• Welcome to the new COTI server. We've moved the Citizens to a new server. Please let us know in the COTI Website issue forum if you find any problems.
  • We, the systems administration staff, apologize for this unexpected outage of the boards. We have resolved the root cause of the problem and there should be no further disruptions.

Far Frontiers Gateway sector

155-2510 Gateway News Service- Dustball

There have been acts of terrorism and sabotage on mining crawlers working the desert region, which have been claimed by the Dustball Save the Desert Mineral, Rocks, and Stuff Environmental Defense Studies Group. The group with was formed on Gateway by students from the department of Sociological and Environmental Studies and funded by a network of progressive environmental activists has claimed that the Mining Crawlers are damaging the “natural beauty” and pristine environment of the deep desert.

The deep desert a mineral rich treasure trove of wealth has long had a draw both for on world and off world miners and prospectors as incredible finds of valuable ores in this hot, forbidding region of the planet continues to draw those who would seek out its wealth.

The group claims that by mining the area they are damaging the planet, and potentially altering its ecology. However the deep desert in places sees less than 1 millimeter of rain a decade, and while there is evidence that at one time there was more water on Dustball than it currently has, and while there are flash floods passing into the desert from the settled regions, those are rare, and merely drain into the sands.

Even the local desert tribes do not generally go into the deep desert due to a complete lack of water, and anything to survive off of in the erg. So many on Dustball from the Grand Poobah, to the human mining companies are calling this attack on the crawlers an attack on the economy of the planet. They are calling for arrests and harsh punishment to be made on these terrorists.

The latest attack has left one crawler completely destroyed, and three others damaged to various degrees. One of the crawlers attacked belonged to the Dustball Speculative Mining Company owned by Hammerhead Matoshi and his family. While not as destitute as he was under the Chartered Dustball Company, the loss or damage to a mining crawler is a hard blow to many of the mining companies, some of whom are hand to mouth day to day operations.

As of the date of this report, no arrests have been made, but Gendarmes and Starport Police are working around the clock to find and arrest those terrorists who keep damaging the infrastructure of the planet. There was also an attack on a refinery complex which was processing radioactive metals which damaged the production facility and let loose some contamination into the “B’ranis River outside of the city of B’Ranis. The effect of this is still not known, but the government has asked the New Texas garrison to assist in monitoring the damage.

The Dustball Save the Desert Mineral, Rocks, and Stuff Environmental Defense Studies Group has claimed responsibility for the attack claiming that they are sending a message to the rapacious criminals damaging mother Dustball.
 
171-2510 Gateway News Service- Dusk BREAKING NEWS

An emergency has been declared for the Dusk System, by the System Quarantine Force Command after a system defense boat became missing after intercepting a ship in distress in the asteroid belt.

Command spokesman Shawna Lewinskyy has provided information regarding the disappearance of the suspected Tomb raiding vessel Green Vale, and System Defense Boat S-113. At approximately 0130 hours system local time, a distress call was received from the Green Vale. Apparently the ship had landed on an asteroid, and had become infected with some sort of highly aggressive Alien life form which was for lack of a better description, joining and mutating the crew.

The survivors who were on the bridge were in a full panic, and told that they had landed on asteroid DB19746 where they found some alien tech, which was taken into the ship, and then the tech activated, and took over the two crew in the med bay, absorbing, and mutating them into some hideous monster, which broke loose, and had managed to absorb most of the crew except for the two people on the bridge.

S-113 was relatively close, and responded, but by the time they arrived after a hard burn of 7 hours, the bridge crew had succumbed to whatever this virus or mutated creature that they had brought on board. The S-113 was preparing to conduct a standard “sterilize and eliminate” action by sending over a remote controlled 200 megaton weapon which has been found to be the most effective in dealing with this sort of threat.

Communications from the S-113 indicated that the airlock on the ship was open, and the infection/infestation appeared to be flowing over the outside of the ship, changing it, and apparently joining with it. As the weapon was being sent over, the S-113 reported strange anomalies on their sensors, which showed high neutrino and tachyon release in close proximity to the two ships.

Contact was lost with the S-113, and other responding vessels arrived at the coordinates of the S-113 and the Green Vale, and found nothing, no debris, no sign of either vessel. A detailed search was conducted, but nothing was found after an extensive two day search of the area. Asteroid DB-19746 is also missing, which has caused an emergency being declared by the System Quarantine Force Command. All ships in system need to report for immediate quarantine inspection or face the use of deadly force.

The emergency message has been sent to Gateway where the Orbital Quarantine Service has asked the PM for additional staff and ships to be sent to Dusk. The Navy has dispatched three frigates to Dusk until other system defense vessels can be sent. The 14 man crew of the S-113 have been listed as missing of unknown causes. Also the System Command has now ordered ships to fly in pairs for the foreseeable future and maintain full system watches.
 
