====== Union News Turn 12 ======

===== Union Soldier CRUSHED to DEATH =====

Union Private John Smith met a tragic end today after a beaurocratic mix up left him assigned to field test Union Power Armor, Union Bionic Framing, Union Grenades, Union Guns, Union Power Boots, Union Battle Hats, Union Skyship Drop Chutes, Union Blast Cannons and Union Portable Piano Bombs... all at the same time.

The poor boy, father of one, was utterly crushed under the combined weight, demonstrating a slight oversight in the Weaponology Program.

"We have now clearly identified the crucial weakness in the Union Supersoldier program as the human skeletal structure. We are already considering replacements for this obsolete part, In particular we're considering a sort of flame thrower which would make our troops even more combat ready. If anything this is a positive step for the program, as we were running out of places to put guns."
 - Djared Crucius

===== Union Morale boost =====

As the head of the Church of the Founders, Hawthone has been traveling around the Union raising morale. Acompanied by a series of insperational SFX, Hawthorne has been change peoples perceptions of how the Union operates. Corruption has changed from something widly accepted to be a part of life, to something that should be opposed at every turn.

This has meant corrupt individuals find it much harder to operate, as the number of people willing to take bribes and back handers goes down, the number of potential wistleblowers goes up.

Morale has also been improved in the academies, where the students have had presentations on their part in the Union, resolve has been strenthened across the Union for any war which could kick off.

===== FDW defences =====

The rumours of some sort of Super weapon seem to be confirmed. Sarenn has been seen constructing some sort of defence mechanism around the union borders. These defence systems have the ability to deflect incoming projectiles away from the Union. A number of tentative tests have occuered, it appears the system is not yet completly finished, and there are still a few small ajustments required.

===== The Factory Devours! =====

The strange factory that has been moved into Union airspace is causing no end of problems. Small things/creatures seem to be coming out of it and devouring nearby fragments, it is unclear how to make it stop.

As a concequence the stability of the archipalago is under threat, as vital key fragments are beginning to be devoured, interupting the geomantic flows between the fragment, and causing the fragments to float apart.

If the factory is not brought under control, or moved futher away from the Union, it could have dire concequences for the colony.