Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[Murph]

316-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Tiens ma bière is right! Le Monde has dropped a bombshell of a story complete with sources! The story is titled: Tenant ma bière, le Président Vert D'Argent est acheté et payé par New Drakkensburg et impliqué dans la traite négrière interstellaire. Voyons à qui revient la baguette maintenant. (Holding my beer, President Vert D'Argent is bought and paid for by New Drakkensburg, and implicated in the interstellar slave trade. Let's see who gets the baguette now.)

Le Monde has revealed that President D'Argent is being paid to allow interstellar slave trade through New Paris, its spaceports, and system, in exchange for money now, and a lucrative job after he leaves the Presidency. They have been working on this story for three years now, and has both the receipts and the sources. They can prove every allegation, and have also provided the Estates General the data they have obtained.

Senator Louis Napoleon Bonaparte has stated that he is Shocked! Shocked! that the President would so dishonor the name of France in the Far Frontiers as to be involved in such a disgusting and disgraceful crime. He has announced that he will be filing articles of impeachment against the President, and has asked the High Court to rule if a sitting President can be arrested, although that is doubtful based on the law in effect currently which makes it impossible to arrest a sitting president. Senator Bonaparte has gone into hiding since an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest.

In a shocking move, President D'Argent has sent in troops to seize Le Monde's building, and arrest all of its employees. Plus he has declared under the Presidential powers that a "state of emergency" requires that he disband the Estates General for the duration of the emergency. The employees of Le Monde have been taken to an undisclosed prison, and there are concerns that they might meet a messy end. He has ordered the removal of the offending article from the planetary net, and all hard copies found and destroyed. Anyone sharing, possessing, or distributing the offending article shall be imprisoned.

President D'Argent has declared martial law on New Paris, and has set an 1800 curfew across the planet. He has also ordered that the embassies of Sutekh, Freedonia, Friedland, New Texas, St. Ekaterina, and New Joseon be surrounded by troops due to recent discoveries of espionage and terrorist activity on the part of those embassies.

Right now it looks like President D'Argent has given Le Monde the baguette, but for how long we will have to see. The Traveller's Aid Society has declared that New Paris is currently to be considered an Amber Zone, with travelers urged to be exceptionally cautions to avoid running afoul of the increased security conditions. President D'Argent has ordered that all RSMM ships are to be seized under the Presidential Emergency Law. This is an evolving story, so we at GNS will keep you, our readers, updated.

 

[Murph]

312-2508 Gateway News Service- Gateway

R. Brown Guccione of Soldier of Fantasy magazine vanished for 48 hours, and was finally found wandering in a semi-conscious state along the river side in an industrial area of Landing, having been badly beaten, and all the fingers on both hands having been dislocated. He also appeared to be coming out of some drug as police and paramedics responded to reports of a drunk staggering about.

Mr. Guccione, could not remember where he had been taken, nor any details of the kidnapping, other than people kept asking him questions about “Ms. X” and they dislocated his fingers one at a time when he could not tell them any details other than she contacted him, and they were at Madam Wang’s in a “Conversation nook”. He said that he was warned to stay away from her, and stop publishing stories about Ms. X. He remembers being injected with something, and waking up in this industrial area, where he was surrounded by "a lot" of people who were screaming and yelling questions at him.

Doctors at Mercy General Hospital in Landing tell us that Mr. Guccione had been rather severely tortured, his toe nails pulled out on one foot, all of his fingers dislocated, and he had been beaten severely. He was missing some teeth as well. His left knee cap was smashed as well as suffering various bruises, contusions, abrasions, and lacerations. Police think that there were two separate groups involved, with the first group looking for Ms. X, and the second group finding him, and delivering the warning to stay away from Ms. X and not to come back to Hades Station, ever.

Police think that the arrival of the second group possibly saved his life, since he said that he remembers one of the first group yelling “The cops”, and the group departing in a hurry, before the second group arrived. He remembers hearing one of them tell another: Well, he got thumped pretty good, so do we really need to kick his arse any more? The second person, a woman, told the others, “Nah, I think he got the message, I think he got de-wormed right proper”. Then he heard one say; “I would not give half a stellar for him when the Black Dragon comes back for him, he might get gelded next."

