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Far Frontiers Gateway sector

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
079-2510 Gateway News Service- Aki BREAKING NEWS

In an incident in the Acheron colony today, an event occurred that has left the entire planet shocked and distraught. Dr. L. Thevins, Sir Bingo, Sgt Maj M’Butu, and several researchers were exploring an area in the lower level of Stygia Tower. The room they were exploring had odd lights and symbols on the walls, most of which were dark, but four were lit up. On the floor were odd circular symbols roughly 1.5 meters in diameter.

In a shocking event, one of the researchers touched the wall right as the members of their group had stepped into the circles, and in a flash of light, they were gone, immediately afterwards there was the smell of burning, and some sparks from the floor. The wall immediately went dark, and the lighted circles also went dark. One researcher was halfway on one of the circles, and she was forcibly ejected from the circle just a second before everyone vanished from the room who was standing in one of the circles.

An immediate search has been ordered by all members of the colony, as well as help from the Gateway New Styx colony. Dr. M. Thevins has flown to Acheron in an attempt to try and reconstruct what happened to her parents and their party. The researcher who touched the wall said that she touched one of the still glowing symbols on the wall, and right as she did a voice speaking an unknown language came from hidden speakers.

As of this time, authorities have no explanation for this event, and have no current location for the missing people. We at the Gateway News Service will keep you updated as to the search for the missing people.
 
084-2510 Gateway News Service- Aki BREAKING NEWS

The missing party has been located by the JT Kirk. The Thevins party is located approximately 1 kilometer underground in an apparent cavern complex but which is made of some unknown metal. When the Kirk came overhead they were able to barely pick up signals from Sir Bingo’s locator beacon, and then they were able to establish text communication only due to the thickness of the rock. But oddly enough, they were unable to detect the complex at all on any sensor on board the Kirk.

We are being told that the party is safe, there are minor injuries reported, but it does appear that the exit from the cavern they are located in, has been blocked, and so will require some excavation. Sir Bingo has requested an urgent attempt be made, he is in serious need of an MLT (Mutton, Lettuce, and Tomato) sandwich, and some Vegemite crisps. Dr. L. Thevins is asking for a complete team to be sent to the area so that the installation in which they have found themselves can be mapped and explored.

Reports are spotty since text messages are all that can be obtained at this time, but rescue teams with heavy equipment are headed to the location where the party has found itself. They have had to shut down their comm gear since batteries were running low at this time, and they wanted to preserve them for urgent communications. Dr. Thevins said that the are in an enormous cavern complex which appears to have at one time been some sort of storage depot, but they have not explored too much.

One party member wandered off and is missing, but they cannot search too far since their lights are running low. Sir Bingo has also asked for a few drops of the Amber nectar to be sent down as well since he has a “heroic” thirst because all there is to drink is water. We at the Gateway News Service will keep you updated as to the pace of the rescue, and what is found in the cavern.
 
085-2510 Gateway News Service- Aki BREAKING NEWS

A scrum broke out in the area of the caverns, as competing groups of “colonists” from Acheron, New Styx, and the crew of the Free Trader “Filthy Lucre” all tried to claim a colony site at the area of collapsed entrance of the colony. A total of 110 people from the competing groups became engaged in a brawl as they attempted to set down colony markers on the ground, and the other groups were attempting to remove them in a bizarre game of “Steal the flag”. Finally the groups mustered in areas they claimed to the hilarity of some outside observers.

All the groups have planted the flags of their “colony” on the site. The group from Acheron, is calling their colony Grand Cave, those from New Styx are calling theirs New Sparta, and those from the Filthy Lucre are calling their colony, with a singular lack of imagination: Our Colony. There is an established procedure for things such as this, an independent off world commission is formed and they adjudicate the colonial claims. This, however takes months at best, and so Captain Larsson has sent off a frigate to New Budapest to ask for a 20 man Commission to be formed.

