Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[Murph]

170-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

An emergency meeting at the Foreign Office was called to handle the impending meeting on Friedland. The Foreign Minister said that he was interested in calming things down, in light of the "Completely overblown and misunderstood actions which have been taken in a complete misunderstanding of the policy of the Gateway Federation, which as everyone knows has no Imperial ambitions, and is looking forward to a peaceful, equitable resolution to this complete and absolute misreading of events".

The Foreign Ministry then had to disavow an earlier comment by Senior Deputy Undersecretary Helene Ekpunobi where she said that the "Neo-Barbs need to understand their place, and Gateway will not be pushed around by piss ant little third rate powers with delusions of adequacy" She then told the assembled press that the Gateway Federation was not going to allow colonies to interfere with the already existing Gateway colonies, and that the Gateway Navy was going to be told to enforce the blockage on access to the subsector.

The Foreign Minister said that he had gotten strict orders from the Prime Minister regarding the matter, and the comments by Ms. Ekpunobi were most certainly NOT the policy of the Gateway Federation, and that in light of her inability to accept that guidance from her superiors in the Ministry, and the Prime Minister's Office, she has been placed on administrative leave for the time being.

 

[Murph]

172-2507 Gateway News Service- Friedland

In honor of their thwarting the pirate takeover of the Jewel of India liner, the Chairman of McVickers Lines, Sergei Hamish McVicker arrived on Friedland to issue awards to the heroic people who prevented this terrible event. All those who participated will be given free first class trips on any McVickers Line ship for life.

Major Richard and Natasha Alvarez were also awarded medals from the government of Friedland, which were delivered by the ambassador. We asked Major Alvarez for a few comments and he kindly obliged.

“Well, those varmints, thought they could pirate that big ol ship, but they did not anticipate some ornery cusses throwin’ a wrench in their plans. The little lady and I got movin’ purty quick, and took down the first two. I am so proud of my wife, she nailed that no good varmint right on his coconut with that vase, and he went down like a pole axed steer! Then we had some shootin’ and it got real western there for a bit! Then the little lady had that no good sum batch grab her, and she just did what she needed to do, and made sure he assumed room temperature.”

“Then she got blood all over that really nice new outfit she had just gotten at the store, but she sprang into action when the Guenther feller had the screaming meemies, she knew just what to do, and got him some of that champagne stuff, and after a bottle or two he got his senses back. He has been real nice to her ever since, and she is just in hog heaven gittn’ to go to all them fashion thingies. She was so worried ‘cause I got a little nick from one of those varmints, she is just the best little thing, I couldn’t ask for a better wifey. I am just glad she is havin’ a great time here.”

We asked Natasha Alvarez about it and she said: “My husband is such a hero, I am having such a great time here, and I am so glad that he is enjoying himself as well.”

The surviving pirates, we are told have been in jail since they were arrested and are set for trial by the end of the year. The Friedland Ministry of Justice said it appears to be a cut and dry case of piracy under Friedland law.

 

[Murph]

The phrase "It got real Western" was said by my first Sheriff right after a really nasty shoot out I was involved in many years ago.

 

[casquilho]

The phrase "It got real Western" was said by my first Sheriff right after a really nasty shoot out I was involved in many years ago.

I have to admit, my favorite was "... and made sure he assumed room temperature.".

 

[Diveguy]

The phrase "It got real Western" was said by my first Sheriff right after a really nasty shoot out I was involved in many years ago.

Only matched by "things went rodeo for a minute..."

 

[Murph]

176-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Prime Minister has met with certain members of his administration, and all of them have come away declining to speak with the media regarding the substance of their conversations, and while the PM has not returned to his office, he is working at his residence which is still under exceptionally heavy guard. The Minister of Justice has convened a "Special Investigative Unit" task force for an unknown reason, with the Justice Ministry declining to provide any details at all regarding this new unit.

The Prime Minister did meet with Ms. Leticia Mikiewicz of the opposition Free Republic Party for approximately two hours at his residence. Ms. Mikiewicz had no comment as she left the PM's residence, but she looked uncharacteristically somber. The Foreign Minister and Colonial Minister have been to the residence, and rumors are swirling that one or both are expected to offer their resignations soon.