They told him that they were going to give him a “fair chance” to get away, and would release him, but he was not to remove the blindfold until they left. He said he heard them leaving, and laughing about his injuries. He is not sure why two groups were involved, as he told police during his interview after his injuries were cared for.

Mr. Guccione said that he had a hard time removing the blindfold since his fingers were dislocated, but he finally managed it, and saw that he was in a large empty building except for a fire, some branding irons, and other implements of torture. He managed to hobble out using a 2x4 as a crutch. He was then found by the police who had gotten a phone call about a drunk.

Police sources tell us that based on the evidence left, and Mr. Guccione’s recollection, that the Black Dragon Tong had a part in this, although his rescuers are unidentified at this time. A manhunt has been organized around the industrial area but the lack of video cameras, and other surveillance equipment will make this more difficult. Also DNA cleaner had been used on the scene.

Mr. Guccione has been admitted to the hospital until his injuries are healed enough for him to return to his apartment. He has hired security from Omega Tech for the time being. We at GNS wonder who might have wanted information from him so badly that they were willing to kidnap him, and if they wanted to kill him. Police have sent an alert to Hades Station to warn them of this event.

 

[Murph]

319-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Things are getting “spicy” on New Paris as members of the Estates General are refusing to “go quietly into that good night”. Several members have decided to meet in a secret location, and a motion to impeach and remove the President has been passed. President D’Argent has directed the Internal Security Police to find and arrest these rogue members of the Estates, and bring them to prison.

Rioting has broken out in New Nice and other cities over the presidents unprecedented seizure of power. We are told that he has sent for Black Sun Mercenaries to assist in the “restoration of order” with powers of a secret police. In the Vosges on New Paris, the prefecture of police was burned and several police were assaulted as they tried to restore order. The incident occurred after the police attempted to arrest a shop keeper who was showing a poster asking for the President to be arrested. Citizens joined in, as they attempted to stop the police, with shots being fired into the crowd.

Reports are of over a dozen wounded and three dead, in the incident. The citizens overpowered the police, and then turned their rage on the police building, where they released all the prisoners, and then burned it to the ground. A ground calling itself the Committee of Public Safety has been formed to resist President D’Argent. The President ordered Gendarmes and troops into the region with orders to shoot to kill any who break the law.

Over a dozen ministers and their assistants have resigned over the president’s actions, and it appears that all of them have been taken into custody and consigned to the new Bastille, as the central prison is being called. The arrest of Senator Louis Bonaparte has been set as a world priority since he seems to be one of the leaders of the Committee of Public Safety. President D’Argent has scheduled a press conference to address New Paris and to attempt to gain public support for the new repressive measures he has instituted.

Madame D’Argent was pelted with eggs on a shopping trip and ordered her guards to fire into the crowd, killing five, and wounding over twenty. She is reported to have stated that the “filthy peasants are getting what they deserve, and her husband should have done this years ago”. Rumor is that Vert D’Argent, President of New Paris will declare himself King Vert during the press conference, but this is being vigorously denied by his spokesmen.

 

[Murph]

332-2508 Gateway News Service- Canyon

We are pleased to report that famed hunter Bjorn Spiccolli is recovering nicely at Canyon General Hospital after being badly injured on a hunt for the famed Night Raptor in one of the uninhabited canyons of this world. Mr. Spiccolli, who is known for his eagerness to hunt, had decided that he would forego the usual 20mm rifle and instead attempt to get the Night Raptor with a mere 9mm express rifle. This turned out to be, in retrospect, perhaps not the best choice he has made.

We can report that the doctors have said that he is learning to use his new arms and leg very well, and his ribs have almost complete regrown, along with one of his lungs. He elected to have his spleen replaced with a cyber unit of increased efficiency, along with one of his eyes which was too badly damaged. But the new unit will have full low light and night vision capability.

Fortunately for him, the guide who went with him had a 20mm rifle and was able to drive off the beast before rushing Mr. Spiccolli to the hospital in an emergency life support unit. The beaters who were being used to drive the creature towards Mr. Spiccolli, we are sad to say, had three of their members eaten by the creature. Mr. Spiccolli has said that he will not be deterred by this "minor setback" prevent him from obtaining his trophy.

