Meanwhile, back in New Sparta, the companies and organizations inside were just finding out about the explosive news of the automobile factory.
"Someone attacked them? That is really unfortunate, but I can't say I'm surprised. They're stepping on a lot of toes with their new product."
"But they really attacked them so blatantly? When it's rumored that Xere Montgomery herself is posing to enter New Sparta? They must be courting death."
"They're desperate. We're extremely fortunate that we won't be negatively affected much by the appearance of the automobiles. In fact, it will only increase our efficiency and productivity by hundreds. But for others, they could literally face demotion to the Lower Brackets. I could understand why they'd go to such lengths."
The official story was that there was an unfortunate explosive accident that destroyed the automobile factory. Something about a spontaneous volcanic eruption or something like that.
