Far Frontiers Gateway sector

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085-2508 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Gateway Shipyards announced that the 100 ton Scout/Courier was getting a "facelift" with the latest TL 12 electronics, computers, and drive systems. Also the air purification system was finally going to be updated to remove the tendency for it to develop an "interesting" smell over several weeks of operations. The source of the issue seems to have been the General Products designed environmental system, with the new system being sourced from the Gateway Corporation Environmental and Ships Systems division. The new unit has a good reputation for purification of the air and water on the ship, and its resistance to developing what some have taken to calling "a real whang in the air, that sort of sticks with you after a while".

The new unit has been designed for easy retrofitting into existing installations, so that currently in service 100 ton Scout/Couriers can with a one week stay in the spacedock get their enviro-systems completely replaced. The General Products system was installed due to a sweetheart deal made with bureaucrats who have since been sacked or prosecuted for getting "kickbacks" from the now defunct General Products.

 

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087-2508 Gateway News Service- New Canberra

Diana Thevins-Wong has revealed the new menu item for the Wombat Burger chain of stores; the Aslan Special. A double meat burger, extra rare, bacon, not crisp, pickles, lettuce, and brown mustard. The Aslan Special will be available at all Wombat Burger locations by the end of the year. Also the chain is looking into adding several other Aslan specific meal items to their menu, since they are betting on an increase in the number of Aslans entering human space.

Ms. Thevins-Wong is always on the look out for new taste sensations for the chain which she has run for over two decades now. She has found what is being called a Purple Beet-Tater in English since no one can pronounce the Aslan name for it. The Aslans apparently like it boiled them fried in rendered animal fat. Humans who have tried it, have not shown a great deal of fondness for this plant. Aslans, however, enjoy it with their burgers. Also they have shown an increasing fondness for Wombat Tartare, which is on the "Secret Menu" at all participating Wombat Burger stores.

 

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081-2508 Gateway News Service- Dusk

The Golden Goose has reappeared in the system, on the same trajectory that it had vanished from, just slightly off course. As the system defense craft matched trajectory and speed, Marines conducted a boarding action. The crew was present, and seemed shocked at the apparent hostile response by the marines and the navy which had threatened to blow the ship to atoms if it did not follow orders exactly.

As the ship was allowed to approach Quarantine Station #1, the crew was moved over to isolation areas, and then interviewed by Military police, intelligence specialists and quarantine officers.

A consistent story revealed itself, the crew had no idea that three days had passed, and were shocked at being told that they had vanished. Sensor logs on the ship did not show anything out of the ordinary, no anomalous readings, no sign that the ship had vanished, just...nothing. The logs show that the ship was on trajectory, and then suddenly was two kilometers off its original flight path with no explanation of why this occurred, and no gap in the sensor logs.

The crew was also subjected to chemical interrogation, along with other techniques, and once more their stories were absolutely consistent. The crew has absolutely no memory of the missing days, and is rather upset that they were being called liars. When shown proof of their disappearance, the crew was shocked, and several accused the interrogators of lying to them, until shown the ships logs.

The crew was in perfect health, all the cargo was present, and there was no sign that anything out of the ordinary had occurred, except for the missing time. As one naval officer put it to GNS: "Well, just another day in the weirdest system in the galaxy". After hours of interrogation, the crew was allowed back on their ship, where the cargo was unloaded, and the Golden Goose headed out, escorted by three warships.

A spokesman for the system commander told us at GNS that they had no explanation for this event, and could not even begin to speculate, just being happy that the ship, crew, and cargo were safe. The crews were really looking forward to the Freedonia Vittles Chicken Pot Pies, a

 

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099-2508 Gateway News Service- New Paris

A police alert has been put out, because of rumors that the arch criminal Biddle is allegedly on planet. When pressed for more information, the Spokesman for the New Paris Gendarmarie would only say: Il est là le petit s****d de rats, je le sens dans mes os !("He's here the little rat b*****d, I can feel it in my bones!") A sketch of a possible person who was claimed to be Biddle was distributed, and a person identified as Rogier Le Mot was taken into custody by zealous Gendarmes. He was taken to the New Paris central station where he was interrogated for several hours before the police discovered they had made a mistake, much to their horror.

