⌨ three

[tookthepill]

[ Someone's reading a newspaper: The League Journal. Think of it like an in-universe version of 'The Wall Street Journal.' But when you go up to him, it will be obvious why he's reading it. You can easily read over his shoulder, too; he's pretty distracted. Which totally means you should be obnoxious and loud and spook him. ]

Foundation X Agents Convicted of Murder, Espionage
Still Deny Responsibility for IDS Massacre

The Foundation X operatives found at the scene of one of the worst terrorist attacks in recent Brittanian history not connected to the Black Knights were found guilty today in a unanimous verdict. After a nearly one-sided trial in which a treasure trove of evidence gathered from IDS's security cameras and digital mainframe, consisting of clear videos of the operatives hacking the security system to turn IDS's patented robotic corporate enforcers on their creators, as well as working alongside what appear to be Dopants. There were also several 'digital fingerprints' within IDS's network, bearing what Brittanian authorities claimed to be 'software identical to that used by Foundation X.'

The motive for the crime is unclear, as journalists were barred from the High Court. Brittanian authorities assure the Journal that the crime was not connected to the Black Knights run by the elusive 'Zero,' but beyond that, declined to comment further, stating that it was a 'matter of national security.' Given IDS's long-standing contracts and good relations with the Brittanian royal family despite the Lockheed family technically not being of noble blood, it is likely that Foundation X was after the top-secret project IDS has been rumored to be developing for the Brittanian military.

Last year, the now-deceased IDS Chief Executive Officer Caulder Lockheed, Sr. was inexplicably missing from the annual Brittanian Royal Ball, stated to have been ill. Despite this, he was seen the next day in London, the only apparent sign of illness being those of sleep deprivation, seemingly confirming the rumors that he was personally developing the long-speculated IDS-developed central hub for Brittania's new line of AI-controlled Knightmare Frames.

Given the heinous nature of the crimes, the seven Foundation X operatives are likely going to be sentenced to death, if not a life sentence of hard labor. The operatives, convicted of multiple counts of murder, terrorism, and attempted espionage, continue to deny the charges, with the Foundation insisting that they were framed. Foundation X has since been permanently banned from doing business in Brittania.

Noticeably absent from the verdict hearing was Caulder Lockheed, Jr., who was recently confirmed by the company to have inherited the majority of IDS stocks, effectively making him the new CEO despite him being too young to officially take on a leadership role within the company. An IDS spokesman stated that the young CEO was 'traumatized' by the incident, for which he was present at the time, and needed time to recover while declining to comment on where he is. IDS has requested the press respect his privacy.

Sentencing is scheduled for mid-April.

[ Caulder sighs. ]

They finally got them, then...

[ He looks back at a nearby terminal, smiling at it. He knew she was watching. ]