The air fortresses had recently been acquired by the Farmel government due to the annexing of Quadrant 6, which builds air fortresses and fluffy play dolls. The attack was made by a seperatist cult known as the Space Federation, which has been growing since the late 20XXs. The actual attacker's name was Hal Bailman(ID82592), a specially-trained killing machine who's only purpose in life was to cause massive destruction and chaos.
Radio contact with Air Fortress 1 seems to indicate that the victims had literally no chance to survive his onslaught of shooting and bombing. Not only that, but he was able to navigate the strange metal cliffs and shafts of the Air Fortress because he was able to obtain a Class 7 Jetpack, had the Space-Congress passed laws disabling the sale and production of these Jetpacks, he might not have been able to make it to the central core of the fortress.
