our informants have revealed the following background information. 

We have been lead to believe Rockshore Surf Club intervened in a fight between R.E.D. and LG at Krupp outpost last Saturday. The expected fraternization between the two Anti City factions surprisingly didn't happen and RSC opened fire against the soldiers from City Administration as well as the fighters of Black Dragon. 

Under which condition an alliance was forged between the merciless enemy clans R.E.D. and LG is still unknown. After the incident at Krupp a joint strike force of these two clans fought their way through the Wastelands and attacked and occupied outposts owned by RSC. The alliance was also supported by mercenaries from the 17th CityMercs Platoon.

The exact details of the contract with City Mercs remain unknown. It is said, that at least part of the payment is the handover of Rockshore outpost to City Mercs.

This strange alliance allowed these clans to move their troops far into the North on Saturday, their ultimate goal of driving the Surf Club from the Wastes could not be reached until Sunday night.

Particularly notable were battles at Jankins Lab and Rockshore Factory. The exact count of combatants involved remains unknown to our war correspondents due to their huge numbers. These numbers were bolstered by RSC being supported by clan Infected and runners without clan allegiance.

If the Tsunami Syndicate is beaten permanently and if the alliance can prevail has yet to be proven. At the time of going to press neither pictures nor video material have reached the office.

We will of course bring you further news on this situation as it reaches us.

A.J. West

Matt Bunker

Neocronicle

Breaking news reached the Neocronicle through a member of the Twilight Guardian yesterday.

Twilight Guardian has struggled with internal differences. Violent conflicts between members of the faction are erupting on a daily basis and the security personnel can't fight it anymore. On top of that even outposts held by a Twilight Guardian clan have been attacked and conquered by a clan of the same faction. Only to hand them over to a Tsunami Syndicate clan without a fight.

H.H., our informant (his name rendered unrecognizable due to this affiliation to one of the bigger Twilight Guardian clans) got in touch with our reporter Matt Bunker during an armed conflict in front of the Neocronicle building in Plaza sector 2. He has been very open on this topic.

During a following conversation in the office of our reporter, he provided more explosive details on the situation in the Canyon.

According to H.H., the relationship between the Guardians and their former allies the Black Dragon and the Tsunami Syndicate is crumbling. This leads to ongoing fights for outposts in the eastern wastelands and the Canyon area. They have to select targets with care to prevent assaults on the Canyon itself.

A possible reason for the situation, H.H. mentioned that since the disappearance of the former faction leader of the Twilight Guardian, Ronald Rodriguez, no strong leader has stepped up to fill his place. A leader is needed that takes care of peace and order on a diplomatic way and establishes a common goal within the faction. At the moment the only way to settle problems is plasma.

Neocronicle keeps you informed on the situation in the Canyon of course.

Should you have further information on this topic and want to share it, please confidently inform one of our reporters in the Neocronicle offices in Plaza sector 2, or send a mail via the Citycom directly to Matt Bunker.

Matt Bunker

Neocronicle

Recent rumors about impending changes to the weaponized Drone line by HEW Industries have been confirmed as the latest model combat drones have hit the market earlier this week.

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/s/1zr1ad0urnco528/20121227-HEW1.jpg[/img]

Mrs. Taylor Gibbons, Public Relations Manager of HEW Industries, was gracious enough to answer my questions as to which changes were made, and why.

"We've been receiving complaints over the past few years about various aspects of our combat drone line, and we have spent millions into figuring out safe solutions to these issues as quickly as possible. We want our newly designed drones to meet all the requirements asked by us in whatever industrial or military needs our drones help to fulfill.

We received many complaints that the BeD (Brain-Eye-Drone ) connection was giving the user an extreme amount of kick back when a connected drone suffers any kind of serious damage. Our main concern was from the search and rescue teams who scour the Outzones for people stuck within collapsed housing. While these searches are conducted, many drones suffer debris damage and the amount of feedback to the user, while searching for these trapped citizens, was unacceptable for the mission.

Another major complaint was from a few corporations who said that training new Riggers and Droners became problematic with our low level style combat drones. Issues with aiming correctly was the biggest problem.

