News-News: This new page will debut all weekly changes, updates, upgrades, and advisories that affect this RP as a whole.
News and Patches
Pending Changes and Augments:
1. Hypertext Wiki-links are being applied to almost all 1,000+ pages, helping to answer your TNH questions.
2. Final planetary and lunar astrophysical and historical data packets are uploading. Please be patient, as we are still using the same example-template for the World Data Sheet (chart) on all
planet pages. Actual World Data Sheets will not be available until next year, pending RP frequency.
3. Based upon your donations and requests, we will be apportioning our staff to add new planet pages.
1. Hypertext Wiki-links are being applied to almost all 1,000+ pages, helping to answer your TNH questions.
2. Final planetary and lunar astrophysical and historical data packets are uploading. Please be patient, as we are still using the same example-template for the World Data Sheet (chart) on all
planet pages. Actual World Data Sheets will not be available until next year, pending RP frequency.
3. Based upon your donations and requests, we will be apportioning our staff to add new planet pages.
Patches:
The ME2 Verse has now been applied. See the Milky Way Galaxy page in the Galaxy Map drop-down menu.* Current World Data Sheets are examples only, at present, and are open to player suggestions at all times.
The ME2 Verse has now been applied. See the Milky Way Galaxy page in the Galaxy Map drop-down menu.* Current World Data Sheets are examples only, at present, and are open to player suggestions at all times.
New Horizon Website News:
1. The Personnel Dossiers webpage has been updated, still under construction.2. The Himinbjorg System webpage song has been removed, pending adjustment.
1. The Personnel Dossiers webpage has been updated, still under construction.2. The Himinbjorg System webpage song has been removed, pending adjustment.
3. The Job Openings and Assignments chart graphic has been updated to present time.
4. IRL rates (costs) for our offered goods and services (including courses and training packages) are now
posted at the bottom of our new Support Us page. Our latest service addition is Website Consultation.
新聞和
修補程序
修補程序
IRP Verse News:
For the majority of our IRP (In Role-Play) news in this roleplaying universe, see the individual webpages for each character (located in the Personnel Dossiers tab) and cosmic body (clusters, nebulae, star systems, planets, and moons, located in the Galaxy Map tab). Also, new-join characters will be updating their character profiles and IRP/IC (In Role-Play / In-Character) journals in our newly created RP Forum.
For the majority of our IRP (In Role-Play) news in this roleplaying universe, see the individual webpages for each character (located in the Personnel Dossiers tab) and cosmic body (clusters, nebulae, star systems, planets, and moons, located in the Galaxy Map tab). Also, new-join characters will be updating their character profiles and IRP/IC (In Role-Play / In-Character) journals in our newly created RP Forum.
TNH Newsflash: Every airlock mysteriously opened at the same time. Oh, boy! Hold on to your bedpans!
"Fox" Galactic News Network
Non-Planet-Specific News from Across the Verse
Ongoing Contemporary Galactic Community-of-Worlds Issues:
Philosophical and religious debates continue at the Ivy League universities on all of the worlds spread out across our colonized Verse. The current 'hot topic' of debate?: why virtually every habitable and terraformable world we come across often has ruins and pyramids, plants and animals, but no comparable sentient life, no indications as to why or how such life might have vanished, and why there is no record or recollection of any previous human activity there, raising the follow-up questions: Who built what is now in ruins? Why are pyramids such a common architectural occurrence? Were these worlds terraformed over a much greater period of time to ensure their stable 'face-lifts'? ...and the wilder questions: Are we somehow creating these ruins merely by expecting them? And now that they are in such excellent condition as paradisaical 'Garden Worlds' (Class M planets, for all you astrophysics buffs out there), ...should we be expecting the imminent return of whoever shaped them that way?
Philosophical and religious debates continue at the Ivy League universities on all of the worlds spread out across our colonized Verse. The current 'hot topic' of debate?: why virtually every habitable and terraformable world we come across often has ruins and pyramids, plants and animals, but no comparable sentient life, no indications as to why or how such life might have vanished, and why there is no record or recollection of any previous human activity there, raising the follow-up questions: Who built what is now in ruins? Why are pyramids such a common architectural occurrence? Were these worlds terraformed over a much greater period of time to ensure their stable 'face-lifts'? ...and the wilder questions: Are we somehow creating these ruins merely by expecting them? And now that they are in such excellent condition as paradisaical 'Garden Worlds' (Class M planets, for all you astrophysics buffs out there), ...should we be expecting the imminent return of whoever shaped them that way?
Terraformed Stars:
The beautiful and stunning discoveries of several until-now unexplored and unnoticed solar systems in our arms of the Milky Way have led scientists and artists into a state of mass-euphoria and hurried expeditions. The 'new Suns' that have been found have had their photos and videos 'going viral' across The Cortex. Why? Because these special and rare stars have much dimmer glows allowing for indefinite direct viewing, a full rainbow of assorted and mixed color patches instead of a singular, monochromatic scheme to them, and because many of them even have clearly defined and stable 'continents' resting about their surface areas. Witnesses have described them as being "like bioluminescent, translucent, radiant versions of the fabled planet Earth", and words and images like these have sparked a growing curiosity and burning desire across all of colonized Space to set out in a tireless quest for more of these cosmic entities; logic now telling us all that surely... somewhere out there... there are many more just like them, and others still that are more amazing and breathtaking than them... and even some that are planet-sized, colonizable, and lucrative as resort world investments.
The beautiful and stunning discoveries of several until-now unexplored and unnoticed solar systems in our arms of the Milky Way have led scientists and artists into a state of mass-euphoria and hurried expeditions. The 'new Suns' that have been found have had their photos and videos 'going viral' across The Cortex. Why? Because these special and rare stars have much dimmer glows allowing for indefinite direct viewing, a full rainbow of assorted and mixed color patches instead of a singular, monochromatic scheme to them, and because many of them even have clearly defined and stable 'continents' resting about their surface areas. Witnesses have described them as being "like bioluminescent, translucent, radiant versions of the fabled planet Earth", and words and images like these have sparked a growing curiosity and burning desire across all of colonized Space to set out in a tireless quest for more of these cosmic entities; logic now telling us all that surely... somewhere out there... there are many more just like them, and others still that are more amazing and breathtaking than them... and even some that are planet-sized, colonizable, and lucrative as resort world investments.
2516 Anno Domini
狐狸
新聞
兩個之一八五
More: [Entire Article] Cortex Weblink
Under Construction
July, week 1:
1st - "Nekyia Corridor" Breaks First-Day Release
Records
"The wait is finally over: "Nekyia Corridor" opened at midnight last night to throngs of camped-out fans. The 5.3 billion-credit juggernaut broke first-day release records, sucking up 2.97 billion credits in 20 (Citadel standard) hours. "At its core, the sim's about falling in love, losing that love, and trying to get it back", says director Morgan Bierster. "It just takes place in one of the most dangerous parts of space where ancient asari once believed the souls of the dead went". Turian reviewers have called the FTL-impact scene "haunting" in light of the Vallum Blast, one saying "being in the body of the pilot is gut-wrenching; the cut-away leaves everything to the imagination and is just the right move". Human reviews were mixed, one saying, "it harbors the vain hope that the viewer will turn his brain off while [the movie] at the same time bends over backwards to stimulate it... the result is adrenaline-charged, but emotionally exhausting"."
2nd - Productivity Across Citadel Space Hit by "Nekyia Flu"
"Productivity is taking a hit across Citadel space as the so-called "Nekyia flu" spreads. "My company gave us the afternoon off", says Birili T'Lannas, a Thessian fan of the space epic. "Half of us were dead tired after camping out last night, and the other half didn't come in today, so they gave up". The sim is also proving popular on salarian worlds: "Some friends went last night, and they won't stop quoting it", said Ijib Tar, a custodian at Mannovai's Itarus University. "It's showing on all the simtables at our local theater, so the lineups won't be bad". Even rear echelon soldiers on Garvug are getting a taste. "They've earned a break", said Captain Andre Closson of Sonax Industries. "Some of our troops have been waiting for this sim longer than they've been enlisted. It reminds people there's a bigger galaxy waiting for us. We screen it one hour at a time, though, on account of its length"."
3rd - Reviews Continue to Pour in for "Nekyia Corridor"
"The reviews continue to pour in for "Nekyia Corridor", some offended, but most overawed. "A simulstim that can impress both human and asari audiences is hard enough", says columnist Gara Sator of simswithguns.com, "but Bierster has the insane dream of going after the whole galaxy. From the reaction I saw among salarian audiences, he might just get it". Meanwhile, Lucy Tannenbaum of sharpstickintheeye.com says, "The adventures of the protagonists are so jaw-droppingly extreme that they would be called unbelieveable in a holo, except that you know that this is a sim, and some crazy mother[expletive] actually had to do it. Before the shock wears off, you're willing to believe any hoo-ha the script throws at you"."
4th - "Nekyia Corridor" Breaks Three Single-Day Take Records
"Box office receipts are in, and audiences went to hell and back for the sexy movie with the unsexy name. "Nekyia Corridor" demolished four-day records, scooping up a tidy 302 million extra credits from its Earth audiences in North America, who had a three-day weekend due to a political holiday. "Nekyia" broke three records for single-day takes and capped the Thursday-Monday streak off at a whopping 13.3 billion credits. Asked if there was any way to increase the hit's profits, director Morgan Bierster said, "I guess we could build more theaters". Meanwhile, back among mortals, the comedy anthology "Gagged" scooped up 677 million credits. Says producer Scott Hayson, "Yeah, we brought in a pretty big audience ourselves...during Nekyia's intermission"."