However, it was proven that Messr. Le Mot was at baker in the village of DuChamps and has been a resident there for over 50 years, running the towns bakery. He was released, and the police had to recall the wanted poster to avoid being sued by Messr. Le Mot. Le Monde had the following headline: Pour tenter de prouver leur compétence, la Police prend la baguette et s'embarrasse... encore une fois. (In an attempt to prove their competence, the Police get the baguette and embarrass themselves...again.)

The Chief of the local Gendarmes was forced to issue a grovelling apology to Mr. Le Mot, and agreed that the local Gendarmes would only purchase bread from his store. Mr. Le Mot said to Le Monde: Pu**in de m**e ! On pourrait penser que ces inspecteurs Clouseau à bas prix sauraient mieux faire ! Mais qu’attendez-vous des pieds plats ? (Holy s**t! You would think that these cut rate Inspector Clouseau's would know better! But what do you expect from the flatfoots?) He then said that he would forgive them since they are just stupid, but it had better not happen again!

After a complete investigation, Police spokesmen have retracted their assertion that Biddle is on New Paris, they think that a mistake was made by an over zealous inspector in the anti-terror group.


(In New Parisian slang "Getting the baguette" is rather rude and used in the wrong place could result in getting some involuntary dental work.)

 

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101-2508 Gateway News Service- Rama

The Rama Racing Commission has issued some new rulings in light of the previous races cheating scandal involving Professor Fate. Also they are going to make the race more interesting and challenging since the racers have, in the opinion of the Commission, gotten "too comfortable" with the route. So in this upcoming Rama World Race, the course will be mapped using actual paper maps and an old style GPS/GLONASS system. No Nav Sat fixes, no inertial nav computers.

Also the course of the race is being changed, to go north up around one of the local seas, taking the racers into the tundra of the wild north. As a result all race vehicles will be required to have extra emergency equipment to include firearms. After hitting all of the checkpoints which will be the standard 500 kilometers apart, each team will be required to have an emergency locator beacon attached to the vehicle in a crash proof housing, and 48 hours of power.

This year they will also limit the vehicle substitutions to three maximum in case the starting vehicle is wrecked or suffers such a malfunction that it cannot continue. Also each vehicle will be completely searched before start, and sealed with security tape until such time as the race will actually start. A check for grav modules will be completed, and if any team is caught with grav modules, they will be disqualified immediately, and suffer a three race penalty.

The change to the route will ad approximately 3,200 extra kilometers to the race, and will take the racers through some hitherto unseen terrain. Also Abishek's Dhaba, and Bruce's Bilibong will remain as checkpoints for the race since they have been big sponsors each year. There will be less desert terrain, and more downs and badlands this year. Several potential contestants have filed official protests over the route change, but the Board has upheld the new route. The Coffeeville team is reported to have been very pleased with the change since badland racing is their strong suit. The Freedonian team told the others to quit complaining, and get ready to get stomped.

This years race will kick off on 180 day. Already bookies are taking bets with the odds on the various teams fluctuating almost daily. In light of the new route, the favorite team from Friedland has slipped in the odds, since they are not near arctic and badlands racers. But at this point it is anyone's race.

There are some complaints that the new route has given the teams too short a time span to modify their equipment which is set up for the equatorial route that has been run for the last 50 years. This new route will require travel over multiple climate zones, and is considered much more strenuous and hazardous. The predominate vehicle the New Texas Roughrider IX chassis has formed the basis for the last five winning teams vehicles. A team from New Texas Motors has arrived on Rama to evaluate the new route.

 

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102-2508 Gateway News Service- Gas Tank

The New Texas Rangers along with the System Security Unit has made a dozen arrests in the murder case involving Orbit Station #1 and the explosion in the tankage. It appears that New Texas Orbital Construction was the victim of a campaign of both industrial sabotage, and murder.

