Far Frontiers Gateway sector

[Murph]

154-2507 Gateway News Service- Friedland

A recent opinion poll taken on Friedland has shown that 83.5% are fully supportive of the Kaiser and his current actions regarding the Royal family and Nobility with just 16.5% either unhappy, or undecided as to their opinion. The same poll shows that a full 89.9% of the respondents are fully supportive of the Imperial Family. The poll was conducted across Friedland and Kormoran, and has a margin of error of +/- 1.5%.

Also in news from Friedland today, the Kaiser awarded the Pour Le Merit (Civil Class) to a number of honorees at the New Potsdam Palace today. The people being so honored were mainly from the science and technology fields, although Herrin Giselda Untersterm, who is the lead singer for the Friedland Imperial Opera Company, and Herr Min-Young Kim, also of the Friedland Opera Company for their contributions to art over several decades. Both were notable in the presentation of the Puccini opera Turandot which not only toured Friedland, but toured the sector.

In other news, Friedland Food Products has released a new line of pre-cooked, warm and service Frieldand specialty food items for those who require a quick, convenient, and readily available single serve dishes. Some of the items are: Saurbraten with spaetzle and red cabbage, Rollmops with boiled potatoes and sauerkraut, Curry wurst, und pomme frittes, as well as almost a dozen others. Taste testers have commented favorably on these dishes, with one commenting: "It actually tastes like real food!"

 

[Murph]

Natasha had an encounter with a very powerful psionic and had a sudden desire to "have some quality time" with her husband. But to the average person psionics are just a fantasy novel trope.

142-2507 Gateway News Service- New Texas

Natasha Alvarez here dear readers! Well, it has been interesting, and yes, I am pregnant again. I might have to get a baggage carousel installed at the house, it seems to have worked wonders. But, as you know, I have places to go, and people to report on, so Richard and I are having this set of children tubed, mostly for their protection as I head off into space again.

I am headed to New Paris for Fashion Week, this time Richard will be coming with me, so we can relax and enjoy the latest in fashion. I need some new shoes. And a couple of outfits. And perhaps a handbag and hat. Well, you all know a girl has to dress properly, and where else to do that except New Paris.

I am giddy with anticipation since I am getting reliable reports from my reliable sources that Mirriam El-Hassan, Chi-Cheng Lau, Marcus LeTriomph, Jerzy Fornast, Timur Akonovski and others are planning something very special for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Atelier La Pobre in the Chambord neighborhood where the fashion greats all got their start.

My heart is racing at the possibilities that could be revealed, and I have also been told that Cloudwear is planning something very special this year. Oh, my stars! The holy grail of all fashionistas is on New Paris this year. Well, stay tuned, we are headed there on a King Richard Class liner, and we have first class cabins! Ah, the height of class and dignity, the King Richard class, and we are told that it will be Jewel of India, decorated as a Rajas Palace. I just cannot wait! Richard is also thrilled, he told me so and looks forward to the endless hours of visiting the Ateliers of the great ones, the masters of fashion! Oh My! My heart races in anticipation!

 

[Murph]

143-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Foreign Ministry has requested that the Colonial Service via its Support Services Unit which controls access for refueling points at New Atlantis and Miskatonic directly refuse to fuel any naval units other than those of the Gateway Federation. The Foreign Ministry has stated that since other worlds are threatening the "Sovereign Space and Lands" of the Gateway Federation, and are demanding that ships be allowed to transit, then they will not stop them from transit, but will deny them refined fuel at the space stations, nor will they provide any support, repair, or emergency assistance to any Non-Registered vessel in the Outlands which has not agreed to the rules of operation within "Gateway Space".

We at GNS are being told that this announcement caught the Prime Minister somewhat aback, but for the sake of appearing to present a united front has agreed to go along for now. This is directly addressed at Freedonia and Amaterasu since they are the only ones, so far sending ships to the Outlands Subsector. While this move is not in direct violation of the Gateway Accords, it does show a distinct brinkmanship which is ratcheting up tensions in the sector. The Ministry also once again referred to non Gateway Federation Worlds as "Neo-Barbarians".

144-2507 Gateway News Service- Freedonia

The Freedonian State Department has issued a travel advisory for all territory controlled "for now" by the Gateway Federation. It requests that all Freedonian Citizens return to non Gateway space until a "peaceful or otherwise" resolution of this crisis. The Secretary of State also wished to warn Gateway that failure to live up to the Space Emergency and Rescue Treaty would be not in their best interests.

