Rating upgrade from "like" to "love" on the basis of the final sentence. 
Far Frontiers Gateway sector
- Thread starter Murph
- Start date
From a much much earlier news letter, this one set up a little backstory for the Ancients, Precursors, and the Great War. Alien tech can be deadly.
222-2501 Gateway News Service- Gateway
A spokesman for the Ministry of Science held a press conference regarding the Golden Dawn. The Ministry related that the ship misjumped and ended up in a system 36 jumps outside of the settled area. Due to damage to the ship, it drifted around the asteroid belt of the system before finding the alien vessel. The alien ship was described as over 1 megaton in size and badly damaged. Parts of the ship were still somewhat radioactive, and it appeared based on the scans they were able to take, was between 20 and 25,000 years old. The ships reactor had almost exhausted its fuel, and it took over twenty trips to bring enough fuel to get the reactor to start putting out power at more than a very minimal level.
The crew spent a year cannibalizing bits and parts off of the alien ship that could be re-used and mining for ice and other useful metals. Most of the metal taken from the alien ship was of such a toughness that they could not use it at all lacking equipment to cut and form it. They set up shop in one of the “holds” in the alien ship to fabricate parts and were able to seal it against the vacuum of space. They also explored as much of the ship as was safe, finding the cold sleep area which had several thousand cold sleep tubes, of which only one was remaining functional, and contained the alien life form. The cold sleep canister was designed to be removed and had its own self contained power source as well as drawing power from the ship.
The alien computer system was partially based on what is suspected to be an unknown technology with what is estimated as a direct person to computer link. The crew took extensive photographic and video scans of the interior of the ship, some of which had remained under pressure. The Atmosphere had slightly higher oxygen content, but had some very odd additions to the atmosphere such as ketones, carbon compounds in very low concentrations. Almost as if they preferred a slightly tainted atmosphere, but one that was human breathable.
One of the passengers, who will not be named at this time, disappeared, while exploring on her own against the standing orders of the captain. She was later found in a not as accessible compartment and appeared have been somehow “wired”, by unknown means, into the ship’s systems and computer where she was acting as node in its central processing unit, which was causing apparent pain and disorientation to the captured passenger. The crew attempted to save her, but were forced to sedate her since she was resisting being disconnected, but once disconnected the woman died while forcibly attempting to reconnect herself to the “machine”, becoming exceptionally violent in the process, and upon medical examination after her death was found to have had very odd high tech devices implanted into his skull.
Her body was placed in a cold sleep capsule, and brought along with the other artifacts that had been recovered from the alien vessel. The devices are of such a high technology that scientists cannot begin to determine how they operate at this time. They suspect that they have something to do with the ships navigation and piloting systems.
The crew took what items they could find and stored them in the cargo hold. The crew also found a “food processor” which when a hand was placed on a glowing pad, produced a meal that was biologically compatible with human biology and it was this “food” which kept them alive since their supplies were low. The food processor also had an independent power supply, and the crew found six more of them, and brought them along as they escaped the ship. As they were able to finally increase power to the reactor, more systems started to wake up, and became hostile, killing six other members of the crew and passengers. It appears that the ships internal self defense systems had become active again. The ship had extensive robotic systems which upon being given power started what appeared to be an automatic repair program of some type, that tried to use the crew as either parts or fuel.
The crew then left the ship having lost half their number, and then after setting a fault in the alien power system which destroyed the ship they jumped out of the system. They observed that the metal plates on the ship had started to melt and re-form and the engines showed signs of powering up. There was also an odd Cerenkov glow around what they suspected was some sort of communication array. Based on observations it appears that the ship was self aware to some degree, and was a threat to the crew of the Golden Dawn as they were attempting to escape. A weapon on the ship fired what sensors detected to be an anti-proton beam at the ship but in a miracle missed the Golden Dawn.
Then the journey home began, with all the crew experiencing nightmares, and headaches when they were around the alien in the cargo bay. The alien devices were kept isolated from any power supplies, and were in hermetically sealed containers, during the trip home, several items which showed signs of activation so they were spaced and destroyed with the ships laser weapon to prevent any further damage to the ship.
The Golden Dawns drive and life support systems were starting to fail when they came across the colonial party in the Shangri-La system. The alien was transferred to a warship and taken to Red Dirt along with all the other artifacts, as well as the Golden Dawn which was taken onboard a carrier vessel. At the Red Dirt station, as power was applied, it was apparent that the alien metal had somehow become “active” and was somehow growing on the ship and converting it into something unknown once power was restored. The ship was taken out of the Gateway system and a 500 megaton weapon destroyed it.
Based on the information gathered by the Golden Dawn’s crew, it was determined that this alien species was of a technological level far above anything yet seen, and both the race and its technology was implacably hostile to other races. The Government of Gateway has declared this alien race to be a class one danger, and has issued an advisory to all Gateway Exploration vessels, Gateway Military forces, and Gateway Colonial Service staff that any alien find is to be immediately reported and not examined until such time as experts can be transported to the scene. This alien tech as well as the alien race is considered of the utmost danger to all races in this sector.
A conference was held with the leaders of all the major star nations to discuss this information, and to develop a plan of defense should such become necessary. Also an agreement for the sharing of the alien technology was reached. But also all parties agree that the tech is so dangerous, that it must be on an uninhabited planet where a containment breach can be dealt with quickly.
Work is proceeding on the deciphering of the language of the aliens, which appears to comprise both a written and artistic script. The Gateway Ministry of Science has sent out a request for Linguists and other scientists to assist in translating this language, but without a Rosetta Stone, it will be difficult.
