Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[King Midas]

50:50 mix of Guinness* and beer/ale.

*other stouts are available

What a waste of good stout, I can see why the bartender rejected the stuff even without the reference. I don't care for "Sex in a Canoe" standard beer. I prefer the earthy taste of stouts. For the record, I'm a lightweight. About half a serving of alcohol, I'm set for the night.

Bar managers hate me - but I'm almost always designated driver.

 

[Murph]

50:50 mix of Guinness* and beer/ale.

*other stouts are available

And if you are good, you float the Guiness on top of the pale beer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_tan

 

[TamsinP]

What a waste of good stout, I can see why the bartender rejected the stuff even without the reference. I don't care for "Sex in a Canoe" standard beer. I prefer the earthy taste of stouts. For the record, I'm a lightweight. About half a serving of alcohol, I'm set for the night.

Bar managers hate me - but I'm almost always designated driver.

I agree wholeheartedly - it's not something I'd ever drink.

Growing up in the South-East, there was a 50:50 mix which I did drink a couple of times - Druids' Brew, which was real ale and cider. There's also Snakebite which is a 50:50 mix of cider and lager, which I've never tried.

 

[Murph]

110-2509 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Lloyds of Gateway has announced an increase in insurance rates for starships in light of the increasing number of ships which have been pirated over the last year in the sector. With 17 ships having been taken, mostly in belts, and areas where valuable cargoes were onboard, the sector wide insurer has been forced to announce an increase in overall rates for both ships and cargoes carried onboard of those ships.

Due to the lack of success by local forces in capturing these pirates, it has led to some Free Traders resorting to unofficial convoys as well as the delay of ore carrying vessels until system defense units can at least be close. The increase in insurance has sparked high levels of concern across the sector with planetary governments holding emergency meetings in an attempt to try and find a solution to this problem. We know that there are increased numbers of intelligence and police operatives being sent to Hades Station since that is the most likely place for the pirated goods to be sold.

But the government of Hades Station is showing a distinct lack of cooperation, and in some cases actively obstructing attempts to discover the identity of the pirates. The board of governors of Lloyds of Gateway along with several other major insurance companies are meeting to determine if an additional rate increase is warranted based on the number of losses that have been occurring. We know that the governments of Gateway, Amaterasu, Freedonia, Frieldland, New Texas, Xanadu and Sutekh have expressed great concern as to the impact these rate increases will have on their economies. King Dorian II has ordered additional system defense frigates, their famed 1,999 ton Nightwind class to be purchased to increase patrol density.

 

[Murph]

101-2509 Gateway News Service- New Paris

In a move that is raising eyebrows, all five of the Star Lord class colony vessels which were caught on this side of the gate have been spotted in New Paris orbit. Now these ships were originally built to haul large numbers of colonists through the gate for national colonies, and as such each one can haul 50,000 colonists in cold sleep, and deliver 500,000 tons of cargo with the parasite craft on each ship. Continually upgraded over the years from their original TL 9/10 build, they are now equipped with J3 engines, and more modern equipment.

These craft are extremely rare and valuable since they represent the ability to haul large numbers of initial colonists over long distances. Two of them were used to transport colonists from Gateway to the Outlands, three were used to evacuate the residents of Han Shan, so they are considered critical to the sector. Originally built at the Watson/Hansen yards on old Terra, the ships are split among colonies: Gateway (2), Xanadu (1), Amaterasu (1), Friedland (1).

Never before have all five been in one location. There are only two docks large enough to perform maintenance on these vessels, one on Gateway, and one on Amaterasu. The cost of hiring one, much less five staggers the imagination. We have asked why they are there, and are being told NO COMMENT by the government of President Bonaparte. Where New Paris got the money to hire these ships is unknown, since all experts are telling us that there is no way New Paris can afford to hire these ships.

Security is exceptionally tight around the starport and the orbital area where the ships are located. We have seen shuttles going back and forth day and night from the surface to the ships. We are told by a source, who is speaking on condition of complete anonymity that the ships had loaded on masses of cargo before departing Gateway and Amaterasu. The contract for these ships is sealed and no one will speak as to who or what is the mission or the person contracting the ships.

 

[Murph]

102-2509 Gateway News Service- New Texas

The New Drakkensburg Embassy has filed a protest over the “unwarranted and criminal action which caused the death of Ivan Serov, a diplomat assigned to the Embassy”. The Charge d’Affaires has accused New Texas and the New Texas Rangers of covering up the identity of the killer in order to protect the rich and powerful.