 

[Murph]

324-2508 Gateway News Service- Rama

Well the race is back on! With the New Texas, Freedonia, and Coffeeville teams practically neck and neck, with all three driving more recklessly than is possibly prudent in the downs region. As the racers roared off from Bruce's Billabong, the dust just hung in the air illuminated by the rising sun casting a golden glow over the racers as they headed out. The Sutekh and New Joseon teams were rapidly gaining on the front runners, with the New Canberra Wombats close on their tails, almost too close.

The Maxwell's Silver Hammers, and Todd's landsharks vehicles collided, causing both to flip, but we are told that injuries are relatively minor as EMS crews arrived quickly to extract the racers from the vehicles. As the other vehicles roared past the stricken vehicles, it looks like the Moby Dicks from Ultima Thule might be making up some lost time, along with the Gateway Frontier Raiders. The New Paris team was seen shouting insults at the two wrecked crews, as they blew past the over turned vehicles, screaming something about Elderberries.

As each teams maintenance crews arrived, it was discovered that with some relatively quick repairs, both teams should be able to re-enter the race, but they will have lost hours worth of critical time. The Landsharks team captain had to be physically restrained from assaulting members of the Silver Hammers over the wreck.

The Xanadu team is inexplicably lagging behind in 20th place, when they were expected to have a much better showing in the race. The New Caledonian Highlanders are right behind them, along with the McVicker's Starships. The next down time stop is at Abishek's Dhaba, and so we will see if the race tightens up any, or if other teams start to fall by the wayside. We are seeing a level of aggressive driving in this years race that we have not seen for many years, so it looks like the new course and rules have brought out the intense competition of the first years of the race.

 

[Murph]

341-2508 Gateway News Service- Rama

Well the Rama Road Rally is certain exciting this year, or perhaps we should re-name it the Rama Road Wrecks Rally! As the teams were passing through the Dismal Downs area, several crashes occurred with three fatalities as the Dirt Poor Farmers from Freedonia crashed out and both they and the Red Engine Fire Company of Hyboria crashed into each other, and went over a 15 meter cliff, flipping multiple times. Both teams have been judged to be out of the race as the damage to both vehicles is just too severe to be repaired, and by the time the replacement vehicle is brought up (it has to be driven), they would be too far behind to catch up. Neither team has spare vehicles though.

Right now the Sutekh Elder Gods have edged out the leaders of the pack by a mere 15 kilometers headed into Abishek's Dhaba. As the teams hit the rest and repair stop, they are rushing into the Dhaba for food and cold beer. In a complete surprise, the LandSharks have made it back into the race, but at a rather unfortunate 160th place.

A minor donnybrook broke out between several teams, with Rama Police breaking up the fight, and confining the fighters in the local jail for 8 hours and a fine of 100 stellars each before releasing them. This is worse than it sounds since those 8 hours are lost to maintenance, repairs, and rest.

The Mongol Horde from Xanadu has shown well for its first race, and is pulling a respectable 35th place in the pack having moved up from 111th place just a week ago. The New Texas team has had their support unit bring up the "Pit" and start cooking the briskets. It looks like tacos and brisket sandwiches all around as soon as the meat is off the pit. The Provincia do Brazil team has been shouting imprecations at all who disparage their planetary cuisine and beer.

We are told that the Xin Zhongguo Silver Banners has something planned to get them to the front of the pack, from their current 24th place. Two members of the Imperial family are racing with this crew. At the halfway mark, things are looking good, and the winner is still anyone's guess, but we are liking the look of the New Texas team. Although the Dustball Whirlwinds, and Coffeeville Red Raiders are still not to be discounted. The Freedonian team still has not yet shown us the sort of driving we expect from them, so stand by for a surprise as they get closer to the finish line. They will remain an extra 48 hours due to excessive flooding further along the course as the referees have called a Red Condition for the course.

 

[Murph]

336-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

We are being told by sources inside of the prefecture of police that Senator Louis Bonaparte has been killed in a raid on his hiding place. Information is sketchy at this time, but apparently the Police de protection constitutionnelle (Constitutional Protection Police) raided the suspected hide out and the Senator was shot resisting arrest. Sources close to the investigation have told us that the official ruling is death by misadventure, but our deep source tells us the Police de protection constitutionnelle (Constitutional Protection Police) had orders to “eliminate” the threat of the Senator.

