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| New York (Sol) |
The world of international business went into a deep shock, this morning
when the news that the self made multi trillionaire, Nerio Winch, committed suicide last
night, by jumping from the terrace of his luxurious Penthouse located on the top of his
corporate Head Quarters.
As soon as the news about Mr. Winch’s death was known, allegations started to spread
throughout the business world, going from Mr. Winch suffering of a lethal disease to an
assassination.
When interviewed about the circumstance surrounding the death of Mr. Winch, Mr. Dwight
Cochrane : Leader of the Central Survey, Administrator and third in command in the
“Group W”, in the answered that : “this was the job of the New York
Police Department to answer those questions”. When asked about the
corporation’s future, his only comment was: “The Group has no intent of
making any decisions prior the big board meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. When we
will be ready to announce our decisions, we will do so via a press conference.”
Those comment are doing nothing to reassure the marketing world about the future of the
corporation. We must remember that the “Group W” was formed from the ground up
by Nerio Winch himself. Freshly arrived to New York from Sarajevo at the age of 22. With
only US $250.00 in his possession, he started to built from nothing, what would become the
most powerful corporation in History! Today, 62 years later, the Group Winch (a.k.a. Group
W) was worth, at the closure of Wall Street yesterday, Lv 600 quadrillion, with
their assets spread throughout 45 countries and 20 colonies. The fortune of Mr. Winch
himself was evaluated at Lv10 trillion.
When interviewed, many businessmen stated that Mr. Winch was renown for is ruthlessness,
his total lack of scruples and compassion in business. But, also with a “Flair pour
les Affairs” and been a financial genius.
Nerio Winch had no known living relatives and had no known children… living the
question of his succession unresolved at this time.
(Natacha Power reporting for CNN)
**Note: This presentation is an homage to the incredible work of Philippe Francq &
Jean Van Hamme for their series of Bande-Dessinées (Graphic Novel) called “Largo
Winch” published at the Edition Dupuis. |
| Tirane (Alpha Centauri) |
The Colonial Parliament of the Azanian colony of Tundukubwa on Tirane
today defeated a motion calling for steps toward independence. The motion, introduced by
flamboyant industrialist and MP Absalom Thabani, failed by a vote of 65 to 27, with eight
abstentions. The amendment called for a colony-wide vote for the breaking of governmental
ties with Azania on 1 July of this year.
President Lansing Intembe of Azania expressed his pleasure over the result, vowing to
visit Tundukubwa within the near future to discuss the Tundukubwan citizens' complaints.
Prime Minister Tanik Verwoerd had no prepared statement, but expressed his satisfaction
that, ""...the parliament of Tundukubwa understands the need for unity at this
time."" Colonial Governor Adeline Urimbo, long a political opponent of Thabani,
applauded the vote as well, declaring 1 July, the day of the intended vote, a colonial
holiday to, ""Celebrate our Azanian heritage."" |
| Earth (Sol) |
President Lansing Intembe today stated his intention to nominate the
Ukraine for membership in the European Space Agency (ESA) following an informal request by
the Ukrainian Ambassador to Azania. ""The Ukraine has proven its value
to the spacefaring nations of the ESA and the rest of Humanity in the recent conflict with
the Amaphela (Kafers - ed.), and I feel it is time that the ESA expand its membership. In
the face of the cooperation we all must provide to repel these invaders, I feel that it is
imperative for the ESA to strengthen its commitment to the welfare of the colonies within
its sphere of influence.""
The Azanian government has been critical of the treatment afforded the Ukraine and, in
particular, Ukraine's Admiral Borodin, whose actions prevented the ultimate fall of Aurore
and the gateway to Human space. During the recent Kafer invasion, Prime Minister Tanik
Verwoerd of Azania made public comments denouncing the, ""Shabby treatment of
Borodin by the French Space Naval Command despite Borodin's notable achievements and
obvious tactical and strategic genius."" Verwoerd later retracted the comments
under heavy diplomatic pressure, but has reportedly made critical remarks in private since
that time. |
| AR-I Headquarters, Heidelberg, Earth (Sol) |
Astounded physicists have condemned the relation of a new physics concept
of the universe revealed by child prodigy Professor Yusef Ali-Kahn. Ali-Kahn has stated
that he has evolved the Jerome Theory of Spatial Warp and the Einstein / Nakor Unified
Field Theory to prove that the universe as we know it no longer exists.
Professor Reginald D’Arcy KBE of the Royal Society condemned Ali-Kahn’s theory,
“This young upstart believes that a number of stars don’t actually exist and
that some are located light years away from where we know them to be, its
outrageous!” After intense questioning from Worlds News Weekly reporters D’Arcy
was forced to admit that Ali-Kahn’s mathematics were actually unflawed.
Ali-Kahn who is only 11 years old has proved, for example, that Nyotkundu is actually 7.8
light years away from Barnard’s Star, not the accessible 7.7 light years it was
believed to be. He has also proved that the planet Doris colonised by Canada did not
actually exist.