There has been an unexpectedly large law enforcement presence at the downport and all passengers have undergoing a more extensive security screening process before being allowed either on shuttles to orbit, or to ships which have landed to pick up passengers. Also customs officers are screening incoming cargo with something more than the usual level of scrutiny, with a larger number of freight moved into secure areas for a deeper examination.

We are also seeing an enhanced military presence around all downports by what we are being told are Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Units. The military has made no comment other than "Certain units are involved in training operations to ensure readiness". When asked about the battledress equipped Marines around the PM's residence, the spokesman would only say "no comment".

We are being told that the government of Gateway is very concerned about the Friedland meeting, which is being held by the Kaiser to address "The current actions of the Gateway Government and their attempts to destabilize the sector". The Prime Minister is reportedly very much annoyed that certain ministries have allowed things to get to his pass, and is looking at ways to repair the diplomatic breach.

But we are also told that there is an entrenched group of hard line Imperialists inside of the government who are doing all they can to obstruct and delay any attempts to settle these issues, and have claimed that Gateway should be the sole power in the Outlands Subsector, since they "got there first".

We are being told that conflicting orders are being sent out from both the Colonial and Foreign Ministries directing the Gateway Navy to take steps to prevent non-Gateway vessels in accessing the Outlands Subsector. The Navy Minister has said that he has sent orders out to all vessels stationed away from the Gateway System, that they are not to obey orders sent by the Colonial Office, and that the Governor General of the Outlands Subsector on Shangri-La does not have the authority to direct naval units to violate the law or the Gateway treaty.

 

[Murph]

177-2507 Gateway News Service- Ultima Thule

Maritime Safety Patrol units along with Omega Corp security units responded to an SOS/Mayday on the harvester ship Hell's Bells as an explosion onboard had crippled the ship, and it was in danger of sinking. At approximately 0930 local, the crew on the ship felt the blast in the engine room, which blew out portions of the engines, and knocked a large hole in the side of the ship. A second blast then happened blowing out one of the collection tanks. Emergency bulkheads did not shut automatically due to a computer malfunction, and by the time the crew was able to start closing bulkheads it was too late for the ship to be saved.

Two engine room crew were badly injured in the blast, but others managed to get them to safety before the engine room filled completely with water. As the ship started to settle in the water, the captain sent the SOS signal, and ordered the crew to the lifeboats. As the crew abandoned ship they could see a large hole in the side of the ship, as it slowly settled lower and lower in the water.

The ship was rapidly slipping under the surface as Ultiman Razorjaws began circling the lifeboats. The crew was in no immediate danger due to the reinforced construction of the lifeboats. Emergency vehicles arrived within five hours, and managed to rescue the crew of the now sunken ship. The injured crew members have been taken to Mercy General Hospital in Lemuria City where doctors tell us they are in stable condition.

The Attorney General for the colony has directed the Investigative agency to look into this sinking, and has requested assistance from Omega Corp. The ship's wreckage has been found in 1,800 meters of water, with an initial survey showing it settled more or less intact, with the stern striking the sea floor first. A deep sea submersible has shown two large holes in the stern, and port side of the ship which caused the flooding. A more detailed investigation is scheduled to take place, with authorities waiting on the full investigation before issuing a ruling on the cause of the sinking.

We are told that the captain, officers, and crew of the Hell's Bells were very experienced with an average of 10 years as Mega-whale ship crew. The captain was due to retire next year after spending 25 years in the merchant service. Sources close to the investigation are telling us that they suspect that this was not an accident, and was the result of criminal activity.

 

[kilemall]

177-2507 Gateway News Service- Ultima Thule

Maritime Safety Patrol units along with Omega Corp security units responded to an SOS/Mayday on the harvester ship Hell's Bells as an explosion onboard had crippled the ship, and it was in danger of sinking. At approximately 0930 local, the crew on the ship felt the blast in the engine room, which blew out portions of the engines, and knocked a large hole in the side of the ship. A second blast then happened blowing out one of the collection tanks. Emergency bulkheads did not shut automatically due to a computer malfunction, and by the time the crew was able to start closing bulkheads it was too late for the ship to be saved.

Two engine room crew were badly injured in the blast, but others managed to get them to safety before the engine room filled completely with water. As the ship started to settle in the water, the captain sent the SOS signal, and ordered the crew to the lifeboats. As the crew abandoned ship they could see a large hole in the side of the ship, as it slowly settled lower and lower in the water.

