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Austin's World (Austin's World) |
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Charlie Raymond, head of the planet's Texas Rangers, was killed yesterday in a freak
hovercar accident. Texas officials have no comment on the cause of the accident, but
sources at Sam Houston Memorial say that his body was burned beyond recognition and that
genetic records were used to identify the body. "Charlie Raymond was a well liked
and respected member of the community and his presence will be sorely missed."
said Aaron Barrett, planetary governor. (Reuters) |
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Beta Canum Venaticorum 4 (Beta Canum Venaticorum) |
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A furore has broken out in the popular music business after it was revealed that the
popular "Synapsitic" composition, released here on Beta late last year to
massive popular acclaim, was actually "composed and performed" by a Pentapod
Bevelball synthetic pet ("Your malleable pal who's fun to throw at walls").
Apparently, the pet was allowed to wander about the composition board of a Calliope 27
system for forty minutes until it stopped and sulked instead. At this point, the
Bevelball's "agent" says, she picked it up and threw it at a wall. ...Music fans
are reported to be disappointed at this explanation for the enigmatic thud, squeak and
giggling with which the piece finishes. (Infocorp) |
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Gateway (Sol) |
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The case against Microsoft for copyright infringement regarding its Columbus
navigation software stalled yesterday with the news that two of the four companies ranged
against Microsoft, namely; Cabot NavSoft and PoleStar, have been acquired by Stairways, an
off world holding company favorable to Microsoft. When the court reconvenes in three days'
time, it is expected that the two companies will announce their withdrawal from the case.
A spokesman for Marianas and GoSure, the other pair of companies involved, said: "This
does not divert us from trying to get recognition for our work". |
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Washington / Earth (Sol) |
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The US Navy has dismissed as "ridiculous" reports that spacecraft
detected in the vicinity of Neptune are part of its top secret Project Wintermute -
the rumored initiative to build a fleet of AI controlled warships. Sightings of small
unidentified ships in Neptunian space have increased in recent months, although close
observation is made difficult by a US Navy exclusion zone around the planet. These reports
have heightened concerns in the anti-AI lobby. "We are talking about armed,
intelligent, autonomous warships. There's no telling what these machines could decide to
do once they are let loose" commented one campaigner. (Reuters) |
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Gateway (Sol) |
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Another shipment of six BH-21 combat walkers, built under license by GM in
Detroit, has gone missing while en route to final acceptance at the Militech facility at
Tycho, Luna. Gabon Aerospatial Rail, the Beanstalk transportation monopoly, claims that
the goods were definitely loaded into cargo pods and left Libreville for Gateway
two weeks ago. Militech are adamant that the goods never reached orbit, or at least were
never handed over to them. Recent rumors claimed that GM have had extensive control &
feedback problems with their BH-21, while counterclaims point to cargoes GAR have
"lost" in the past. French investigators and the three companies are conducting
independent inquiries. Meanwhile, anyone finding 12 six-tonne containers is advised to
hand them over to the proper authorities... (GateNet) |
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Nyotekundu (Nyotekundu) |
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Warning of sunspot activity with strong mag component. Reports from this system show a
growing anomaly in the predicted flare-cycle. Exact estimates of the strength and duration
are not available, but Dr Lars van der Hloede, head of FlareAware warns: "We can't
say how long it will last, but activity is approaching the Reinheimer Threshold now with a
.4 pulse and no sign of peaking. I guess flares are hot this year." A
Transworld Insurance spokesman has since added: "We remind all of our clients of
the bio-cargo clauses in our cover and advise caution and re-routing where necessary. I am
sure that goes for the other insurers". (HubCom) |
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Luna (Sol) |
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The "Tranquility Base Museum" has welcomed some unusual guests. Forbidden
from entering the OQC zone, a party of Pentapod visitors staying on Luna enjoyed their
race's first visit to this famous site. Nearly a third of a millenium has passed since two
intrepid Human explorers first walked here, and the holographic recreation of this
historic occasion, based as it is around the original landing stage of the Lunar Module Eagle,
is justly famous throughout Human space. In what could have been an unpleasant diplomatic
incident (!), our reporter (incidentally armed with a doctorate in Pentapod language
studies) heard Ambassador Seurat inquire: "why did you have to choose a man
with strong arms to fly the deeply revolting craft?" (Infocorp) |
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Dunkelheim (DM+36 2393) |
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The Frigate Prinz August is believed to have been lost in an accident with all
hands. The accident is believed to been caused by an overload in the power core of the
ship’s stutterwarp. The search for survivors is still underway but hopes for finding
any are said to be minimal. The Prinz August was on a routine mission. (ScaNet) |
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Aurore (Eta Bootis) |
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The German Fleet command has dispatched the Battlecruiser Bismarck under the
command of Kommodore Wilhelm Lutke to the Aurore system to reinforce the multinational
force stationed there. Lutke is best known for his repeated statements that a probe
towards the Arcturus space station should be undertaken. (ScaNet) |
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Beta Canum Venaticorum 4 (Beta CVn) |
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Shares in "genes and biologicals" took a steep nosedive on Beta as news was
released of a virus specific to some forms of the Pentapod product line. It is believed
that this is a natural mutation to a few of the human tailored goods produced at the
Pentapod enclave. Hardest hit was the French firm of GenEng, who are strongly bonded to
selling and marketing Pentapod goods throughout the colony worlds. A GenEng PR spokeswoman
was quoted as saying that "this problem should be eminently curable by our alien
colleagues". (Infocorp) |
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King (King) |
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Stellar Minerals, a subsidiary of the Trilon Corporation, has announced that it will
be opening a new tantalum mine on King. The mine is to be located in the Chimey Rock
foothills, and hence will be called the Chimey Rock site. The new mine will increase the
total output of tantalum on King by over 10%. Richard March, CEO of Stellar Minerals, said
"the Chimey Rock Mine represents our continued expansion into tantalum production
in an effort to make Stellar Minerals the #1 supplier in the galaxy". Furthermore
Stellar Minerals is looking to hire staff for construction, operations and security at the
site. Applicants can apply for positions at any Stellar Minerals office, or from the
Stellar Minerals net site. (UPA News) |
ISSUE NUMBER 1
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