222-2501 Gateway News Service- Gateway
A spokesman for the Ministry of Science held a press conference regarding the Golden Dawn. The Ministry related that the ship misjumped and ended up in a system 36 jumps outside of the settled area. Due to damage to the ship, it drifted around the asteroid belt of the system before finding the alien vessel. The alien ship was described as over 1 megaton in size and badly damaged. Parts of the ship were still somewhat radioactive, and it appeared based on the scans they were able to take, was between 20 and 25,000 years old. The ships reactor had almost exhausted its fuel, and it took over twenty trips to bring enough fuel to get the reactor to start putting out power at more than a very minimal level.
The crew spent a year cannibalizing bits and parts off of the alien ship that could be re-used and mining for ice and other useful metals. Most of the metal taken from the alien ship was of such a toughness that they could not use it at all lacking equipment to cut and form it. They set up shop in one of the “holds” in the alien ship to fabricate parts and were able to seal it against the vacuum of space. They also explored as much of the ship as was safe, finding the cold sleep area which had several thousand cold sleep tubes, of which only one was remaining functional, and contained the alien life form. The cold sleep canister was designed to be removed and had its own self contained power source as well as drawing power from the ship.
The alien computer system was partially based on what is suspected to be an unknown technology with what is estimated as a direct person to computer link. The crew took extensive photographic and video scans of the interior of the ship, some of which had remained under pressure. The Atmosphere had slightly higher oxygen content, but had some very odd additions to the atmosphere such as ketones, carbon compounds in very low concentrations. Almost as if they preferred a slightly tainted atmosphere, but one that was human breathable.
One of the passengers, who will not be named at this time, disappeared, while exploring on her own against the standing orders of the captain. She was later found in a not as accessible compartment and appeared have been somehow “wired”, by unknown means, into the ship’s systems and computer where she was acting as node in its central processing unit, which was causing apparent pain and disorientation to the captured passenger. The crew attempted to save her, but were forced to sedate her since she was resisting being disconnected, but once disconnected the woman died while forcibly attempting to reconnect herself to the “machine”, becoming exceptionally violent in the process, and upon medical examination after her death was found to have had very odd high tech devices implanted into his skull.
Her body was placed in a cold sleep capsule, and brought along with the other artifacts that had been recovered from the alien vessel. The devices are of such a high technology that scientists cannot begin to determine how they operate at this time. They suspect that they have something to do with the ships navigation and piloting systems.
The crew took what items they could find and stored them in the cargo hold. The crew also found a “food processor” which when a hand was placed on a glowing pad, produced a meal that was biologically compatible with human biology and it was this “food” which kept them alive since their supplies were low. The food processor also had an independent power supply, and the crew found six more of them, and brought them along as they escaped the ship. As they were able to finally increase power to the reactor, more systems started to wake up, and became hostile, killing six other members of the crew and passengers. It appears that the ships internal self defense systems had become active again. The ship had extensive robotic systems which upon being given power started what appeared to be an automatic repair program of some type, that tried to use the crew as either parts or fuel.
The crew then left the ship having lost half their number, and then after setting a fault in the alien power system which destroyed the ship they jumped out of the system. They observed that the metal plates on the ship had started to melt and re-form and the engines showed signs of powering up. There was also an odd Cerenkov glow around what they suspected was some sort of communication array. Based on observations it appears that the ship was self aware to some degree, and was a threat to the crew of the Golden Dawn as they were attempting to escape. A weapon on the ship fired what sensors detected to be an anti-proton beam at the ship but in a miracle missed the Golden Dawn.
Then the journey home began, with all the crew experiencing nightmares, and headaches when they were around the alien in the cargo bay. The alien devices were kept isolated from any power supplies, and were in hermetically sealed containers, during the trip home, several items which showed signs of activation so they were spaced and destroyed with the ships laser weapon to prevent any further damage to the ship.
The Golden Dawns drive and life support systems were starting to fail when they came across the colonial party in the Shangri-La system. The alien was transferred to a warship and taken to Red Dirt along with all the other artifacts, as well as the Golden Dawn which was taken onboard a carrier vessel. At the Red Dirt station, as power was applied, it was apparent that the alien metal had somehow become “active” and was somehow growing on the ship and converting it into something unknown once power was restored. The ship was taken out of the Gateway system and a 500 megaton weapon destroyed it.
Based on the information gathered by the Golden Dawn’s crew, it was determined that this alien species was of a technological level far above anything yet seen, and both the race and its technology was implacably hostile to other races. The Government of Gateway has declared this alien race to be a class one danger, and has issued an advisory to all Gateway Exploration vessels, Gateway Military forces, and Gateway Colonial Service staff that any alien find is to be immediately reported and not examined until such time as experts can be transported to the scene. This alien tech as well as the alien race is considered of the utmost danger to all races in this sector.
A conference was held with the leaders of all the major star nations to discuss this information, and to develop a plan of defense should such become necessary. Also an agreement for the sharing of the alien technology was reached. But also all parties agree that the tech is so dangerous, that it must be on an uninhabited planet where a containment breach can be dealt with quickly.
Work is proceeding on the deciphering of the language of the aliens, which appears to comprise both a written and artistic script. The Gateway Ministry of Science has sent out a request for Linguists and other scientists to assist in translating this language, but without a Rosetta Stone, it will be difficult.
Another very old entry. The Battle of Peterbuilt Alley:
162-2504 Gateway News Service- Freedonia.
The inhabitants of the sleepy village of Peterbuilt Alley were rudely awakened today, as a shuttle filled with fifty drunken Friedlanders landed in the town square, and the Friedlanders attacked the statue of Peterbuilt Bill the town founder, claiming that he was a “Dirty Frenchman”. The intoxicated revelers had been on a “Six Fosters Party” at the New Canberra festival held by the local New Canberran Embassy each year on the founding date of their world. When the local police officer showed up to quiet down the loud party, he was tied up facing the statue, his pants were pulled down, his pistol thrown in the fountain, and his bum was spray painted International Orange. Then the revelers took his patrol car, and proceeded to zoom around the town with the siren blaring, while playing German marching songs over the loudspeaker.