The President of New Texas has denied these rumors, and the accusation, stating that they have some of their best people working on the case, and only a fool would state that New Texas Ranger Lieutenant Wulfe was anything other than professional. The President assures us that with Lieutenant Wulfe on the case, they should get answers at some point in the investigation.

But we are told also that the New Drakkensburg Embassy is complaining that a data crystal which was on the body of Serov is missing. They claim that the data on that crystal is Official New Drakkensburg property, and are demanding its immediate return. The Rangers tell us that no data crystal was found at the scene or on the body of the late Ivan Serov.

 

[Murph]

097-2509 Gateway News Service-Rama

The racers are headed to the finish line. Right now we are getting ready for the winner. It might end up being a photo finish since there are three teams neck and neck with each other. The front runners are The New Texas Rangers, The Freedonian Duck Soup, and the Dustball Desert Raiders. The rest of the racers are just minutes behind the leader as they hit the last 10 kilometers and everyone is going flat out trying to get across the line first.

As usual there is a huge crowd waiting to see who is going to cross the finish line first. In past years if tradition follows the winner will head on down the route to the parking area before being shuttled over to the winners platform. We will go to Marc Hannibal, our reporter on the line for further updates. Marc, what are you seeing?

Marc Hannibal; Well Frank, it looks like the three leaders are almost in a dangerous race for the line, any mistake on the part of the drivers will cause a massive wreck, and possibly some injuries. All the leaders are going well over 100 kilometers an hour on the last little bit, far faster than the terrain really should be run. I am going to switch to the overhead view, and we can see that it is just a matter of a meter or so as to who might be in the lead. Seldom have we seen such aggressive driving.

Frank: We can see that, but what is that? It looks like the Sutekh team is making an almost suicidal run up to the front, WHOA! Almost caused a wreck there with the Gateway Team, but they forced the Gateway team to move back to avoid the collision. There is a huge dust cloud, what happened Marc?

Marc: Well it looks like the Dustball team tried a move, and lost control there for a moment, I was not sure if they were going to flip, but their driver must be a real master, he got control, and kept it upright. But they lost a little distance, I can see them speeding up, WOW! That was something! They hit a small ridge and went airborne for a bit. That had to hurt the crew inside of the vehicle unless they were well strapped in.

Here they come! Here they come! The Sutekh Elder Gods are making a move, they are now up with the leaders, OH CRAP! The Gateway Team also tried to move up, and ended up bumping the Sutekh vehicle which caused it to lose control, and flip! EMS is on the way to check on the crew. They are out of the race! The Gateway team looks like they took some damage, and are falling back, yes, it looks like they lost a tire, and some other damage, they are being passed by other racers!

Frank: OK, what are the judges saying?

Marc: No foul, it looks like an accident, and those things happen. It does not appear to be intentional. Here they come! Aaaannnnd it is a PHOTO FINISH!! Oh wow, this is spectacular! A photo finish! The other teams are starting to cross the line now, and there is heavy dust as the racers make it through. We are waiting on the judges right now. I see them huddled over the monitors, and it looks like they are running the film back and forth.

It looks like they are going to announce their decision. Here comes the head judge right now:

Head Judge: After a close review of the video, it appears that we have a double winner. The New Texas and the Dustball team appear to have crossed the line together. This is a first for the Rama race. Right now the Freedonia team is protesting the decision, so we are going to re look at the video so we can confirm.

Frank: That is unheard of, we have never had a dual finish. Are the teams requesting the use of the laser?

Marc: Yes, they are all protesting the finish, so it will take a little bit of time to get the confirmation.

Frank: Any word on the Sutekh team?

Marc: Yes, EMS has arrived and they are transporting all six members to hospital for injuries suffered from the wreck. But I am being told that none are critically injured due to being strapped in, and the sheer strength of the Sutekh vehicle. The Gateway Team managed to get across the line in 21st place after they limped in. Hold on, we have further news from the judges:

Chief Judge: After a closer look at the video and laser range finding, we stand by our call of a Dual Finish. New Texas and Dustball will both be represented on the winners stage and both will get a trophy since we are unable to show that one team was first. Despite arguments from the New Texas team, we cannot use nanometers since the race rules state that a "reasonable" distance between racers, and it appears that both teams crossed at the same time. This naturally upset both teams who loudly proclaimed that THEY were the winners.

Marc: Well Frank, back to you, but this certainly has been a race for the history books!