The local president for Orbital Mechanics Inc., his executive assistant, director of security, and nine others who were employed by Orbital Mechanics were arrested on warrants issued by the 241st District Court. The warrants were for criminal mischief over 100,000 dollars value, Capital murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal data breach, and a number of other charges. The murder charge carries the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole.

New Texas Ranger Lieutenant Lance Wulfe has said that they had two cooperating invdiduals who came forward with evidence of this conspiracy to cause New Texas Orbital Construction to lose its bid. A further warrant was issued for the system director of Galaxy Metals Ms. Li Bing Bao for criminal conspiracy, and several charges which are being held under seal at this time. Ms. Li has fled the system, having left the day before.

We are being told that Orbital Mechanics Inc, and Galaxy Metals had entered into an agreement once New Texas Orbital Construction was out of the picture, they would "divide up" the system for their own profit. The Rangers and System Security had raided the corporate offices of the two companies, but the system at Galaxy Metals had been wiped before Rangers could get to the control system. An attempt to do the same at Orbital Mechanics failed because the sys-op failed to activate the wipe command properly.

All of the arrested parties are being taken to New Texas for actual trial since the facilities at the station in the Gas Tank System are not equipped to handle anything of this sort, being more of a "small claims" and customs court

 

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110-2508 Gateway News Service- Esperanza/New Acadia

The annual swamp gator 'rassling contest has kicked off. Right now the front runner for Esperanzan Gator 'Rasslin is Boudreaux Broussard who has won it for the last three years with his special "Gator toss hammer grab" which he has made the centerpiece of his Gator 'Rasslin shows.

New Acadia is the home of a number of Cajun settlers, and is one of the smaller colonies on Esperanza, with a mere 48,000 citizens, and they speak both standard English and Cajun French. They have been not been on good terms with New Quebec for unknown reasons. The cuisine of New Acadia is renowned for its deep flavor, and spicy notes. Their New Acadian gumbo has become something of a planetary dish.

The Esperanzan swamp gator is smaller than the Terran equivalent, but has a stronger bite force. The Esperanzan swamp gator has been declared a protected species for the colony, since the meat has been declared by chefs everywhere as excellent. Gator "Rasslin is something of a colonial sport, and when it is Gator Rasslin season, tourists come from all over the planet to observe the annual event. With the new rules, fatalities among the 'rasslers has been kept to a very low 15% for the last five years.

The President of the colony Jean-Baptiste Brasseaux has said that he looks forward to over 100,000 tourists descending on the colony for the festival. Also there will be the boudin toss, Miss Acadia contest, the Esperanzan Bass fishing contest, along with rides, sale booths, Cooking challenges, Zydeco music, and other fun things to do. New Acadia is on the other side of the central sea from New Quebec, and there is little commerce between the two colonies by desire of New Quebec who claim they cannot understand the local French dialect.

 

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Special report #4 by Natasha Alvarez. Some of the data and names are PCs so forgive that part.

 

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115-2508 Gateway News Service- New Drakkensburg

A lot of news coming out of this world today. First off we are being told that the Herpes Brothers have had an unfortunate accident and have been placed in an isolation ward at the Capital hospital complex, which was due to the many and varied communicable diseases that the interstellar reprobates managed to get past the bio-scanners. We are being told that doctors are shocked at the number and virulence of some of the STDs that these three have managed to collect. They will be kept in the isolation ward until such time as the doctors have time to really investigate these unique and potentially dangerous mixtures of STDs. We are told that one popped boil resulted in the pus attempting to climb up the curtains! And apparently Complexxx will just not stop oozing.

Next up in the news is a statement from the Government, with Ms. Erika Verhoven speaking in regard to what the government is calling "As impressive a collection of lies, distortions, and outright falsehoods as we have ever seen, that libels and slanders not only New Drakkensburg, its solid citizens, but altruistic medical and professional organizations who are totally dedicated to the betterment of humanity." She then went on to say" The "so called" Alvarez Report is so full of infamous falsehoods, that we have never seen its like in all the years since the settlement of this sector. This document is as full of lies, distortions of the truth and reality, that it can only be the product of a deranged mind that requires immediate psychiatric assistance!"