The various claimants have to agree to the final decision, as well as pay the fee charged by the commission which is usually nominal above room and board. This looks to be interesting as the other colonies currently on Aki are claiming that they are going to have a go at forming a colony near the area of the cavern. In the meantime at the request of Acheron, and New Styx, Gateway Marines are providing law enforcement to prevent violence between the various competing colonial groups.

As we write this, the heavy earth moving equipment is arriving and starting to dig. Also just arriving in orbit is a large transport with approximately 1,000 K’Grech who have just issued a claim to the cavern, and are landing at this time. They are very heavily armed, and have issued an ultimatum to the other colonies to depart. The Colony of Grand Cave has relinquished their claim in favor of the K’Grech colony of T’anis. The other two colonies have defied the K’Grech, but since the Grand Cave colony had what was considered the “opening” to the cavern, the other claims seem a little foolish at this time.

Sir Bingo is reporting that he really needs an MLT soon, since Human Biocompatible Meals 1,2, and 3 are driving him to become a Pomme! They have reported finding a large metal door, which they are unsure of how to open at this time. The walls of the cavern appear coated in some sort of unknown metal. SgtMajor M’Butu tried a small charge to test the metal, and all it did was stir up dust, and give everyone a headache, and the wall was unmarked.

We are being told that there is apparently fresh air, water and food available in the cavern, along with “wonderful things” according to Dr. Thevins who reports she is concerned for the missing party member. Also Dr. Thevins told us that they have found how to turn on the lights in sections of the cavern which is aiding their search for the missing party member. We will keep you up to date on this developing story.
 
092-2510 Gateway News Service- Shiva

In a devastating blow to the Shiva All Stars Cricket team, their lead batsman Yogesh Patel has been suspended for six games due to violating an obscure and almost never enforced “Moral Turpitude” clause in his contract. It seems that Mr. Patel was caught in flagrante delecto with the wife of the head of the Shiva Cricket Commission.

Mr. Abino Deodhar came home unexpectedly after a commission meeting had been cancelled due to a power outage, and found his current wife (#3), enjoying the company of Mr. Patel in a most embarrassing situation. Mr. Deodhar filed the complaint with the Commission’s standards board, and demanded that Mr. Patel be evicted from the team, and banned from Cricket for life.

But due to his position on the team, and fear that without his batting and pitching skills, the team would suffer in the sector finals. Alas the Standards Boards fear was well founded, after the All Stars went down to an ignominious defeat against the New Canberra Wombats. In an absolute blow out, the All Stars were routed from the field in complete disgrace. This caused the Standards Board to reduce the sanction on Mr. Patel to just six games to the unbridled fury of Mr. Deodhar.

The New Canberra team took this victory in stride, and there was much beer downed, and the victory march on New Canberra. However on Shiva Mr. Deodhar was burned in effigy, and rotten vegetables were tossed at his grav car, and his house was mobbed and stones were thrown. Cricket is the one thing that can unify this notoriously fractured, balkanized, and religiously different planet. Some say that Cricket is the one true religion on Shiva.
 
095-2510 Gateway News Service- New Paris/Gabrielle 3 station

Investigators have told us that the blast on the station was apparently not caused by any terrorist group, but instead a lone wolf who was angry at having been taunted by fellow workers, and passed over for promotion. The arrested person Chas La Pierre has been a suspect in several other incidents over the last decade, but nothing could be proven against him.

As Station police raided his cabin, he took the head administrator hostage after having claimed he planted a nuclear demolition charge. Station police conducted a search and found the charge planted on the fusion reactor, but an EVA team was able to remove the charge, and send it out of the station using EVA packs.

As La Pierre released his “dead man” switch, the device detonated, but was far enough away that while no damage was done, some mild radiation effects were felt on the station. Police blasted the door, and were able to take La Pierre into custody, rescuing the station administrator with only minor injuries.

A search of areas where the suspect had access revealed more explosives and material to make further bombs. A police spokesman told us that La Pierre is a paranoid sociopath who thinks that the world is against him, and he was getting his acts of revenge by planting the bombs. He has been transported to New Paris where he will stand trial for murder and terrorism.

