Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[Murph]

049-2510 Gateway News Service- New Atlantis/Blue Bay (ブルーベイ Burūbei)

The investigation into the island of Dr. Moro Akizuki has turned up several concerning developments which have been classified as Top Secret by the local government pending advice from homeworld. We are being told that a special mission has arrived and will be landing in a few days rushed from Amaterasu.

Dr. Unamit Ahhazredit from the Ministry of Science and Technology on Amaterasu is one of the people on board the cruiser which is moving in from the jump point. Dr. Ahhazredit is an expert on genetic experimentation and biological warfare with the Ministry.

We have been given notice that there is a news blackout concerning the island, but a source close to the investigation tells us that the servants who came with the doctor are missing, except for one, who has been found, but in considerable distress and no longer quite “human” if this source is to be believed.

Accompanying the cruiser is a troopship with a complete biological warfare detachment, along with additional security forces. Our source once more has told us that a large nuclear weapon has been taken to the island, for what reason, we are unsure, and our source cannot provide that information. We will attempt to interview Dr. Ahhazredit as soon as possible. GNS will keep you informed of the latest in this mystery.

 

[Murph]

056-2510 Gateway News Service- Freedonia

Rumors are swirling over a possible break up of Veedback. The various members have been seen on either solo projects or working with other bands recently. Hot Metal Magazine first broke the story with Herman Zero working with Thunderpuppy on their new album. Attempts to get interviews with the band have met with a complete stonewall. Lydia Vervain has been in the studio working on a solo album.

We finally caught up with Rosalita Tuesday, the bands manager, and she laughed off the rumors, stating that the band had been non stop for years, either in the studio or touring, so they needed a little “Me” time. She said that they are looking at their next album after a short break to get the creative juices flowing again. As Ruby told us: “You can’t stay up as a multi platinum band as long as they have, and not need to get a recharge.

We are told that Delilah D’Aubry has been spotted at the Nacogdoches Central Library apparently engrossed in works by classic 20th century authors like Ayn Rand. What this means, we cannot tell you, but she has always been rather cerebral. I am told that she and Lydia have been meeting at A Cuppa Joe and looking over books lately. What this means, no one can tell.

 

[Murph]

059-2510 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Debris from the battle in orbit has become an issue, as several ships have been damaged by chunks from the destroyed Battle Station #1. The government of New Paris has sent out a request for bids for orbital clean up services. A shuttle taking workers from the surface to a large ore carrier in orbit was struck and severely damaged by a piece of the station. Fortunately no hull breach was suffered, but a rescue craft from Main Orbital had to go and rescue the shuttle which had lost its engines.

As is common with situations like this, the debris is difficult to collect, with the larger pieces being swept away soon, but the smaller pieces will take years if not decades to remove as hazards to space travel. The contract is for two years and is worth 3 billion stellars for orbital cleanup services. It is expected that a large number of companies will bid on the contract to remove all of this debris. Also independent space sweepers have been working ever since which while not extremely lucrative, can provide an enterprising ship captain a reasonable rate of return on their investment. Also the New Paris authorities are paying slightly above standard rates for all debris which can be removed.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Deleted - duplicate

 

[Grav_Moped]

the island of Dr. Moro

What you did there -- it has been seen.

Unamit Ahhazredit

That too.

 

[kilemall]

Horrible punnery afoot!

 

[Murph]

070-2510 Gateway News Service- New Paris

Mining Station Gabrielle 3 has suffered a massive explosion, and decompression event today, with an unknown level of casualties. Gabrielle 3 is the largest of the off world mining stations, orbiting the Gas Giant Gabrielle, and is responsible for approximately 11% of all off world refining and mineral production. The station is home to 700 workers who keep things running, and the ore being processed.

The explosion happened at 0230 New Paris time, in the cracking area, and then another explosion happened in two refining areas of the station. The explosions were large enough to crack the shell of the station which is on the surface of Gabrielle 3, a large moon of the gas giant. The station is run under the auspices of New Paris Mining and Refining Corporation, which is known to be a relatively honorable company that keeps safety standards up to specifications.