Further she stated; "We categorically deny any such "conspiracy" exists, and the mere allegations of such are completely false, and would be hysterically funny, if it was just not so sad. We have investigated and are completely positive that no organization on, or associated with New Drakkensburg would ever contemplate such obviously ridiculous actions, and we are considering taking legal action against the author, and publisher of this trove of lies, distortions, and reprehensible commentary!"

"Furthermore, to claim that the Genetic Medical Health Service, which is a valued, and honorable organization dedicated only to the finest medical care to eliminate all traces of genetic abnormalities and genetic based diseases, is somehow involved in criminal activity is to slander the most honorable organization ever seen in this sector. We would laugh, if we were not so sad at the misguided and pathological liar that Mrs. Alvarez has shown herself to be with this latest article."

"As for the Black Sun Group, they are a public service minded organization which has been unfairly and falsely accused of attempting to take over Hades Station, when in actuality it was a group working for Cheval Enterprises, the Thevins Corporation, and a number of other corporations who conducted a blatant "False Flag" Operation which made it seem that The Black Sun Group was involved, when our own investigation showed that they not only were not involved, but tried to warn the government of Hades Station of this criminal attempt!"

"We would like to offer the opportunity for any government to come here, and we will show them that we have not em-placed "Genetically Altered Sleeper Agents" in positions of power, far from it, we are the ones who tried to warn people of the dangers of the corporations, and other organizations such as the blatant killers who call themselves the Heirs of D68G, as if a person who was actually called D68G even existed! What a farce, who would name their child D68G? No, they are just terrorists, and saboteurs who are dedicated to destabilizing the sector."

"New Drakkensburg, The Genetic Medical Health Service, the Black Sun Group, and those individual citizens of New Drakkensburg, New Paris and other planets deny completely these scurrilous accusations and look forward to proving in court that Natasha Alvarez and her paid shills are complete and utter liars!" After all, Natasha Alvarez is well known for her vapid, mindless drivel regarding fashion shows and how tight the Kaiser's pants were, not serious well respected journalism. After all she is a spoiled, pampered princess, who cannot think beyond the next boutique and which brain dead celebutant is buying which outfit, or lack thereof. No one with any sense would take anything she writes with any possible level of seriousness.

She probably thinks that basic colors are military training programs, for Pete's sake! If she came across real reporting, she probably would run away afraid she would break a nail! Look at her reporting from Sulawesi, I mean the girl needs servants just to help her dress! I will not be taking questions at this time.

And so the press conference ended, we understand that the government of New Drakkensburg is considering what legal actions they need to take, or if it is better to just ignore the accusations, knowing that they will blow over eventually. Legal analysts think that they will take the ignore it and wait for the furor to die down approach which shows the best of the options in the long run.

 

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119-2508 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Swordfish Mark IIg, variant of the missile was launched today, and to the utter shock of all present, actually homed in on the correct target, and detonated at the correct distance. The "g" model is much improved over previous versions, and as the Weapons System Division stated: "Well it's about bloody time something went right with this missile!" At this point it appears that the management was becoming desperate for an actual live test that went right.

No ship captain was willing to volunteer his ship to test the missile despite threats of courts martial for disobedience of orders. The Naval Systems Development Command issued a statement that in light of the need for "unbiased" test systems, and the need to "Reappraise the desire for ship captains to ensure the smooth running of their ships, in light of the urgent requirement to be somewhere else for vital training", a civilian vessel was chosen as the launch vehicle.

The crew was paid a bonus of 50,000 stellars each, payable to them or next of kin, and as the missile was launched, three of the crew were observed praying. The missile's telemetry was solid, and it performed within design parameters, actually leaving the tube, igniting, and then traveling downrange towards the target which had extra powerful emissions to give the missile a good clean target. The warhead which was a practice warhead instead of a warshot, performed as expected.