"The wait is finally over: "Nekyia Corridor" opened at midnight last night to throngs of camped-out fans. The 5.3 billion-credit juggernaut broke first-day release records, sucking up 2.97 billion credits in 20 (Citadel standard) hours. "At its core, the sim's about falling in love, losing that love, and trying to get it back", says director Morgan Bierster. "It just takes place in one of the most dangerous parts of space where ancient asari once believed the souls of the dead went". Turian reviewers have called the FTL-impact scene "haunting" in light of the Vallum Blast, one saying "being in the body of the pilot is gut-wrenching; the cut-away leaves everything to the imagination and is just the right move". Human reviews were mixed, one saying, "it harbors the vain hope that the viewer will turn his brain off while [the movie] at the same time bends over backwards to stimulate it... the result is adrenaline-charged, but emotionally exhausting"."
2nd - Productivity Across Citadel Space Hit by "Nekyia Flu"
"Productivity is taking a hit across Citadel space as the so-called "Nekyia flu" spreads. "My company gave us the afternoon off", says Birili T'Lannas, a Thessian fan of the space epic. "Half of us were dead tired after camping out last night, and the other half didn't come in today, so they gave up". The sim is also proving popular on salarian worlds: "Some friends went last night, and they won't stop quoting it", said Ijib Tar, a custodian at Mannovai's Itarus University. "It's showing on all the simtables at our local theater, so the lineups won't be bad". Even rear echelon soldiers on Garvug are getting a taste. "They've earned a break", said Captain Andre Closson of Sonax Industries. "Some of our troops have been waiting for this sim longer than they've been enlisted. It reminds people there's a bigger galaxy waiting for us. We screen it one hour at a time, though, on account of its length"."
3rd - Reviews Continue to Pour in for "Nekyia Corridor"
"The reviews continue to pour in for "Nekyia Corridor", some offended, but most overawed. "A simulstim that can impress both human and asari audiences is hard enough", says columnist Gara Sator of simswithguns.com, "but Bierster has the insane dream of going after the whole galaxy. From the reaction I saw among salarian audiences, he might just get it". Meanwhile, Lucy Tannenbaum of sharpstickintheeye.com says, "The adventures of the protagonists are so jaw-droppingly extreme that they would be called unbelieveable in a holo, except that you know that this is a sim, and some crazy mother[expletive] actually had to do it. Before the shock wears off, you're willing to believe any hoo-ha the script throws at you"."
4th - "Nekyia Corridor" Breaks Three Single-Day Take Records
"Box office receipts are in, and audiences went to hell and back for the sexy movie with the unsexy name. "Nekyia Corridor" demolished four-day records, scooping up a tidy 302 million extra credits from its Earth audiences in North America, who had a three-day weekend due to a political holiday. "Nekyia" broke three records for single-day takes and capped the Thursday-Monday streak off at a whopping 13.3 billion credits. Asked if there was any way to increase the hit's profits, director Morgan Bierster said, "I guess we could build more theaters". Meanwhile, back among mortals, the comedy anthology "Gagged" scooped up 677 million credits. Says producer Scott Hayson, "Yeah, we brought in a pretty big audience ourselves...during Nekyia's intermission"."
July, week 2:
5th - Meteor Strike Delays Construction of Susskind
Supercollider
"A meteor strike has delayed the construction of the Susskind Supercollider, a particle accelerator being constructed in Trikalon's orbit. The Susskind is a type of collider called a fermitron and is a centuries-old asari venture now funded, named, and built by humans. It's believed a fermitron hasn't been constructed since the time of the Protheans. Formerly scheduled to come online in September (Earth Standard), the new damage will prolong construction until 2186. When completed, the Susskind collider will be 13,508 kilometers in circumference and will encircle Trikalon completely. The Susskind is the largest artificial satellite ever to have human workers and will be the galaxy's largest building in terms of square meters, surpassing the volus' hotel-filled Mall of Quanaha."
6th - Containment of Vital Information More Difficult Than Ever
"The struggle to contain vital information is a key part of any war, but today it's more difficult than ever. Citizen reporters, aided by cheap, concealable technology such as camera-clothing and micro-surveillance can easily cross the line from witness to antiwar activist or spy. "We feed the major media outlets satisfying, nonvital info", said Lieutenant Colonel Sanex Irvinus. "In return, they tend to stay professional. It's more difficult when a noncombatant plants a microbug on a person or vehicle. Their data goes straight to the antiwar media, and minutes later, the mainstream echoes it. You wouldn't believe the counter-surveillance methods we've had to use". Activist groups like TruthHax say the trend won't go away. "Intelligence services and media conglomorates pay for info, and activists just do it because it's right", said one unnamed source. "If you could stop a war with information, if you could kill its support without driving up the cost in lives, wouldn't you be obliged to try?""
7th - Video of IED Explosion on Taetrus Garners Millions of Hits
"A dashboard-camera video of an improvised explosive device that toppled an infantry fighting vehicle on Taetrus has garnered over 560 million extranet hits. Five servicemen were riding in a C77 Tyrus vehicle when the explosive, buried in the center of the road, went off. The bomb, made from two artillery shells and a detonator, threw the 13-ton vehicle into the air but failed to pierce its kinetic barriers and armor. The crew escaped with minor injuries and used the Tyrus' eezo core to lower its mass and right the vehicle with the aid of a tow cable and an aircar. Asked about the crew's hospital stay, Corporal Siyan replied, "We're resting, eating, and buying stock in Armax," referring to the vehicle's manufacturer."
8th - ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS THE VOICE OF FACINUS
"The following video has been isolated as potential junk mail or a virus-infected message. A safe preview follows: >>>ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS THE VOICE OF FACINUS THE BAREFACE COLONIALIST FORCES AND THEIR CORPORATE MEDIA LACKEYS ARE FRAUDS THE AGE OF GALACTIC EMPIRES IS OVER THE SAFE CAMPS ARE A LIE CIVILIANS ARE BEING MURDERED RESIST AT ALL COSTS NO OCCUPATION CAN WITHSTAND A FULLY ARMED POPULACE THEIR CASUALTIES ARE IN THE THOUSANDS DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE TO JOIN THE REVOLUTIONERROR 621 FATAL ERROR NO CARRIER.<<< The channel you are viewing is unavailable. Try again later."
9th - Analysts Speculate on Origin of Facinus Propaganda Video
"A viral extranet video containing an embedded virus has analysts wondering if Taetrian separatist group Facinus is to blame or whether the culprit is Hierarchy intelligence and psychological operations teams. "Propaganda has come a long way since the days of the leaflet and Axis Sally," says Taylor Joyce, former Alliance psyops specialist. "When it comes to the extranet, black propaganda, posing as the enemy to put words in their mouths is the order of the day. The Hierarchy wants separatists associated with viruses and spam -- things you ignore and delete -- rather than rational beings with an alternate point of view." Former Hierarchy agent Gradius Iherax is confident the virus is Facinus' work. "Any black-prop operation must be performed with a backup plan for when, not if, the truth comes out. If the Hierarchy did this, the loss to their honor and credibility would be tremendous. The op would never get approved.""
10th - Diluvian Citizens Surrender En Masse to Hierarchy Forces
"The rate at which Diluvian citizens are capitulating to invading Hierarchy forces is amazing to some observers, but not so to psychological specialists such as Lilira Sycoram. "Inasmuch as one can speak of species-wide cultural trends with any accuracy, turian society is set up to take military orders for communal action. You have an entire population that understands the costs and methods of war. When it becomes clear that the ideological center of a movement is beaten, once the 'center of gravity' goes, turians readily switch their allegiances to the larger, successful community -- in this case the Hierarchy. This tends to happen only in turian-on-turian conflicts, but when it does, it spares both sides the long, bloody guerrilla wars seen so often in many other species' history.""
11th - Weekend Download Charts Dominated by "Nekyia Corridor"
"There were no surprises on the download charts this weekend: "Nekyia Corridor" is on its way to becoming the highest-grossing sim ever. The long-awaited actioner charmed another 9.1 billion out of audiences galaxy-wide, passing the asari classic "Confederates" in adjusted credits. "It's absolutely unreal to be at the center of something this big," says director Morgan Bierster. "I can only say thank you to the fans for giving me my own Hollywood ending. I thought I was going to have to sell shoes for a living when this was done." In the giant's shadow, low-budget holo horror "The Phage 2" scooped up 653 million credits by squeezing scares out of a sentient salarian biowarfare project that dissolves people outright."
"A meteor strike has delayed the construction of the Susskind Supercollider, a particle accelerator being constructed in Trikalon's orbit. The Susskind is a type of collider called a fermitron and is a centuries-old asari venture now funded, named, and built by humans. It's believed a fermitron hasn't been constructed since the time of the Protheans. Formerly scheduled to come online in September (Earth Standard), the new damage will prolong construction until 2186. When completed, the Susskind collider will be 13,508 kilometers in circumference and will encircle Trikalon completely. The Susskind is the largest artificial satellite ever to have human workers and will be the galaxy's largest building in terms of square meters, surpassing the volus' hotel-filled Mall of Quanaha."