At this time the police are telling us that they are certain that all explosive devices have been found and disarmed to prevent any further loss of life on Gabrielle 3. So it stands that this was the work of a lone madman, not some organized terrorist cell.
 
098-2510 Gateway News Service- Xanadu

The daughter of Cho Man-Lu, Senator Pham’s husband, Anna Kim had escaped from her confinement, and was seen at Xanadu Cathedral dressed as a nun, where she gave a tear inducing rendition of Amazing Grace to the assembled notables. It was the anniversary of the founding the ArchDiocese of Xanadu, and many government officials were in attendance at the event.

Senator Pham’s security appeared to be ready to make a move to take Anna back into confinement, but her bodyguard appeared to provide signals to stand down since it was too public an event. What this means is anyone’s guess, but people close to the situation are speculating that this might be a move against the Senator, but by whom is unclear at the time. After the mass was completed, Anna vanished again, but we are told that she was captured and returned to the residence where she was being safely held.

Also the police have announced an investigation into Senator Pham’s actions in regards to certain organized crime figures. The senator suffered a sudden medical issue, and was rushed to Xanadu Private hospital where she is cloistered in the VVIP ward. Speculation is rife as to which of her enemies had enough clout to bring about this investigation of the Senator who until recently was considered untouchable.

We are told that police are meeting with the Senator and her attorneys at the hospital but it is not clear exactly what she is being treated for, or when she will be released from doctors care. A rumor that Senator Leong, who is known to be a long time rival to Pham pulled a bunch of strings, and made a great number of monetary contributions to certain parties which caused this investigation. We are told that Senator Leong has had a long simmering feud with Senator Pham over certain business ventures which caused Senator Leong to suffer since serious setbacks.

As usual on Xanadu, things are never what they seem, and one almost needs a scorecard to keep up with the shifting alliances. But we at the Gateway News Service will keep you, our readers informed.
 
103-2510 Gateway News Service- Freedonia

Bilmont Cockvalve was found guilty by a panel of judges today for various offenses stemming from certain “investments” and “stock trades”. He has stated that there would be an appeal of the judgement. In accordance with Freedonian law, he has to pay a fairly hefty fine, and do 2,000 hours of community service. The community service will include cleaning up parks, and streets, as well as teaching youngsters that crime does not pay.

Mr. Cockvalve is going to be required to pay a fine of not less than 1.5 million stellars to the court, which will be invested in the planetary fund. But as part of his plea deal, he will not be required to stop investing, nor will he be required to spend any time in jail. When asked by GNS if he had any comments, he would only say: “I am sorry that this development came to light which embarrassed my adopted home world, and I will do much better in the future to ensure that no further incidents cause embarrassment to Freedonia, since I have seen the light as to the true way.

But I want to assure everyone that these regrettable incidents are in the past, and I will move forward with a new plan, a new vision, a new concept which will not cause me to end up as I am today, walking out of court with my embarrassment visible for all to see. I have learned several valuable lessons, which, you may rest assured that I have taken to heart. These trades, while not illegal per se, were, in the opinion of the court, which I completely respect, perhaps ill advised in the clear sober light of day.

This was all he had to say, the prosecutor gave us a statement: “Turn over a new leaf, My Foot!” We are going to be closely watching Mr. Cockvalve to ensure that he does not violate any Freedonian laws in the future. The local police chief was overheard crying: “I HAD him, I HAD him, and he gets away with just community service! There is no justice! I will get him yet, you mark my words!” To which Mr. Cockvalve’s attorney’s made the comment that sounds like a threat. The prosecutor hurriedly clarified that no threat was made or implied by the chief of police.
 
104-2510 Gateway News Service- Sutekh

Prince Roger and his exceptionally attractive fiancee Juliet Le Mystique-Petrus, a stunning slim brunette were seen for the first time at the Dorian Cheval charity ball which is held every year to raise funds for the children of employees of the Cheval Corporation whose parents have been killed or injured.

We are told that Ms Le-Mystique-Petrus was wearing a Alia Azzura bespoke gown in a Friedland spider silk in a midnight blue, with a plunging neckline, and a rather risque slit up the side. She was wearing Jerzy Fornast Cobalt stilettos which add to her rather exotic looks and height.