Frank: Yes, it has been. I am told that bookies are having meetings to determine if they can pay off, or what they have to do for those who have bet so heavily on the teams. That, dear readers is a completely different matter. So we will sign off for now, on one of the most exciting races we have yet seen. Well, we will see what the next one brings in 2511.

 

[Murph]

113-2509 Gateway News Service- Gateway

We at GNS are being told that something called the "Argus Program" was uncovered by investigators of the Gateway Investigative Service. The "Argus Program" was run out of Happy Dale Hospital in the Green Valley area of the planet. It appears that the "Argus Program" was unknown to people inside of the Intelligence Services, and has been in operation for many years. The "Argus Program" is reported to have been an attempt to train unidentified agents for multiple tasks, but exactly by or for whom is unknown.

There are rumors that the Argus Program was overseen by a Dr. Mark Howard who was officially assigned as the Chief of Special Medical Programs at Happy Dale Hospital. Dr. Howard is a graduate of Friedland Medical, a very prestigious university which is well known for its rigorous program of study.

Exactly who or what the "Argus Program" was run by and for is currently under investigation, records are non existent, but it does not appear that it was run by GeneCo or otherwise affiliated with them based on what little information was recovered, if anything they are enemies of those groups.

The program came to public visibility when there was a disturbance at Happy Dale, and one of the inmates in the Special Area went berserk injuring several of the staff, and then escaping and before being arrested by local police while screaming about "tentacles, probes, and "them" which led investigators to this area of the hospital. An investigation discovered the secret area, which has left authorities mystified. Several members of the staff have gone missing since the Argus project has become public. The escaped patient was screaming that “He” was going to come and bring him back, and that “He” was “That Guy! You know “him!”” He could give no other description.

 

[Murph]

117-2509 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Dr. Mark Howard, head of Special Patients, at the Happy Dale Hospital for the incurably insane has vanished today, with authorities looking to question him regarding irregularities they have found at Happy Dale. Dr. Howard showed up seemingly out of the blue in 2500, but with all the proper certifications, and licenses from very prestigious universities on Xanadu, Xin Zhongguo, and Friedland, which are found to be concerning in retrospect.

No students who were at those Universities, supposedly with Dr. Howard, can recall Dr. Howard in any of their classes, at this time he is suspected of having forged his documents, although there are records in each universities files showing his attendance, and grades, properly signed, and sealed, which is even odder. Dr. Howard is suspected of being involved in the so called "Argus Program" where subjects were brought in and trained as agents for an undisclosed organization. The "Argus Program" was not officially known by anyone in the Gateway Government, as far as anyone would admit.

Dr. Howard was last seen at the Blue Oyster Bar in downtown Landing, and he vanished after leaving the bar. It appears that a portion of Happydale Hospital, Special Wing, had nano surgical rooms, firing ranges, and other rooms not consistent with a mental hospital as well as areas which do not appear on any known publicly available plans of the hospital. A locate and detain alert has been put out for Dr. Howard, and there are concerns that he might attempt to leave the system.

 

[Murph]

121-2509 Gateway News Service- Sutekh

Sir Nigel Matheson was found deceased in his Upper West side home today by his butler. Sir Nigel was discovered when his butler went to wake him up for his morning tea and crumpets. He was found in the study with a single bullet hole in the center of his face, which had very messily exited the back of his skull causing certainly almost instant death.

The butler, Hawthorne, told police that he had last seen Sir Nigel at 1900 hours the night before when he had asked if he needed anything else, and upon being told no, left to his quarters in the large house. When asked if the house alarm system had been switched on, he told Police that Sir Nigel always made sure that the alarm was activated when he was ready for bed. Sir Nigel had poured himself a large New Paris Cognac, and normally reviewed documents before going to bed. The glass was empty sitting on the table next to Sir Nigel’s body. Forensic reports show he had drained the glass before he was killed.

The safe had been opened, and there were multiple items still in the safe, with Hawthorne telling police that Sir Nigel was used to storing documents and some cash in the safe, but he could not be sure if any cash had been taken since Sir Nigel was famously reclusive regarding cash and its uses. At this time no one can tell if anything had been taken from the safe.

Street cameras show a man leaving a later model sedan, walking to the front door, doing something and then entering the residence. The unidentified man came out 22 minutes later re-entering the sedan which drove off. The sedan was later found partially submerged in the river close to the industrial sector. Cameras caught the two men, entering another vehicle which was seen entering the river and submerging. There is no record of the vehicle exiting the water in the city.

