Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[Murph]

Then there are the independent worlds/national colonies:

New Canberra: Australia/New Zealanders, add in some pacific islanders, and some random others. Over the top Aussie.

New Caledonia: Scots, Irish, some Americans, Welsh, very few English.

New Judea: Colony from Israel, and other jewish populations. VERY large arms industry that will sell to pretty much anyone for hard cash.

Freedonia: Texans, Americans, and others who just wanted to be left alone. Personal freedom is a big thing, but do not force others to believe what you do, Think Duck Soup with creative anarchy. Lots of space to get away and be left alone. VERY anti-Imperialist, Anti-Interventionist unless people are in trouble. Good friends, bad enemies. The place where the ant-slavery movement got started.

Gateway: The big dog, a mix of colonies, likes to pretend it is going to be the Imperial Capital. Delusions of grandeur, with overweening ambition, and arrogance. The technological powerhouse of the sector.

Xanadu: Asians, the most populated planet in the sector, in terms of technological power #2 after Gateway. Chinese, Mongols, Vietnamese, Koreans, Japanese, Cambodians, Thai, and others. Very strict laws.

New Joseon: Korean settled, majority Korean with some others. A very close ally of Freedonia.

 

[Murph]

147-2509 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Special called bi-annual meeting of the Technology Assessment Group (TAG) has certainly generated some controversy. The TAG once again kept Xin Zhongguo at TL 11 to the fury of the Ambassador from that government, also the TAG have maintained their opinion that Sulawesi is still considered a TL 9 world having regressed from TL A due to chronic instability, declining population, and constant conflict.

Marduk held on to its TL A rating only due to certain colonies, and the Amaterasu Enclave which skews the results of the grading criteria. Sutekh looks to be upgraded to TL 12 on the next assessment due to the extremely aggressive improvement program by the Cheval Family which has pushed Sutekh from TL 9 to TL 11 in just 20 years.

Thanks to the hard work and aggressiveness of the Grand Poobah, and the human settlers, especially the Matoshi clan, Dustball is firmly in the TL A category, and on track in 15-20 years to reach TL B. Once more New Paris is protesting their remaining at TL A, despite having pushed certain industries into TL B, but the group is standing by its rating. President Bonaparte has dispatched an Ambassador to fight the rating.

The formal criteria for TL D has been finalized, and is awaiting the formal approval of the members of the TAG so that the requirement can be formally published. Jump 4 technology is one of the non-negotiable requirements. But the TAG Public Affairs office tells the Gateway News Service that it anticipates that Amaterasu, Gateway, and possibly Xanadu and New Texas will reach TL D within the next decade.

As always the Technology Assessment Group is a non-partisan organization made up of Industry representatives, scientists, journalists, merchants, and issues once a Lustrum their overall ratings, but every two years they can, at the request of member worlds, hold a special meeting, which this one was, called by New Paris and Xin Zhongguo, to re-assess the prior technological rating of their worlds.

 

[Murph]

151-2509 Gateway News Service- Aki

The number of starships which are suddenly appearing in the skies of this planet have increased, and traffic control is now becoming an issue as there were almost two collisions between several ships boats and shuttles attempting to land on the surface of the planet. At this time there are seven ships in orbit, not counting the three Gateway Naval ships and the expedition cruiser.

Captain Larsson of the Styx has appointed the commander of the frigate O’Toole as a space control ship for purposes of traffic control. The O’Toole is one of the newer Stormbringer class of ships which has an excellent radar suite. The biggest problem is that some of the ships in orbit are too eager to get down to the surface since they are Tomb Raiders who are trying to beat others to the surface. The captain has sent off for additional ships to be sent to assist, along with additional marines.

At this time all of the cruisers marines, along with those on the destroyer’s marines have been moved to the surface to act as a defacto police force to control the tomb raiders who have suddenly decided to get in on the looting, or as much looting as possible considering that the city appears deserted and empty. But there have been several gun battles between Tomb raiding companies, which have necessitated the marines being sent in to prevent damage to buildings and the interiors.