The Weapons System Division, and Bureau of Ordinance were on an armored platform outside of the weapon's range. Now that the "g" model has succeeded in its first firing, a live fire of the missile will take place soon where it will be seen if all of the problems have been worked out, and the missile can be sold to the Navy to replace the aging Mk XIV missiles which had been up for replacement until the debacle with the Swordfish MK I series of weapons.

Vice Admiral Hendricks, commanding the Bureau of Ordinance has said that in light of this test, any ships captain who refuses to participate will be beached. He declined to address the issue of both himself and his staff staying at a very safe distance other than to state that high ranking officers such as himself are too valuable to risk in that manner.

 

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120-2508 Gateway News Service- Friedland

Natasha here, we met with the Kaiserin, and OMG! LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING! She was wearing the most amazing enemble I have seen, but I did not recognize the designer, but I thought the design looked somewhat familiar but I could not place it, and neither did my new best friend Lorraine. I JUST HAD TO ASK, if you know what I mean? Well can you imagine my shock, I could have been knocked down by a feather when she told me that it was by a new designer who had just recently set up shop on Friedland, and not one of the Greats.

The designer, my dear readers, I can hardly believe it myself, but she is Gi’nara kint K’Lanis, a K’Grech from Coffeeville! OMG! Now I know where I have seen this style, it is from the northern N’gressi nomads from Coffeeville! The colors, patterns, and style are all based on the N’gressi patterns. As you know the N’gressi were the first K’Grech to meet humans, and have been part of the Coffeeville mythos the longest. So it is no shock that they have started making valiant inroads into the interstellar fashion scene.

She and her husband moved to Friedland after she had set up a small atelier in Taco Flats on Coffeeville, and her designs were selling well. Her husband is a ceramacist of some note and his pots and other wares are commanding high prices. After moving to Friedland, she became known, and then the Kaiserin saw her designs, and has become A PATRON OF HER ATELIER! Can you believe it? The Kaiserin also added, the most delightful, and I mean delightful pair of Jerzy Fornast stilettos to go with her outfit. I am just going to have to go and spend some money!

It does my heart good to see the K’Grech moving into the realm of high fashion, I am so looking forward to it. My new friends Erich and Lorraine had to go off and deal with some boring business meetings, and poor Richard, it was off to the training grounds. But my newest friend Justin Wong-Thevins was kind enough to sit with me in the Kaiserin’s box.

There was some sort of disturbance, and Justin rushed over to check, but the security handled it. I was told that some drunk hooligans had attempted to gain entry, and were armed, but with the Kaiserin here, they were handled quickly. A man tried to accost me, but poor Justin, and Fred, one of Erich’s assistants, tripped and caused the poor fellow to fall to the ground, and he was then carried away by security. Probably some over eager fan wanting an autograph or selfie. I offered to pay for his hospital stay, but it was declined.

So far I am having just the best time of Friedland, as always, spending time with some really fun people. I cannot wait to see who is wearing what at the dress ball that is being held by the Kaiser and Kaiserin. The theme is Imperial Germany, ooooh I cannot wait, I must go shopping now!

The Kaiserin introduced me to one of the new dishes that is something of a national dish, it is called “Currywurst” and you eat it with this cute little wooden fork that I am told is traditional, in this little paper dish. A cut up grilled sausage, covered in Curry sauce, and you drink it with either a good beer or something called Spezi.

Well, it has been a good visit dear readers, and we will be here for another few days, before heading off to Freedonia. I am told that Erich has gotten some good news and seems happy. He seems less happy for some odd reason when Lorraine took him off to Hauptmann und Blitzen for fittings for six new suits. Also she made him get some new dress shoes from Donnerwetter und Sohns.

I just cannot believe it, we have been invited to stay at the Imperial Schloss! Yes, the Kaiserin said that the Kaiser thought it would be best, and we could then see some of the treasures of Friedland, some of which were brought all the way from old Terra! The Imperial Schloss, is, of course, highly guarded, and very secure. Such a lovely suite we have, decorated in Marjorele Blue, with gold accents, and the bathroom is done in Lapis and gold. Tres Chic!