178-2510 Gateway News Service- Gateway

Astro Cola has announced the latest offering in its “Wake the Dead” series of soft drinks. The new drink “Blaster” is reported to have three times the sugar, and four times the caffeine as other drinks, and is claimed to “Jump start the heart” for those who need the massive jolt to get their day started.

Blaster will come in regular cola flavor, lemon-lime, and Gateway Marsh berry. The cans have a medical disclaimer for those with heart and circulatory issues, to limit consumption to 1 can per day under the supervision of medical professionals. Astro Cola’s earlier Electric Jolt series has become a staple with the underground Solar Surfing communities.
 
190-2510 Gateway News Service- Xin Zhongguo BREAKING URGENT

The Imperial government has issued an early report on the tragic circumstances that engulfed the area near the main downport today. As it was making its final approach the free trader Wilde Tyme lost engine power and upon impacting the ground, the fusion bottle ruptured, causing a 200 kiloton equivalent explosion which destroyed a wide swath of the coastal city of Chang Li, and portions of the downport.

The 400 ton free trader was a regular at the port, and investigators are puzzled as to the reason for the crash. We are being told that emergency crews have been rushed to the site from all over the planet, with additional crews heading to the planet from across the system to provide aid and rescue services.

At this time authorities cannot estimate the casualties since it was a week day and many of the residents of the area would have been at work. The ship had a crew of 11, and as it approached the landing area, the tower was in contact with the ship’s crew, and things seemed fine. The engineer was reporting some sort of fluctuation in the maneuver drive immediately before the crash.

The captain was able to jettison the “black box” which has been recovered by rescue crews and it is being examined at the Imperial Space Safety laboratories to see if they can determine the cause of the crash. We are told that the captain attempted to vent the fusion bottle immediately before the crash but for some reason the system did not function as designed. The ship had recently been overhauled at the Provincia do Brazil Yards. The captain and crew were all long service free traders, with the ships engineer having over 20 years of service under her belt.
 
193-2510 Gateway News Service- Marduk

Celestial Temple Productions has opened its latest mini-series on the broadcast vids here on Marduk. The series; Nightmare on Marduk, the Gilfig Crisis has started out with a bang, as the show is topping the local charts already. Gomer Kleinschmidt is Major Alvarez, New Texas Special Forces, with Diana Zipp-Thevins playing his lovely wife Natasha. The mini series follows the New Texas forces as they play their part in the war against the Gilfig Temple.

Written by the the famous Orlando and Myoung il Jang duo, directed by Clancy Ybarra of Asteroid Raiders fame, Hakim Nogales is the head of filming, with sound and special effects by the House of Ersterfeld, known for its stirring, and epic scores. Filmed mostly on Marduk, with some filming being finished at Celestial Temple Studios for the Gilfig Temple shots, the writers and director strove to “get it right” and make this a very realistic film.

We can certainly say that while some will accuse this of having little plot to get in the way of the action, we can see a depth to the production, that will thrill all but the most jaded Vid addicts. Based on the best selling book on New Texas: Drop Zone Hammer, the Gilfig War by Frank Lucerne, this four episode mini series promises to have something for everyone.

The film follows the 8/143rd Airborne and New Texas Special Forces on Marduk. Many of the extras were supplied by the New Texas military along with much of the equipment. Our reviewer Joe Bob Biggs says: 20 gallons of blood, gun-fu, kung-fu, Battledress-fu, alien brain sucking-fu, two heaving breasts, a good time for everyone. Joe Bob says Check It Out!
 
196-2510 Gateway News Service- Xin Zhongguo

The initial report has been released, and in a hushed press conference the head of the Space Traffic Accident Board Sharon Wu said that her investigators have found the following from the black box:

1) The drive regulator is reported to have failed under stress of re-entry which caused a cascade failure.

2) The drive regulator was a refurbished General Products model which was sold as new by the shipyard on Provincia do Brazil, due to the supplier of the product claiming it was a new device instead of a refurbished model known for its failure rate.

3) The captain and crew took all possible steps to prevent the crash in an inhabited area, but due to the failure, the ship did not respond quickly enough to the changes in direction.

4) The fusion bottle did not vent due to a failure caused by the drive system system crash. Video of the chief engineer attempting to get access to the manual system shows that due to the vibration and erratic maneuvers of the ship she was unable to get to the manual purge system before the crash.

5) The crew took all possible actions before the crash to attempt to not strike any inhabited areas, but due to the actual failure which was caused by the failure of the drive regulator which caused a computer malfunction the crew was unable to get control, and all attempts to manually fly the craft were to no avail.