The one bar in town was besieged by the revelers, and their entire stock of “decent” beer was consumed, with much clinking of glasses, and singing of songs. Then only incident that occurred was when the bar ran out of pretzels for the revelers to eat, and they started claiming that they would “March on Paris” if more pretzels were not delivered. An emergency call to the local grocer resulted in 60 more bags of pretzels being delivered to the bar. The Friedlanders kept up the cry of Mehr Bier, bitte! as they consumed much beer.
The revelers made sure that Officer Goode was lubricated as well, since they kept bringing him beers to drink and by the time it was all over, when the sun came up, a good time was had by all. The bartender, however, vowed to never play Lili Marlene, nor Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss as long as he lived. However he did admit that the revelers paid and tipped well with his barmaids taking home three times what they usually did in a night.
After county sheriff deputies arrived, they impounded the very illegally parked shuttle, and took all the revelers, singing loudly, to the County jail where they were allowed to sleep it off. Officer Goode was taken to the local hospital where his buttocks were cleansed of the florescent paint. He is reported to be in good spirits at the time with a blood alcohol level of .16. His patrol car was found parked on the front steps of the local Methodist Church, still playing German music. The police Chief came and turned off the music. There were some holes in it where it had been hit with what appears to be a load of bird shot as it flew around town.
No one can really say how the revelers came into possession of the shuttle, but it was undamaged, except for the spike of one picklehaube which was stuck to the overhead upholstery. The only comment made by the Sheriff was; “Just another day on Freedonia”. No charges will be filed since everyone had such a good time instead a ticket will be issued to each person involved. The shuttle has been returned to the rental company more or less intact.
The local Friedland Ambassador came down the bailed out all of the revelers, and also took custody of the picklehaube. A fine of $20 Freedonian dollars was assessed to each reveler, and each was given a bag of pretzels as they left the jail. It was determined that the pilot of the shuttle had been driving on a suspended license, and so he was fined an additional $100 and released with the other revelers. The spokesman for the revelers said that they really appreciated Freedonian hospitality and the jail food was top notch with all of their favorite foods! The jail is only built to hold a maximum of 100 prisoners, and so the food service is contracted out to Lulu's diner. So the prisoners, who usually number 20-30 get home cooked meals three times a day.
162-2504 Gateway News Service- Freedonia.
The inhabitants of the sleepy village of Peterbuilt Alley were rudely awakened today, as a shuttle filled with fifty drunken Friedlanders landed in the town square, and the Friedlanders attacked the statue of Peterbuilt Bill the town founder, claiming that he was a “Dirty Frenchman”. The intoxicated revelers had been on a “Six Fosters Party” at the New Canberra festival held by the local New Canberran Embassy each year on the founding date of their world. When the local police officer showed up to quiet down the loud party, he was tied up facing the statue, his pants were pulled down, his pistol thrown in the fountain, and his bum was spray painted International Orange. Then the revelers took his patrol car, and proceeded to zoom around the town with the siren blaring, while playing German marching songs over the loudspeaker.
The one bar in town was besieged by the revelers, and their entire stock of “decent” beer was consumed, with much clinking of glasses, and singing of songs. Then only incident that occurred was when the bar ran out of pretzels for the revelers to eat, and they started claiming that they would “March on Paris” if more pretzels were not delivered. An emergency call to the local grocer resulted in 60 more bags of pretzels being delivered to the bar. The Friedlanders kept up the cry of Mehr Bier, bitte! as they consumed much beer.
The revelers made sure that Officer Goode was lubricated as well, since they kept bringing him beers to drink and by the time it was all over, when the sun came up, a good time was had by all. The bartender, however, vowed to never play Lili Marlene, nor Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss as long as he lived. However he did admit that the revelers paid and tipped well with his barmaids taking home three times what they usually did in a night.
After county sheriff deputies arrived, they impounded the very illegally parked shuttle, and took all the revelers, singing loudly, to the County jail where they were allowed to sleep it off. Officer Goode was taken to the local hospital where his buttocks were cleansed of the florescent paint. He is reported to be in good spirits at the time with a blood alcohol level of .16. His patrol car was found parked on the front steps of the local Methodist Church, still playing German music. The police Chief came and turned off the music. There were some holes in it where it had been hit with what appears to be a load of bird shot as it flew around town.
No one can really say how the revelers came into possession of the shuttle, but it was undamaged, except for the spike of one picklehaube which was stuck to the overhead upholstery. The only comment made by the Sheriff was; “Just another day on Freedonia”. No charges will be filed since everyone had such a good time instead a ticket will be issued to each person involved. The shuttle has been returned to the rental company more or less intact.
The local Friedland Ambassador came down the bailed out all of the revelers, and also took custody of the picklehaube. A fine of $20 Freedonian dollars was assessed to each reveler, and each was given a bag of pretzels as they left the jail. It was determined that the pilot of the shuttle had been driving on a suspended license, and so he was fined an additional $100 and released with the other revelers. The spokesman for the revelers said that they really appreciated Freedonian hospitality and the jail food was top notch with all of their favorite foods! The jail is only built to hold a maximum of 100 prisoners, and so the food service is contracted out to Lulu's diner. So the prisoners, who usually number 20-30 get home cooked meals three times a day.
A portion of the interview with Colonel Alexander, who runs a mercenary company. This was a PC character who was an over the top Scottish/British noble.
200-2502 Gateway News Service- Coffeeville
We sat down for afternoon tea with Colonel Bruce Ian James Alexander, Baron Kilrane who owns and runs the famous Alexander’s Mercenary Battalion. Colonel Alexander is well known for his sharp uniforms, and his gentlemanly conduct both on and off the battlefield. We asked the Colonel about his next mission and his goals for his unit.
GNS: So tell us what your plans are for the future?