To address these two issues, we had to improve the drone's aiming gyrostabilization controls and redesign the feedback buffering in the BeD housing units. These two changes help to improve both aiming and visual feedback while the drones are deployed for use.

Now to keep costs the same as before, we had to increase the physical size of many of our drones to accept these new changes. We hope that the beneficial fixes to our drone far out weight any inconvenience to our customers about the drone's increased size."

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hwws135yrylj33k/20121227-HEW2.jpg[/img]

And there you have it, straight from the HEW's mouth. 

So go out and support Neocron with these newly improved drones by purchasing them today.

...Run safe, Runners...

Xevitti del Mar

Neocronicle

Over the course of the last week a number of medium-sized facilities have appeared across the Wastelands. The purpose of these locations is unknown, any attempts to approach the structures have been met with significant fire power putting even the most experienced Runners in extreme danger.

From the images taken by a brave City Merc Soldier, who wishes to remain nameless, it can be seen that there are significant numbers of hostiles at these locations. All Runners are advised to stay clear of these areas if discovered and report their location to your nearest CopBot or City Administration official. For the safety of all Runners the City Administration have forbidden us from disclosing known locations.

With the heavy fire-power in the hands of these unknown hostiles, City Administration urges Runners to stick to GenRep transport and avoid travelling by foot at all costs. If you must travel on foot or by vehicle ensure to travel in groups and stick to the roads.

The one certainty we have in all this is, we don't intend to be on the recieveing end of this kind of fire power. Our City Merc source only provided these images after being revived via GenRep. A process which took some 2 hours, the Merc still has not fully recovered from Synaptic Impairment.

Neocronicle will have more news as and when this story develops.

Jake Davies

Neocronicle

In recent weeks Runners in the Plaza District of Neocron City have noticed an increase in the greenery of the area. Large trees normally found in the more temperate areas of the Wastelands have been appearing. 

Just as confused as Runners in the area this reporter decided to find out where they came from. Runner reports suggest they were erected by a small team of overall-clad individuals during quiet periods in the district, mainly in the late evening or early hours of the morning. It turns out, I can report, these individuals are employees of the home improvement chain Flowers and Pottery. 

When questioned the workers sent me in the direction of Chief Potter and CEO of Flowers and Pottery, Harry. 

According to Harry these trees were placed in co-operation with City Administration in order to drum up business for the firm. A slow couple of months saw poor results in F&P's latest financial statements and with the increased numbers of runners returning from the Wasteland, this was seen as a perfect opportunity to get some extra sales.

There we have It folks, not so mysterious after all. I must admit this reporter has enjoyed some slightly more tranquil afternoons, relaxing under our new leafy friend. How long the tree will remain in Plaza 1, was not disclosed. However as some of the other trees have been recently removed, it's likely not to be a permanent fixture.

If you'd like your own greenery to brighten your apartment, Flowers & Pottery's main store can be found in Via Rosso Sector 1, opposite BioTech Inc HQ.

Jake Davies

Neocronicle

In response to ProtoPharm's shocking news yesterday, Warbot Cola Inc. have issued a statement regarding their now infamous product - Warbot Cola. 

Warbot Cola Inc. Press Release:

"Warbot Cola has been taken off the market with immediate effect. All batches manufactured two weeks prior to our recent marketing push are effected and have been recalled. We have launched a full investigation into our internal policy and manufacturing streams to identify how this situation came to be.

It is with great sadness that we apologise to the people of Neocron, especially those affected by this most terrifying illness. To those who have lost friends and loved ones we are truly sorry and guarantee this will never happen again. We have failed as a company to ensure the safety of our business and our loyal customers. From our initial investigations it appears there were shortcuts made within our Research & Development arm which let this dangerous change in recipe slip through the net."

Over night the company has seen its share price dive to an all time low, a mere 25% of it's value before the recent marketing push. I for one hope we hear more after their internal investigation and things will start to get back to normal out on the streets of Neocron.

Jake Davies

Neocronicle