Far Frontiers Gateway Sector #2

[Murph]

The other one is very long, so I am starting part deux.

Link to the other one: https://www.travellerrpg.com/threads/far-frontiers-gateway-sector.44526/

 

[Murph]

004-2511 Gateway News Service- Kormoran

The Imperial Security Service has issued a warning to all those so called “Tomb Raiders” who are attempting to get entry to the Blue Mold Valley complex by drilling or tunneling into the complex that any such attempts will be harshly dealt with, and can cause those involved to be sentenced to a term in prison of up to 20 years at hard labor.

Recent incidents involving Tomb Raider ships and crews have caused the Kormoran Police to station a rather larger contingent in the valley. Unfortunately for several of the crews, not being familiar with Kormoran, they disturbed patches of the so called “death mold” which once tracked into their ships caused serious illness to multiple crew members. Since a ship once infected by the mold can never be completely sterilized, the ships were confiscated, and sunk off shore in the deep trench in the ocean.

The injured crew were taken to Dome #1 where they were placed in quarantine while medical staff attempted to treat the infection which was rapidly causing irreparable damage to those infected. We are told that of the 14 brought in, 5 were beyond help, and another 6 do not have a hopeful prognosis. The “death mold” is fortunately rare, but it is extremely dangerous to the unwary.

The only authorized entry into the alien complex is via the glowing hall which decontaminates all those with spores on their clothing. The researchers at the facility have expressed concern over unauthorized digs around their facility since if one breaks through from the surface, it could easily contaminate the entire complex with large amounts of Kormoran’s extremely active fungal and mold which would effectively require the abandonment of the facility until it could be decontaminated, if that is even possible.

 

[Murph]

006-2511 Gateway News Service- Freedonia

Freedonia Vittles has released its latest in space delicacies, its self chilling “nanner puddin” in a newly redesigned package that increases its life span, chills faster, and prevents the loss of flavor. Also in the new packaging is their famed peach cobbler, raspberry cobbler, apple cobbler, and pear crumble. The “Nanner puddin” comes in individual, and family size containers. As those who lust for that delightful dessert know, instead of the toasted meringue, it comes with real vanilla whipped cream. The included spoon on the individual size package has proven popular with those in need of a good quality spoon.

Also thanks to some very innovative inventions, the price has decreased from 2 stellars a serving, to 1.50 stellar a serving. The newest in the Freedonia Vittles delights will reach store shelves across the sector by the middle of the year and are sure to be exceptionally popular with those who like a little sweetness in their lives. We are told by a source speaking confidentially that the famed cleaning businessman Erich Wulfe is a particular fan of Freedonia Vittles “Nanner Puddin”.

 

[Murph]

008-2511 Gateway News Service- Outback

Outback is known for its broad vistas, beautiful scenery, wide open spaces, a place where people can get away from it all, and perhaps some of the finer beer thanks to local plant life. But it is also known for something far more insidious; the Outback floater pollen. A local plant that is referred to as “dust”, which is the cause of the classification of tainted atmosphere. The floater plant lives on trees, but at times of the year, breaks loose and floats along with the winds, spreading its pollen across a wide area.

The floater and its pollen is a critical part of the Outback ecosystem, but it has a far more dangerous part. In Terran descended life forms, inhaling or allowing the pollen to get in the eyes, nose or throat, leads in 1-2% of the human and Terran animal life to blindness as it forces the body into an autoimmune response which damages the optic nerve.

While rare, when it hits it affects all ages and as of this date there is no known cure for the effect of the pollen. Locals refer to it as “Dust season” which brings fear and after an early attempt to destroy the plants to the detriment of the local life forms, Outback natives have accepted that at times of the year they have to wear masks, respirators, and decon suits to prevent the pollen, which is very tiny from sticking on clothing, or exposed skin.

There is an exceptionally rare plant which is both hard to find, and so far unable to be grown in any amount which shows some promise in BioGen research at reversing the effects of the pollen. The so called “purple thorn” bush which has been ignored until recently when a curandero mixed some of the seeds, and flowers into a poultice and ground it in pill form which reversed the blindness in a child.

He refuses to tell what he added, since he has “customers” coming to his humble office but the purple thorn only blooms once every three Outback years, and the blooms only last for a few days at most and must be gathered fresh, but taking the blooms prevent seed formation, so one has to be very careful.

BioGen has sent a team to Outback to look for the plant and see if it could possibly be commercially raised, and a team of specialists obtained a sample of the Curanderos “medicine” which has been analyzed and contains both complex and volatile compounds which have so far resisted synthetic production.