Colonel Alexander: Well, we are planning on upgrading our equipment and staff to form several additional companies, at least two of them grav tanks. We have been in negotiations with New Judea for 60 of the new Merkava MK XIV tanks and 100 of the Nasher Infantry fighting vehicles. We have already gotten our new BEI Gauss weaponry which has really given us new capabilities. All of our small arms, and crew served weapons have been purchased from New Texas, and we have been very impressed with the BEI offerings. The rest of our equipment is TL 11 from mainly Xanadu and New Judea.
GNS: So what is in the future for contracts?
Colonel Alexander: We are currently in negotiations for jobs on Sulawesi, Marduk, Shiva, and possibly Dustball. We are looking for mostly striker, or training missions on these worlds. Less desirable would be a counter insurgency or internal security mission. But we are open for pretty much any mission that pays the bills, HA, HA. Unfortunately New Africa which looked as a good prospect has settled down, and they are not currently hiring mercenaries at this time.
GNS: I hear that Sir Bingo is hiring some mercenary troops to assist in internal security on Dustball, is that a likely contract?
Colonel Alexander: Well while I would like to think so, it will depend on the specific needs of the government of Dustball. We are not interested in a quick in and out contract, we are looking for at least a six month to a year ticket with a good performance bonus at the end. We have worked for Sir Bingo before and so we think it would be a good fit for the unit, and we can assist in bringing order to that benighted place. Fortunately our desert and rough terrain training is up to standard.
GNS: We have noted that you are renowned for your gentlemanly conduct both on and off the field, to what do you ascribe this to, and how does it help you?
Colonel Alexander: A man should always strive to be a gentleman, after all we are what holds back the forces of barbarism. More tea? It is a special blend made just for me from the plantations on Xu Su. We also own a distillery in the highlands of New Caledonia which provides a very nice Speyside type Scotch, if you would care for a bottle or two, I can make sure my orderly provides you with it to sample.
GNS: Yes, please, it is very nice. So is there a benefit to being a gentleman in the service?
Colonel Alexander: By showing that all my officers are gentlemen, we prove to prospective employers that we are a cut above most others who hire the riff raff of the universe. After all one must keep up standards no matter what. I only hire proper gentlemen, which obviously excludes most of the prospective hires from New Canberra since everyone knows they are descended from convicts.
GNS: Isn’t that a little harsh?
Colonel Alexander: Absolutely not, after all they barely know how to play cricket! And as for their social habits, just barbaric. Have you been to a “Six Fosters” party? No gentleman who aspires to proper decorum would even be seen close to one of those events. Or a New Texas “Barbecue”, no self respecting gentleman would attend one of those bun fights either, not a proper place for a well brought up person.
GNS: It is said that even in the middle of a fire fight, when it is tea time, your unit stops shooting at the opponents in order to have tea?
Colonel Alexander: Even in the worst of times, the civilized amenities must be observed! We also dress for dinner at the mess every night unless the combat is just so bad that we are forced to Mess in combat uniform, which should never happen in a proper unit, if the commanders take the proper steps to ensure that we will not be disturbed during mess hours. Black Tie, and Mess Dress is the standard we set. After all we ARE gentlemen, as well as officers, and it up to us to set the tone for the lower ranks.
GNS: So where do you do most of your recruiting?
Colonel Alexander: Mostly on New Caledonia, New Avalon, Rama, with smaller numbers from Xanadu, Amaterasu and St. Ekaterina. We almost never hire from New Texas, Freedonia, Sutekh, New Paris, or New Canberra. After all we are looking for quality troops and gentlemen who understand this business, and bring a certain class to the affair.
GNS: So what is your units composition, and I see that you have been looking for more transport for the unit, and have placed some of your ships up for sale.
Colonel Alexander: With the new units, we will have three grav tank companies, six grav APC/IFV companies, 3 artillery batteries, 2 engineer companies, plus 3 support companies which include our Military Police units. So we are deploying right around 3,500 troops total. We currently have lift for only 2,000 of our personnel, so we are purchasing a used Assault Carrier that can carry 6,000 troops, as well as all our equipment from Xanadu, and it due here tomorrow. We were given very favorable terms on the vessel, which is also set up as a command ship.
200-2502 Gateway News Service- Coffeeville
We sat down for afternoon tea with Colonel Bruce Ian James Alexander, Baron Kilrane who owns and runs the famous Alexander’s Mercenary Battalion. Colonel Alexander is well known for his sharp uniforms, and his gentlemanly conduct both on and off the battlefield. We asked the Colonel about his next mission and his goals for his unit.
GNS: So tell us what your plans are for the future?
Colonel Alexander: Well, we are planning on upgrading our equipment and staff to form several additional companies, at least two of them grav tanks. We have been in negotiations with New Judea for 60 of the new Merkava MK XIV tanks and 100 of the Nasher Infantry fighting vehicles. We have already gotten our new BEI Gauss weaponry which has really given us new capabilities. All of our small arms, and crew served weapons have been purchased from New Texas, and we have been very impressed with the BEI offerings. The rest of our equipment is TL 11 from mainly Xanadu and New Judea.
GNS: So what is in the future for contracts?
Colonel Alexander: We are currently in negotiations for jobs on Sulawesi, Marduk, Shiva, and possibly Dustball. We are looking for mostly striker, or training missions on these worlds. Less desirable would be a counter insurgency or internal security mission. But we are open for pretty much any mission that pays the bills, HA, HA. Unfortunately New Africa which looked as a good prospect has settled down, and they are not currently hiring mercenaries at this time.
GNS: I hear that Sir Bingo is hiring some mercenary troops to assist in internal security on Dustball, is that a likely contract?
Colonel Alexander: Well while I would like to think so, it will depend on the specific needs of the government of Dustball. We are not interested in a quick in and out contract, we are looking for at least a six month to a year ticket with a good performance bonus at the end. We have worked for Sir Bingo before and so we think it would be a good fit for the unit, and we can assist in bringing order to that benighted place. Fortunately our desert and rough terrain training is up to standard.
