UCAS NEWS - ARES STATICWEAR

Ares has unveiled a new product today that is said may revolutionize body armor. The product called "Staticwear", utilizes sensors that detect incoming ferrous objects such as blades and projectiles, and releases an electromagnetic field, thus diverting the object by as much as 12 degrees.

We spoke with engineer David Milton today at Ares' corporate offices and research pilot facility.

"When you say '12 degrees', what does that mean?"

"Well, a bullet or knife that comes at you and is going to hit you in the chest, here," he points a finger at my chest, "would be deflected say, here." as he points to my arm. "You see, we can't stop bullets with current systems, but we can utilize this technology to make them strike places less deadly."

"How soon will this equipment be available to armed forces and law enforcement?"

"Well, we have some issues with it's development, the first one is massive disruption to electronics items on and near the wearer. It's like a tiny electromagnetic pulse wave, similar to the kind of wave used in electronic warfare, although this is much more direct and concentrated. It's a tradeoff. Heightened security for your loss of PAN for an extended period of time, it has even been known to destroy microcircuitry. We're working on ways to stabilize the pulse wave."

We'll keep you up to date as the development of this revolutionary product unfolds.

I'm Mike Halverton, UCAS News.

UCAS NEWS - YAKUZA VIOLENCE ERUPTS

Lone Star SWAT and UCAS standing militia forces were called in to Run Run Shaw’s on 6^th Avenue this afternoon as a gun battle started inside the restaurant and spilled out into the street. At least 6 known Yakuza gunmen were killed along with 5 restaurant patrons, a waitress and a line cook.

The reason for the gun battle and by whom it was instigated remains a mystery at this hour.

Three cars sped from the scene and two of the three were destroyed by UCAS forces with Northrup Wasp attack helicopters. The remaining car has not been located, according to Lone Star representative Jane Hawkins.

Two DocWagon Crisis Response Teams were present, attempting to extract one of their contracts. A brief standoff occurred between heavily armed DocWagon staff and UCAS Urban Assault Forces, tensions rose as the DocWagon CRT Osprey II’s hovered overhead and their extraction teams repelled from the aircraft to take defensive positions around the restaurant. Although there was much shouting between UCAS forces and DocWagon CRT’s, no shots were fired.

When UCAS’ Ares Citymaster armored personnel carriers arrived on the scene minutes later, DocWagon stood down and allowed UCAS and Lone Star SWAT to enter and tactically sweep the property.

Lone Star is hoping citizens will come forward with video footage or an eyewitness account. Contact Lone Star if you have any further information regarding this violent outburst. Lone Star coroner teams still at this hour continue to keep Run Run Shaw’s shut down.

I'm Mike Halverton with UCAS News.

Artwork by Mike Underhill

UCAS NEWS - ABSURD DESTROYED

Ares Bathyscaphe Scientific Underwater Research Drone, or ABSURD has been lost at sea near the San Juan Islands. Divers are searching for an In-Mission Data Recorder to determine the cause of the multi-billion nuyen loss.

Ares Corporation is not currently commenting on the incident, but they are offering a significant reward for the recovery of any salvage parts or debris, reward based on how much of the wreckage is found.

One large piece of the aft hull was recovered this morning with a large gash and puncture hole. Ares Oceanographic Researcher Winkler Boyd said, “They look like giant tooth marks, like something took a huge bite out of it.” He also went on to point out, “...but that’s just not possible, each tooth would have to be the size of a surfboard.”

Would-be treasure-hunters have been warned by UCAS Lt. Commander Eke Marls that there have been sightings of awakened Orca Whales in the area, and to approach with caution.

“This thing that attacked ABSURD might be responsible for the decline in the Orca population that we’ve observed. It might just be big enough to hunt a Killer Whale,” said Marine Biologist and Researcher Dr. Pepper Clemens. “It would take a big animal to bite that Bathyscaphe.”

When asked what the Research Mission that the Bathyscaphe was on when the loss occurred, Ares had no comment.

The large vessel was said to be unmanned, and no lives were lost in the accident. Lone Star has not commented as they claim it’s out of their jurisdiction.

Mike Halverton, UCAS News.

Artwork by Mike Underhill