This is the initial report, but based on the wealth of information available on the ships data recorder which was jettisoned, the board is certain that this is the actual cause of the disaster. At this time casualty figures are starting to come in, but due to the destruction around the epicenter, but estimates are in the low thousands at this time.

Rescue teams have identified many of the deceased, and next of kin notifications are being made. There are at this time close to 4900 unidentified bodies or remnants which are being taken to various forensic laboratories to see if any DNA identification can be performed. The Emperor has made a visit to the site, and has been in the Temple of Ancestors praying for the deceased. He has also requested that the Space Safety Board issue new regulations for all ships which are to land on the planet.

He also has requested that there be a look into moving the downports and their flight paths away from inhabited areas. The current two main downports are relics of the initial colonization of the planet, and as such had had development around them which in the light of day was perhaps something that should have been avoided. As more develops, we at the Gateway News Service will keep you informed.
 
201-2510 Gateway News Service- Esperanza/New Nova Scotia

The colonial government of New Nova Scotia has issued a statement that this years crop of teas from the Tang Wen plantation are going to be well received due to an almost perfect level of rain, and fog that the plantation has received during the growing season. The Tang Wen plantation is home of the well regarded “Duck shit” Oolong, which despite the name is a smooth, light amber brew with an excellent flavor. The Tang Wen Longjing teas command a very high price, and are sold as far away as Gateway, New Texas, and Xanadu.

The McTavish Onsen is famous across the sector, and has actually hosted the Emperor on his visit from Xin Zhongguo. The McTavish family has been involved in Esperanzan politics for decades, and was one of the main drivers in the development of the world maglev system as a way to get their teas to the starport quicker and with less bruising than flight.

Several Aslan visitors have stayed at the Onsen, and the hot springs have proven very popular with the Aslans, although other customers of the Onsen have complained of the “Wet Cat fragrance” after the Aslans have a long soak in the hot springs. This has led to the Onsen setting up an Aslan only area where they can relax in the springs and then bask on warm rocks as they dry their fur. More and more Aslans are coming as guests, and the chef is working on Aslan specific dishes to appeal to their palates.

A Droyne mission arrived and tried the Onsen, but the hot springs were not popular with the Droyne, although the human cuisine had certain items which proved to the Droyne’s liking. The Onsen staff accommodated the Droyne’s requests for modifications to their quarters to include the installation of sleeping bars along the ceiling.

The McTavish family is looking ahead to potential sales from Aliens, and they also have gotten several K’Grech rooms, and are building a Hiver area where they can enjoy the amenities of the Onsen. Several other Onsens are taking a page from the McTavish book, and are starting to cater and advertise for non humans to come visit.
 
The Duck sh*t Oolong is a real thing, I purchased some via a tea company, and it was just an amazing brew. Expensive, but you could get 3-4 brews out of the leaves. Very impressive tea.
I do like Oolong teas, but my favorite green is Shou Pu'er tea at the moment. And I am liking the tea stuff as I try a number of teas. May have to see about the Duck Oolong :)
 
I do like Oolong teas, but my favorite green is Shou Pu'er tea at the moment. And I am liking the tea stuff as I try a number of teas. May have to see about the Duck Oolong :)
I get from a company called Rishi tea, and their Pu'er classic is excellent.
 
203-2510 Gateway News Service- Kormoram

The Imperial Friedland Ministry of Science has sent a delegation of K’Grech to Kormoran to the Blue Mold Valley installation. The delegation from Coffeeville, upon entering were greeted by a voice welcoming the First Servants back to the facility. It then offered them refreshments suited to the K’Grech palate.

Scientists were shocked at this occurrence, but quickly recovered, but to their extreme annoyance they were referred to as “Secondary Servants”. This led to a rather amusing argument between Doctor Professor Joachim von Jarlsberg and the installation, where the good doctor claimed, with his usual asperity that he was; “Not a Secondary Servant to anyone, but the installation needs to recognize his rightful place as the head of the research team, and respect him accordingly.”

The installation stated that humans have been designated as Secondary Servants of the Masters, since they were brought through the wormhole by the masters, and that the K’Grech were the primary servants since the Masters acted to preserve them. As the Herr Doctor Professor went outside to vent his anger, when he returned through the glowing portal, his garb was changed to that of Technician First Class Amanda Siybert who was entering at the same time, down to her undergarments.

This caused an amount of quickly stifled amusement on the part of those who observed the exchange. Herrin Siybert was mortified since she was wearing the Herr Doctor Professor’s garb, and the learned scholar was, apparently, highly embarrassed at the attire he appeared in, loudly demanding that clothing be brought to him. His assistant brought him his clothing, and he rapidly changed, while loudly berating the technician for not telling him that this could happen, and for not waiting until such a personage as him went through first.