Well once we get to Freedonia, Richard told me that we will be staying at the world famous Freedonia Inn, renowned for its five star accommodations and three star restaurant. I cannot wait, since normally I stay at the Nacogdoches Hilton-Hyatt, Well Natasha signing off for now.

 

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121-2508 Gateway News Service- New Caledonia

Caledon Ventures has announced that it has purchased six new build Broadsword class ships, set up as cargo vessels from the Gateway Shipyards. The new ships will be placed on the Aslan run since Caledon Ventures is investing a great deal of its money into the New Silk Road route to the Aslans.

Hamis McStewart, Vice President in charge of external trade said that the new ships will allow for much more trade, and they are looking at all options at this time to develop trade. Aslan Utaaria liqueur has shown both safe and popular with human drinkers. Caledon Ventures has been purchasing Esperanzan Bush Tea, and Dustball Dustspice in quantity since those have proven very popular with the Aslans.

Mr. McStewart tells GNS that the crews are all being required to attend the classes put on by Dr. Jacqueline Thevins to prevent the issues of having their faces clawed off after they insult an Aslan male who has been offended. Caledon Ventures has hired eight Aslan females to assist in cross cultural discussions. Using these females who belong to the M'Rist clan has proven valuable so far.

In other New Silk Road news, four more stations have been placed, which now allows easy Jump two access across most of the route with only two places requiring jump three vessels to cross. Caledon Ventures is looking to form a joint venture with other companies to provide J3 carriers to cover the one J3 gap closer to the Aslan Hierate. Chandra Yards, owned by Cheval Enterprises is offering a demilitarized version of their Essex class 19,999 ton carrier which can carry four ships of 2,000 tons maximum capacity, and with most of the military systems removed, they are thought to be able to carry an additional 1,000 ton ship as well.

The pricing appears to be attractive since the Chandra Yards looks to be eager to get into the J3 carrier market, and with their Essex class ships which are now renamed the Hastur class shows that there is a great deal of interest, especially for the 8,000 ton cargo module to allow for the carriage of large bulk cargo.

Chandra Yards is also proposing a "Liner" variant which would attach a 5,000 ton luxury liner passenger module which could be easily attached, and carry quite a few passengers in very luxurious conditions. Another module is called the "instant Colony" module which is an 8,000 ton module which can carry up to 12,000 colonists in cold sleep, or 6,500 tons of cargo in a different variant of the Instant Colony series. Some colonial projects are taking a long hard look at these vessels, and their capability to carry different mission modules.

Blackheart Exploration has asked if a Colony Exploration module would be produced, and they were told if there was enough of a demand, then an 8,000 ton base station for planetary survey would be produced. The idea has gotten some interest by Xin Zhongguo for potential surveys of planets in its area of interest. Caledon Ventures has been very pleased with their association with the Chandra Yards on Gateway.

 

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128-2508 Gateway News Service- Coffeeville

A meeting of the Mercenary Commission was held in Mesa Verde on Coffeeville today, where representatives of various major worlds met to discuss the Mercenary Rules of Conduct, and repatriation bonds. Input from registered mercenary companies was sought due to the direct effect this would have on them. No substantive changes have been recommended, but it has been put to a vote to allow the Credit Bank of New Zurich take over from the 1st Bank of Hades Station as the bonding authority.

The members voted and in a 12-0 vote agreed to change the bonding and repatriation bond holder to the Credit Bank of New Zurich. This will allow for faster processing of bonds, with the use of the Credit Chips issued by the bank. Also it was agreed that an additional 2% of the contract price would be placed in escrow during the term of the contract, in case of unforeseen issues.

All the representatives of the licensed and registered mercenary companies agreed to the change, and also a determination that upon cessation of fighting the mercenary units would withdraw to a neutral area until such time as the unit can be moved off planet. The usual location is the extrality area of the starport.

The disciplinary committee also met, to hear allegations against the Atrocity Mercenary Company, and after three hours of testimony, the panel declined to press any sanctions, or to revoke the license of the Atrocity mercenary company. The incident on Sulawesi was deemed within the boundaries of legal procedure.

