|
. Dateline New Mars Q0 3203.099
In the latest of the periodic TOOL SUmmit meetings, the issue of
the League of Non-Aligned Worlds was discussed. Sources indicate
that whilst some siognatories felt that the League should be a full
member and signatory of TOOL, others were firmly of the view that
the League was not in any way a polity, and had no place at the
table.
Reep Daggle, a spokeperson for the League said to reporters "I
don't know what the fuss is about - it's not as if we'd actuially
asked to join TOOL. In fact nobody bothered to ask us if we wanted
to be part of their precious club. It's just another example of
how they automatically treat us as inferiors. This is what we've
been on about...".
|
| |
Dateline Freedonia Q1, 3203.021
There have been a large number of arrests in a major anti-corruption
exercise by a special IAO investigation team on Freedonia Q1. A senior
government official has been arrested, along with twelve accomplices.
Major seizures of records and documents have taken place, as well
as a number of private bank accounts frozen. The accusations of corruption
relate to supporting piracy and conspiracy to commit piracy. It would
appear that Harriet Messen, Personal Assistant to the planetary Governor
had been selling details of military and starguard ship movements
to a number of pirate groups, as well as information relating to merchant
vessel schedules. This would appear to have been a complex conspiracy,
involving space traffic control officials, starguard officers and
COP officials. The IAO has handed the evidence over to local law enforcement
agencies in preparation for the trial later this year. |
| |
|
. Dateline
3203.080, Cowboy Q2
Reports are coming in of a major military action by the Republic
of New Venus against the independent colony world of Cowboy. Reports
are sketchy, but there are stories leaking out of the system of
a space battle, and a full scale assault landing by Venerian GF
forces and marines. Severe fighting has been reported around the
Temple of the Bloated Lady (chief religious site of the Adept Followers
of the Bloated Lady) and casualties are said to be heavy. A strongly
pro-Adept government under Shining Master Lordag recently got themselves
elected to rule Cowbody and shut the world off from the outside.
It is suspected that the Venerian action may have been as a consequence
of reports of a number of Venerian-registered merchant vessels going
missing in the Cowboy system. No official comment has yet been made
by the Venerian Colonial Government. A spokesperson for the League
of Independent Worlds said "...this is yet another example
of the blatent imperialism exhibited by the big powers towards independents..."
|
| |
|
Dateline
Gurmat Q2, 3203.043
Open warfare has broken out between the local colonies of We Got
Here, and The Republic of New Luxembourg, both located on the Great
Continent of Gurmat II Q2.
In recent octants, tension has built up over rivalries arising from
rights to red mercury mining in the outlying Ying Archipelago. Other
groups on the planet, most notably the Republic of Freedom and New
Colony 17 have tried to mediate, but to no effect. A recent arms
build up has meant the importation of large quantities of weapons
onto this planet and the outcome is unlikely to be resolved quickly.
Although the combatants were unable to obtain top of the range GF
weapons, they have managed to accumulate some armoured vehicles,
and large numbers of conventional assault rifles, plus a few atmosphere
craft and armed shuttles. The first battle of the war was a surprise
air and commando raid on the main RNL coastal base, at Diamond Harbour
- sinking many RNL vessels, some of them armed and prepared for
an invasion of the Ying Archipelago.
WGH Pilots prior to their raid on Diamond Harbour
|
| |
|
Dateline Fashar
Q3, 3202, 061
The northern hemisphere of Fashar Q3 world has been hit by unusually
extreme weather conditions causing the most severe drought in the
colony's history. The colony was caught very largely unprepared
for this sudden climatic change, and around 4000 people in outlying
settlements are thought to have died as a result water shortages
and failed harvests. Planetary climateologists theorise that the
freak conditions were brought about by a shift in the major sea
currents and unusually high levels of solar activity. - but humanity
has only been on this worlds for less than 50 years and the full
range of possible climate changes may as have yet not been experienced.
|
| |
|
Dateline
Hanson Q3, 3203. 050
Economic pundits are reporting that there is a major economic slump
pending on Hanson Q3. All indicators show that things have not gone
well over the last year, and poor results are expected next year.
Many are blaming the local government's mismanagement of the economy,
though they themselves are blaming external factors and a lack of
inward investment from the corporations. A government spokesperson
said "Things are not as bad as they've been painted. Pundits
can be wrong you know. In any case, it is mainly the fault of the
previous administration".
|
| |
|
Dateline
Orion Q4, 3203.058
Anger flared on the streets of Southernopolis, Orion Q4 as huge
mobs of supporters of rival religious groupings took to the streets.
New Davidians have been claiming that they have been unfairly treated,
and subjected to violence and desecration of their 're-education
centres', specifically by adherents of The Adepts of Clewg. Additional
police have been drafted into the city to control the situation,
but this has not prevented violent clashes. Shops owned by Clewgist
citizens have been looted and burnt out. The government Councillor
for Internal Affairs said "This is all a misunderstanding -
we are organising reconciliation talks between community leaders.
I'm sure good sense will prevail."
However the Reverend Elrond Roach of the New Davidian Elders said
"Those Clewgists are working for the Hidden Establishment -
'They are trying to wipe us out because we know the Truth. Clewgists
are nothing but willing stooges of the Secret Universal Government".
At a mass rally on the other side of town, the Most Reverend Simon
Shakewell said "These damned Davidians are brainwashing our
women and children with their deity-less ideas. It is the Clewg-given
right of every right-thinking Binkian to burn down a Davidian Brainwashing
'Re-education' Centre"
The violence continues, and despite their reassuring public words,
the local colonial government is rumoured to be considering asking
for off-world help to deal with the growing crisis.
|
| |
|
Dateline Patel Q5, 3203.039
A state of emergency was declared throughout Etrigan Continent,
Patel Q5 as the continent was hit by a massive planetquake. This
was the largest such quake to hit the colony since its founding
45 years ago. Initial estimates indicate that over 30,000 casualties
were caused and a number of small towns have been completely destroyed.
On-world services are working flat out to attempt to rescue possible
survivors, and to re-establish the infrastructure, but activity
has been hampered by severe weather. A spokesperson for the government
said "This is a complete shock - out Planetologists were not
expecting such a severe tectonic shift - itsprecedented and conditions,
particularly on the northern seaboard are pretty bad. We desperately
need outside help" Planetologist say this was completely unexpected,
and while regrettable has contributed a great deal towards our understanding
of the plate tectonics ofthis world.
|
| |
|
|
|
|