6th - Containment of Vital Information More Difficult Than Ever
"The struggle to contain vital information is a key part of any war, but today it's more difficult than ever. Citizen reporters, aided by cheap, concealable technology such as camera-clothing and micro-surveillance can easily cross the line from witness to antiwar activist or spy. "We feed the major media outlets satisfying, nonvital info", said Lieutenant Colonel Sanex Irvinus. "In return, they tend to stay professional. It's more difficult when a noncombatant plants a microbug on a person or vehicle. Their data goes straight to the antiwar media, and minutes later, the mainstream echoes it. You wouldn't believe the counter-surveillance methods we've had to use". Activist groups like TruthHax say the trend won't go away. "Intelligence services and media conglomorates pay for info, and activists just do it because it's right", said one unnamed source. "If you could stop a war with information, if you could kill its support without driving up the cost in lives, wouldn't you be obliged to try?""
7th - Video of IED Explosion on Taetrus Garners Millions of Hits
"A dashboard-camera video of an improvised explosive device that toppled an infantry fighting vehicle on Taetrus has garnered over 560 million extranet hits. Five servicemen were riding in a C77 Tyrus vehicle when the explosive, buried in the center of the road, went off. The bomb, made from two artillery shells and a detonator, threw the 13-ton vehicle into the air but failed to pierce its kinetic barriers and armor. The crew escaped with minor injuries and used the Tyrus' eezo core to lower its mass and right the vehicle with the aid of a tow cable and an aircar. Asked about the crew's hospital stay, Corporal Siyan replied, "We're resting, eating, and buying stock in Armax," referring to the vehicle's manufacturer."
8th - ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS THE VOICE OF FACINUS
"The following video has been isolated as potential junk mail or a virus-infected message. A safe preview follows: >>>ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS THE VOICE OF FACINUS THE BAREFACE COLONIALIST FORCES AND THEIR CORPORATE MEDIA LACKEYS ARE FRAUDS THE AGE OF GALACTIC EMPIRES IS OVER THE SAFE CAMPS ARE A LIE CIVILIANS ARE BEING MURDERED RESIST AT ALL COSTS NO OCCUPATION CAN WITHSTAND A FULLY ARMED POPULACE THEIR CASUALTIES ARE IN THE THOUSANDS DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE TO JOIN THE REVOLUTIONERROR 621 FATAL ERROR NO CARRIER.<<< The channel you are viewing is unavailable. Try again later."
9th - Analysts Speculate on Origin of Facinus Propaganda Video
"A viral extranet video containing an embedded virus has analysts wondering if Taetrian separatist group Facinus is to blame or whether the culprit is Hierarchy intelligence and psychological operations teams. "Propaganda has come a long way since the days of the leaflet and Axis Sally," says Taylor Joyce, former Alliance psyops specialist. "When it comes to the extranet, black propaganda, posing as the enemy to put words in their mouths is the order of the day. The Hierarchy wants separatists associated with viruses and spam -- things you ignore and delete -- rather than rational beings with an alternate point of view." Former Hierarchy agent Gradius Iherax is confident the virus is Facinus' work. "Any black-prop operation must be performed with a backup plan for when, not if, the truth comes out. If the Hierarchy did this, the loss to their honor and credibility would be tremendous. The op would never get approved.""
10th - Diluvian Citizens Surrender En Masse to Hierarchy Forces
"The rate at which Diluvian citizens are capitulating to invading Hierarchy forces is amazing to some observers, but not so to psychological specialists such as Lilira Sycoram. "Inasmuch as one can speak of species-wide cultural trends with any accuracy, turian society is set up to take military orders for communal action. You have an entire population that understands the costs and methods of war. When it becomes clear that the ideological center of a movement is beaten, once the 'center of gravity' goes, turians readily switch their allegiances to the larger, successful community -- in this case the Hierarchy. This tends to happen only in turian-on-turian conflicts, but when it does, it spares both sides the long, bloody guerrilla wars seen so often in many other species' history.""
11th - Weekend Download Charts Dominated by "Nekyia Corridor"
"There were no surprises on the download charts this weekend: "Nekyia Corridor" is on its way to becoming the highest-grossing sim ever. The long-awaited actioner charmed another 9.1 billion out of audiences galaxy-wide, passing the asari classic "Confederates" in adjusted credits. "It's absolutely unreal to be at the center of something this big," says director Morgan Bierster. "I can only say thank you to the fans for giving me my own Hollywood ending. I thought I was going to have to sell shoes for a living when this was done." In the giant's shadow, low-budget holo horror "The Phage 2" scooped up 653 million credits by squeezing scares out of a sentient salarian biowarfare project that dissolves people outright."
July, week 3:
12th - Asari Pop Queen Starts New Celebrity Charity Trend
"A-listers are following the queen of asari pop in the latest charity trend: adopting turian children displaced by the Vallum Blast and subsequent war on Taetrus. Between reinventing herself, music genres, and everything else, Arah T'Hass adopted four children orphaned in the blast. Megastar Delilah Jordan followed suit by adopting a pair of twin boys, and recently, Columbia Rios and her husband took in a whole family of refugees. Said T'Hass, "I hope it does catch on! There's so much suffering on Taetrus right now. It felt like the only moral thing to do. And having one dextro kitchen and one levo kitchen is totally not as hard as people make it out to be." Asked for her opinion on the violence of the war, T'Hass replied, "The turians have their way of dealing with it. I have mine.""
13th - Eupulmos Device Helping Victims of Respiratory Diseases
"A new technology is helping victims of the Vallum Blast breathe easier -- literally. Researchers at U. Thierax are attacking the myriad of respiratory diseases caused by inhaling dust around the blast site. Dubbed "medi-gel for the lungs," the Eupulmos Device analyzes a patient's tissue or medicard record before adjusting its virally-delivered superdrugs to match the patient's genetic predispositions. After that, the mister sprays the aerosol into the patient's nasal passages and the drug is absorbed into the lungs. The mister can also deliver microsurgery machines to make non-invasive repairs to tissue and has a color-coded nozzle at each end with separate agent reservoirs for dextro and levo patients. Said one ER staffer, "The effect is incredible. In a year, the whole galaxy will be using these things.""
14th - Separatist Leaders Cornered in Kasatum Fortress
"Colonialist forces in the Diluvian Wildlands on Taetrus have surrounded the fortress of Kasatum, believed to be one of the last holdouts of the separatist leadership. The building, built in the early days of the planet's civil wars, is reinforced against most explosives and has hardpoint-grade kinetic barriers to resist mass accelerator attacks. The separatist group claims it has two dozen hostages inside and in a sign of their increasing desperation, demanded a spaceship to depart the planet. Asked if he would consider the group's demands, General Partinax replied, "We have a negotiation specialist handling that, but I can say giving Facinus access to another FTL craft is quite low on my list of desirable outcomes.""
15th - Kasatum Fortress Standoff Comes to Grisly End
"The standoff at Kasatum fortress on Taetrus has come to a grisly end. At 0721 local time, colonialist forces dropped a 6-ton thermobaric bomb on the historical fortress with a parachute, slowing its decent so that it would not trigger the kinetic barriers. The bomb was loud enough that even reserve units of the surrounding army were issued hearing protection, and dust kicked up by its mushroom cloud became a breathing hazard. Portions of the hardened building were still standing when the smoke cleared, but those inside are presumed dead -- the bomb consumed all oxygen in the immediate area, sucking it out of ventilation ducts before they were melted shut."
16th - General Partinax Answers Kasatum Bombing Critics
"General Partinax answered critics today over the bombing of the historical Kasatum fortress. The general said that, despite what Facinus forces claimed, there were no hostages within the fortress. By using miniature duct-crawling drones equipped with an ultrasonic device similar to ground-penetrating radar, the army was able to scan and locate all individuals inside. They deduced from positioning and audio data that none were hostages. Only then was the go-ahead for the bomb given. "We were lucky", the general noted, "but that doesn't take anything away from the skill and preparation of our people on the ground"."
17th - Eupulmos Device at the Center of Patent Controversy
"Turian medical units on Taetrus are at the center of a patent controversy tonight. A volus claiming to be the inventor of the much-vaunted Eupulmos respiratory device says his design was appropriated by the turian military without payment or permission. Similar appropriations have occurred throughout the history of the turians and their client race; the volus have extensive patent laws, and the turians barely recognize the concept. "This inventor should take pride in the success of his product," said colonialist liaison Tertinus Septinas, "not shake us down for a fee every time it is used. The flat sum we've offered is quite generous." The Eupulmos designer, Ora Thubb, says he's soured forever on turian culture: "I thought the turians had a meritocracy. What's the point if your contributions get brushed off?""
18th - Systems Alliance Prime Minister Meets with Salarian Dalatrass
"Systems Alliance Prime Minister Amul Shastri met with Dalatrass Narra on Betau, the first day of the salarian New Year. Originally marking the end of winter in the southern hemisphere of the salarian homeworld of Sur'Kesh, Betau is traditionally a time of repaying debts and petitioning favors -- and today was no exception. The two spoke about Earth's superconductor supplies, Sur'Kesh's soil-enriching burngrass, and the inflation of the galactic credit. Shastri gave Narra an Arabian horse with implant reins and genetic material cloned from Magnolia, one of George Washington's steeds. In return, Narra, knowing Shastri's love for flying, presented him with a classic Tess Auburn 2166 aircar with gwaskin upholstery."