 

[coliver988]

I like the idea of the TAG office. Part of what Scouts do in OTU I think. I can see all sorts of interesting political shenanigans going on, potential for big bribes and behind the scenes dramatics. Could be used as a cudgel depending on how those ratings are then used.

 

[Murph]

146-2509 Gateway News Service- Sutekh

Along the winding Apophis river, the University of Sutekh, Thothville Campus in the scenic town of Thothville, has opened its newest building the school of Advanced Business Practice. The school has been generously endowed by Dorian Cheval, who has been appointed as a full professor, and will be teaching classes on various subjects with practical field work for his graduate students.

Some of his topics will be: Intro to Negotiation Tactics, Creative Accounting Practices, Smuggling 101, an underrated skill, and the ever popular Hostile Takeovers. Most of the professors have long term experience with both the Royal Sutekh Merchant Marine, and Cheval Enterprises. Most of the classes are decidedly short on theory, but long on practical examples. He is also holding seminars on: Winning the Bid; creative uses for Intelligence, What to do when the Board disagrees with you, and Customs Officers; how to avoid them or encourage them to look elsewhere.

Mr. Liam Homer has also been enticed out of retirement to teach classes such as: Protecting your investment, best small arms to use, Religious artifacts, or salable goods a matter of opinion, Intelligence operatives, and Free Agents, how to recruit and employ them, and another popular class: Best weapon systems for trade vessels.

KhorloogiinTsedenbal, formerly the head of Special Mercantile Matters for Cheval Enterprises, the internal intelligence arm of the company will be teaching: Informants their care and feeding, Counter Intelligence Operations 1 and 2, and Human Resources Operations. Always a full class, especially popular for the field work. The school attempted to get Sir Bingo as a professor to teach his ever popular course on Creative Black Operations, but he declined due to overwhelming commitments elsewhere.

King Dorian II has been instrumental in getting his father, the renowned Dorian Cheval to start teaching some of his world beating tactics and sharing the irreplaceable knowledge to the next generation. But there are darker rumors that he wants to keep his father safe from Elaine who is still out there, and has become a serious threat to both the planet and the company, which to outsiders is one in the same.

 

[kilemall]

146-2509 Gateway News Service- Sutekh

Along the winding Apopis river, the University of Sutekh, Thothville Campus in the scenic town of Thothville, has opened its newest building the school of Advanced Business Practice. The school has been generously endowed by Dorian Cheval, who has been appointed as a full professor, and will be teaching classes on various subjects with practical field work for his graduate students.

Some of his topics will be: Intro to Negotiation Tactics, Creative Accounting Practices, Smuggling 101, an underrated skill, and the ever popular Hostile Takeovers. Most of the professors have long term experience with both the Royal Sutekh Merchant Marine, and Cheval Enterprises. Most of the classes are decidedly short on theory, but long on practical examples. He is also holding seminars on: Winning the Bid; creative uses for Intelligence, What to do when the Board disagrees with you, and Customs Officers; how to avoid them or encourage them to look elsewhere.

Mr. Liam Homer has also been enticed out of retirement to teach classes such as: Protecting your investment, best small arms to use, Religious artifacts, or salable goods a matter of opinion, Intelligence operatives, and Free Agents, how to recruit and employ them, and another popular class: Best weapon systems for trade vessels.

KhorloogiinTsedenbal, formerly the head of Special Mercantile Matters for Cheval Enterprises, the internal intelligence arm of the company will be teaching: Informants their care and feeding, Counter Intelligence Operations 1 and 2, and Human Resources Operations. Always a full class, especially popular for the field work. The school attempted to get Sir Bingo as a professor to teach his ever popular course on Creative Black Operations, but he declined due to overwhelming commitments elsewhere.

