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The USX reports EnerCorp stock posted an 0.3% growth in its quarterly revenue as ARC forces sign a contract to maintain security on Stella on behalf of the planet's benevolent corporate governors. The ARC military mercenary forces are said to have netted some 65.4million United Space Credits from the venture but EnerCorp was still able to draw financial advantage from this deal as a large percentage of the USC charge was withheld and offered as payment in kind for the ARC forces to utilize EnerCorp infrastructures planetside to carry out their duties. An ARC spokesman reported "ARC is very glad to have won the tender to assist EnerCorp with its security concerns on Stella. The ability to use its intricate and complex surveillance, security and maintenance systems once on the ground allows us unprecedented access to an array of prevention and control measures that other colonies and democratic democracies cannot implement - we were therefore very happy with the profit we netted for this deal as we consider it a collaborative pilot project."
EnerCorp Security Division spokesman reported "In recent times there have been a series of growing security concerns on the planet for us. There are a large number of mercenary forces battling on the planet and the sway of NAC and the Islamic Federation's dealings is also of concern to us. The Oceanic Union has a presence on the planet now and is obviously reinforcing its detachment in order to protect its interests. One of the factions we will be monitoring closely is the rogue Vandolyan Inter-Regional Unification Service, or VIRUS, who are at present at the end of their contract to protect Kaine II governor's interests on the planet. We are concerned that with civil war on Kaine II and the mercenaries' contract funding having dried up they may take some convincing to depart our planet if their intentions do turn sour. Thus the agreement with the ARC forces takes on a more pre-emptive rather than reactive security role."
UNS SPOTLIGHT - VIRUS Mercenaries
Hailing from the now defunct planet Vandolya, which was condemned to extermination by its Imperial governors over 60 years ago, this mercenary caste has long organized its military presence around its fast moving and lightly armored walkers, known as Striders, and the teleportation devices used by their infantry.VIRUS infantry teleport onto the battlefield in support of the advance of their Scout Striders which are traditionally tasked with reconnaissance roles. When a threat or theater of operation is identified, the Scouts will attempt to fall back to a position of vantage to which the infantry will be teleported in a defensive support role.
The Scout Striders and infantry will then be quickly joined by the heavier Combat Striders who can either be dropped onto the site from orbiting VIRUS spacecraft or advance planetside if already deployed.
Armed with fusion rifles, target-designators for the Combat Striders' twin-linked weapons arrays and heavy man-portable fusion cannons, the VIRUS mercenaries are a fast, mobile and deadly mercenary force which EnerCorp is preparing to welcome into its stable or remove from the planet altogether if they turn unfriendly!
From Graham Stuart, this is all for this week. We thank EnerCorp for its continued and benevolent government of Stella and the other Outer Rim planets blessed with its patronage and welcome you to join us again next week for more news from United News Service - bringing the Outer Rim to YOU and proudly sponsored by EnerCorp.