GNS: We have noted that you are renowned for your gentlemanly conduct both on and off the field, to what do you ascribe this to, and how does it help you?
Colonel Alexander: A man should always strive to be a gentleman, after all we are what holds back the forces of barbarism. More tea? It is a special blend made just for me from the plantations on Xu Su. We also own a distillery in the highlands of New Caledonia which provides a very nice Speyside type Scotch, if you would care for a bottle or two, I can make sure my orderly provides you with it to sample.
GNS: Yes, please, it is very nice. So is there a benefit to being a gentleman in the service?
Colonel Alexander: By showing that all my officers are gentlemen, we prove to prospective employers that we are a cut above most others who hire the riff raff of the universe. After all one must keep up standards no matter what. I only hire proper gentlemen, which obviously excludes most of the prospective hires from New Canberra since everyone knows they are descended from convicts.
GNS: Isn’t that a little harsh?
Colonel Alexander: Absolutely not, after all they barely know how to play cricket! And as for their social habits, just barbaric. Have you been to a “Six Fosters” party? No gentleman who aspires to proper decorum would even be seen close to one of those events. Or a New Texas “Barbecue”, no self respecting gentleman would attend one of those bun fights either, not a proper place for a well brought up person.
GNS: It is said that even in the middle of a fire fight, when it is tea time, your unit stops shooting at the opponents in order to have tea?
Colonel Alexander: Even in the worst of times, the civilized amenities must be observed! We also dress for dinner at the mess every night unless the combat is just so bad that we are forced to Mess in combat uniform, which should never happen in a proper unit, if the commanders take the proper steps to ensure that we will not be disturbed during mess hours. Black Tie, and Mess Dress is the standard we set. After all we ARE gentlemen, as well as officers, and it up to us to set the tone for the lower ranks.
GNS: So where do you do most of your recruiting?
Colonel Alexander: Mostly on New Caledonia, New Avalon, Rama, with smaller numbers from Xanadu, Amaterasu and St. Ekaterina. We almost never hire from New Texas, Freedonia, Sutekh, New Paris, or New Canberra. After all we are looking for quality troops and gentlemen who understand this business, and bring a certain class to the affair.
GNS: So what is your units composition, and I see that you have been looking for more transport for the unit, and have placed some of your ships up for sale.
Colonel Alexander: With the new units, we will have three grav tank companies, six grav APC/IFV companies, 3 artillery batteries, 2 engineer companies, plus 3 support companies which include our Military Police units. So we are deploying right around 3,500 troops total. We currently have lift for only 2,000 of our personnel, so we are purchasing a used Assault Carrier that can carry 6,000 troops, as well as all our equipment from Xanadu, and it due here tomorrow. We were given very favorable terms on the vessel, which is also set up as a command ship.
An in depth look at the Shadowland Belt:
Gateway News Service- Special Report- Shadowland Belt (2503)
GNS: Today we have a special report on one of the odder places in the sector in terms of spatial geography- Shadowland Belt. The belt surrounds a Neutron Star which flares on a regular schedule, with occasionally there being a random flare as debris falls into the gravity field of the star. The belt is one of the very richest in the sector, which is why humans have decided to operate in this system. The riches of this belt have barely been scratched in all the years humans have operated here.
We sat down with Matsutaka Onishi, the General Manager of the Shadowland Belt Corporation, which is a division of Sakura Industries. Onishi-San has been the General Manager for five years now, and has a unique perspective on this interesting system.
GNS: Onishi-San, thank you for having us.
Mr. Onishi: You are welcome, I am proud of what we have accomplished here in the belt since I had arrived.
GNS: Can you describe some of the improvements to the Belt, and its facilities for our viewers?
Mr. Onishi: Certainly. As everyone knows Shadowland is a Neutron Star which has flares that range from 2 to the upper 7 range on the stellar flare index. Most flares are in the 4-5 range, but every now an then we get the real magilla, and almost go to 8 on the scale. We just had a scale 7 flare that really locked us down for several days. When we get anything above a 4 we have to notify the belt on the Emergency Alert Network, and tell the belters, and others to get to the rad shelters.
One of my proudest accomplishments since I got here was to get orbital rad shelters deployed and maintained so that our belter population is safe from these larger flares. I have gotten 36 rad stations placed around the system, and each one can hold between a dozen and two dozen ships up to 400 tons, with four capable of handling up to 5,000 tons. These stations have the best rad shielding that we can deploy, and have food, water, a med bay with several corpsmen, and repair crews. Plus Shadowland Station has the best rad shielding we can provide, and we have also tethered it to a large metal rich rock which can be placed between us and the star when it flares. We usually get 24-36 hours notice before a large flare, but if we get an unexpected flare, we usually manage to get 4-12 hours notice.
Most flares last for two to three days, the longest one I remember actually shut us down for over a week and a half, and it was rough, let me tell you! The last emergency flare really was bad in terms of ships crews, mining crews, belters, and others being exposed to a really heavy dose of radiation, and unfortunately we lost about 120 people on that one, since we did not have shelters in place and the infrastructure had not been put in place to help people survive. This last flare, the level 7 flare we had zero, let me say that again, Zero! Casualties. The radiation levels were pretty extreme. We also have added six mining platforms, and six refining stations to our belt, and that has helped dramatically offset the increased costs for the shelters, and staffing. We have been very pleased with the increase in productivity in this system. Plus the recent finds of Onnesium have led to a larger influx of Belters, who are adding to our profits.
We then took a walk around the station, and sat down with Mariko Tokugawa, who is a belter in the system.
GNS: So Ms. Tokugawa, how is asteroid mining, and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Ms. Tokugawa: (Very strong New Texas accent) Konichiwa! Well, I have been here for 10 years, and got married four years ago, and I have a two year old daughter with my husband, who is one of the managers for Flare shelter #1 on Shadowland Station. I like it here for the most part, but eventually, I think we are going to move to New Texas or Freedonia where our daughter can grow up in actual air. This last flare was bad, caught me way out in the Oort, and I barely made it in to shelter #27 before the flare hit us. I don't think I have seen a flare like that in the decade I have been here. You could hear the rad shield generators screaming on the station.