"A-listers are following the queen of asari pop in the latest charity trend: adopting turian children displaced by the Vallum Blast and subsequent war on Taetrus. Between reinventing herself, music genres, and everything else, Arah T'Hass adopted four children orphaned in the blast. Megastar Delilah Jordan followed suit by adopting a pair of twin boys, and recently, Columbia Rios and her husband took in a whole family of refugees. Said T'Hass, "I hope it does catch on! There's so much suffering on Taetrus right now. It felt like the only moral thing to do. And having one dextro kitchen and one levo kitchen is totally not as hard as people make it out to be." Asked for her opinion on the violence of the war, T'Hass replied, "The turians have their way of dealing with it. I have mine.""
13th - Eupulmos Device Helping Victims of Respiratory Diseases
"A new technology is helping victims of the Vallum Blast breathe easier -- literally. Researchers at U. Thierax are attacking the myriad of respiratory diseases caused by inhaling dust around the blast site. Dubbed "medi-gel for the lungs," the Eupulmos Device analyzes a patient's tissue or medicard record before adjusting its virally-delivered superdrugs to match the patient's genetic predispositions. After that, the mister sprays the aerosol into the patient's nasal passages and the drug is absorbed into the lungs. The mister can also deliver microsurgery machines to make non-invasive repairs to tissue and has a color-coded nozzle at each end with separate agent reservoirs for dextro and levo patients. Said one ER staffer, "The effect is incredible. In a year, the whole galaxy will be using these things.""
14th - Separatist Leaders Cornered in Kasatum Fortress
"Colonialist forces in the Diluvian Wildlands on Taetrus have surrounded the fortress of Kasatum, believed to be one of the last holdouts of the separatist leadership. The building, built in the early days of the planet's civil wars, is reinforced against most explosives and has hardpoint-grade kinetic barriers to resist mass accelerator attacks. The separatist group claims it has two dozen hostages inside and in a sign of their increasing desperation, demanded a spaceship to depart the planet. Asked if he would consider the group's demands, General Partinax replied, "We have a negotiation specialist handling that, but I can say giving Facinus access to another FTL craft is quite low on my list of desirable outcomes.""
15th - Kasatum Fortress Standoff Comes to Grisly End
"The standoff at Kasatum fortress on Taetrus has come to a grisly end. At 0721 local time, colonialist forces dropped a 6-ton thermobaric bomb on the historical fortress with a parachute, slowing its decent so that it would not trigger the kinetic barriers. The bomb was loud enough that even reserve units of the surrounding army were issued hearing protection, and dust kicked up by its mushroom cloud became a breathing hazard. Portions of the hardened building were still standing when the smoke cleared, but those inside are presumed dead -- the bomb consumed all oxygen in the immediate area, sucking it out of ventilation ducts before they were melted shut."
16th - General Partinax Answers Kasatum Bombing Critics
"General Partinax answered critics today over the bombing of the historical Kasatum fortress. The general said that, despite what Facinus forces claimed, there were no hostages within the fortress. By using miniature duct-crawling drones equipped with an ultrasonic device similar to ground-penetrating radar, the army was able to scan and locate all individuals inside. They deduced from positioning and audio data that none were hostages. Only then was the go-ahead for the bomb given. "We were lucky", the general noted, "but that doesn't take anything away from the skill and preparation of our people on the ground"."
17th - Eupulmos Device at the Center of Patent Controversy
"Turian medical units on Taetrus are at the center of a patent controversy tonight. A volus claiming to be the inventor of the much-vaunted Eupulmos respiratory device says his design was appropriated by the turian military without payment or permission. Similar appropriations have occurred throughout the history of the turians and their client race; the volus have extensive patent laws, and the turians barely recognize the concept. "This inventor should take pride in the success of his product," said colonialist liaison Tertinus Septinas, "not shake us down for a fee every time it is used. The flat sum we've offered is quite generous." The Eupulmos designer, Ora Thubb, says he's soured forever on turian culture: "I thought the turians had a meritocracy. What's the point if your contributions get brushed off?""
18th - Systems Alliance Prime Minister Meets with Salarian Dalatrass
"Systems Alliance Prime Minister Amul Shastri met with Dalatrass Narra on Betau, the first day of the salarian New Year. Originally marking the end of winter in the southern hemisphere of the salarian homeworld of Sur'Kesh, Betau is traditionally a time of repaying debts and petitioning favors -- and today was no exception. The two spoke about Earth's superconductor supplies, Sur'Kesh's soil-enriching burngrass, and the inflation of the galactic credit. Shastri gave Narra an Arabian horse with implant reins and genetic material cloned from Magnolia, one of George Washington's steeds. In return, Narra, knowing Shastri's love for flying, presented him with a classic Tess Auburn 2166 aircar with gwaskin upholstery."
July, week 4:
19th - Inventor of Eupulmos Respiratory Aid Goes Missing
"A suspicious disappearance on Irune has provoked outrage in the Vol Protectorate as Ora Thubb, the inventor of the Eupulmos respiratory aid, has gone missing. The volus inventor made news recently by demanding payment for his design, which is in heavy use by the colonialist army on Taetrus. Ambassador Din Korlack says the Protectorate wants to believe the best of their turian allies, but added, "as the Earth-clan say, this doesn't pass the smell test". Local law enforcement officers on Irune say their leads are promising, but the disappearance is straining relations between the two species' embassies on the Citadel. This is of great concern to the Taetrus war effort. According to one report, volus-owned companies have supplied more than 60 billion credits of material to colonialist forces, about 45% of the war's public cost so far."
20th - Turian Hierarchy Criticized for Shifting Aid Efforts from Belan
"Many citizens have returned to life as usual on Belan, but refugee camps are still filled to capacity by those left homeless by the Kingu comet. The Salarian Union has received much praise for their relief efforts, but Belanese government officials claim aid from the Turian Hierarchy has dropped sharply since fighting started on Taetrus. A Hierarchy spokesperson responded, "Our people have never set Belan aside. While some of our efforts shifted to Vallum after its attack, and needed to remain there in case of further attack, assisting in the rebuilding of Belan always was, and remains, a priority for Palaven.""
21st - Over 200 Alleged Slavers Arrested on Nasurn
"A mass arrest of over 200 alleged slavers in the Salarian Union city of Aegohr on the planet Nasurn is being credited tonight to Spectre Tela Vasir. "There are cases that can't be talked about and ones that can", said Supervisory Special Agent Yalson Sao. "We are pleased to say Ms. Vasir -- may all her eggs hatch -- was instrumental in breaking one of the ringleaders of this operation". The term "breaking" may not be entirely figurative -- the batarian in question is recovering in an Aegohr hospital with injuries to three eyes and several small joint fractures. Vasir herself declined lengthy comment, attributing her success to "good intel"."
22nd - Eupulmos Inventor's Body Found in Irune's Hovita Cove
"The story of Ora Thubb, the wronged inventor who vanished under suspicious circumstances, came to a grisly end today when divers found his body in Irune's Hovita Cove. The waterlogged body had been hacked open in an effort to sink it, a somewhat redundant measure given the low buoyancy of a body in Irune's ammonia-heavy seas. Just prior to the discovery, Thubb's widow received a call from kidnappers telling her to bring five hundred thousand credits to the Dulez Bridge, a call that police say must have come after Thubb was already dead."
23rd - Corporatists on Garvug Hold Firm Against Guerrilla Attacks
"Tonight: Has the galactic media forgotten the war on Garvug? Corporatist forces have held the colony capital unopposed by state forces for months, yet still the krogan and vorcha underclass strike back with shooting sprees and skycar bombs. Neither can get close to the fortress-like enclaves where the corporatists have established high-security zones for their troops, but it is clear that no civilians are protected, a fact that hurts the corporate bottom line. Incursions into the countryside looking for the elusive Hailot Wrund have borne little fruit. Still, Sonax Industries supreme commander Lira Speight is confident. "There is a wedge between the vorcha, who will carry out suicide attacks, and the krogan, who will not," she says. "Every day we find bodies from their infighting. Their numbers are dwindling. Ours are not.""
24th - Breakthrough in Ora Thubb Murder Case Announced
"Law officers on Irune announced a breakthrough in the case of deceased inventor Ora Thubb today. Three Turian men -- two dead and one alive -- were dropped off at a police station along with personal digital assistants containing evidence about planning Thubb's murder. The police are crediting Spectre involvement with bringing the investigation so far forward. Major Loz Atad says two turian Spectres handed the alleged criminals in, making it clear they had been pulled off of Taetrus to solve this problem. "The message was unmistakable", he said. "Turians and volus are partners"."
25th - Vallum Blast Pilot Found Dead in Madra
"There's a new development tonight in the quest for justice for the victims of the Vallum Blast. Vamire Squaron, the pilot who allegedly launched the hypervelocity craft that caused the impact, was found dead in the Diluvian city of Madra. "I got an anonymous tip that there was a body inside...I didn't even recognize him at first", said Private Faros Riten, who was tasked with house-to-house searching. "I put him on the flatbed, and everybody started congratulating me". At a crematostation, the body's genetic structure was compared to Squaron's medicard record and was confirmed with 99.97% accuracy. The cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrest, an unusual diagnosis in a 41-year-old turian. Asked if he felt any closure, Riten replied, "Don't worry about me. Worry about the people that lost someone"."