Also the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Butt-Whooping (aka Secretary of War), have directed all Freedonian ships which are on the escort mission to avoid any provocations which might cause Gateway to "wet their pants". Also they have told us at GNS: "Well, we figgured those loud mouthed fellers, would do something stupid like that, so we sent some tankers along, so they can just get down and suck our big toes."

The Ministry of Butt-Whooping has called up some Naval Reserves, and is manning all the Navy's ships at a full war footing at this time. They have also called on their allies to assist in taking things down a notch so that nobody gets trigger happy.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Well, stay tuned, we are headed there on a King Richard Class liner, and we have first class cabins!

Nice!

 

[coliver988]

one of my Traveller games used the King Richard. Posts here for potential ideas. (https://traveller-ct.blogspot.com/search/label/King Richard)

 

[Murph]

Freedonia is an odd place (aka Duck Soup) and its Intelligence Agency is called the Albanian Secret Service, its War Office is called the Ministry of Butt-Whooping, and such. Very high tech, very secretive in many ways, its government is required each year to undergo "Veridication" which uses the EEG and other mental levels to determine if you are lying or not. 99% effective, and it is required in trials, everyone gets put on the box to see if they are telling the truth. TL 12, it enshrines personal freedom, and is just weird at times.

 

[Murph]

148-2507 Gateway News Service- Xanadu

Ms. Elaine Lau was the victim of an unfortunate accident at her rather fashionable upscale condo. The Star Products cleaning robot suffered a software malfunction, and its safety interlocks failed to shut it down. This occurred just as Ms. Lau was in the middle of her weekly social event with the other wives of Xanadu's movers and shakers.

The unfortunately Ms. Pinkie Ng was sitting her exquisite Chi Cheng Lau early mid day dress suit when she was doused with water as the robot apparently mistook her for a potted plant, and sprayed her with a copious amount of water. As she ran around the condominium she was followed by the robot which continued to douse the unfortunate Ms. Ng.

Then the robot decided that it had gotten orders to clean the table, and began hurling plate, glasses and other items into the waste receptacle. Unfortunately it was also spraying a cleaning solution, and mistook Ms. Jasmine Chao for a dirty plate, and hosed down her couture outfit, and then proceeded to try and wipe away the "stain" which were the delicate patterns on her outfit, chasing her around the furniture before chasing the other women who were trying to get away from the berserk robot.

The robot then turned and knocked Ms. Wen-Cho Yang over and was vigorously vacuuming her posterior which exposed her rather shocking purple undergarments along with a hither to unknown tattoo on her left buttock, which shocked the assembled ladies sensibilities upon their viewing of said tattoo.

Finally the chauffeur arrived and was able to shut down the run away device, and police were called in to investigate. It was determined that this model the SPRV-1200 series of robots were re-badged General Products RV-1200 robots which had a history of poorly designed software and hardware. Star Products has continued producing the robot despite knowing of the issues it has with its software and hardware systems.

The ladies at the party looked rather worse for wear after the berserk robot had ruined their get together and it appears that Ms. Ng is filing suit against Ms. Lau for "mental trauma, and the destruction of a one of a kind outfit". Mr. Wang-Chi Lau has filed suit against Star Products over this unfortunate incident. Star Products is denying any culpability and claims that the Lau's have intentionally disregarded the warnings to have the robot serviced on a regular schedule. Mr. Lau, a senior banker with Xanadu Merchant Commerce Bank has called for the government to order a recall of all Star Products cleaning Robots and for all owners to be reimbursed for their purchase of the robots.

Star Products said it stood by its products, and despite their origin as a General Products device, they have added much quality to their cleaning robots. However reports are that this is not the first time that such an incident had occurred. We were unable to find out exactly what the tattoo on Ms. Yang's posterior was, but it apparently shocked the sensibilities of the ladies present. We are told that perhaps Ms. Yang, who is reputed to be a rather staid society matron might have a hard rocking side unbeknownst to her friends.

 

[Murph]

149-2507 Gateway News Service- Shadowland Belt

The cargo ship Winged Victory was overdue at Main Belt Station, so ships were directed to search for the ship in case it had some sort of issue. The system defense boat #45 was able to locate the vessel which was floating in the rings of Gas Giant #3. The ship had no power signature, and did not respond to hails.

The captain of the SDB,1等海尉 Ittō kaii (senior lieutenant) Horoshi Gorobei sent over two crew and four marines from the Special Boarding Unit to check on the ship and its crew. Upon entering the powerless vessel, the naval personnel discovered that the ships reactor had shut down from lack of fuel. Also they moved through a haze of blood droplets, discovering that the entire crew and all the passengers had been killed.