The ship was rapidly slipping under the surface as Ultiman Razorjaws began circling the lifeboats. The crew was in no immediate danger due to the reinforced construction of the lifeboats. Emergency vehicles arrived within five hours, and managed to rescue the crew of the now sunken ship. The injured crew members have been taken to Mercy General Hospital in Lemuria City where doctors tell us they are in stable condition.

The Attorney General for the colony has directed the Investigative agency to look into this sinking, and has requested assistance from Omega Corp. The ship's wreckage has been found in 1,800 meters of water, with an initial survey showing it settled more or less intact, with the stern striking the sea floor first. A deep sea submersible has shown two large holes in the stern, and port side of the ship which caused the flooding. A more detailed investigation is scheduled to take place, with authorities waiting on the full investigation before issuing a ruling on the cause of the sinking.

We are told that the captain, officers, and crew of the Hell's Bells were very experienced with an average of 10 years as Mega-whale ship crew. The captain was due to retire next year after spending 25 years in the merchant service. Sources close to the investigation are telling us that they suspect that this was not an accident, and was the result of criminal activity.

Eco terrorists? Competitors? Economic proxy war?

Or maybe…. The mega whales are patrons acting in self defense? They could pay by revealing wreck sites to their hirelings…

 

[Murph]

Ultima Thule has been having issues with Eco-Terrorists. Also the planet has made collecting Whale Pus a Government monopoly, so the independent captains sell to the government (at decent prices), but there are Mega corps who want the government out of the monopoly.

 

[casquilho]

Or maybe…. The mega whales are patrons acting in self defense? They could pay by revealing wreck sites to their hirelings…

The idea they are at war with the whales and not know it is an interesting idea.

 

[bookwyrm]

at war with the whales and not know it

IF the Mega-Whales are sentient, they could be waiting for an opportune time to change the status quo in their favor, or to reveal to the 'Humans' that they are sentient and that it's in the Humans best interest to stop hunting 'Our People' or there will be consequences, or offer a trade of some kind that could result in Peace between 'People Of The Vast Ocean' and the 'Killers Of The People Of The Vast Ocean From The Stars'.

 

[Murph]

They used to hunt them, but a new device that flies over, lands on the sores, and sucks the pus out has been in use for the last three years, and the whales seem to enjoy it, in some places lining up to have their "zits" emptied. So the government has outlawed any hunting of the whales. Now as to their level of sentience, that is something for a future newsletter.....

 

[kilemall]

They used to hunt them, but a new device that flies over, lands on the sores, and sucks the pus out has been in use for the last three years, and the whales seem to enjoy it, in some places lining up to have their "zits" emptied. So the government has outlawed any hunting of the whales. Now as to their level of sentience, that is something for a future newsletter.....

Pus grooming not hero smart whales? Darn.

 

[Murph]

178-2507 Gateway News Service- Xanadu

It was Landing Day on this world, which always starts off with a huge parade, food booths, dancers, art exhibits, and much, much more. Landing Day on Xanadu is always a huge event with several days of fun leading up to the actual day. A world holiday, much of the population spends the day out and about at events. Fireworks abound, and the noise from them is almost ceaseless for several days.

This Landing Day started out like any other, just as raucous, just as bright, tables groaning under the weight of food and drink, Lion and Dragon dancers, flybys of the military, parades of military equipment, schools, and civic associations. And like anything else, the criminal element is also present.

In a stunning event, as the parade was passing by the booth with the Black Dragon Tong where the Tong leaders were viewing the parade, gunfire broke out. A dragon figure was passing by as unexpectedly, it erupted in gunfire. The Tong Leaders were protected initially by bullet proof barriers, but suddenly two plasma guns opened fire and destroyed the barriers, then three persons with Gauss MGs opened fire again, killing the leadership, along with their families, staff, bodyguards, and several Tong associates.

After stopping their gunfire, a Grav van swept down, and then took off, pursued by police vehicles along the streets of the Capital. The van ducked and dodged the police cars, before finally crashing into the Bay of Alph 10 kilometers off shore. Police dive teams were sent within the hour, but they were unable to find any bodies. The wreck of the van was located.

At the same time that this occurred, a large blast happened in an office complex in the Blue Dragon Industrial park. The explosion was large enough to break windows for a kilometer around the park. The building which was the epicenter of the blast was leveled, and contained the offices of several companies which were suspected of having ties to criminal organizations.