"A suspicious disappearance on Irune has provoked outrage in the Vol Protectorate as Ora Thubb, the inventor of the Eupulmos respiratory aid, has gone missing. The volus inventor made news recently by demanding payment for his design, which is in heavy use by the colonialist army on Taetrus. Ambassador Din Korlack says the Protectorate wants to believe the best of their turian allies, but added, "as the Earth-clan say, this doesn't pass the smell test". Local law enforcement officers on Irune say their leads are promising, but the disappearance is straining relations between the two species' embassies on the Citadel. This is of great concern to the Taetrus war effort. According to one report, volus-owned companies have supplied more than 60 billion credits of material to colonialist forces, about 45% of the war's public cost so far."
20th - Turian Hierarchy Criticized for Shifting Aid Efforts from Belan
"Many citizens have returned to life as usual on Belan, but refugee camps are still filled to capacity by those left homeless by the Kingu comet. The Salarian Union has received much praise for their relief efforts, but Belanese government officials claim aid from the Turian Hierarchy has dropped sharply since fighting started on Taetrus. A Hierarchy spokesperson responded, "Our people have never set Belan aside. While some of our efforts shifted to Vallum after its attack, and needed to remain there in case of further attack, assisting in the rebuilding of Belan always was, and remains, a priority for Palaven.""
21st - Over 200 Alleged Slavers Arrested on Nasurn
"A mass arrest of over 200 alleged slavers in the Salarian Union city of Aegohr on the planet Nasurn is being credited tonight to Spectre Tela Vasir. "There are cases that can't be talked about and ones that can", said Supervisory Special Agent Yalson Sao. "We are pleased to say Ms. Vasir -- may all her eggs hatch -- was instrumental in breaking one of the ringleaders of this operation". The term "breaking" may not be entirely figurative -- the batarian in question is recovering in an Aegohr hospital with injuries to three eyes and several small joint fractures. Vasir herself declined lengthy comment, attributing her success to "good intel"."
22nd - Eupulmos Inventor's Body Found in Irune's Hovita Cove
"The story of Ora Thubb, the wronged inventor who vanished under suspicious circumstances, came to a grisly end today when divers found his body in Irune's Hovita Cove. The waterlogged body had been hacked open in an effort to sink it, a somewhat redundant measure given the low buoyancy of a body in Irune's ammonia-heavy seas. Just prior to the discovery, Thubb's widow received a call from kidnappers telling her to bring five hundred thousand credits to the Dulez Bridge, a call that police say must have come after Thubb was already dead."
23rd - Corporatists on Garvug Hold Firm Against Guerrilla Attacks
"Tonight: Has the galactic media forgotten the war on Garvug? Corporatist forces have held the colony capital unopposed by state forces for months, yet still the krogan and vorcha underclass strike back with shooting sprees and skycar bombs. Neither can get close to the fortress-like enclaves where the corporatists have established high-security zones for their troops, but it is clear that no civilians are protected, a fact that hurts the corporate bottom line. Incursions into the countryside looking for the elusive Hailot Wrund have borne little fruit. Still, Sonax Industries supreme commander Lira Speight is confident. "There is a wedge between the vorcha, who will carry out suicide attacks, and the krogan, who will not," she says. "Every day we find bodies from their infighting. Their numbers are dwindling. Ours are not.""
24th - Breakthrough in Ora Thubb Murder Case Announced
"Law officers on Irune announced a breakthrough in the case of deceased inventor Ora Thubb today. Three Turian men -- two dead and one alive -- were dropped off at a police station along with personal digital assistants containing evidence about planning Thubb's murder. The police are crediting Spectre involvement with bringing the investigation so far forward. Major Loz Atad says two turian Spectres handed the alleged criminals in, making it clear they had been pulled off of Taetrus to solve this problem. "The message was unmistakable", he said. "Turians and volus are partners"."
25th - Vallum Blast Pilot Found Dead in Madra
"There's a new development tonight in the quest for justice for the victims of the Vallum Blast. Vamire Squaron, the pilot who allegedly launched the hypervelocity craft that caused the impact, was found dead in the Diluvian city of Madra. "I got an anonymous tip that there was a body inside...I didn't even recognize him at first", said Private Faros Riten, who was tasked with house-to-house searching. "I put him on the flatbed, and everybody started congratulating me". At a crematostation, the body's genetic structure was compared to Squaron's medicard record and was confirmed with 99.97% accuracy. The cause of death was determined to be cardiac arrest, an unusual diagnosis in a 41-year-old turian. Asked if he felt any closure, Riten replied, "Don't worry about me. Worry about the people that lost someone"."
July, week 5:
26th - Hierarchy Officials Destroy Weaponized FTL Plotters
"Citadel Council observers were on hand in the city of Vallum today as Hierarchy forces destroyed the captured, weaponized FTL plotters found a month ago (Earth Standard) in the Diluvian city of Madra. "These are symbols of a type of war no civilized galaxy wants and no civilized galaxy should suffer," said Taetrian Primarch Idus Valen, who was given the honor of detonating the plotters at a bomb range at Fort Urix. Asked if the plotters' creator, Vamire Squaron, was the only person with the knowledge and intent to create weapons such as these, Valen seemed to agree but gave a noncommittal response. Asked how the plotters represented a type of war different than one involving conventional weapons of mass destruction such as a dreadnought's main gun, Valen responded, "I'm sorry, but that's all the time we have.""
27th - Family of Six Trapped in Decaying Orbit Around Archanes
"A family's space tourism flight around the gas giant Archanes has turned into a nightmare. After an ion engine malfunction, their emergency booster rocket went offline and the ship was caught in the giant's orbit. Their plaintive distress signal to the Systems Alliance indicates that their orbit is steadily decaying and that they expect to reach the point of no return in the next two hours. The six members of the Sorenson family have qualified for unassisted spaceflight, but now those logged hours are being put to the test. A nearby manned Helium-3 station is walking them through a repair procedure for the booster. While viewers everywhere hold their collective breath, the eldest daughter, Kristal, is performing the extravehicular activity needed to make the necessary repairs."
28th - Heartbreak for Sorensons After Archanes Escape
"The story of the Sorensons, a family whose ship became trapped by the gas giant Archanes' gravity, has ended with heartbreak. Though the family's daughter Kristal managed to repair the malfunctioning booster rocket in time, she had no time to get used to the pressure differential between the ship and her hastily-donned pressure suit. Decompression sickness gradually caused her to become disoriented and she lost consciousness outside the vehicle. Unable to mount a second EVA to rescue her before the ship reached the point of no return, her mother, Freja, fired the rocket and flew the ship to safety. A ceremony honoring Kristal Sorenson's sacrifice will be held tomorrow on her home planet of Eden Prime."
29th - Comedian Apologizes for Kristal Sorenson Comments
"Comedian Cal DiCosimo has issued an apology today for his comments about deceased vacationer Kristal Sorenson. DiCosimo, recorded on a headcam video at a nightclub, said, "You know what's wrong with our news? Hundreds of people are getting exterminated on Taetrus every day, and what are our journalists reporting? One rich little human girl who fell down a gravity well." After the comments garnered millions of extranet hits, DiCosimo issued his apology: "My remarks were intended to be pointed at members of the news media, not the family and friends of the deceased. I am sorry if I hurt anyone in their time of grieving, and I wish to pay my respects to a very heroic young woman who saved the lives of her family.""
30th - Sonax Corporation's Command Ship Destroyed over Garvug
"Corporatist forces on Garvug are reeling today as the Sonax Corporation's command ship Excelsior was destroyed in geosynchronous orbit over the planet. Comm traffic at the time of destruction suggests the Excelsior was destroyed by a warp bomb hidden in a supply ship's cargo payload. The ship had a crew of several hundred, none of whom are expected to have made it to escape pods after the blast. It is known, however, that Sonax's supreme commander Lira Speight was on another ship doing troop review at the time. A video uploaded from the surface of Garvug minutes later revealed guerilla commander Hailot Wrund, apparently missing an arm. His statement was brief: "You humans have an expression: 'Tag.'""
31st - Corporatists Strike Back Against Guerillas on Garvug
"The corporatist forces on Garvug struck back against guerilla positions today, conducting over 150 house-to-house raids and bombarding 33 targets in the mountainous regions outside of Dhazil. Insiders say most of the gunships flying attack sorties were Guanghui Solutions forces. All but one flight of Sonax ships remained grounded, and Binary Helix only fields logistical support staff. Sonax supreme commander Lira Speight denied rumors of a rift between her corporation and the eco-engineering subsidiaries, saying, "Our command structure is centralized, but our capacity to fight is not. Today is an object lesson in that fact.""
"Citadel Council observers were on hand in the city of Vallum today as Hierarchy forces destroyed the captured, weaponized FTL plotters found a month ago (Earth Standard) in the Diluvian city of Madra. "These are symbols of a type of war no civilized galaxy wants and no civilized galaxy should suffer," said Taetrian Primarch Idus Valen, who was given the honor of detonating the plotters at a bomb range at Fort Urix. Asked if the plotters' creator, Vamire Squaron, was the only person with the knowledge and intent to create weapons such as these, Valen seemed to agree but gave a noncommittal response. Asked how the plotters represented a type of war different than one involving conventional weapons of mass destruction such as a dreadnought's main gun, Valen responded, "I'm sorry, but that's all the time we have.""
