Anarchy Online: TAG Magazine: Special Edition - Part 1: Editor's Introduction

Editors Introduction
The world we once knew was changed forever in a day. Amazing how quick it all happened. We have, through our history on Rubi-ka, always been able to face change in one form or another, but I don't think anyone was quite expecting this.

Omni-Tek CEO Philip Ross was shot in Omni-1 Entertainment district on May 7, around 19:00, as he stepped forward to give his State of The Corporation speech. At his side he had many of his department leaders, including Ivan Sergeyich, Rita Prestin and Eva Pouaris, all of whom stood proudly by their leader, and smiling at the masses who had gathered to see him.

Many said he looked healthy, vibrant and stronger than ever, which is quite the feat for a man of 75 years, but there he stood, and spoke with determination. What lay ahead for Rubi-ka with Ross at the helm of Omni-Tek Rubi-ka? It looked and sounded like he had a plan. The people in Entertainment that day only heard the beginning of it. They would not hear the rest.

The suppression gas dropped for only a brief second, we would later learn; just long enough for one shot to be fired from behind a nearby billboard on a building to the southwest. The same building areas where turrets were placed in extra security measures for the speech. The turret closest to the billboard found disabled later the same day, even though all systems registered as normal during the speech.

The shot was pristine, hitting Ross in the chest. Ivan and Eva standing next to him, felt the blood of their leader splatter on and around them. Doctors in the area, including Rita Prestin did all they could to ensure he was stable before moving him to a facility for treatment. And all that while, when the chaos took place on the ground, behind that billboard, the assassin(s) were making their escape, through an uncommonly used grid node, and escaping into The Longest Road, to report in. Mission accomplished.

And what was the mission? That still remains a mystery. We know the Biomare facility constructed the Mutagen Virus that in the end infected Ross, and others. We know the Dust Brigade patterns matched those of the shooters. But how does one relate to the other?

Once again...too many questions, not enough answers. Omni-Tek decries the Biomare facility no longer is in association with the corporation, and deems all those who remain in the facility traitors. For them they close the book on this mystery. For the rest of us, we are left to wonder who benefits the most from Ross no longer here to "talk".I am sure all of us could write a short list....but does it matter now? Can it really make any difference? Either way we have CEO Zora now, a new kind of man, a new kind of leader for Omni-Tek. Unless by some miracle Philip Ross does recover, and Omni-Prime grant him his seat as CEO again, this shall be Tarkhan Zora's history in the making, and the rest of us are along for the ride. But that is another issue.

Please join us as we dedicate this issue to Philip Ross, his history and the investigation into his shooting.

Tomorrow: Part II: Key Moments in the life of Philip Ross