Police tell us that they cannot give us a good number of casualties since they have not been able to remove much of the rubble. But initial reports are that possibly 20-30 people were in the eight level building when it exploded. But a hitherto unknown underground area was found that was four levels underground, where a large narcotics processing laboratory was discovered, but due to the hazardous nature of the dust and particulate matter, all entry has to be made in sealed environment suits. Initial tests show that Nidhogg Green, and several other highly addictive substances were being processed in this building.

At the same time, the Xanadu offices of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe, Attorneys at Law exploded killing thirty nine employees and lawyers. It is known that the Law Firm has deep ties into the criminal underworld, and always represents members of the Black Dragon and their affiliates in court.

Police tell us that sensors have indicated that at the time the grav van picked up whomever it did, the sewer grates were removed and it showed that they were open for approximately five minutes. But the sensors in the sewers to track large movements were malfunctioning at the time, so they cannot determine if anyone actually entered the sewers.

Forensic evidence shows that the Tong leaders were killed both by Gauss fire, as well as Plasma weapon blasts. A fragmentation grenade was used to take out their bodyguards, and a HEAT RAM grenade took out two armored Limos that belonged to the higher ups. Police have gotten word that the Tong had perhaps been involved in the various attempted assassinations across the sector earlier in the year.

We are also getting a report that several high ranking Tong members who were at a high class resort have been killed by a sniper as they were drinking Mai Tais on the terrace at sunset. A laser rifle was used to kill the Tong bosses. Video from the resort also shows two "Waiters" bringing in a food cart to a room on the 21st floor, where there was a massive explosion shortly afterwards. The "waiters" left and descended to the service floor, where they entered an area where the cameras had malfunctioned. No further sign of them have been found.

Police are baffled as to the nexus between these killings, and have launched one of the largest investigations in Xanadu history to try and get to the bottom of these events. One thing we are being told by the Police Spokesman is that the killings appear to have directly targeted certain persons, and there was, with the exception of the office building, no collateral damage. We are being told that all passengers leaving the planet are undergoing a much more invasive screening than is normal as the authorities look for possible suspects.

 

[Starglim]

Police are baffled as to the nexus between these killings

I'd look into connections and spending habits of those who are "baffled". This took a lot of people and hardware on planet.

 

[Murph]

186-2507 Gateway News Service- Ultima Thule

The Mother Gaea Ecological Liberation Front for the Protection of all Natural Things, and Some Rocks as Well has claimed credit for the destruction of the Mega-Whale processing ship. The MGELFPoaNTaSRaW is a known Eco-terrorist organization which is anti-Anagathics, Anti-Fishing, Anti-hunting, Pro environment, organization that has declared that Anagathics are the work of evil, and by “pus hunting” they are interfering with the “natural order” and that humans are not meant to live that long. They also object to all mining operations no matter where, and think humans need to live a “decent simple life” as was intended performing hunting and gathering as their livelihoods

The Ultima Thule Constabulary has issued warrants for several known members of MGELFPoaNTaSRaW but they have fled off planet to Hades Station which seems to be their current headquarters. We have been told by sources close to the investigation that the group is thinking of renaming themselves to “something with more snap (and shorter)”.

 

[Murph]

183-2507 Gateway News Service- New Drakkensburg

Ms. Cheri van Bluefenschmidt, the so called “New Paris Funnel Web Spider”, who is wanted in connection to the mysterious deaths of four of her six husbands, all of whom were impressively rich, was seen today soaking up the sun, sipping delightful bar drinks, and showing off her impressively toned self in a Gloria van Roque swimsuit made from Cloudwear which prevents a social disaster as delicate clouds float across the suit providing discretion, as she was seen pool side at the New Atosha Park Safari hotel a five star resort destination on New Drakkensburg.

Ms. van Bluefenschmidt who was known as the “social arbiter” of the New Paris Arts and Croissants crowd, an art collector of note, and the Grande Dame of New Paris society has started her work here on New Drakkensburg, as she puts it; “Bringing class and culture, to a veritable wasteland of taste and style. Her connections included the President of New Paris, along with many important politicians and "people who matter".

