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3132 INN Bannson Universal Unlimited Acquires DiNapoli Industries By Alec Felsner, Republic News 06/13/3132 TANTRIL, ANKAA—In an eleventh-hour deal that has already sent ripples throughout the Republic‘s financial community, Bannson Universal Unlimited (Republic Stock Exchange: BUU) CEO Jacob Bannson announced last evening that the DiNapoli Industries Board of Directors had finally accepted his company‘s takeover bid for an undisclosed sum of cash and Bannson stock. This agreement closes the door on a saga that has already lasted ten months and has drawn much public attention. When Bannson made his first offer in September of last year, Angelo DiNapoli, chairman, CEO and founder of DiNapoli Industries (RSE: DNI), turned him down outright. While his company showed lower-than-expected earnings in the second and third quarters of last year, DiNapoli shrugged that off as expenses related to expanding DropShip construction lines on Ankaa and expressed his confidence that DiNapoli Industries would successfully continue on, operating under his family vision. That did not stop the maverick Bannson‘s quest, however. ―When he sets his sights on something, he gets it,‖ reports industry analyst and former Bannson executive Darva Rottinger. When a key expected deal with Republic Cartage (RSE: CTG) for the purchase of fifteen new DropShips over the course of the next five years fell through, DiNapoli stock took a major hit. That, combined with a report from independent accounting agency Tyler Morse indicating another quarter of lower-than-expected earnings, caused DiNapoli stock to lose more than 40 percent of its value over the course of two weeks in October. With his own value at an all-time high, Jacob Bannson began to snatch up DiNapoli stock in preparation for another takeover bid. In an effort to boost its lagging sales and move extra inventory, DiNapoli offered its existing customers huge price breaks on almost its entire line of AgroMechs. Apparently, DiNapoli‘s stockholders weren‘t impressed. Even with a projected earnings increase in the first quarter of 3132 and an incredibly prosperous market, DiNapoli‘s stock continued its dive. Jacob Bannson still had his eyes on the flagging company, however, and in early January made another takeover bid, this time with the support of the majority of DiNapoli‘s stockholders. Angelo DiNapoli was still dead-set against the merger, and this time involved the Republic Senate in the mess. Appealing to the Trade Subcommittee, DiNapoli argued that the takeover would negatively impact trade within the Republic and would inevitably end in the loss of thousands of jobs and the virtual creation of a monopoly within Prefecture IV—leaving Bannson holding all of the cards. Neither the Senate nor the market would have any of it, though. Bannson and DiNapoli stock shot through the roof when news of the renewed takeover bid hit the markets. The DiNapoli Hearings, originally scheduled to run through the end of June, lasted only three weeks before Jacob Bannson‘s testimony won over the committee and all in attendance. Apparently it won over DiNapoli as well. The very next day, Angelo DiNapoli withdrew his letter of opposition and began negotiations to finalize the takeover. Yesterday, the two sealed the deal in the presence of Senator Ross Kain, chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, at DiNapoli corporate headquarters in Tantril on Ankaa. Founded by Angelo DiNapoli in 3110, DiNapoli Industries was the largest producer of AgroMechs within Prefecture IV, and the fifth largest in the Republic. Additionally, its other divisions are significant builders of DropShips and heavy ground transports. Jacob Bannson is the founder and CEO of Bannson Universal Unlimited. Organized in 3118, BUU has in its short history grown to be the largest corporate entity headquartered within Prefecture IV. It has operations within each of the Republic‘s prefectures and offices in every Successor State. Its various divisions produce and sell items ranging from consumer financial services to fusion engines to DropShips throughout the Inner Sphere. © 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. 3132 INN Duke Sandoval Departs on Trade Mission AP-HPG News Services 06/13/3132 TIKOGRAD, TIKONOV—Duke Aaron Sandoval departed today on a diplomatic mission with scheduled stops on Northwind and Terra. "I believe this will be one of our most fruitful tours yet," said Sandoval. Thousands cheered as he waved from a podium atop the boarding ramp of his DropShip, Opportunity. The vessel will transport Sandoval's diplomatic entourage to a waiting JumpShip. "Nothing is more important to the well-being of our citizenry than the growth of our Republic's economy," said Sandoval. Despite a windstorm, his voice was clearly audible to officials, press and well-wishers gathered on the starport's landing field, thanks to a vast array of sound- and vid-projection equipment surrounding the crowd. "History shows