King Dorian II has been instrumental in getting his father, the renowned Dorian Cheval to start teaching some of his world beating tactics and sharing the irreplaceable knowledge to the next generation. But there are darker rumors that he wants to keep his father safe from Elaine who is still out there, and has become a serious threat to both the planet and the company, which to outsiders is one in the same.

My kind of college!

 

[Murph]

He is a great believer in real world vs theory.

 

[Murph]

Veedback, the hardest rocking band in the sector. TAS #24, John M. Ford, just a wonderful adventure hook. The members:

Modred Rosegold: Lead guitar; Think Ronnie James Dio, Mark Knoffler, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Yngwie Malmsteen, Alex van Halen level of good.
Delilah D'Aubry: Guitar, vocals, Think Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Floor Jansen
Lydia Vervain: Vocals, keyboard: Think Stevie Nicks, Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Joan Jett, Pat Benatar
Ginch: Bass, keyboards: Think Geddy Lee, Kieth Emerson, Rick Wakeman
Herman Zero: Drums think: Neil Peart, Phil Collins level of good.

Rosalita "Ruby" Tuesday- Manager
Sandor Cronstein- Video master and crew chief
Walsingham "The Dopp" Doppler- Audio and mixing boards.

Groupies, lots of groupies, and rabid fans.

 

[Murph]

170-2509 Gateway News Service- Freedonia

Veedback, the master of metal, have announced a special edition album that no one saw coming. The album is called “Escape”, and is apparently something that the band has been working on for the last 15 years here and there. A concept album, the title tells you what this is about. Veedback was able to have a very very clandestine meeting with D68G aka Marjorie Dream many years ago, and this album has been a bit of a vanity project for the band but kept very much in the dark.

Much like the classic Rush album 2112, this album has a single 22 minutes and 48 seconds long on the “A” side, and on the “B” side are various works from classic rock stars. The title song Escape is a homage to D68G and her escape from the clutches of GeneCo. We are told that Veedback has kept this project so secret that even their manager thought it but a rumor until they went into the studio to start recording.

The studio was shocked that Veedback was recording an album when they were initially told that it was just some practice work. We are being told that it will hit stores and downloads on 200 day, but we at GNS have been privileged to get to sit through the album. Escape is an unfiltered, raw powerful ballad that show cases the sheer talent of all the members of this band, with some of the best vocals we have heard from Delilah, just raw emotion driving the song in her signature husky voice. There is an incredible guitar solo by Modred, which Delilah moves into and drops some riffs that had our hair standing on end, we almost could believe those axes were smoking!

The bass and drum work was just powerful with both Ginch and Herman Zero giving their all in an almost painful work. The first side is dedicated to: Marjorie, and all the others who suffered at the hands of evil. Now side two is where the band has decided to have fun. Working from really ancient recordings, we get the following songs which showcase each of the bands talents. a. Stairway to Heaven, b. Thunderstruck, c. Highway Star, d. Paranoid, e. Metal Machine, f. Carry on Wayward Son, g. Born to be Wild, h. Godzilla.

We had to admit we had tears running down our faces during the concert, this was pure unfiltered music, no technological tricks, no autotune, no helping by AI, just master musicians showing us that Rock and Roll is not dead, and what masters can do. We are looking to purchase this album, and so should you. We have not heard its like ever before, we suspect that the people of GeneCo, and New Drakkensburg will not be happy with this album. However, you, our readers will be, so get this one now!

Rumors have reached us that some hard copies have actually been autographed by D68G! If this is true, it is going to be unheard of, and just incredible. How the band could actually get in contact with her, how they could overcome the security around her, and how did she know about the album. A little bird told us that D68G is a heavy metal fan from way back when and has all the Veedback albums.

 

[Murph]

169-2509 Gateway News Service- Marduk/Olmer’s Gulch

In a very tight vote, the proposal to require all colonists children to complete schooling through the 12th grade has passed by a one vote majority to the intense anger of those who think that the 6th grade is enough education for anyone. We spoke with Fern Makenplatz, who led the drive, and he said that he thought that kids needed to get them some of that edumacation so that they could go out in the world and help out the colony. Sandra Schwartzkopf said that it was a good idea for the kids to learn something other than how to gut fish, but she is scared a bit that they might get too “Open minded” which can be dangerous.