Physicists around the known universe, including several Sung scientist, have been
astounded by this revelation which is technically undoubtable. However even though
Ali-Kahn is mathematically correct we are still able to travel to Nyotkundu and people
still live on Doris.
Theologians around the world have welcomed the mathematically conflict as numbers of
church goers has increased dramatically. Ali-Kahn’s only statement was, “The
universe is a very strange place.”
(Worlds News Weekly) |
| Gateway (Sol) |
| Authorities are investigating the recent attack in a private housing
section of Gateway. A number of armed men stormed into an apartment and riddled the
rooms with gunfire. Neighbors alerted the authorities after hearing a loud explosion
and automatic weapon's fire. By the time local law enforcement officers, the apartment was
severely damaged, but the unknown assailants were no where to be found. The
investigation is now focusing on locating the resident of the apartment that was attacked.
Due to some computer problems, authorities have so far been unable to identify who
the apartment was leased to. (Newsource) |
| London, United Kingdom (Sol) |
The Cricket World Cup kicked off today with a real grudge match between
the West Indies and Wellon at the Oval. Still smarting from a 4-1 drubbing during their
last Tirane tour the Windies amassed a total of 276 runs for eight during their fifty five
overs. In reply Wellon seemed to be coasting towards victory at 230 for 2 at the forty
overs mark before a spectacular middle order collapse engineered by Windies fast bowler
sensation Rodney Baines reduced them to 268 all out.
In the second match played at Lords Bengal coasted to a twelve runs victory over Rajasthan
who were bowled out with twenty two balls remaining.
In tomorrow's matches Australia will face Azania, the odd-on favourites whilst England
will play the Australian colonial side from New Canberra. Fans will remember the ball
tampering allegations that ruined the last England tour of the colony where England
captain Bill Cook was accused of using dirt to alter the flight characteristics of the
ball. Although nothing was proved at the time Cook was forced to resign the captaincy due
to the scandal.(The Sporting News) |
| Beta Canum Venaticorum |
Investigative reporter Ralf Hauptmann of Raumwoch, who was sacked last
month following what the magazine called "financial irregularities and
misuse of company facilities", broke his silence last night in a live
on-air transmission on the Beta Canum holonet.
In a fifteen minute programme watched by almost two million people, the
popular reporter claimed to have definite evidence regarding the doctoring of
interface flight reports by Beta Canum Aerospace Traffic Control, connected with
"mysterious goings-on at the Pentapod enclave".
Hauptmann showed several minutes of hand-held and grainy 2d video, shot by him, during the
night of the 24th, depicting what he called "a large dead glider making a landing at
the Pentapod enclave". From flight dynamic evidence on the video, and the reports of
two respected aerodynamicists also on the programme, this craft was alleged to have been a
massive 200 metres long with a three hundred metre wide parawing. The craft - like many
Pentapod interface vessels - touched down in the water approximately two kilometres
offshore. The video ends with Hauptmann running for the enclave boundary as security
sirens are heard going off in the background.
Normally, final approaches to the enclave take place over the town of
Napoleon (pop: 15000), where "Pentapod Ship Spotting" is a popular
attraction. However, no sonic booms were heard during the night in
question. Hauptmann claims that this is because the glider took an "unusual entry
path" to ensure that the de-orbit occured over empty ocean and the few unpopulated
small islands that lie to the west of the enclave.
According to B-CAT's official public records, no landings occured at the
Pentapod enclave that night, and in general the small Pentapod shuttle
arrives on a strict five day rotation schedule. These points were made by
Becca Bard, head of B-CAT's PR division, who was in the studio throughoutthe programme.
Hauptmann called this a "major cover-up" and requested better
answers. Bard took no time to produce a documented satellite photograph of the enclave
taken at dawn following the night in question. It clearly showed no interface craft on the
ground. With a shout of "Make of that what you will", Hauptmann
stormed off the set and has not been heard from since. (CaNews) |
| Trilon Orbital Station (Xi Ursae Majoris) |
The search for Trilon Corporation’s missing courier Transnational
Trilon was called of today. Search commander Flight Officer Ken Lager stated at
the official press conference that, "The search had to be abandoned after no
traces of our ship were located and the evidence of it's disappearance had to be
classified as inconclusive."
Transnational Trilon, a Thorez-class courier, was declared missing after
it's sensor signature merged with another unidentified signature close to the coreward
stutterwarp threshold of the Kie-Yuma system, colonized by Trilon. The unidentified
signature has been denied by Trilon but was tracked by a commercial freighter, the United
Fruit Corporation ship Interstellar Banana, away from the threshold and
into the orbit of one of Kie-Yuma’s gas giants.
Well known eccentric space explorer Dr Helmut Zobel stated, “That the
unidentified signature is none other than the Kie-Yuma Monster. It is a horrible creature
able to live in space and has devoured many space ships.”
While xenobiologists have rejected the concept of such a creature Dr Zobel and his
supporters point to Pentapod spacecraft as proof that creatures can live in space. Dr
Zobel stated, “When will the corporate hacks of Kie-Yuma recognise that
Yummie is real and do something about it. How many spacers have to disappear before we see
action!”