I must say that things have been going pretty good, I found a pretty rich find, and some bushwhackers decided to try and take it away from me. So I put a laser through their bridge, and then used my VRF to take out their boarders. So I got their ship, and all their equipment, plus my load of ore. Pretty profitable. I had made a good strike of Onnesium, and brought in 100 kilos of the good stuff. Plus a cargo hold full of rare earths, plus all the stuff in those varmint's hold as well. The system rules are pretty clear on finders keepers, and what happens to claim jumpers, so it made me no never mind. I must say my husband loves it when I come back in after two-three months out, and I need my man. I don't let him out of bed for two- three days! But after the immediate needs are satisfied, which include several good meals by the way, I look at the bank account, and I should have enough to retire here in a couple of years at the rate I am going. This belt is a gold mine, pun intended for the hard working belter.
GNS: Well thanks for the interview.
GNS: We are now visiting with Yoshi Tokugawa, Mariko's husband. So Tokugawa san tell us a little about being the manager for Rad shelter #1.
Mr. Tokugawa: Yes, I am employed by the Sakura Corporation, and I am the manager for the Rad Shelter #1 here on Shadowland Station. Our shelter was the first one built and has been continuously upgraded over the years. Sakura Corporation is dedicated to the safety and health of the citizens in the system, so they provide well for us.
GNS: Tell us a little bit about how these shelters work.
Mr. Tokugawa: When the flare alert network sends a flare alert, a signal goes out across the system to all station, and ships telling them to get to a shelter. Once that happens, the population of our station moves to the flare shelter and everyone must be inside a minimum of two hours before the flare strikes. We have station security run checks, and search routines on the station to make sure no one gets left outside. This last flare was one of the biggest, and it really stressed the rad shielding on the various stations, but thanks to the foresight of the Sakura Corporation we were well prepared and taken care of so there were no fatalities. Mr. Onishi really cares about the people in the belt. Our shelters are capable of handling all the occupants on the station, with a 25% redundancy to handle influx of tourists, or others.
We have the latest TL 12 rad shielding which was installed from the Sakura Corporation, and is a dramatic upgrade from the older shielding. Pre-upgrade we would have been worried to handle a flare of the magnitude of the last one. This flare was handled with little effort thanks to the hard work of the scientists and management of the Sakura Corporation. The old shelters were good for maybe 3-4 days at most before they started getting “ripe”. The new shelters can last up to a month. The last major flare, the Great Flare of 2492 lasted a week and a half since the debris kept falling into the star.
GNS: Thank you, how is it being married to a Belter from New Texas?
Mr. Tokugawa: She IS Japanese after all. She sometimes offends propriety, but she is a good wife, and works hard for the family. When she comes to visit she is very wifely, and takes good care of her husband, then is a good mother to our daughter. After her last strike, she told me that she is thinking of retiring, and perhaps we should seek to move to New Texas or Freedonia if the company will transfer me. I am a Salaryman, and owe loyalty to the company, so we could move to New Texas or Freedonia if the company's needs are such that I can be moved.
GNS: Thank you very much for your time.
GNS: We met with Mitsuo Yoshikawa one of the stations merchants. How are you Yoshikawa san?
Mr. Yoshikawa: I am fine honorable reporter.
GNS: How is life on the station?
Mr. Yoshikawa: Life is good, we have almost all the comforts of my home in New Kyoto on Amaterasu, I just miss the ability to go and fly kites. We are well taken care of by the Sakura Corporation, and the Honorable Onishi-Sama has been a worthy boss for the belt.
GNS: How is business?
Mr. Yoshikawa: my business is very good, thank you, we have been experiencing a bit of a boom with the new metal finds, and so the belters come in and purchase many vid chips for when they are out in the belt. I sell many of these chips to belters who are alone for much time. We get the latest episodes of the Power Poodles of Electron 9, which are very popular. I make very much profit on the Power Poodles.
GNS: Will go ever go home to Amaterasu?
Mr. Yoshikawa: I have made arrangements for my ashes to return, I will stay here as long as I can since the business is good, and I can support my family on Amaterasu well with the profits.
GNS: Thank you for speaking with us.
GNS: So that is 24 hours on Shadowland Station, one of the more interesting Belt mining stations in the sector. The star is also an anomaly which can make life hazardous, but is responsible for the riches found in this system.
Gateway News Service- Special Report- Shadowland Belt (2503)
GNS: Today we have a special report on one of the odder places in the sector in terms of spatial geography- Shadowland Belt. The belt surrounds a Neutron Star which flares on a regular schedule, with occasionally there being a random flare as debris falls into the gravity field of the star. The belt is one of the very richest in the sector, which is why humans have decided to operate in this system. The riches of this belt have barely been scratched in all the years humans have operated here.
We sat down with Matsutaka Onishi, the General Manager of the Shadowland Belt Corporation, which is a division of Sakura Industries. Onishi-San has been the General Manager for five years now, and has a unique perspective on this interesting system.
GNS: Onishi-San, thank you for having us.
Mr. Onishi: You are welcome, I am proud of what we have accomplished here in the belt since I had arrived.
GNS: Can you describe some of the improvements to the Belt, and its facilities for our viewers?
Mr. Onishi: Certainly. As everyone knows Shadowland is a Neutron Star which has flares that range from 2 to the upper 7 range on the stellar flare index. Most flares are in the 4-5 range, but every now an then we get the real magilla, and almost go to 8 on the scale. We just had a scale 7 flare that really locked us down for several days. When we get anything above a 4 we have to notify the belt on the Emergency Alert Network, and tell the belters, and others to get to the rad shelters.