27th - Family of Six Trapped in Decaying Orbit Around Archanes
"A family's space tourism flight around the gas giant Archanes has turned into a nightmare. After an ion engine malfunction, their emergency booster rocket went offline and the ship was caught in the giant's orbit. Their plaintive distress signal to the Systems Alliance indicates that their orbit is steadily decaying and that they expect to reach the point of no return in the next two hours. The six members of the Sorenson family have qualified for unassisted spaceflight, but now those logged hours are being put to the test. A nearby manned Helium-3 station is walking them through a repair procedure for the booster. While viewers everywhere hold their collective breath, the eldest daughter, Kristal, is performing the extravehicular activity needed to make the necessary repairs."
28th - Heartbreak for Sorensons After Archanes Escape
"The story of the Sorensons, a family whose ship became trapped by the gas giant Archanes' gravity, has ended with heartbreak. Though the family's daughter Kristal managed to repair the malfunctioning booster rocket in time, she had no time to get used to the pressure differential between the ship and her hastily-donned pressure suit. Decompression sickness gradually caused her to become disoriented and she lost consciousness outside the vehicle. Unable to mount a second EVA to rescue her before the ship reached the point of no return, her mother, Freja, fired the rocket and flew the ship to safety. A ceremony honoring Kristal Sorenson's sacrifice will be held tomorrow on her home planet of Eden Prime."
29th - Comedian Apologizes for Kristal Sorenson Comments
"Comedian Cal DiCosimo has issued an apology today for his comments about deceased vacationer Kristal Sorenson. DiCosimo, recorded on a headcam video at a nightclub, said, "You know what's wrong with our news? Hundreds of people are getting exterminated on Taetrus every day, and what are our journalists reporting? One rich little human girl who fell down a gravity well." After the comments garnered millions of extranet hits, DiCosimo issued his apology: "My remarks were intended to be pointed at members of the news media, not the family and friends of the deceased. I am sorry if I hurt anyone in their time of grieving, and I wish to pay my respects to a very heroic young woman who saved the lives of her family.""
30th - Sonax Corporation's Command Ship Destroyed over Garvug
"Corporatist forces on Garvug are reeling today as the Sonax Corporation's command ship Excelsior was destroyed in geosynchronous orbit over the planet. Comm traffic at the time of destruction suggests the Excelsior was destroyed by a warp bomb hidden in a supply ship's cargo payload. The ship had a crew of several hundred, none of whom are expected to have made it to escape pods after the blast. It is known, however, that Sonax's supreme commander Lira Speight was on another ship doing troop review at the time. A video uploaded from the surface of Garvug minutes later revealed guerilla commander Hailot Wrund, apparently missing an arm. His statement was brief: "You humans have an expression: 'Tag.'""
31st - Corporatists Strike Back Against Guerillas on Garvug
"The corporatist forces on Garvug struck back against guerilla positions today, conducting over 150 house-to-house raids and bombarding 33 targets in the mountainous regions outside of Dhazil. Insiders say most of the gunships flying attack sorties were Guanghui Solutions forces. All but one flight of Sonax ships remained grounded, and Binary Helix only fields logistical support staff. Sonax supreme commander Lira Speight denied rumors of a rift between her corporation and the eco-engineering subsidiaries, saying, "Our command structure is centralized, but our capacity to fight is not. Today is an object lesson in that fact.""
August, week 1:
1st - Binary Helix Criticizes Sonax Over Suspected Chemical
Weapons Use
"New statements by Binary Helix representatives regarding unusual ordnance on the planet Garvug are pointing to a lack of unity among the corporatist alliance. "Our corporation profits from robust alien ecosystems," said deputy oversight director Grigori Petrenko, criticizing Sonax for its use of what they speculate to be chemical warheads. "Dropping nerve gas is not only useless but counterproductive. The concentrations necessary to kill a krogan or vorcha will kill everything else downwind." Sonax supreme commander Lira Speight responded mere minutes later, denying the criticism was based in fact. "Petrenko was speaking hypothetically and quoted out of context. Chemical weapons are militarily and politically unfeasible, and so we aren't using them in our munitions," she said. "This isn't the 20th century.""
"New statements by Binary Helix representatives regarding unusual ordnance on the planet Garvug are pointing to a lack of unity among the corporatist alliance. "Our corporation profits from robust alien ecosystems," said deputy oversight director Grigori Petrenko, criticizing Sonax for its use of what they speculate to be chemical warheads. "Dropping nerve gas is not only useless but counterproductive. The concentrations necessary to kill a krogan or vorcha will kill everything else downwind." Sonax supreme commander Lira Speight responded mere minutes later, denying the criticism was based in fact. "Petrenko was speaking hypothetically and quoted out of context. Chemical weapons are militarily and politically unfeasible, and so we aren't using them in our munitions," she said. "This isn't the 20th century.""
August, week 2:
2nd - Vid Exposes Mass Executions of Garvug Insurgent
Sympathizers
"A controversial vid is making its way across the extranet, causing PR trouble for the corporatist forces on Garvug. The vid shows Sonax Industries soldiers executing nearly a dozen krogan, alleged guerilla sympathizers who defy their captors to literally their last breaths before they are pushed into a mass grave. When the vid first hit the extranet yesterday, Sonax's stock price dipped dramatically, but at this hour it seems to have recovered and even jumped up 0.4 credits per share. "What we're seeing here is a deeply disturbing trend," says senior news analyst Hannibal Brown. "Were this a vid of krogan killing humans, Systems Alliance politicians would be saber-rattling left and right. But the perception is that all krogan are warriors, or at least able to defend themselves. Their execution is being treated as the cost of doing business on Garvug.""
3rd - C-SEC Officer's Confrontation with Krogan Drug-Runner Becomes Extranet [Cortex] Hit
"Footage of an incredible confrontation made its way onto the extranet and attracted more than 225 million views almost overnight. The reluctant star of the latest extranet craze is human veteran C-SEC officer Tarmiel East, captured on a security camera during a dramatic confrontation with suspected krogan drug-runner Hunjon Sard. The routine stop quickly became a fight for survival in a knock-down, drag-out street brawl that East managed to win bare-handed. Details are sketchy, including how the video made it to the extranet, but C-SEC Commissioner Serjeck Hankiloran refused comment, saying only that the matter was under investigation."
4th - Asari Diamond "The Mother's Star" Blessed by Earth's Pope
"The Mother's Star, the largest natural gemstone-cut diamond in the galaxy, was blessed by Earth's Pope Leo XIV today. The Star weighs in at 2,105 carats and was found on the asari colony world of Sanves. The diamond is undergoing a galactic tour to be blessed by major religious leaders of Council space. Tomorrow it will be taken back to Thessia for the final leg of its journey. After an incantation by asari atamna (a collection of high priestesses), it will be placed in the crown jewel collection of the republic of Ulee."
5th - Fishermen and Marine Biologists Capture a Deinorostrum on Arvuna
"A team of fishermen and marine biologists on the Terminus Systems moon of Arvuna have successfully captured a deinorostrum, a carnivorous sea creature some 35 meters long. With an armored head and sharp beak, the deinorostrum resembles the prehistoric dinicthys fish of Earth, but on a scale similar to blue whales. It was herded into an offshore pen using sonic projectors, which are key in keeping the creature captive as few cage materials can actually hold it. The "deino" is the largest predatory sea creature ever captured on Arvuna; it measures as the fifth largest known in the galaxy, exceeded only by the megalosteus family of creatures on Trident."
6th - Binary Helix Ends Involvement With Corporatist Alliance on Garvug
"Tonight, a painful but non-literal blow was dealt to corporatist forces on Garvug: Binary Helix, one-third of the triumvirate of corporations fighting guerilla forces on that planet, is withdrawing their logistical support. "We laid out two strategies at our stockholder's meeting, and the voting made it clear which we would pursue," said spokesperson Othello Nash. "The time has come to end our involvement with partners that are not acting in good faith and to reinvest ourselves in more dynamic markets galaxy-wide." Asked for comment, Sonax Industries supreme commander Lira Speight responded, "Sonax's resolve will not waver. We are already reaping profit from this planet. If it is not coming fast enough for Binary Helix, then I'm sure Guanghui Solutions will enjoy taking their share.""
7th - Body Modification Using Psyotics a Growing Trend Among Party-Goers
"Psyotics, the latest trend in body modification, is catching on outside the Illium club scene where it first began. This craze has adventurous revelers injecting specialized capsules under their skin that react to certain audio frequencies by lighting up. While the lights can be any color, the most common is a deep purple that mimics the glow of violet-shifted biotics. A single injection typically lasts for the evening, after which the capsules disintegrate. Dr. Frakus Mijier of the Nos Astra Medical Academy cautions party-goers on use of psyotics. "Any untested substance deposited into the bloodstream has side effects, and potentially dangerous ones," he warns. "There is no standardization for psyotics, so those capsules you get on the street could be made out of anything.""