They were not able to power up the ship with their vessel, and so had to wait for a recovery ship to arrive and send over some fuel. Due to the reactor shutting down hard as its fuel ran out, the reactor was too damaged to restart. So a power cable was run over which was able to power on certain of the ships systems, to allow for the computer be be re-activated.

The Winged Victory was carrying a cargo of vital stores to the various belt stations, as well as some repair and replacement crews. The 2,000 ton service vessel had just finished servicing Belt station 29 and was in route to Belt Station 30 when it went missing. As a special investigative team arrived, they are telling us at GNS that it appears the bridge crew was shot and killed by the comm officer, who then assisted the pirate ship in docking with the Winged Victory.

The pirates then entered the ship and systematically killed all of the remaining crew and passengers before siphoning all the fuel in the tanks, and removing the most valuable of the cargo to their vessel. The comm officer, who was identified as Takahashi Morimoto went along with the pirates to their vessel. We are being told that the vessel then ran out of power and began to float among the belt of the gas giant. The pirate vessel was identified as an 800 ton ship broadcasting the ID showing it as Filthy Lucre.

System Traffic Control shows that the pirate ship was logged three days prior as having jumped out to Marduk according to the flight plan it filed. But system records show that the "Filthy Lucre" was a 400 ton ship. The crew of the Winged Victory are being returned to the Main Belt station, and then will be returned to their families. The ship is being towed to the Main Belt Station where a survey crew will determine if the vessel is feasible to repair or if it is cheaper to just scrap it.

 

[Murph]

153-2507 Gateway News Service-Friedland

Natasha here! Let me tell you dear readers, that the Jewel of India has been spectacular. The cabin is not only sumptuous, but the service onboard has been nothing short of amazing. Our Suite is an authentic re-creation of the Udaipur Lake Palace on Old Terra, complete with sandalwood scented cabin air. Yes, we are traveling in one of the 8 suites on board the Jewel of India! As they say on New Texas: First Class Y’all!

Leaving our cabin, and walking along the exceptionally magnificent corridors of this ship has been something I have looked forward to for a very long time. As with all events on a King Richard Class Liner, we of course dress for dinner, which has left Richard muttering about getting dressed up in a glorified "monkey suit" just to eat some pretentious food, and he wants to know where he can get some decent carne asada tacos with a proper salsa. I told him to just shut up and experience the ambiance. Last night was deconstructed, reconstructed molecular fusion cuisine, I had essence of Lamb biryani with vapors of saag paneer. Richard wanted to know where the food was, he lacks a bit in the culture department at times.

The dining experience is just almost beyond description, and lives up to its reputation with each meal, which, let me tell you, has forced me to hit the gym for some heavy cardio just to keep from packing on the kilos! Richard did tell me that the dessert table should be classified as a war crime for its bounty and richness. I just have to agree with him.

As I am "Sweating to the oldies" he is spending his time in the casino, spending a bit of money playing baccarat, poker, and blackjack. He seems to be having a good time at it. I took a few turns at the roulette wheel. AND, I walked away with a nice little stash of coins, thank you very much! Richard has found a couple of retired military types to spend time with talking "shop" so he is having fun.

And of course we just HAD to go and see the shows that were put on for the passengers, one night it was the Shakespeare Troupe then we got to see a hard rocking band called the Elder Gods who just rocked the house. But also there are the three theaters showing current run vids from all over the sector. There is SO MUCH TO DO!!! OMG! I am having a blast here! Can we make this trip last longer? OMG! WHAT A WAY TO TRAVEL!

I have met several other fashionistas headed to New Paris as well, and let me tell you, and no mistake, we have been spending time in the Grand Bazaar area enjoying afternoon tea, complete with all the fixings, while discussing the latest hopes and dreams of all Fashionistas everywhere in the Galaxy! Rumor has it that we are waiting for none other than Guenther von Karlstein to come on board! Yes! THAT Guenther von Karlstein! The man who single handedly re-introduced fashion to the Imperial Family!

When he arrives I will just have to go and bask in the great designer's aura. But sadly we only have one more jump before we get to New Paris, so our time on ship with Herr Guenther will be limited. I am being told by a reliable source, that some of his cargo are his new pieces for the shows on New Paris! As an influential member of the media, I just know he will have to show me some of his pieces early. My tea drinking partners will be green with envy if I manage to score this coup!