He issued orders to prevent this, no one would go through the glowing portal at the same time as he did. However the next time he went through the exact same thing happened, to his utter fury, except it was an outfit that was described as a “French Maid costume”. Where the system discovered that outfit is unknown. He then spent fifteen minutes screaming at the installation for its blatant disrespect of a scholar of his standing and status. The installation did not reply, although some bystanders reported hearing what they thought was a chuckle but that could not be confirmed.

He has ordered the K’Grech to order the installation to show him the respect he is due and for it to promise to never repeat its offense against him. The K’Grech asked, but the installation remained silent. However the next time the Doctor Professor exited and re-entered the exact same thing occurred, which caused the esteemed administrator to be forced to take some blood pressure medication. No one is sure what is causing this malfunction, but seemingly no one else is affected.
 
209-2510 Gateway News Service- New Texas

Natasha here dear readers! While I am waiting on dear husband to return to his loving family, I have been allowed a special treat! I have been invited to the studio where Celestial Temple Productions was working on Nightmare on Marduk; The Gilfig Crisis! Yes, little old me, I have been invited to meet the actors, and see some of the sets for the production.

Well, I went to the studio, and I must say that Gomer Kleinschmidt really does not look much like my hubby, but he does have that designer stubble down quite well. I must tell Richard about it, and tell him to bring back that look, despite those silly Army regulations. Now my good friend Diana Zipp-Thevins just does a remarkable job on yours truly. I loaned her a few outfits that I had worn during the whole enchilada, and she just rocked them! We are a very similar size and fit after all.

Despite the rumors, I did not almost faint when the prosthetic aliens came out and tried to grab me. It is also not true that I screamed, and backed into a wall. I might have backed up and tripped which caused me to hit the wall, and I most certainly did not claim that I had PTSD over that incident! How dare they say such things! I will admit to a certain level of anxiousness over the aliens which, I must admit, were just too realistic. I was just a little shocked at how realistic they had made them. I did not like them then, and I must confess, I did not like them now.

I was asked my opinion on the uniforms for the New Texas Jump troops unit, since I am an honorary corporal with the 8/143rd. They were spot on, to include the coffee stains on the DF forms, the spattered enchilada sauce on some of the uniforms, and the well worn look on the battledress and their attached weapons. Of course Richard’s armor was just completely identifiable, but they missed his “That Guy” scroll on the upper arm.

We then went into the set for the cavern fight, and WOW! Had they gotten the details right! But of course they had gun camera footage, as well as helmet camera footage. I spent some time speaking with Frank, who was a sergeant with the 18th Special Forces, Richards unit, who were in the caverns with the Special Attack Squadron people. Frank is one of those guys who looks so, so very intimidating, but once you get past that outer armor, he is just a big huggy bear. Frank’s book is of course the definitive work on the battle that brought down the Gilfigs.

Now, the ending where the Special Attack Unit ushered us all out, had to be filled in since all of our cameras and memories were sort of hazy about what went on. I know that we were there, and for the life of me, I just cannot recall exactly what happened there at the end, I just remember ending up outside, and then the blast which vaporized the cavern. All of us had the same odd feeling that there was something we SHOULD remember, but we could not recall any of the details. The funny bit, is all of the cameras malfunctioned at the same exact time as well!

Then after that we got a special showing before it opened on New Texas. Me, being not only a well respected member of the media, but a veteran of the battle was given an excellent seat next to my old buddy “Crazy Phil” Philpot, who was in the battle. I had to apologize to him, after I grabbed his arm a bit too hard during the scene where the aliens appeared and started attacking. I might have let out a small yelp, not the piercing shriek that some have accused me of when the aliens appeared. I miss my husband.

After watching the series though, I must say, it is the best production yet by Celestial Temple Productions which is known for its extremely high quality programming. This series covered pretty much the battle, and after speaking with the rest of the guys in the 8/143rd, we all agree it “Just got it right”, which so many movies and mini-series of similar topics do not. Clancy Ybarra just did it up right! The sound effects and music just were perfect! Even the Veedback tracks over the battle scenes just seemed so appropriate!

I could almost SMELL Marduk; that pungent, gagging, nasty smell, it was that realistic. If I never have to SMELL or SEE Marduk again, I will be one happy girl. Once was enough going to that stinky place! Yuck! I never want to see Marduk again! Not only does the planet smell, the people smell, the food smells, and they think high fashion is washing off the mud from their clothes! Yuck!

Well, that is all for now dear readers, I wish you a great day of shopping, and please spend your time watching Nightmare on Marduk; The Gilfig War, you will not be disappointed, it is the best mini-series of the decade! Not only because it contains me, but it is really accurate and truthful as to what happened. Natasha Alvarez, signing off from New Texas, NOT MARDUK!
 
Back
Top