Buster Knogginwiess said that he and his wife voted against it since a good solid 6th grade edumication was as much as anyone needed to work on the boats, build houses, put together barns, sheds and the like. Priscilla Wassermacher said that she was opposed to this since it “put ideas in the kids heads”, and all that reading could lead to bad things happening since they kids might get ideas above their station in life. Now the colony council is getting ready to vote on allocating money for the new school and some teachers to be recruited to come to the colony.

 

[Murph]

173-2509 Gateway News Service- Aki

One of the scientific party on Aki today had a close call. Ms. Genera Lochikova was in a relatively unexplored portion of Nemdia tower when she sat down in what appeared to be chair to rest, which then slammed shut on her forming a solid mass. As her cries for aid reverberated, her team members were at a loss how to get her out of the chair which appeared a solid object with no opening.

After five minutes, the chair returned to its previous appearance, and Ms. Lochikova was in the chair, but… transformed. Her hair was perfectly done, trimmed, washed, and styled. Her eyebrows were perfectly trimmed and fluffed, he nails were buffed to a perfect sheen, and colored a delicate pink which complimented her overall coloration. Her outfit was cleaned, pressed, and several small rips were mended so perfectly that observers were unable to find them on the exploration suit.

A further exploration of the event, shows a perfect pedicure, her waxing was completely renewed, and she was clean as if she had a Japanese bath. She said that she was in the chair when her clothing vanished, and then re-appeared after tentacles had come out of the chair and groomed her perfectly. She said that she thought she heard a voice asking in standard English if she had any preference for coloring. No one outside heard anything other than her initial screams.

The other women in the group practically assaulted each other to get into the chair, with each emerging as perfectly groomed as Ms. Lochikova. Once word got out, security was placed around the room to prevent the Tomb Raiders from attempting to steal the chair. One of the male explorers sat in the chair, and it was...unfortunate. He came out perfectly coiffed, and clean, but sporting what one person described as Iridescent blue finger and toe nails. Also he had what appeared to be perfectly done make up. Subjected to much ribald ribbing by his compatriots, the man, now identified as Timothy van Deussen attempted to remove the nail color, but was unsuccessful.

Sensors indicate power draw when the chair is activated, along with other sensor readings which make little sense to scientists. Marine guards are being placed around the area, but female members of the exploration team, and others have been flocking en-mass, which has necessitated a system of appointments to enter the chair. Ms. Lochikova tried again, and this time she verbalized and thought of the nail color and make up pattern which the chair then applied. It does not appear that the chair can be moved, and its original purpose is not known, but investigation continues.

 

[bookwyrm]

Super Advanced Technology: Enigmatic, Deadly, Beautifying.

 

[Murph]

Simple appliances can be deadly to those of a lower tech level unless proper care is maintained.

 

[Murph]

#144 for those who would like to read it.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Super Advanced Technology: Enigmatic, Deadly, Beautifying.

 

[Murph]

182-2509 Gateway News Service- New Atlantis

The inaugural planetary Cricket matches have kicked off to great fervor among cricket aficionados all over the planet. The planetary cricket fields in the Gateway colony have been repaired after the damage by livestock, and the eight local teams have had a jolly good time bashing about on the field. A scratch team from New Montana showed up, and was thoroughly trounced by the New Atlantis Supernovas.

But as we are being told that perhaps in a mere 200-300 years, the cricket pitches will be properly seasoned and ready for truly professional play. The planetary governor tells us that he is hoping that in 50-60 years they will be ready to host the sector cricket matches. The goal is to make sure that all off world players can showcase their best. This will also require a massive investment in colonial infrastructure, so the 50-60 year time frame is not completely unrealistic.