8th - Reconstruction of Signis Completed on Taetrus
"Reconstruction of the Signis, the Taetrian executive office building destroyed in the Vallum Blast, was completed today by the Hierarchy Corps of Engineers. Donations of wood, marble, and fabricator materials poured in from all over the galaxy to enable the famous building to stand again. The new building is an exact replica of the old, a move that lead engineer Naxus Ursinus said was expedient and an important political symbol. "On a practical level, we wanted to give the Primarch a place to work that wasn't out of a hotel room somewhere," she said, "More importantly, we are showing our enemies they have not changed us." Asked if the new building was hardened against megaton-scale blasts, she replied, "You can't stop an FTL craft with a stronger ceiling. Our first line of defense is the common citizens' awareness of what their neighbors are doing.""
"A controversial vid is making its way across the extranet, causing PR trouble for the corporatist forces on Garvug. The vid shows Sonax Industries soldiers executing nearly a dozen krogan, alleged guerilla sympathizers who defy their captors to literally their last breaths before they are pushed into a mass grave. When the vid first hit the extranet yesterday, Sonax's stock price dipped dramatically, but at this hour it seems to have recovered and even jumped up 0.4 credits per share. "What we're seeing here is a deeply disturbing trend," says senior news analyst Hannibal Brown. "Were this a vid of krogan killing humans, Systems Alliance politicians would be saber-rattling left and right. But the perception is that all krogan are warriors, or at least able to defend themselves. Their execution is being treated as the cost of doing business on Garvug.""
3rd - C-SEC Officer's Confrontation with Krogan Drug-Runner Becomes Extranet [Cortex] Hit
"Footage of an incredible confrontation made its way onto the extranet and attracted more than 225 million views almost overnight. The reluctant star of the latest extranet craze is human veteran C-SEC officer Tarmiel East, captured on a security camera during a dramatic confrontation with suspected krogan drug-runner Hunjon Sard. The routine stop quickly became a fight for survival in a knock-down, drag-out street brawl that East managed to win bare-handed. Details are sketchy, including how the video made it to the extranet, but C-SEC Commissioner Serjeck Hankiloran refused comment, saying only that the matter was under investigation."
4th - Asari Diamond "The Mother's Star" Blessed by Earth's Pope
"The Mother's Star, the largest natural gemstone-cut diamond in the galaxy, was blessed by Earth's Pope Leo XIV today. The Star weighs in at 2,105 carats and was found on the asari colony world of Sanves. The diamond is undergoing a galactic tour to be blessed by major religious leaders of Council space. Tomorrow it will be taken back to Thessia for the final leg of its journey. After an incantation by asari atamna (a collection of high priestesses), it will be placed in the crown jewel collection of the republic of Ulee."
5th - Fishermen and Marine Biologists Capture a Deinorostrum on Arvuna
"A team of fishermen and marine biologists on the Terminus Systems moon of Arvuna have successfully captured a deinorostrum, a carnivorous sea creature some 35 meters long. With an armored head and sharp beak, the deinorostrum resembles the prehistoric dinicthys fish of Earth, but on a scale similar to blue whales. It was herded into an offshore pen using sonic projectors, which are key in keeping the creature captive as few cage materials can actually hold it. The "deino" is the largest predatory sea creature ever captured on Arvuna; it measures as the fifth largest known in the galaxy, exceeded only by the megalosteus family of creatures on Trident."
6th - Binary Helix Ends Involvement With Corporatist Alliance on Garvug
"Tonight, a painful but non-literal blow was dealt to corporatist forces on Garvug: Binary Helix, one-third of the triumvirate of corporations fighting guerilla forces on that planet, is withdrawing their logistical support. "We laid out two strategies at our stockholder's meeting, and the voting made it clear which we would pursue," said spokesperson Othello Nash. "The time has come to end our involvement with partners that are not acting in good faith and to reinvest ourselves in more dynamic markets galaxy-wide." Asked for comment, Sonax Industries supreme commander Lira Speight responded, "Sonax's resolve will not waver. We are already reaping profit from this planet. If it is not coming fast enough for Binary Helix, then I'm sure Guanghui Solutions will enjoy taking their share.""
7th - Body Modification Using Psyotics a Growing Trend Among Party-Goers
"Psyotics, the latest trend in body modification, is catching on outside the Illium club scene where it first began. This craze has adventurous revelers injecting specialized capsules under their skin that react to certain audio frequencies by lighting up. While the lights can be any color, the most common is a deep purple that mimics the glow of violet-shifted biotics. A single injection typically lasts for the evening, after which the capsules disintegrate. Dr. Frakus Mijier of the Nos Astra Medical Academy cautions party-goers on use of psyotics. "Any untested substance deposited into the bloodstream has side effects, and potentially dangerous ones," he warns. "There is no standardization for psyotics, so those capsules you get on the street could be made out of anything.""
8th - Reconstruction of Signis Completed on Taetrus
"Reconstruction of the Signis, the Taetrian executive office building destroyed in the Vallum Blast, was completed today by the Hierarchy Corps of Engineers. Donations of wood, marble, and fabricator materials poured in from all over the galaxy to enable the famous building to stand again. The new building is an exact replica of the old, a move that lead engineer Naxus Ursinus said was expedient and an important political symbol. "On a practical level, we wanted to give the Primarch a place to work that wasn't out of a hotel room somewhere," she said, "More importantly, we are showing our enemies they have not changed us." Asked if the new building was hardened against megaton-scale blasts, she replied, "You can't stop an FTL craft with a stronger ceiling. Our first line of defense is the common citizens' awareness of what their neighbors are doing.""
August, week 3:
9th - Fashion Week Kicks Off on Illium
"Fashion Week kicked off on Illium today with a dazzling presentation by fashion icon Scarlet Jane, who wowed the crowd with a collection of intimates and casual wear influenced by quarian designs. "They are such an inspiration," Jane said. "They can take anything and give it their own flavor. They are a culture of innovation. I love them!" Braced for record numbers, Fashion Week culminates with the Luminary Gala sponsored by the weekly "Who's-Who" program. This year, the event will be hosted by Carson Noble, owner of the fashion magazine, "Noble.""
10th - Holy Month of Ramadan Begins on Earth at Sunset
"Sunset tonight marks the beginning of the human holy month of Ramadan on Earth. Until the next moon, over 2.7 billion Earth humans and 2 million in the colonies will abstain from eating, drinking, or having sexual intercourse during daylight hours. Giving to the poor or feeding them while breaking fast in the evening is encouraged, along with praying and reading from a holy book. Humans in the colonies will base their fasting timetable off of visual sighting of the largest crescent moon; planets with no moons or extreme photoperiods follow Earth's timetable. Those who are travelling more than 64km are exempt from fasting but must make up the days later with fasting or buying the poor an evening meal -- humans in non-geosynchronous orbit are considered to be travelling at all times."
11th - Alien AI-Controlled Ship Makes Contact in Salarian Space
"Alarms rang throughout the salarian system of Antilin yesterday when an alien ship bearing a strong AI signature triggered fears of a geth attack. Renko Turwin, Director of Near-Orbital Security, explained: "When evidence of powerful AI heuristics was detected onboard, our security forces thought it was the vanguard of a geth invasion. However, we consulted quarian scientific advisors who assured us that the signals failed to match any known geth signature." According to Turwin, the biggest surprise came next: "The ship's intelligence then communicated with us. It asked us to calculate the value of Pi to the first quadrillion digits. Some 20 questions followed after that, all of them beyond our realm of expertise. We're currently awaiting advice from outside consultants before proceeding. As yet, the ship matches no known alien species.""
12th - Scarlet Jane No-Show at Luminary Gala After Spat
"A high-profile spat between fashion royalty Carson Noble and darling designer Scarlet Jane resulted in a Jane no-show at the Luminary Gala held last night. Noble was caught on video by an audience member, commenting on Jane's collection. "Since when are we getting ideas from that gypsy race? What's next, vorcha cuisine at the buffet?" Noble denies the statement and has refused to apologize. Meanwhile, a small group of quarian protestors have picketed Friday's event. Scarlet Jane could not be reached for comment, but her publicist released a statement noting that her client "could not attend the event in good conscience.""
13th - Nashan Stellar Dynamics Unveils the 2186 Whip Aircar
"Nashan Stellar Dynamics has finally unveiled the 2186 Whip, the spaceship designer's much-anticipated first entry into the aircar market. Nashan's press release calls the Whip, which was in development for nearly 5 years, "the most intensively designed aircar ever to hit the market." Features include phased kinetic barriers to cushion crashes, autofoam dispensers, power lumbar support seats, a pressurized cabin, and engine sealants for amphibious travel. The sticker shock will only be the good kind: 29,599 credits will get you a fully loaded ride."
14th - Illium Businesswoman Micah Envy Interviewed Tonight on "Luminary"
"Tonight on "Luminary": Homeless street rat, adventurer, mercenary, actress, head of a multi-billion-credit media giant and everything in between, Micah Envy has done it all. Known for her candid interviews, avant-garde fashion, and business brilliance, she continues to be a force of nature. Tonight she speaks out about her charity work for the planet of Belan, becoming a first-time mother at 63, and how to make a thermal clip using only an omni-tool and parts from a junked security mech. Tune in tonight for an in-depth portrait of Illium's brightest "Luminary!""