However in another hearing the license of the Black Sun Mercenary Group was pulled for a period of ten years, pending review in a decade, to see if it will a permanent ban. The Black Sun representative, issued a strongly worded protest at the action of the Mercenary Commission, claiming that they were being scapegoated for the actions of Cheval and others. With the loss of its licensed status, the Black Sun group loses the protections which the Mercenary Code offers to all licensed mercenary groups in the Far Frontiers Sector. Also its repatriation bonds do not have to be honored but this also allows them to take contracts outside of the rules of the Commission. How this will effect the Black Sun Group is yet to be seen. The vote against them was unanimous, and only took 20 minutes for the board to come to a decision.

 

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137-2508 Gateway News Service- St. Ekaterina

The Pierogi Company, maker of fine foods, announced that it has taken a buy out offer from Cheval Enterprises to join with the Cheval Fine Foods Division which owns numerous fine dining establishments such a "Cluck and Squeal" Chicken and BBQ, Homer's Hot Dogs (maker of fine sausages), Gordon's Groceries, a competitor to the 11-7 stores, and many other fine purveyors of quality food items.

Cheval Fine Foods has been attempting to purchase the Pierogi Company for some time now, but has finally made an offer they could not refuse. In addition to 6 billion stellars in cash, The Pierogi Company will get 2% of Cheval Fine Foods stock and a seat on the board. The owner of the Pierogi Company Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov said that he is pleased with the deal which allows his family to ensure that the quality of their product remains high, and opens up other markets via Gordon's Groceries. The St. Ekaterina Stock Market responded favorably to this deal, rising 5 points in early trading.

 

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140-2508 Gateway News Service- Xanadu

Xanadu Shipyards and Construction have announced the new Spring Wind (春风 Chūnfēng) class corvette for worlds who need something robust, powerful, yet able to handle those who are a bit budget conscious. The Spring Wind class is 1,800 tons, mounts two missile tubes, and has 14 turrets capable of mounting a variety of weapons. The ship is a TL 12 ship with some TL 11 components to allow for easy repair by those worlds who are not at TL 12.

Also it can carry up to 42 Marines, albeit a bit more crowded than preferred on longer patrols. It is recommended that 24 Marines be the usual load which would prevent excess crowding. But the class has excess life support in case it needs to conduct rescue operations, and can crowd in an additional 40 bodies in the cargo holds as needed. Granted it will be tight, but for in system work, it is bearable.

The Spring Wind class represents a new look at Corvette design, while not as large as the Sutekh Nightwind class Frigates, which at 1,999 tons are designed for long haul commerce protection missions, the Spring Wind is mostly an intra system warship. It can carry 36 missiles in its standard configuration, and its launch tubes are capable of handling iso standard missiles. It also has redundant fire control capability to allow it to act as a "hand off" vessel controlling up to 10 missiles at a time. This is a new feature, specifically added to this class, and soon to be retrofitted to all vessels in the Xanadu Space Navy.

Xanadu Shipyards and Construction have told GNS that they have already gotten orders for 19 vessels from several worlds. Also the Xanadu Navy is looking to add 12 to the fleet in a missile defense variant. Construction is well underway on the first five vessels, two of which will head to New Canberra as soon as they are launched. We are being told that New Caledonia, New Judea, New Krakow, and New Axum are all looking at adding these ships to their fleets within the next year. Initial testing shows that while this ship has a multi-role capability, it does not suffer as badly as most "Jack of All Trades, Master of None" ships tend to suffer from. Plus the ship can be re-equipped relatively quickly as mission requirements change to reflect new missions. That promises to be one of the major strengths of this new class of Corvette or Light Frigate.

 

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141-2508 Gateway News Service- New Texas

The 10th Jump Brigade of the New Texas Army has just taken its new kit, it has replaced its BattleAxe Mk IV battledress with the newest Longsword version which is equipped for orbital insertion either through a de-orbit kit, or through a jump capsule system. The Longsword has a shoulder mounted six barrel Gauss weapon, an arm mounted laser rifle, and can either have a PGMP system or an Auto grenade launcher. The Longsword is designed for 12 hour use before having to be drained and recharged.