 

[Murph]

188-2509 Gateway News Service- Dustball

Mother lodes of minerals have been located in the newly opened desert leases on this planet, with several mining companies striking enormous finds of various minerals which has caused an increase in mining company vs mining company violence and jockeying for position as each group is attempting to get rich quick.

The government assay office has been swamped with work as mining crawlers come in from the desert just completely loaded down with ore. Far Star Mining, has recently purchased an ore processing plant from its prior owners who suffered several regrettable accidents, and decided that selling the plant and leaving Dustball was in their best interest.

Mr. Bill “Hammerhead” Matoshi has also purchased a previously closed ore processing center, and hopes to have it open for business Real Soon Now, but he has been forced to hire extra security since there have been over ten attempts to destroy the facility. We are seeing an increase in the hiring of mercenaries by mining companies, ore processing centers, and crawler crews as it appears that the Gold Rush is upon us here on Dustball.

Hammerhead has also been a big proponent of setting up a Native Fund which will be used for the benefit of the indigenous inhabitants of Dustball, and he has been sending selected K’Grech off to New Texas to get trained in administration and law enforcement on that planet.

Off planet, the Dustball Belt has been the scene of some recent finds of minerals and ice rocks which are valuable with several mining firms setting up shop on the newly opened Belt Station #1 which is owned and operated by Cheval Mining and Exploration. A competing station is under construction by The Gateway Corporation Space Mining and Processing group opposite of the Belt Station #1. The government of Dustball has expressed its concern that these companies are claiming rights in the belt when Interstellar law shows that a unified planetary government can claim exclusive jurisdiction over its system.

But as observers note, that implies a space presence by said government which is not the case here since Dustball only has an on planet presence. The government of New Texas is offering to assist with system defense and law enforcement, but the negotiations have been protracted as business interests have filed suit on New Texas claiming that they have no legal authority to do such things. It does appear that Dustball is negotiating with the 12th Squadron of star mercenaries to act as an in system police and customs force until such time as the government of Dustball is able to get its own system police force in action.

The 12th Squadron has been employed by Dustball as a planetary customs and orbital quarantine service since 2506, and if its remit is expanded to cover the entire system, then the squadron will require many additional ships to handle its duties. All we can say is that things are getting interesting on Dustball. The Grand Poobah’s government has been forced to become larger and more involved than the local K’Grech are comfortable with, so they have hired human bureaucrats to assist them in governance and the promulgation of laws and administration.

 

[Murph]

190-2509 Gateway News Service- Sutekh

The Royal, Loyal, and Insufferably Excellent Order of the Flying Buffalo has opened a new order on this planet. The King himself, Dorian II, has joined the order as the Grand Bull, which is quite the plus for the RLIE Order of the Flying Buffalo. This large charitable organization which has a large following and memberships on over six planets in the sector has long looked at Sutekh as a good place for recruiting members.

However, Dorian Cheval, formerly Dorian I looked on the order as “A bunch of middle aged men, acting like children and clowns, which was completely undignified”. He scorned the order as “beneath the dignity of a normal, intelligent human being”. But his son, who is starting to show that he is “NOT” his father, has embraced the order to the joy of many of the people of Sutekh.

Whereas Dorian I was seen as stuffy, stodgy, very black and white in his life and rule, his son Dorian II is seen as less so than his father. While very much in favor of law and order, he also has a fun and playful side that the citizens of Sutekh are just discovering to their evident joy.

The Royal, Loyal, and Insufferably Excellent Order of the Flying Buffalo spends over 90% of all funds taken in on charitable works, with the remaining 10% to cover costs of space travel, and such things. It is the oldest such organization after the Shriners in the sector. Well known for their buffalo hair head-dresses which are made from the hair of the Freedonian Buffalo which was genetically modified so that it has hair that is sheared off twice a year with no harm to the animal.

 

[coliver988]

so a version of this:

 

[Murph]

Absolutely!