Sir Nigel is the CEO of Imperial Metals and Refining, and had just concluded a large monopoly deal with Okuvango and General Tshombe which would have made Imperial Metals a vast sum of money. Rumors are that Sir Nigel had something to do with the rescue attempt on former President Limbani.

Police have called in Sutekh Planetary Security since they are unaware of any money or other documents taken, it was known that he kept large sums on Bank of New Zurich credit chips for payments to people that performed services for him. At this time a planetary alert has gone out for the two unidentified men.

An emergency meeting of the board of directors of Imperial Metals has been called, and Sir Teras Luckenbach has been named interim CEO/Director pending an election by the stockholders. Imperial Metals stock fell 10% in early trading on the Sutekh main exchange today. Mr. Luckenbach has said that he will keep the policies of his predecessor, but will take a look to ensure that "less productive actions are no longer repeated".

King Dorian has said that he is not going to stand for such actions on Sutekh, that there will be law and order, with the criminals who committed this terrible act brought to justice so that all of the citizens of Sutekh can be safe. Dorian Cheval, who was a close acquaintance of Sir Nigel has expressed his anger at this "terrible act". Dorian has gone to the palace where he is meeting with the King so they can coordinate their response to this murder.

 

[Murph]

129-2509 Gateway News Service- Gateway

St. Edwards Hospital was the scene of an unusual event today, the man who had escaped from Happy Dale Hospital was being treated in a high security ward, when suddenly he started screaming and causing a ruckus. The patient was screaming things like: “No! No!, I am not going back! Don’t make me go back! Help! Help! They are in my room!” Nurses responded, and reported that they did not see anyone in the room at all. They said they checked in the restroom, as well as the closet, and did not see anyone. The patient was given some sedation since he was becoming unruly.

An hour later as a nurse went in to check on him, the patient was gone, vanished, no longer in his room. A complete search of the hospital took place, but the patient was nowhere to be found. Video shows no one entering or exiting his room except the on duty nurses, although there is a 5 minute glitch earlier in the day. Cameras on the outside of the building appear to have malfunctioned for a 12 minute time period, but the room was secure, and intact. A mystery of the first order it seems. Police have been involved and are going over the video footage as well as checking for any and all DNA traces. At this time, no one can account for the missing patient.

 

[Murph]

131-2509 Gateway News Service- New Paris

People have commented on the lack of Ladies of Negotiable Virtue on the streets of all the cities on New Paris. It is odd, but many were rounded up in vice raids, but have not been seen for two weeks after the raids. Also a number of the more vocal female Vert D’Argent supporters have been listed as missing.

Questions are being asked since it is now becoming apparent that several of the larger prisons on New Paris have been declared vacant, and many of the supporters of Vert D’Argent, or at least those who have not fled with the former president missing, and unable to be located. There is a suspicion that these missing people were the “cargo” being transported up to the colony ships.

When asked directly the Minister for the Interior, Minister of Police, and Foreign Minister all issued categorical No comment on this question. Some questions are being asked in the Estates General as to exactly what was being shuttled up to the colony vessels, and for what reason. The government of President Bonaparte has denied any wrongdoing, or illegal acts, and has said that a “small number, purely miniscule” have elected to find new challenges off world, and completely voluntarily, and of their own free will decided that this was in their best interest.

 

[Murph]

130-2509 Gateway News Service- Outlands/Aki

More news from the Alien city which was discovered. A survey has found so far that the city is circular and 10 kilometers in diameter. None of the towers are more than 8000 meters tall, and the technology appears similar to that found at the Alien site on Kormoran in the Blue Mold Valley. Each tower has a similar glowing hallway, and each of the suspected personal living areas, has the elimination areas where waste products are sent elsewhere.

Scientists have discovered that the supposed residential areas still can produce meals, which as on Kormoran are designated Human Biocomptable Meals 1-4 since there are four varieties of the meals each with a slightly different flavor. The expedition has decided to move into one of the towers and set it up as their base.

So far the other areas with the circular craters appear to have a slightly higher level of background radiation than other places, not dangerous, but higher than the radiation counts elsewhere on planet. A survey expedition has found portions of what could have been a spaceport, but it is 92% in one of the craters which appear to be a hemisphere. Expedition team members are speculating that some weapon was used which created a spherical effect.

We at GNS are being told that other expeditions are rushing to the scene, with an Amaterasu team of 30 members landing and setting up residence in another tower. It looks like quite the scrum will take place, since we are told that teams from New Texas, Friedland, Freedonia, to include the famed Dr. Thevins are enroute. Rumor has reached us that a team from New Canberra to include Dr. Jacqueline Thevins is also being put together, so mother and daughter will be there for joint field work. The biggest question we have is; Will Sir Bingo be on scene as well? Inquiring minds want to know. The Gateway Federation Exploration service is sounding the alarm on this rush by other scientific teams, but we have to ask, is it a legitimate concern, or sour grapes that they cannot keep this discovery to themselves?