The station is also the receiving area for shipments of ore from several mining platforms scattered across the system, with over a dozen “catchers” in operation to recovered maglev fired ore canisters which are then taken into the station for processing. The facility is one of the more modern and highly automated operations in the New Paris system.

All ships in the area have been requested by Space Traffic Control to move towards the station and provide aid and assistance. We are being told that there are fires in some of the areas of the station which, are of course, the most critical area to deal with since the station atmospheric plant was apparently damaged in the blasts. At this time Police and Space Safety units have no idea as to the cause of the blast, nor why it occurred. We are being told that as rescue operations wind down, there will be a full and complete investigation.

Initial reports are that the damage is both extensive and complete in areas of the processing portions of the station. There were decompression incidents across the station due to the large scale of the accident. We have asked if this could be a terrorist attack, and were told that at this time there is just not enough information to determine exactly what caused this incident, but all avenues will be examined, and prepared for in case there is criminal activity detected.

 

[Murph]

074-2510 Gateway News Service- New Atlantis/Blue Bay (ブルーベイ Burūbei)

Dr. Unamit Ahazredit held a press conference today regarding the Island of Dr. Moro Akizuki and what has been found. He told us that regrettably there is little he can tell us since the government of Amaterasu has placed the entire island and what occurred here under the strictest classification possible.

He did say that he was allowed to tell us that illegal genetic experimentation was occurring, of the most horrific nature. He said that the Doctor has been transported to a high security prison on Amaterasu to await charges and trial for what has been found on this island. All he would tell us regarding the missing servants was that they were alive and being treated with every possible medical treatment that could be brought to bear. He refused to answer any questions as to what happened to them, only stating that they were deserving of the most pity since they were unwilling test subjects.

The island is being explored by a special team of scientists and military personnel, and no one is allowed to come within 100 kilometers of the island without being challenged by armed grav vehicles, and turned away. A further source has told us that there was a vigorous argument between Dr. Ahazredit and Colonel Miazuki who is in charge of the military who wants to sterilize the island with a nuclear weapon, and the doctor who wants to explore, investigate and perhaps learn from the experiments.

At this time, both parties are awaiting on directions from homeworld as to exactly what tack they are going to take to deal with whatever it is they have found on this mysterious island. But the secrecy is being taken extremely seriously by all parties involved in this matter. We are told that almost a dozen soldiers have had to be shipped back to Amaterasu suffering from nerves and panic over what was found on the island.

 

[Murph]

075-2510 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Mrs. C. Lovey Howell III and Piddles have suffered a severe disappointment, after Piddles had been entered into the Gateway Dog Show. When Piddles and Mrs. C. Lovey Howell III entered the ring, boos erupted from the crowd, we are not sure if they were for Mrs. Howell III or for Piddles. But she left the ring in a huff with Piddles (the IV) who before he left, hiked his leg on one of the obstacles and left his mark in the ring.

Mrs. Howell III said afterwards she had never been treated so poorly, and so as a result she was going to stop her very generous donation to the dog show, since they refused to eject those “Horrible ruffians”. Her dropping her donations to the Dog Show will leave a large gap in financing, although there are those who claim that she only does it so Piddles will get some sort of a trophy.

 

[Murph]

076-2510 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Chandra Shipyards has issued an advisory to all ships which have been overhauled at the shipyard in the last six months. The Blohm und Steinmetz 63-KR497-A6/12 module which controls part of the communications system and is a critical component of the docking system has been recalled due to a fault found in the system. Any ship using the A6/12 module needs to immediately report to a starport which has repair services available, and have the A6/12 module swapped out with either the /11 or the newer /13 module.

Failure to do so could result in faulty data input in the docking system and result in potential crashes as ships attempt to dock. As of this date, no ships have suffered any issues due to the A6/12 module, but all of them have been recalled due to unexpected shut down, and erroneous data outputs in test modules. Chandra Shipyards is offering to replace the offending module free of charge to any ships which had gotten the module as part of any regular maintenance performed at the yards. Also see Gateway Space Safety Commission advisory 2510-7Delta3 which was issued on 075 day for further details.

 

[Murph]

I am working on #165 and there will be a world class level of Walting in one article. The term WALT is used for Walter Mitty. It should be fun.