One of my proudest accomplishments since I got here was to get orbital rad shelters deployed and maintained so that our belter population is safe from these larger flares. I have gotten 36 rad stations placed around the system, and each one can hold between a dozen and two dozen ships up to 400 tons, with four capable of handling up to 5,000 tons. These stations have the best rad shielding that we can deploy, and have food, water, a med bay with several corpsmen, and repair crews. Plus Shadowland Station has the best rad shielding we can provide, and we have also tethered it to a large metal rich rock which can be placed between us and the star when it flares. We usually get 24-36 hours notice before a large flare, but if we get an unexpected flare, we usually manage to get 4-12 hours notice.
Most flares last for two to three days, the longest one I remember actually shut us down for over a week and a half, and it was rough, let me tell you! The last emergency flare really was bad in terms of ships crews, mining crews, belters, and others being exposed to a really heavy dose of radiation, and unfortunately we lost about 120 people on that one, since we did not have shelters in place and the infrastructure had not been put in place to help people survive. This last flare, the level 7 flare we had zero, let me say that again, Zero! Casualties. The radiation levels were pretty extreme. We also have added six mining platforms, and six refining stations to our belt, and that has helped dramatically offset the increased costs for the shelters, and staffing. We have been very pleased with the increase in productivity in this system. Plus the recent finds of Onnesium have led to a larger influx of Belters, who are adding to our profits.
We then took a walk around the station, and sat down with Mariko Tokugawa, who is a belter in the system.
GNS: So Ms. Tokugawa, how is asteroid mining, and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Ms. Tokugawa: (Very strong New Texas accent) Konichiwa! Well, I have been here for 10 years, and got married four years ago, and I have a two year old daughter with my husband, who is one of the managers for Flare shelter #1 on Shadowland Station. I like it here for the most part, but eventually, I think we are going to move to New Texas or Freedonia where our daughter can grow up in actual air. This last flare was bad, caught me way out in the Oort, and I barely made it in to shelter #27 before the flare hit us. I don't think I have seen a flare like that in the decade I have been here. You could hear the rad shield generators screaming on the station.
I must say that things have been going pretty good, I found a pretty rich find, and some bushwhackers decided to try and take it away from me. So I put a laser through their bridge, and then used my VRF to take out their boarders. So I got their ship, and all their equipment, plus my load of ore. Pretty profitable. I had made a good strike of Onnesium, and brought in 100 kilos of the good stuff. Plus a cargo hold full of rare earths, plus all the stuff in those varmint's hold as well. The system rules are pretty clear on finders keepers, and what happens to claim jumpers, so it made me no never mind. I must say my husband loves it when I come back in after two-three months out, and I need my man. I don't let him out of bed for two- three days! But after the immediate needs are satisfied, which include several good meals by the way, I look at the bank account, and I should have enough to retire here in a couple of years at the rate I am going. This belt is a gold mine, pun intended for the hard working belter.
GNS: Well thanks for the interview.
GNS: We are now visiting with Yoshi Tokugawa, Mariko's husband. So Tokugawa san tell us a little about being the manager for Rad shelter #1.
Mr. Tokugawa: Yes, I am employed by the Sakura Corporation, and I am the manager for the Rad Shelter #1 here on Shadowland Station. Our shelter was the first one built and has been continuously upgraded over the years. Sakura Corporation is dedicated to the safety and health of the citizens in the system, so they provide well for us.
GNS: Tell us a little bit about how these shelters work.
Mr. Tokugawa: When the flare alert network sends a flare alert, a signal goes out across the system to all station, and ships telling them to get to a shelter. Once that happens, the population of our station moves to the flare shelter and everyone must be inside a minimum of two hours before the flare strikes. We have station security run checks, and search routines on the station to make sure no one gets left outside. This last flare was one of the biggest, and it really stressed the rad shielding on the various stations, but thanks to the foresight of the Sakura Corporation we were well prepared and taken care of so there were no fatalities. Mr. Onishi really cares about the people in the belt. Our shelters are capable of handling all the occupants on the station, with a 25% redundancy to handle influx of tourists, or others.
We have the latest TL 12 rad shielding which was installed from the Sakura Corporation, and is a dramatic upgrade from the older shielding. Pre-upgrade we would have been worried to handle a flare of the magnitude of the last one. This flare was handled with little effort thanks to the hard work of the scientists and management of the Sakura Corporation. The old shelters were good for maybe 3-4 days at most before they started getting “ripe”. The new shelters can last up to a month. The last major flare, the Great Flare of 2492 lasted a week and a half since the debris kept falling into the star.
GNS: Thank you, how is it being married to a Belter from New Texas?
Mr. Tokugawa: She IS Japanese after all. She sometimes offends propriety, but she is a good wife, and works hard for the family. When she comes to visit she is very wifely, and takes good care of her husband, then is a good mother to our daughter. After her last strike, she told me that she is thinking of retiring, and perhaps we should seek to move to New Texas or Freedonia if the company will transfer me. I am a Salaryman, and owe loyalty to the company, so we could move to New Texas or Freedonia if the company's needs are such that I can be moved.
GNS: Thank you very much for your time.
GNS: We met with Mitsuo Yoshikawa one of the stations merchants. How are you Yoshikawa san?
Mr. Yoshikawa: I am fine honorable reporter.
GNS: How is life on the station?
Mr. Yoshikawa: Life is good, we have almost all the comforts of my home in New Kyoto on Amaterasu, I just miss the ability to go and fly kites. We are well taken care of by the Sakura Corporation, and the Honorable Onishi-Sama has been a worthy boss for the belt.
GNS: How is business?
Mr. Yoshikawa: my business is very good, thank you, we have been experiencing a bit of a boom with the new metal finds, and so the belters come in and purchase many vid chips for when they are out in the belt. I sell many of these chips to belters who are alone for much time. We get the latest episodes of the Power Poodles of Electron 9, which are very popular. I make very much profit on the Power Poodles.