(Worlds News Weekly) |
| La Salle Station (Tau Ceti) |
| In a surprise arrival this week, the Stephen F. Austin
Colony/Cargo ship arrived at La Salle Station. Within hours of its arriving in
orbit, the Stephen F. Austin was unloaded and efforts were underway to load the
recently spacedocked Cabeza De Vaca into the Stephen F. Austin. This
move has many industry analysis's predicting that a cover up is under way. Manfred
Sloan of Boeing Aerospace stated that "AusCo has taken extraordinary steps to
keep the problems with the Cabeza De Vaca under wraps. This most recent
incident proves that they are hiding the ship until they can move it to a more secure area
for testing" Many industry insiders feel that the announcement
concerning sensor problems is a cover up for a more serious stutterwarp design flaw.
(Aerospace Monthly) |
| Guard(Broward) |
The FLEUR-DE-PASSION : an independent COMMERÇANT-CLASS CARGO SHIP,
travelling under the flag of France, discovered the wreck of an American KENNEDY-CLASS
CRUISER floating adrift into the asteroid belt of the Broward System two days ago.
The FLEUR-DE-PASSION was searching the belt for an ice rich asteroid in order to replenish
their water/fuel tank so they could cut down on their starport’s fee (a common
practice among independent traders).
The independent trader had just discovered such asteroid when they spotted the lifeless
wreck! Failing to answer the hail, the Captain of the FLEUR-DE-PASSION, Romeo A. Lebel,
decided to approach carefully the drifted ship close enough for a visual scan. When they
realised that the wreck was an half destroyed KENNEDY-CLASS CRUISER, Captain Lebel decided
that the matter was too big for him and his crew to handle. So, the FLEUR-DE-PASSION send
a call for assistance on a general broadcast.
The call was answered by the ASFS SIOUX : a CAYUGA “C”-CLASS CLOSE ESCORT on
patrol in the area. They immediately went to the wreck’s location while proceeding
with extreme precautions.
Once they arrived on the scene, the ASFS SIOUX dispatched a boarding party to the
KENNEDY’S wreck. The summary investigation made by the ASFS SIOUX on the
KENNEDY-CLASS CRUISER (which was identified as the ASFS Harry S. Truman) lead to the
following conclusions:
1- The damages sustain by the ASFS BOONE came from some heavy laser fires.
2- An unknown party boarded the ASFS BOONE.
3- That most of the crew were kill in action.
4- That 12 crew member were unaccounted for; they are officially labelled as missing in
action even though that they probably died during the first minutes of the engagement.
5- That the ASFS BOONE succeeded to fire 3 missiles at the enemy.
6- That the ASFS BOONE was striped from most of its equipment (Stutterwarp coil included)
and all of its weapons.
When interviewed, the Commanding Officer of the ASFS SIOUX, Captain J.A. Edward, said that
the ASF will launch a full scale investigation on case and that he had no more comment to
make on the subject. On the other hand, an anonymous source stated that: “Whoever
they were, those who attacked the ASFS Truman knew exactly where and how to hit it! The
attack was so swift that the ASFS Truman never had a chance to defend itself. Which means
that whoever we are dealing with, are real pros… not your average
“traditional” pirates.”
When interviewed, the CO of the FLEUR-DE-PASSION, Captain Romeo A. Lebel, stated this: “Who
the hell are they? In 20 years of space faring, I’ve never seen such a thing! Now,
I’m scare like hell! You see, the reason why I stopped to do business in the French
Arm (as most independent did), was because of the Kafer War. Now, if pirates start to take
on warships… what are the odds against us the civilians? Where are we going now, if
the American Arm isn’t safe anymore?"
The ASFS Harry S. Truman is presently been towed by the ASFS SIOUX to Guard where it will
remain in orbit while waiting to be take in charge by a Tender of the ASF.
(John McGregor reporting for CNN) |
| Victory,(Ellis) |
: Victory Mayor Al Madrid today expressed support for the American
Marines training in his city. ""Listen, you guys! If the Marines don't
train in urban environments, what kind of good do you think they're going to be on an
invaded world? Kafers know better than to come out into the open!"" His
comments were made in response to citizen complaints about Marines training in the Victory
area, practicing for potential urban warfare in the French Arm. In response to rumors of
black-suited Marines kicking down civilian doors and flying around the city in black
x-wing transports Madrid said, ""Oh, give me a break! They're
training at night! Black is the best color to wear when the sun's down if you don't want
anyone seeing you. Now, as for those rumors of doors getting kicked down and citizens
being harassed, they're absolutely bogus. Where do you guys get this stuff? Hell, even the
local Ronald Reagan Society chapter's supporting the excercises.""
Captain Kevin Buckner, from Marine Interface Station Victory's Civil Affairs department,
responded to Mayor Madrid's comments with, ""It is gratifying to know
that the citizens and the
elected officials of Victory support us in our efforts to prepare for any potential
Kafer-related deployment.""
(Stephanie Kwiatkowski, Ellis News Network) |
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