While she now longer has access to her late husbands bank accounts, or hers for that matter on New Paris, she had transferred a great deal of her liquid assets to banks on both New Drakkensburg, and Hades Station. We at GNS are being told that Ms. Van Bluefenschmidt is thought to have hidden funds in excess of 100 million stellars despite the courts orders to turn over all accounts to the Court trustee so they could pay off the last husband who narrowly escaped being killed before the divorce.

We know that the bulk of the money came from her first late husband the Conde van Bluefenschmidt who was worth an estimated 500 million stellars. But her free spending ways always meant she had to have other sources of income. We are being told by sources close to Ms. Van Bluefenschmidt that she has been granted a position with the Government which will allow her a diplomatic passport and diplomatic immunity in exchange for her efforts on New Drakkensburg.

 

[Murph]

187-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Foreign Minister in company with the new Colonial Minister held a press conference today where they said: "In light of the ever evolving interests of the Gateway Federation that have become apparent in the Geo-political sense, that perhaps the situation was being misconstrued by others, whereas the intentions behind certain actions were not as well thought out as they could have been, in light of the needed clarity, so in order to adjust overall perceptions regarding actions which might or might not have been taken by the officers and employees of the Gateway Federation, vis a vis certain territorial issues, we would like to explain the gross misunderstanding which has occurred."

"Therefore we would like to assure everyone that the Gateway Federation is completely aligned, in a Geo-political sense, with the intrinsic harmony of the Sector, and welcome open and constructive dialogs which in the fullness of time will ensure that each world is represented to the best, and have actualized their needs, so that the understanding in the fullness of time ensures that any potential disagreements can be worked through so that our position is completely clear as to the lack of confusion which it otherwise might engender".

When asked what that actually meant the Ministers retorted that they were "perfectly clear" and that it was now in the ball court of the other worlds to follow the enlightened lead of the Gateway Federation in making the sector a better place.

 

[kilemall]

187-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Foreign Minister in company with the new Colonial Minister held a press conference today where they said: "In light of the ever evolving interests of the Gateway Federation that have become apparent in the Geo-political sense, that perhaps the situation was being misconstrued by others, whereas the intentions behind certain actions were not as well thought out as they could have been, in light of the needed clarity, so in order to adjust overall perceptions regarding actions which might or might not have been taken by the officers and employees of the Gateway Federation, vis a vis certain territorial issues, we would like to explain the gross misunderstanding which has occurred."

"Therefore we would like to assure everyone that the Gateway Federation is completely aligned, in a Geo-political sense, with the intrinsic harmony of the Sector, and welcome open and constructive dialogs which in the fullness of time will ensure that each world is represented to the best, and have actualized their needs, so that the understanding in the fullness of time ensures that any potential disagreements can be worked through so that our position is completely clear as to the lack of confusion which it otherwise might engender".

When asked what that actually meant the Ministers retorted that they were "perfectly clear" and that it was now in the ball court of the other worlds to follow the enlightened lead of the Gateway Federation in making the sector a better place.

Follow up piece, GF doubles intel and special ops budget.

 

[Murph]

192-2507 Gateway News Service- Hades Station

Bob Thorsen-Linkin here with GNS, and I was able to get a meeting with the leaders of the Mother Gaea Ecological Liberation Front for the Protection of all Natural Things and some Rocks as well (MGELFPoaNTaSRaW) where they told me that their groups objective is to stop the flow of the vital components of anagathics, since it is "against Mother Gaea's directives" that humans are allowed to live as long as they are using the "un-natural technology". The leaders were rather upset that they have had a harder time on Ultima Thule due to security upgrades to the plants and ships gathering the pus.

I asked them why they thought that way since the pus collection seemed to have improved both the lifespan and health of the Ultima Mega-Whales? I was told that "Mother Gaea has instructed them to stop this un-natural bounty". When I asked why they thought humans should not live longer, they told me: "Mother Gaea says we should not live so long so as to not be a burden on our planets".

Apparently there is an even more radical off shoot of former members who are still getting organized, but have not chosen a "Cool Radical terrorist name" yet. I asked about their name since they are supposed to change it to something shorter, hipper, and more cool, and the leader who is only identified as Commander Naomi of the Silver Shore told me that the name change was held up in committee and no final decision had been made yet. But that she expected it to come real soon. When I asked her what the final names are, she was rather reticent only telling me that they have been focus grouped by their PR agency for "Maximum effect". She did say that they were also changing their color scheme to something "earth toned for maximum effect".