OMG! ITS TRUE! HE REALLY IS HERE! I just cannot describe the shock and awe of his arrival on board, and HE IS IN THE NEXT SUITE TO OURS!!!! He came accompanied by his whole entourage, so could it be that he is looking to show some pieces? His outfit is marvelous, tight trousers of the sort the Kaiser used to wear so well, a shirt with Cloudwear ruffles, and the thigh length cutaway coat in Royal blue with gold frogging, and lace work! I must maintain, I am almost overcome!

I was told by his executive assistant that he is under a Non Disclosure agreement and so cannot reveal any of his new offerings just yet, but she promised me that if he thought he could show me anything, she would let us know. But I did score a coup, and I was able to have the Great Man! assigned to our table for dinner. Oh the envy, the envy this will engender! I love this ship!

Natasha Alvarez, signing off, we are leaving for New Paris in two days, and I am sure I will have more information to pass on dear readers!

 

[Grav_Moped]

I can almost see the scenario hooks you built that piece around. Nice!

 

[Murph]

Thanks. Natasha has become a group favorite NPC, she is just so over the top.

 

[Murph]

155-2507 Gateway News Service- Xin Zhongguo

The ongoing saga of Galaxy Metals has hit the front pages again with the leadership of the company being formally charged with "Crimes against the People and the Empire". The Imperial Investigations Agency has obtained confessions from all of the criminals where they detail various Imperial officials they have paid off, companies given kickbacks, and in the case of Ms. Wang Chi-Chen there is information that she might have been involved in the death of the late Emperor Honglo II.

The investigators have been "interviewing them strictly" per the Emperor's orders, and using some imported Freedonian technology and assistants have gotten a confession from Ms. Wang and her conspirators that they had co-opted several members of the Palace staff which allowed them to place a tailored nanotech virus in the late emperor's breakfast food, which caused symptoms very similar to Alzheimer's as well as other conditions similar to some neuro-muscular diseases which have been eradicated.

The current Emperor brought in some experts from Freedonia in the use of their "Veridication" tech, and they have been interviewing the arrested members of the Galaxy Metals hierarchy who have been taken into custody. Now the palace spokesman wanted to assure the media and citizens that this was NOT a vast Interstellar conspiracy, but rather a small tight group of corporate leaders who were very upset at the former emperor "sticking his nose into things that he needed to stay of of since he was interfering with their cash flow" as it was put.

It does appear that the conspirators were assisted by the scientists of GeneCo in this attempt since the old emperor had taken an intensely strong stance against slavery, and had been one of the leaders of the anti-slavery movement along with Freedonia, New Texas, St. Ekaterina, Sutekh, Friedland, and Xanadu.

It appears that Ms. Wang's predecessor had started importing genetically modified labor units to various of their stations, but had to cease after Imperial investigators started snooping around. Ms. Wang stopped the importation, but has been much more involved in the circumvention of the embargo on high tech to New Drakkensburg than previously thought.

The majority of the managers of Galaxy Metals were not directly involved in ordering the various abuses of the workers, and the safety violations, but were "Just following orders from Corporate Headquarters". They have been loudly denouncing the "unjust and illegal orders" they were "forced" to follow.

The Emperor has ordered tightened security around the palace, and has also appointed a temporary administrator for Galaxy Metals, pending a new board of directors and the appointment of new managers for those arrested. The new Chief Administrator Olive Liao said that she anticipates that a new Board and set of managers will be in place by the end of the year. In the mean time she has ordered a complete safety review of all properties owned by Galaxy Metals.

 

[Murph]

157-2507 Gateway News Service- Friedland

Reports are coming in that the Jewel of India has been the victim of an attempted hijacking. The passenger liner is full of well known, and wealthy persons. As the ship was headed to the jump point several concealed pirates burst from the cargo containers where they had been concealed, as a pirate vessel attempted to dock and take over the ship. A spirited battle ensued onboard the ship as the crew and several passengers fought back against the pirates.

Friedland Naval authorities report that the battleship Kaiser Karl responded, along with several fast system defense boats. Imperial Seebattalion troops were launched and assisted in the re-taking of the Jewel of India. The battleship was able to stop the pirate vessel as it undocked and attempted to flee. It used its secondary batteries to cripple the pirate ships engines and more Seebattalion troops conducted an eva boarding action, where they rapidly overcame any and all resistance by the pirates.