A spokesman from the Presidents office said that the Senator grabbed for a pistol and the police agents were forced to defend themselves from the “immediate threat represented by the firearm”. The president regrets the “sad passing” of the Senator, and hopes that his death will cause the “misguided and regrettably misinformed” to cease their resistance to his administration. The Senator’s body has been ordered cremated, against the wishes of his family, which they claim is to cover up the illegal acts of the Police de protection constitutionnelle (Constitutional Protection Police). We will follow up on this as more information becomes available.

 

[Murph]

343-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

The funeral services for Senator Louis Napoleon Bonaparte were held under strict security, with police allowing only direct family members to participate in the ceremony. And under orders from the President, the Senator's ashes were taken and dropped off shore and no grave stone or marker will be allowed. The Senator's son Louis Napoleon Bonaparte II has vanished, with some thinking he has joined an underground movement. Police are searching for him as we speak.

 

[bookwyrm]

The Slavery & Resistance story Thread for New Paris would make for a great novel.

 

[Murph]

If anyone wants to use it, they have my complete permission.

 

[Murph]

325-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Things are very chaotic here on New Paris in the aftermath of the revelations regarding the President and his dealings. A recent poll commissioned by the government shows a 98% approval rating for the President, but the methodology is suspect at best on this poll. Others taken at risk of government displeasure shows that the real Presidential support is less than 37%, with a plurality of 42% wanting Vert D'Argent to step down.

Police sweeps have increased, and a new police branch the Police de protection constitutionnelle (Constitutional Protection Police) has been formed which is to be used to search and arrest political opponents of the President. President D'Argent explained that this new branch of police was needed to protect the Republic from revolutionary elements who want to overthrow the social order. He has appointed the former head of the Black Sun Mercenaries Jean Claude Petain as the leader of the Police de protection constitutionnelle (Constitutional Protection Police) with orders to root out subversion across New Paris.

 

[Murph]

347-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Reports have been arriving which have suggested a large number of troops have deserted after being told to fire on crowds. Also a number of senior officers who were slated to be purged have vanished, with the Gateway News Service being told that a new organization the OAS (Secret Army Organization) has sprouted up. Apparently this group dates from ancient French history, but little information is known about it.

We are being informed by sources who are scared of the repressive measures being taken that the troops who have deserted face immediate punishment, to include execution if they are caught. Also in a shocking move the entire 3rd Regiment of the Legion has refused to leave its cantonment area after getting orders to prepare to deploy for “crowd control”. Other units of the Legion have been sent and are surrounding the 3rd Regiment’s cantonment. The commanders of the unit had expressed concern over some of the actions being taken by the President in the current “emergency”.

The 15th Light Armored Regiment has been ordered to prepare for orders directing them to ensure that the Presidential directives in the Upper Loire region are carried out. They are being supported by the 2nd Regiment of Marines. GNS has been told that it is expected that the President will declare martial law and Presidential rule within a week due to the ongoing disturbances on New Paris. New Drakkensburg has shipped several companies of “suppression troops” to assist New Paris in its time of need.

 

[Murph]

351-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

The planet’s largest labor union has declared a general strike for 353 day, and graffiti is being painted vigorously across the planet. Several of the slogans are anti-Vert, and pro democracy but some are of the Freedonian ilk: Je suis Marxiste—tendance Groucho ("I'm a Marxist—of the Groucho persuasion"),Il est interdit d'interdire ("It is forbidden to forbid"), "I love you!!! Oh, say it with paving stones!!!", and L'imagination au pouvoir ("Power to the imagination") are just some of the slogans being painted on every available surface on New Paris.

A bomb exploded in the canteen of the 15th Light Armored Regiment killing an undisclosed number of officers and NCOs. The bomb has been claimed as the responsibility of the OAS, and President D’Argent has ordered a complete curfew from 1800 to 0600 every day, with violators to be shot. He has ordered the New Parisian Fleet to stand down, and accept Political Officers on each ship so that as he puts it “terrorists and rogue elements cannot use the fleet for illegal purposes!” This has proven unpopular with the fleet, with the Fleet Commander Admiral Jean Pierre Bartholeme resigning in protest. The Admiral has since vanished from his villa.