The Longsword Battledress system has new electronics, communication, and ECM systems. The new Battledress is scheduled to be deployed with all four Army Jump Brigades, and the entire New Texas Marine Corps by 2510. The suit also has the latest chameleon surface, and is able to handle via its new electronic suite "hand off" missiles. The 10th Jump Brigade will train with the new suits, and then later in the year, will conduct a mass drop, they are just waiting on their "Good Luck Charm" Natasha Alvarez to return, and they will have her drop with them.

As our readers know, she was embedded with the 10th Brigade as it was deployed to Dustball where she was wounded so badly. The Brigade Commander; Colonel Reginald Ulbrecht has said that they will make sure that Natasha is there for the first full drop of the Brigade. She has been made an honorary corporal with the 8/144th Infantry, and also has several medals from her service on Dustball.

 

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147-2508 Gateway News Service- New Africa/New Axum

The Royal Court announced that Queen Miriam is expecting, with her due date in the first of next year. We are also being told that she has asked for funds to hire Hank Creedmoor to track down and repatriate her sister to New Axum where she can be taken to trial for treason against the Royal Family and the State. Royal sources tell us that the Queen has finally lost her patience with her sister’s antics, and has decided to make an end to Princess Rachel’s insane attempts to overthrow her. Her antics are destabilizing, and interfering with the Queen's desire to improve the conditions of both New Axum and New Africa.

The Queen has also had several high level meetings with Sir Bingo’s direct representative M’Botu in regards to the allegations of corrupt dealings by certain members of the Thevins Family, and where they are going to go from here. The Thevins Mining and Exploration company operates several of the richest rare earth mines on New Africa, with two being in New Axum territory, and the other two being in the M’botoland strip. She has agreed to allow the Thevins Corporation to continue mining operations, but has indicated that future lease agreements will be negotiated under a higher level of scrutiny by the Royal Court.

New Axum’s claim to portions of the exceptionally rich mineral finds in the New African belt region of the system has caused protests from the other nations who have been unable to secure financing or the legal wherewithal to assert claims to the belt. New Axum has claimed only a portion of the belt at this time, plus the area around ጋዝ ግዙፍ ቁጥር 1 gazi gizufi k’ut’iri 1 (Gas Giant #1) as it is called in Amharic. The rings are rich in ice which is important for the mining companies working in the belt.

So far the New African Belt has not been explored as fully as other belts in the subsector mostly due to lack of funds, interest in doing so, and the rich deposits on planet which are so much more accessible. Some of the deposits both on planet and in the belt are suspiciously pure, almost as if the ore was partially refined, but scientists have no explanation for this anomaly.

New Serengeti, M’Botoland, New Togo, The Azanian Republic, and the New African Republic are all looking for outside investments to develop their resources, but the recent issues with the Thevins Corporation has placed that company at a severe disadvantage in bidding on mineral leases. These colonies are also claiming portions of the belt, which New Axum is not contesting at this time, but only New Axum has the resources to begin the process of belt development.

Queen Miriam has called for a meeting of colonies on New Africa, where she is proposing the formation of a company called the New Africa Development and Mining Corporation to be formed with each colony getting a stake to control the development and extraction of resources in the New Africa system. The new company would be multinational and each colony would be allowed to appoint a member to the board of directors, with the head of the company appointed by majority vote for a term of four standard years.

Off world companies are opposing this, since they see the potential for corruption, as well as cutting into their control of the mining and resource extraction business, and it will invalidate their contracts forcing them to renegotiate with unknown effects. The Corporation would share profits equally between all the partners and have the right to negotiate for all off world leases and ensure that New Africa is treated fairly. This has proven popular so far on planet which has felt that for too long off world companies have taken New Africa for granted and this move will level the playing field.

With this Queen Miriam has taken yet another step to becoming the most powerful of the local heads of state, and a force to be reckoned with by other worlds and companies who want to do business on New Africa. She is being seen as the defacto world leader by many at this time.