Prince Roger of course was wearing his Marine Dress uniform complete with medals and sword. He looked especially dashing this evening, and observers saw two people that were very wrapped up in each other.

There was a minor, and carefully hushed up incident in the ladies where allegedly several of the former love interests of the Prince, cornered the new love of his life and words were exchanged which led to some minor hair pulling, eye gouging, and kung fu. A noticeably elegant Ms. Mystique-Petrus left the ladies, more or less intact, and the others, we are told, will recover in time. They were taken to the local hospital for their injuries which we are told are not life threatening. Ms. Mystique-Petrus did break the heel on one of her shoes, and had to resort to a back up pair.
 
This is in regards to some questions regarding the political situation on Xanadu that have been asked so let me see if I can clarify a few smaller items.

Most of the time the politics of Xanadu are calm, collected, and while it can be a winner take all at times, most of the time the losers get a portion of the pie. So open violence is both almost unheard of, and completely shocking when it does break out and once it does, the situation can spiral quickly, which forces the government and police into a backs against the wall as their patrons are fighting each other.

The normal way of things is that the elected officials have all gone to the same schools, have known each other since kindergarten, the same with their families, they all attend one of three universities, and one prestigious law school for those who go to law school. The Organized crime families exist, and for the most part are invisible, but they do some of the dirty work for the elites. But they are made to “know their place” and not get too above their station in life. Everyone who is someone in politics has a friend who knows a guy, who might know another guy, who could possibly be able to contact someone who can “help”.

Normally progression is father>son>grandson, or mother>daughter>granddaughter or some variation of the above. 2nd and later children are made to understand that the first born (unless they are incompetent) are going to be the leaders and official face of the family/clan. Personal connections are everything, the kid you went to school with in elementary school might be the contact you need to get that deal through. The elites only go to four or five Middle, junior and High Schools, which for the sake of “face” allow in a very few of the lesser souls, who are made to understand their place, and if they play the game well, can advance to lower management, or even mid management. Many become “Executive Assistants” of the children of power. Which is good pay, good status, and allows them to send their children to the better schools.

What set this current issue off is the 3rd son of the Red Phoenix clan, decided that HE needed to be in charge since his brothers and sisters were not as competent as he thought he was, so he has either killed off his rivals, or had them exiled to other worlds with the understanding that they would remain alive as long as they stayed away, and acknowledged his supremacy.

Things went south when he decided that the Red Phoenix needed to supplant the old bosses and become the number one gang on Xanadu, and he had visions of running for the senate and becoming a power. It went poorly, and now open war between both the gangs, and those in power who support them have come out into the open.

Senator Pham, who inherited JSS (Jang Security Services) from her mother, has been using it as an intelligence gathering agency for her benefit, she operates Dreamland, a massive computer system under the HQ that keeps track of, well, everything, and through contacts is hooked into the Police Command Computer system that monitors all cameras, and other things. So she has real time access to information that allows her to essentially be the queen or king-maker in Xanadu politics which is resented, feared, and coveted by her rivals.

Her husband who is a powerful corporate chief, married her, but has since taken any number of of casual lovers, which Pham, who loves her husband blindly, hates, and as a result takes often times petty revenge on those women. She is also in line to inherit the money and power of a family foundation as the principal stockholder after her Aunt dies, which means her own family wants to crush her in favor of her brother who is the son of one of her father’s mistresses. The brother is a conniving snake, and has deep ties to both Phams political opponents, but underworld figures. He covets the power that Dreamland gives her, and wants it for himself.

Senator Leong is a long time rival for the #2 slot of power, and he covets the power of Dreamland. Both Pham and Leong have multiple senior police officers, prosecutors, and judges in their pay. This leads normally to some behind the scenes action, but now with the Red Phoenix having destabilized things, their feud is becoming more public. The Red Phoenix leader is now just trying to stay alive since he has forced the other members of the Black Dragon (a confederation of crime families) to unite against him.

Hope this explains a bit.
 
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