 

[Diveguy]

347-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Reports have been arriving which have suggested a large number of troops have deserted after being told to fire on crowds. Also a number of senior officers who were slated to be purged have vanished, with the Gateway News Service being told that a new organization the OAS (Secret Army Organization) has sprouted up. Apparently this group dates from ancient French history, but little information is known about it.

We are being informed by sources who are scared of the repressive measures being taken that the troops who have deserted face immediate punishment, to include execution if they are caught. Also in a shocking move the entire 3rd Regiment of the Legion has refused to leave its cantonment area after getting orders to prepare to deploy for “crowd control”. Other units of the Legion have been sent and are surrounding the 3rd Regiment’s cantonment. The commanders of the unit had expressed concern over some of the actions being taken by the President in the current “emergency”.

The 15th Light Armored Regiment has been ordered to prepare for orders directing them to ensure that the Presidential directives in the Upper Loire region are carried out. They are being supported by the 2nd Regiment of Marines. GNS has been told that it is expected that the President will declare martial law and Presidential rule within a week due to the ongoing disturbances on New Paris. New Drakkensburg has shipped several companies of “suppression troops” to assist New Paris in its time of need.

Fantastic historic references in this one - great work!

 

[Murph]

338-2508 Gateway News Service- Esperanza

The Colony of New Italia has passed a law banning the placing of pineapple on any pizza made within the lands belonging to New Italia. Claiming it is a horrific perversion of classic cuisine, the voters have elected to institute this law to protect their “intangible heritage” from those who would put Pineapple on pizza.

In other news from Esperanza, the Tang Wen tea plantation has started production of their first batches of Pu’Er teas. The tea will ferment for different times to determine the optimal fermentation time to bring out the best flavor of the tea. They are going to use both their black and green teas to see which works out best.

 

[coliver988]

338-2508 Gateway News Service- Esperanza

The Colony of New Italia has passed a law banning the placing of pineapple on any pizza made within the lands belonging to New Italia. Claiming it is a horrific perversion of classic cuisine, the voters have elected to institute this law to protect their “intangible heritage” from those who would put Pineapple on pizza.

In other news from Esperanza, the Tang Wen tea plantation has started production of their first batches of Pu’Er teas. The tea will ferment for different times to determine the optimal fermentation time to bring out the best flavor of the tea. They are going to use both their black and green teas to see which works out best.

but some of us LIKE pineapple on pizza. back when I ate red meat, I liked the canadian bacon/pineapple pizza (been +40 years with no meat other than fish & fowl. I consider myself a half-assed vegetarian)

CiCis used to make a desert "pizza": thin pizza crust but butter, brown sugar and pineapple.

 

[Murph]

but some of us LIKE pineapple on pizza. back when I ate red meat, I liked the canadian bacon/pineapple pizza (been +40 years with no meat other than fish & fowl. I consider myself a half-assed vegetarian)

CiCis used to make a desert "pizza": thin pizza crust but butter, brown sugar and pineapple.

Too sweet for me. Now an interesting one was the Papa John's greek pizza with feta, and other things.

 

[Diveguy]

Fantastic historic references in this one - great work!

Also, for those not getting the newsletter version - there are ALWAYS some fantastic "Easter Eggs" - be they movie or historic references, great plays on names, or just humorous blends of over-the-top bits.

Murph, I smile every time the email hits. Thank you!

 

[Starglim]

Too sweet for me. Now an interesting one was the Papa John's greek pizza with feta, and other things.

A local franchise did Mediterranean Lamb that seems as if it would be similar. Their menu's pretty disappointing lately.

 

[Murph]

Also, for those not getting the newsletter version - there are ALWAYS some fantastic "Easter Eggs" - be they movie or historic references, great plays on names, or just humorous blends of over-the-top bits.

Murph, I smile every time the email hits. Thank you!

You are very welcome. I try to make it interesting. The next issue will continue the saga of New Paris, and other places.