The surviving pirates have been rigorously interrogated and have revealed that they are part of an organized group with links to the ship which pirated the Winged Victory in the Shadowland Belt system. The crew and passengers of the Jewel of India suffered seven dead and 21 wounded in the ensuing melee. We are told that the Gateway News Service's own Natasha Alvarez was involved in the fighting in some capacity. We will soon be able to follow up with her for an on scene report of this horrific event. Back to you Bob.

 

[Murph]

158-2507 Gateway News Service- Friedland

Natasha Alvarez here, reporting for the Gateway News Service. OMG, it was just unbelievable what happened dear readers! Richard and I were right in the middle of the most spectacular meet and greet with the great designer Guenther von Karlstein, when this nasty, dirty, uncivilized person burst into the salon where the great man was holding forth, and SHOT the crewman RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!

Well, my husband, Richard, the Special Forces officer, just sprang into action. As the pirates entered the salon, and actually fired at Herr von Karlstein, Richard took one down, and only knowing that I had to back up my husband, I grabbed a rather large crystal vase and smashed it on the head of one of the pirates. I saw Richard grab one of the cut down ACRs and just spray the pirates. He is such a hero.

Well, we heard more gunshots outside and after my husband just TOOK CHARGE! He was so manly. He handed me a pistol and some extra magazines, and told me to shoot any pirate who came in. He, being the heroic man he is, took his retired Army buddies who had armed themselves, and started a counter attack. Herr von Karlstein was suffering from the horror of it all, so I helped him medicate with a bottle of Dom Perignon '92 which helped him overcome his sudden asthma attack.

A pirate burst into the salon, and I had forgotten that I had the pistol on full automatic, and as he grabbed, GRABBED! my latest couture blouse from the house of Markplatz no less! I swung around and pulled the trigger. EEWWWU! YUCK, I got BLOOD all over my blouse!! You see dear readers, when he pulled me too him the pistol was pointed at him, and I must have accidentally pulled the trigger which caused all 20 rounds to blast off.

After I reloaded, and discovered that I had JUST RUINED, RUINED my new blouse, I had the others barricade the door into the room. I gave two others some guns, and we waited. I heard several explosions as things went on. Then some Friedland Marines told us that it was all secure. Herr von Karlstein had recovered nicely after a second bottle of the bubbly, and fortunately the Hors d'oeuvres had not been damaged, so we enjoyed the crepes station.

I was told that my husband had been injured! I rushed to his side, and my hero was wounded in battle! He told me that it was just a graze on his shoulder, but HOW DARE THEY HURT MY RICHARD! OMG! I just had to make sure he was taken care of, and I made sure that the doctors gave him the very best care!

In my capacity as a well respected and influential member of the media, I was able to interview Major Heinrich Schleimann who was the leader of the Seebattalion. He told me that 18 pirates had attempted to gain control of the ship, with 7 of them having been carried on board in cargo containers which had some shielding to prevent detection, and ACRs were used since they have no power supply unlike laser, Gauss, and plasma weapons.

The ship which docked was disguised as part of the servicing and escort ships which traditionally escort a King Richard class liner to the jump point. The pirates have been harshly dealt with by the Friedlanders, to which I say GOOD! They hurt my snookums.

Well, then we discovered that two crew had assisted in getting the containers on board, since they were getting paid a lot by the pirates. Captainlieutenant Hilda von Grunwald told me that they have found that there is an organized pirate group which has started up operations again after being quiet for some time. She told me that the ships computer did not have directions to the base, instead they had a plug in box which contained the directions to their base which the pirate captain, THAT HORRIBLE PERSON! destroyed before he was gunned down by Friedland marines.

Well, Natasha Alvarez signing off, I have to go and make sure my husband is being treated well, he was wounded being a hero again.

 

[bookwyrm]

Thanks. Natasha has become a group favorite NPC, she is just so over the top.

After reading Post #114, I also agree with your Group.

 

[Murph]

Natasha is a combination of Legally Blonde, Clueless, and similar, but she is a very decent person at heart, and has grown up a lot after stepping on the landmine on Dustball that blew off both her legs, one arm, and her eye. She is still "Natasha" but is less naive and clueless. She also found out she was genetically modified which is why she has nothing to do with her parents. The guys look forward to her antics.

 

[Murph]

I forgot to add she is also somewhat like my youngest daughter when she is being very dramatic.

 

[Murph]

159-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

We at GNS are not sure what is going on that the Prime Minister's residence, but we have seen ambulances, and a vastly increased security presence with cars bearing the markings of the Gateway Investigative Agency arriving. We are told that the Navy Minister has arrived on scene and all others are being kept out.