that nothing is more important to the well-being of our economy than technological innovation. Our mission in the coming weeks, and beyond, is to ensure that all the people of the Republic continue to have access to the best technology available, and the financial benefits such developments can afford us during this time of peace," Sandoval said. Since the formation of The Republic of the Sphere, citizen income has risen an average of 28% adjusted for inflation. Prefect Katana Tormark, of nearby Prefecture III, watched Sandoval's departure via live HPG feed courtesy of AP-HPG News. "Lord Governor Sandoval is one of the wealthiest citizens in the Republic," she said. Sandoval's worth cannot be determined, but he is known to control much of his family's fortune. "His people believe he works for their best interests," Tormark said. "Perhaps. The man owns a DropShip." When asked to elaborate, Tormark offered a politic response, saying, "Sandoval presents himself as the citizen's advocate, but many are concerned about the true goal of this trade trip. There is great honor in promoting the good of one's Prefecture, especially before the good of the House to whom one is loyal. I hope that is his true mission." The Sandoval dynasty has strong ties to House Davion. AP-HPG News has been unable to verify the accusations alluded to by Tormark that Sandoval‘s mission promotes a Davion- sponsored agenda. However, one high-ranking official in Prefecture IV—Sandoval's regime—seems to back up these suspicions. "Yeah, he's a family man, through and through," said the official, who asked not to be identified and would not elaborate. Later, when asked to respond to these allegations, Sandoval said, "My record speaks for itself." He spoke from aboard the Opportunity. "My work fosters interstellar trade based on cooperation in key technological areas. Agreements brokered by my administration have led to the birth of entire industries! Thousands are newly employed in excellent tech-sector jobs because of our work." Several technological breakthroughs in Sandoval's Prefecture have been news headlines lately, notably research based on Professor Pierre Cormier's groundbreaking work on cryogenics. "Everyone lives better today than even a year ago," Sandoval said. "My detractors can say what they will, but the citizens know the truth when they watch the news on their brand-new Tri-Vid." Sandoval's supporters have credited his administration with developing unprecedented interstellar commerce that has led to an enhanced standard of living throughout Prefecture IV. Others credit Devlin Stone's "swords to plowshares" philosophy, which ended centuries of war and began the current era of peace and prosperity engendered by The Republic of the Sphere. Supporters of the latter view suggest that Sandoval is merely capitalizing on what occurred naturally when industry converted from building machines of destruction to delivering consumer goods. © 2012 The Topps Company, Inc. 3132 INN Without the BattleMech: Stone’s Military Materiel Redemption Program 65 Years Later by Corel Malonne, ComStar INN 06/13/3132 Sixty-five years ago, Devlin Stone promised the newly formed Republic that it could buy peace and prosperity by cashing in on the tools of warfare. Under his Military Materiel Redemption Program, a privately owned ‘Mech, tank, or battlesuit could be traded in against obtaining full citizenship and—often—a large piece of land or a business loan. Did he deliver on that promise? ―Of course he did,‖ says Senator Lissa Ruchenko (Nationalistic Party—Procyon). ―It was the ultimate recycling program. I‘m proud to say that my family was an early supporter. ‗Procyon for Peace.‘ It remains a central promise of the Ruchenko Barony, even today.‖ Devlin Stone‘s process went something like this: First, one had to own a significant piece of Military technology, and in that age of Succession Wars and revolution far too much destructive hardware remained in the hands of private concerns. Second, the owner of such technology simply agreed to the MMRP value or, in some cases, bargained for a slightly better price. At the time it was considered a positive testament to many of Stone‘s forward-thinking noble supporters, such as the Ruchenkos, who signed on with additional incentives on top of the government‘s offer. Third, and this was the hard part, the owner gave up forever his claim, and the claim of any descendant, on that piece of military technology. It was to be decommissioned and, with the exception of a few machines bound for museums or the small Republic-authorized militias, scrapped to make many of the one billion peace medals Stone awarded. The program was open to any hardware, though it targeted BattleMechs with an efficiency never seen before by any Clan or Inner Sphere resident. For such a (self-described) selfless act, taken for the betterment of mankind over personal glory and riches, one became a citizen of The Republic of the Sphere.

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