 

[Murph]

011-2511 Gateway News Service- New Texas

In one of the odder twists of events on this world, a barbecue challenge gone wrong incinerates a group of seven party goers at an apartment complex. For unknown reasons, the group of inebriated men and women decided to use a gas BBQ inside of the apartment. The resulting explosion blew windows out all over the complex, and caused a massive fireball to erupt from the apartment, blowing bits across the common area.

Responding fire and police found one survivor, who regrettably passed from the explosion, with police telling us that the survivor had a “very high” blood alcohol level, which for reasons pending the notification of next of kin, they are withholding since the group appears to be from off world. It appears that several of the group were betting on whether or not they could ignite the starter from further and further way, and at some point the gas hose was compromised which filled the apartment with propane, and a spark occurred. Remnants of a fire blasted chicken were found imbedded in the wall of the apartment across the common area after the blast. Police have closed the case, and turned it over to the Fire Marshal, who has issued a preliminary report of: Drunk morons.

Now New Texans are generally not known for their reticence in doing things that on other worlds would be considered less than well considered, but apparently on New Texas, the phrase; “Hey Bubba! Watch This!” is responsible for several leading causes of death. Police tell us that they have closed the investigation since to all accounts it is an accidental death due to misadventure, which is, apparently, not an uncommon manner of death on New Texas. Apparently many famous last words start with the usual phrase so no one is too shocked, merely happy that the casualty count was so low.

NOTE: I have been to far too many of these during my years as a Deputy Sheriff. It is really amazing what beer, and the words: Hey Bubba Watch This! can cause to happen. Usually with me turning to another deputy and commenting: "Well that is certainly something you do not see everyday!"

 

[Murph]

015-2511 Gateway News Service- Mirayn

Sir Richard Cochrane and his party have arrived on this planet, looking for hunting opportunities. The locals have told Sir Richard about a creature called in the local dialect Aiyankra or Deathstalker. This large (200+kg) hunter has been known to track its prey for kilometers and days before finally attacking. The locals tell us that they are among the most feared of creatures on Mirayn.

The ship has set down in the new off world settlement of Val Preszar which has expanded to several thousand off worlders at this time, along with the remains of the native city, which had a population of 45,000. A mercenary company has set up in the fort on the hill where Government house is located, since the New Caledonian government has added Mirayn to its claims.

The off world population has expanded after New Caledonian Pharmaceuticals discovered that a local bean which is used for both food and medicine contains powerful anti bacterial, and anti-viral properties and can, properly processed be the basis for a new line of medication. However the bean is perishable, and cannot be frozen or otherwise stored since the compounds that are valuable deteriorate rapidly, so they must be processed within 48 standard hours of being picked.

BioGen has sent a team as well, which has added to the influx of off worlders and has increased the cultural harm to the natives which have a tech level between 2 and 3. Due to the nature of the planetary climate, heavy fog and rain is common, so hovercraft have become popular as a method of travel. Gravitic vehicles are available, but require all weather sensor suites, along with terrain avoidance radar. The perpetual low hanging clouds makes air travel somewhat dangerous.

Sir Richard told us that after his charter here is complete, he has another charter group that wants to go to Heorot to hunt monsters. When asked what he thought about Mirayn, he told us: “Bloody awful place to fly, the visibility is nil, the food is wretched, and there are no gentlemen on this planet as far as I can tell!”

 

[Murph]

016-2511 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The new King Richard II class of liners has its first ship starting its trials in system with a few passengers on board as part of its shakedown. The 80 passengers will be split between the various classes of cabins, and will sample the cuisine, the amenities, as well as check to ensure that the ship lives up to its name.

The ship, the Imperial Splendor, is decorated in an almost over the top Rococo style, with artisans being part of the crew for the shakedown. While not being specific to any empire, it is as one person put it; “A science fiction fans idea of what an Imperial palace would look like”. The three week voyage around the system, with several microjumps to test the jump drive will also allow for systems to be calibrated and confirmed functioning at top efficiency.

Those lucky few who get to participate will certainly have something to write their friends and family about. Per Gateway regulations for ships undergoing certification, all cargo bays are full of parts, food, arms and supplies in case of a misjump. The crew is at full strength with an additional crews worth of trainees for the next vessel. It is not known if the Imperial Splendor will enter service, or be used by McVickers/Liao Lines as a training vessel for future crews. We will of course keep our readers posted on this most exciting of ships.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Remnants of a fire blasted chicken were found imbedded in the wall of the apartment across the common area after the blast.

Was there a follow-up investigation as to the flavor and texture of the chicken, perhaps leading to development of a slightly-less-lethal recipie for Kinetic Fire-Blasted BBQ Chicken?

I'm envisioning BBQ competitions scored by flavor, tenderness, and blast radius...