At this time a complete media black out is in effect, we have attempted to contact the Press Secretary and his office, but have been told that there is no comment other than an unspecified emergency has taken place at the Prime Minister's residence, and that the Prime Minister is safe and in charge.

In a hitherto unseen level of security, the Gateway Marines have battledress equipped troops patrolling the ground, along with some heavy armored vehicles. Our cameras managed to get a distant shot of two people being taken out of the residence in hand restraints by armored officers.

Again at this time we have no information to pass on to the readers of the Gateway News Service. Rumors are flying around as to what is going on, but we will report none of these until we have confirmation. We are being told that the Prime Minister has spoken on the comm with the Justice Minister who has confirmed that the PM is fine, but there is an emergency at this time. Additional law enforcement agents are being sent to the Prime Minister's residence.

Our cameras have identified Doctor Margaret Lieu, and Nguyen Tran Thyuhn arriving at the PM's residence. A very heavy security presence is on scene, and also apparently his office in the Government complex has been placed under lock down, as have other areas of the government complex to include the kitchen areas.

 

[Murph]

166-2507 Gateway News Service- Gateway

We are getting an update on the condition of the Prime Minister, and we are told that he had been suffering a case of the Marduk flu, and was in quarantine. We find that odd since he was one of the first ones to receive the new vaccine. But the spokesman for the PMs office said that the press needs to stop coming up with such far fetched ideas that there was some nefarious plot against the Prime Minister, he had the flu that was it!

We know know that Dr. Lieu is a nano-epidemiologist who is one of the foremost researchers of nano tech viral agents, and Dr. Trinh is an expert in biological weapons research and development, as well as a practicing virologist with the Gateway Quarantine Service. A source close to the subject told us that new and advanced biological scanner gear is being installed both at the Prime Minister's residence, and in the government complex.

The spokesman denied that there was any threat to the Prime Minister, and that the doctors were merely outstanding medical professionals in dealing with the Marduk Flu, and for the media to stop reading into basic common sense dealings. The doctors along with several specialists from the Quarantine Service were just consulted "purely as a precaution" due to the extremely contagious nature of Marduk Flu.

The Prime Minister is due to address the Federation in several days as he recovers from the Marduk Flu, which should be in several days. In other news from the Gateway Federation government, it appears that the Colonial Minister has placed several high ranking members of his office, the so called "Imperialist Faction" on leave with pay until such time as a determination can be made as to any actions to be taken.

The Foreign Minister has followed suit and placed over a dozen staff on paid administrative leave until further notice. When we asked why they were placed on leave, we were told; "Due to shifting priorities and workloads, which necessitated a re-evaluation of certain priorities in the course of time, has resulted in a re-balancing of certain areas in order to promote a more efficient and streamlined office organization, that is best suited for certain Geo-political realities that the Federation finds itself facing, that resulted in this re-alignment".

 

[Murph]

169-2507 Gateway News Service- Friedland

Kaiser Otto has announced that he is inviting all heads of state to come to Friedland and meet regarding the "illegal and unprecedented" actions taken by the Gateway Federation in recent weeks, so they can decide what actions are needed to circumvent these illegal moves on the part of the Gateway Federation. So far the heads of state of Amaterasu, Freedonia, New Joseon, New Texas, St. Ekaterina, Sutekh, and Xanadu have announced their acceptance for the conference which will begin on 180-2507. Expected to announce that they will join are the leaders of New Canberra and New Caledonia in addition to Xin Zhongguo.

The Kaiser has sent the ambassador for Gateway a strongly worded note regarding the actions of the Gateway Federation in stopping the free flow of goods, and ships into the Outlands subsector. The Kaiser has also put Gateway on notice that it is sending a 1,500 person colonial party to one of the worlds in the subsector, and to "prevent misunderstandings" the party will be escorted by a task force of the Imperial Friedland Navy.

As to which world has been chosen, we have not had that information released to us at this time, but it is possible that in light of the actions of the Gateway Federation, we will see a colony placed on one of the worlds that Gateway has already claimed such as Kokopelli or Heorot, or possibly even Shangri La.

Amaterasu has also declared that they are going to be placing colonies in the subsector, and will also use their fleet to escort the colony ships in light of the actions of the Gateway Federation. The Star Kingdom of Sutekh has only said if Gateway wants to FA then they will FO about interfering with Sutekh's legal commercial activities.