GNS: Will go ever go home to Amaterasu?
Mr. Yoshikawa: I have made arrangements for my ashes to return, I will stay here as long as I can since the business is good, and I can support my family on Amaterasu well with the profits.
GNS: Thank you for speaking with us.
GNS: So that is 24 hours on Shadowland Station, one of the more interesting Belt mining stations in the sector. The star is also an anomaly which can make life hazardous, but is responsible for the riches found in this system.
A portion of an interview with the President of New Texas:
GNS: New Texas prides itself on its "western" heritage, and its outback sort of ways, but this is a very industrialized system, and on the cutting edge of technology, how you explain that? And cowboy boots in this day and age?
President Garcia: Well old Texas, God Bless it and may its flag proudly wave, set the standard for us. We are a bunch of ornery cusses, and pretty much everyone dreams of having the little spread, so a man and his family can spread out, and just spend time like the Good Lord intended. Yeah, we are pretty made up with industry, high tech and the like, but that is to allow our folks to have a little extra time for the better things in life, like dropping a line and some bait in the old fishing hole. Or herding his own herd on the little spread. Things that make life worth living. A new pair of cowboy boots, and a good hat, everyone loves those things. Not only are they attractive, but they are very comfortable if you get a good pair. Who would we be if we forgot the traditions of our ancestors! We are tryin' to keep as much industry and pollution off planet so we don't do to New Texas what the rest of them did to old Earth.
GNS: Some people claim that your flag is just the Texas flag, and you are imitation Texans what do you say?
President Garcia: Them folks are just damn Yankees, and don't know no better, and wouldn't know any better if'n a sidewinder bit them on their butt. You don't understand, WE ARE TEXANS! Texas is in the heart and soul, and no matter how far away we are from Old Texas, its here with us always and forever! Texas is a state of mind, and a way of life. Them darn Yankees just have no clue, and so I feel sorry for them livin' such a sterile, boring life. Texas is here! Texas is wherever a Texan stands. So, yes, we still proudly wave the flag of old Texas, and always will, since Texas is a place in the heart, which all real Texans feel. Sniffles, and wipes his eyes. God bless Texas! Yee Haw!
GNS: well thank you sir, we appreciate it.
President Garcia: You all are welcome, you sure that you don't want to come out and help me de-worm the cattle? I guess not.
GNS: New Texas prides itself on its "western" heritage, and its outback sort of ways, but this is a very industrialized system, and on the cutting edge of technology, how you explain that? And cowboy boots in this day and age?
President Garcia: Well old Texas, God Bless it and may its flag proudly wave, set the standard for us. We are a bunch of ornery cusses, and pretty much everyone dreams of having the little spread, so a man and his family can spread out, and just spend time like the Good Lord intended. Yeah, we are pretty made up with industry, high tech and the like, but that is to allow our folks to have a little extra time for the better things in life, like dropping a line and some bait in the old fishing hole. Or herding his own herd on the little spread. Things that make life worth living. A new pair of cowboy boots, and a good hat, everyone loves those things. Not only are they attractive, but they are very comfortable if you get a good pair. Who would we be if we forgot the traditions of our ancestors! We are tryin' to keep as much industry and pollution off planet so we don't do to New Texas what the rest of them did to old Earth.
GNS: Some people claim that your flag is just the Texas flag, and you are imitation Texans what do you say?
President Garcia: Them folks are just damn Yankees, and don't know no better, and wouldn't know any better if'n a sidewinder bit them on their butt. You don't understand, WE ARE TEXANS! Texas is in the heart and soul, and no matter how far away we are from Old Texas, its here with us always and forever! Texas is a state of mind, and a way of life. Them darn Yankees just have no clue, and so I feel sorry for them livin' such a sterile, boring life. Texas is here! Texas is wherever a Texan stands. So, yes, we still proudly wave the flag of old Texas, and always will, since Texas is a place in the heart, which all real Texans feel. Sniffles, and wipes his eyes. God bless Texas! Yee Haw!
GNS: well thank you sir, we appreciate it.
President Garcia: You all are welcome, you sure that you don't want to come out and help me de-worm the cattle? I guess not.
He is a very Edwardian gentleman, for whom good manners are a must.
kilemall
SOC-14 5K
Didn’t stop the empire from employing them.
My quick lookup describes Gurkhas as polite. So no problem.
003-2508 Gateway News Service- Shiva
The Sector Cricket Association has announced that the upcoming Cricket Series will be held on Shiva. All teams agreed to the location since Cricket is a national sport here on Shiva. The matches are expected to draw in a huge number of tourists, which will boost the economy of this world. This announcement has been greeted with overwhelming support from the populace of Shiva.
The New Canberran Wombats have announced that as part of their line up this year, Mark Esperanza Thevins, son of Bingo Jr. will be their new Mid Wicket player and he has developed an admirable record on the field both for his fielding and batting. His batting is spectacular having hit 30 centuries on the field over his career both in University, and on the Upper Wombat Creek team. It appears that Mark has decided to go professional after he was drafted by the Wombats. He has great field presence, and is decidedly a ladies man, with a large fan club already.
The Sector Cricket Association has announced that the upcoming Cricket Series will be held on Shiva. All teams agreed to the location since Cricket is a national sport here on Shiva. The matches are expected to draw in a huge number of tourists, which will boost the economy of this world. This announcement has been greeted with overwhelming support from the populace of Shiva.
The New Canberran Wombats have announced that as part of their line up this year, Mark Esperanza Thevins, son of Bingo Jr. will be their new Mid Wicket player and he has developed an admirable record on the field both for his fielding and batting. His batting is spectacular having hit 30 centuries on the field over his career both in University, and on the Upper Wombat Creek team. It appears that Mark has decided to go professional after he was drafted by the Wombats. He has great field presence, and is decidedly a ladies man, with a large fan club already.