 

[Murph]

136-2509 Gateway News Service- Outlands/Aki

The first "Tomb Raiders" have arrived, and were engaged in a short sharp firefight with the exploration crew before being captured and detained by Marines from the GNS O'Hara, a destroyer which is in orbit. The Marines joined in the firefight, and the Tomb Raiders starship was damaged by fire from the destroyer as it attempted to flee, finally crashing into one of the craters.

The captured "combat capitalist archaeologists" as they are calling themselves have threatened to file suit in Gateway court over illegal restraint, illegal arrest, violation of civil rights, violation of the right to earn a living, and several other charges since as they put it, "Finders Keeps, and losers can suck it." The leader of the group was slightly wounded and is a well know Tomb Raider who has warrants for his arrest on three planets. He is claiming that what he does is totally legal, because there are no laws in place to prevent him and his crew from finding relics for sale.

For the time being, the surviving eight members of the raiders are being held in custody on the destroyer under guard. They will remain in custody until another ship arrives which can take them to either Shangri La or New Atlantis for a hearing and possibly a trial. The ship has been declared a complete write off, and will be left where it crashed.

Legal analysts tell us that this is a very grey area since Aki is claimed by no world at this time, there is no official government to prevent such Tomb Raiding from taking place. It will certainly be interesting since the law has not caught up with things yet, and there is a valid argument that the alien city is unclaimed, and therefore open to anyone and everyone. So there can be no theft or crime since the world has no sentient life, and no government.

 

[Murph]

140-2509 Gateway News Service- Outlands/Aki

Another Gateway Navy ship, the cruiser Styx, has arrived with additional marines, and not a moment too late, as three other tomb raider ships have arrived, and the occupants of those ships have flooded several areas of what is being called Acheron City, as they search for readily obtainable ancient artifacts which can be stolen for sale.

Two of the groups were involved in a firefight that lasted half an hour before marines were able to get to the scene and enforce a cease fire. The captain of one of the ships was seen telling the archeologists that Aki and Acheron City belongs to no one, and therefore Gateway has no rights or jurisdiction so they cannot interfere with his crew looking for knick-nacks and other goodies which will show a profit when sold in the settled areas.

The commander of the cruiser, Captain Lars Olafsson has stated that he was going to claim the planet for the Gateway Federation in order to put a stop to the rapacious theft of artifacts which “those idiots” have no idea what they could do, or how potentially dangerous they can be which is why they need to be “controlled”.

Commentators have said that this is just a smokescreen as Gateway wants to monopolize all alien tech, and the assumption of Gateway control over the planet and city is based on a very questionable legal interpretation. Captain Olafsson has been caught stating: “Well it might not be legal, but right now I have the firepower and the marines to ensure we win”. He has deployed his company of marines to put a stop to the Tomb Raiders activities, and has threatened to fire upon their ships if they do not leave the system. Again an action of questionable legality, as is his declaration that Gateway owns the planet.

A rushed archeological team from Amaterasu has arrived with two dozen members, and has claimed rights under the Gateway Treaty, it was escorted by two destroyers, who have deployed their marines to the surface as well. The Amaterasu team has set up in another of the towers as their base of operations.

The city appears to be circular 10 kilometers in diameter with no tower appearing to be over 8,000 meters tall. All of the areas which were destroyed were circular in shape as well, and archeologists are speculating as to the cause which has so far mystified the scholars. It appears that the city could have held an estimated 500,000 to 1 million plus inhabitants, but the lower 500 meters of the city has been buried and needs to be excavated.

Captain Olafsson has met with the commanders of the Amaterasu destroyers and has agreed, grudgingly to allow the Amaterasu expedition access to the site after be was so advised by his legal officer that he could not stop them. The ship captains have agreed to coordinate in stopping the influx of Tomb Raiders, we are told that New Texas and Friedland are sending teams, and both nations have sent a ship to the system to express their claim to the right to deploy expeditions to the surface.

 

[Murph]

I certainly hope everyone who gets the newsletter is enjoying the sector, it’s not Star Trek sweetness and light by any means, but I try to take time for some light hearted humor. I am also open to suggestions for any plot lines. Thanks all for letting me give you all a little reading material.