Ronan Brock
Colonel Ronan Brock was the leader of the private military corporation Darkwater Inc. At some point prior to 3306, he and his PMC were hired by the Lords of Restoration to train Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army cells, and in January 3307, Darkwater troops abducted Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval and held her in a hidden bunker in Summerland. When the Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit exposed the Lords' conspiracy and the Imperial Guard rescued the Emperor in February 3308, Brock expected the Empire to retaliate and attempted a takeover of Summerland as a defensive measure. This effort failed, resulting in Darkwater Inc being branded a criminal enterprise by Summerland's ruling faction, and Brock faced certain defeat as the Empire launched a massive reprisal attack. Brock was killed by Imperial auxiliaries while fleeing Darkwater's flagship, the Onyx Storm.
Logs
Network Beacon (Decrypted)
| Log No. | Log Text |
|---|---|
| 1/1 | Omega Grid 3 colonel brock reporting to senator nerva. |
Communication Beacon (Decrypted)
| Log No. | Log Text |
|---|---|
| 1/1 | Omega Grid 4 this is torquatus. |
Timeline
24 FEB 3308
- *Pilots' Federation ALERT*
The Empire has carried out reprisals against the rogue faction Darkwater Inc in the Summerland system. The private military firm had trained NMLA terrorists and held Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval captive, on the orders of a cabal of senators named the Lords of Restoration. Darkwater mustered an impressive armada, but these were no match for a combination of superpower forces and independent pilots. Colonel Ronan Brock, the mercenaries' leader, was killed during the fighting when he fled from the Onyx Storm megaship and was shot down by Imperial auxiliaries. Emperor Arissa praised all those who helped destroy Darkwater, and declared: "Let the Battle of Summerland mark the victorious end of our bitter war against both the NMLA and the traitors who sought to destabilise the Empire." ACT clarified that "Although there may always be Neo-Marlinist extremists, the large-scale threat of the NMLA has finally been nullified." All data obtained from the terrorists' Omega Grid network has now been shared with the relevant security agencies. With Darkwater eliminated, the Empire has installed a new controlling faction into the Summerland system. The Praetorian Vigil will report directly to the Emperor and govern in her name. The Summerland Patron's Party will redeem combat bonds and provide other rewards at the starport Henry O'Hare's Hangar. A permit exemption allowing all independent pilots to enter the Summerland system will remain active for the next two weeks.[1]
17 FEB 3308
- *Pilots' Federation ALERT*
Darkwater Inc in the Summerland system has been declared a hostile military target for its role in abducting Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval. The private military firm, led by Colonel Ronan Brock, was secretly hired by the Lords of Restoration to train and equip the NMLA. Darkwater troops also kept the Emperor imprisoned in a concealed bunker for over a year. Once their involvement was revealed by ACT, Darkwater's forces regrouped around the megaship Pearl Mandate. Colonel Brock led an attempt to gain control of Summerland as a defensive measure but was unsuccessful. The mercenaries have now been branded as wanted criminals by the system authorities. The order to strike against Darkwater came directly from Emperor Arissa: "I call upon my loyal servants and all other warriors of honour to wipe out this nest of traitors. We remember the innocent victims of the NMLA by punishing those who enabled them." The Summerland Patron's Party will redeem combat bonds for destroyed Darkwater ships at the starport Henry O'Hare's Hangar. Although the Summerland system is typically permit locked, the Empire has arranged a total exemption for independent pilots for a three-week period. To guarantee that Darkwater is thoroughly eliminated, the Empire is offering a range of incentives to pilots. These include awarding the rank of Master in the Imperial Navy Auxiliary, discounts on Imperial ships and weapons in the Summerland system, and Imperial Hammer railguns for the ten pilots who achieve the most combat bonds.[2]