15th - Breakthrough in Communication with Antilin "Ghost Ship"
"A breakthrough today in the case of the mysterious "ghost ship" in the Antilin System: Famed exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler from MIT's Extraterrestrial Studies Group traveled to the ship, now held in quarantine. Detweiler engaged the ship's AI system, which has been piloting the craft for an undetermined number of years and appears to be the sole sentient lifeform onboard. Given previous failed communication attempts, Detweiler explained how he succeeded: "In rudimentary terms, it was an I.Q. test. The ship's AI was determining that we weren't some band of dullard space pirates, that we understood things like quantum string theory, emergent systems, and a host of other advanced concepts. I was able to satisfy its demands and gain access to the interior. I need to do more analysis, but I think this is the exo-archaeological find of the century. I will say that the ship appears to be at least 8,000 years old.""
"Fashion Week kicked off on Illium today with a dazzling presentation by fashion icon Scarlet Jane, who wowed the crowd with a collection of intimates and casual wear influenced by quarian designs. "They are such an inspiration," Jane said. "They can take anything and give it their own flavor. They are a culture of innovation. I love them!" Braced for record numbers, Fashion Week culminates with the Luminary Gala sponsored by the weekly "Who's-Who" program. This year, the event will be hosted by Carson Noble, owner of the fashion magazine, "Noble.""
10th - Holy Month of Ramadan Begins on Earth at Sunset
"Sunset tonight marks the beginning of the human holy month of Ramadan on Earth. Until the next moon, over 2.7 billion Earth humans and 2 million in the colonies will abstain from eating, drinking, or having sexual intercourse during daylight hours. Giving to the poor or feeding them while breaking fast in the evening is encouraged, along with praying and reading from a holy book. Humans in the colonies will base their fasting timetable off of visual sighting of the largest crescent moon; planets with no moons or extreme photoperiods follow Earth's timetable. Those who are travelling more than 64km are exempt from fasting but must make up the days later with fasting or buying the poor an evening meal -- humans in non-geosynchronous orbit are considered to be travelling at all times."
11th - Alien AI-Controlled Ship Makes Contact in Salarian Space
"Alarms rang throughout the salarian system of Antilin yesterday when an alien ship bearing a strong AI signature triggered fears of a geth attack. Renko Turwin, Director of Near-Orbital Security, explained: "When evidence of powerful AI heuristics was detected onboard, our security forces thought it was the vanguard of a geth invasion. However, we consulted quarian scientific advisors who assured us that the signals failed to match any known geth signature." According to Turwin, the biggest surprise came next: "The ship's intelligence then communicated with us. It asked us to calculate the value of Pi to the first quadrillion digits. Some 20 questions followed after that, all of them beyond our realm of expertise. We're currently awaiting advice from outside consultants before proceeding. As yet, the ship matches no known alien species.""
12th - Scarlet Jane No-Show at Luminary Gala After Spat
"A high-profile spat between fashion royalty Carson Noble and darling designer Scarlet Jane resulted in a Jane no-show at the Luminary Gala held last night. Noble was caught on video by an audience member, commenting on Jane's collection. "Since when are we getting ideas from that gypsy race? What's next, vorcha cuisine at the buffet?" Noble denies the statement and has refused to apologize. Meanwhile, a small group of quarian protestors have picketed Friday's event. Scarlet Jane could not be reached for comment, but her publicist released a statement noting that her client "could not attend the event in good conscience.""
13th - Nashan Stellar Dynamics Unveils the 2186 Whip Aircar
"Nashan Stellar Dynamics has finally unveiled the 2186 Whip, the spaceship designer's much-anticipated first entry into the aircar market. Nashan's press release calls the Whip, which was in development for nearly 5 years, "the most intensively designed aircar ever to hit the market." Features include phased kinetic barriers to cushion crashes, autofoam dispensers, power lumbar support seats, a pressurized cabin, and engine sealants for amphibious travel. The sticker shock will only be the good kind: 29,599 credits will get you a fully loaded ride."
14th - Illium Businesswoman Micah Envy Interviewed Tonight on "Luminary"
"Tonight on "Luminary": Homeless street rat, adventurer, mercenary, actress, head of a multi-billion-credit media giant and everything in between, Micah Envy has done it all. Known for her candid interviews, avant-garde fashion, and business brilliance, she continues to be a force of nature. Tonight she speaks out about her charity work for the planet of Belan, becoming a first-time mother at 63, and how to make a thermal clip using only an omni-tool and parts from a junked security mech. Tune in tonight for an in-depth portrait of Illium's brightest "Luminary!""
15th - Breakthrough in Communication with Antilin "Ghost Ship"
"A breakthrough today in the case of the mysterious "ghost ship" in the Antilin System: Famed exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler from MIT's Extraterrestrial Studies Group traveled to the ship, now held in quarantine. Detweiler engaged the ship's AI system, which has been piloting the craft for an undetermined number of years and appears to be the sole sentient lifeform onboard. Given previous failed communication attempts, Detweiler explained how he succeeded: "In rudimentary terms, it was an I.Q. test. The ship's AI was determining that we weren't some band of dullard space pirates, that we understood things like quantum string theory, emergent systems, and a host of other advanced concepts. I was able to satisfy its demands and gain access to the interior. I need to do more analysis, but I think this is the exo-archaeological find of the century. I will say that the ship appears to be at least 8,000 years old.""
August, week 4:
16th - Corporatist General Found Dead on Garvug
"A corporatist army general is dead on Garvug tonight, and authorities consider the circumstances suspicious. Noah Vardos, a 61-year-old brigadier general, died of a gunshot wound to the head at Hanarsh Army Base in Dhazil. A base-wide alert sounded when the body was discovered but was cancelled a short time later. Vardos served in the Sonax Industries army and was known to be a close friend of supreme commander Lira Speight. Speight herself answered few questions about the incident, saying only that his position will be filled by Colonel Oleg Horvat. General Vardos is survived by his three children."
17th - No Security Procedure Inquiry After Garvug General Death
"New information in the death of Brigadier General Noah Vardos has raised more questions than answers. Colonel Richard Hawke, overseeing security at the Hanarsh base where the general died from a gunshot wound, said that no inquiry into security procedures is planned at this time. No suspect leads are reported, and GBC News has acquired an e-memo sent out to all senior base personnel warning of strict consequences if any personnel talked to the press."
18th - GBC News Acquires Copy of Garvug General Suicide Note
"In a galactic exclusive, GBC News has acquired a copy of the suicide note of General Noah Vardos, who died earlier this week from what is now believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The three-page note jumped from topic to topic with the general blaming himself for pursuing but not catching three krogan who escaped off-planet and who are now believed to have perpetrated the warp bomb attack on Sonax command. Vardos described the worsening situation on the planet as a "Charlie Foxtrot," and took responsibility for the men and women he had "gotten killed for half a credit a share." Sonax Industries has not commented on the suicide note."
19th - MIT Exo-Biologist Claims Astonishing Antilin "Ghost Ship" Discovery
"The scientific community is abuzz today after the latest report from MIT exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler was filed last night from the Antilin System, where he's currently investigating a mysterious "ghost ship." Claiming a breakthrough, Detweiler writes, "What I've discovered is nothing short of astonishing: This so-called derelict ship isn't derelict at all. It appears that an alien race has downloaded its consciousness to a massive array of quantum computers onboard the vessel. It's my belief these aliens now reside entirely in a virtual world and have been there for at least 8,000 years." Detweiler estimates the population of the virtual world numbers close to one billion individuals. He explains: "The ship's AI is something of a caretaker to these people, or even a god depending on how you look at it. More importantly, the AI is now requesting our help. It says a power failure is imminent and threatens the entire virtual civilization.""
20th - General Partinax Declares End of Major Combat Ops on Taetrus
"In a long-awaited announcement today on Taetrus, General Partinax declared the end of major combat operations in the Diluvian Wildlands. "We are grateful to the brave men and women who got us this far," he said, "and we now call on the people to contribute to the great task ahead." Public works projects employing the formerly captive population in the reconstruction effort are scheduled to begin at the end of the month, an effort that is expected to dwarf the cost of combat operations. This does not, however, mean that the entire army will be pulling out -- more than ninety percent of the colonialist fighting force is scheduled to remain in-country until the end of the year to provide security, while the remainder of the units will be rotated out to give troops time off."
21st - Opinions Mixed After Discovery of "Ghost Ship" Virtual Civilization
"Opinions were plentiful this week after MIT's Jordan Detweiler stunned the scientific world when he revealed the existence of a virtual alien civilization residing in a derelict "ghost ship". Niran Patalung, a Buddhist scholar at the Center for Religious Studies in Bangkok, said, "I'm struck by the parallels to ancient human beliefs in reincarnation. Clearly, life does not end for these aliens when they 'die.' Their souls, if you will, simply re-inhabit other virtual personalities and continue living." Thomas Copeland, spokesman for an Earth-based atheist group, disagreed: "That's true until you pull the plug. Then what? All these 'souls' just wink out, that's what. Those who would latch onto this incident as proof of some higher level of existence are simply projecting their own wishful thinking onto digital noise." Mr. Patalung replied: "One man's noise is another man's music. Perhaps in his next life, Mr. Copeland will be less tone-deaf.""
22nd - Plastic Surgeon Arrested on Earth for Murdering Asari Patients
"Local police on Earth have arrested plastic surgeon Erzsebet Vidmar for the gruesome murder of over thirty asari who frequented her clinic. Dubbed "Vidmar the Vampire" by the popular press, Vidmar allegedly killed her victims for their telomerase, a substance essential to slowing the aging process. Vidmar is allegedly obsessed with the asari extended lifespan and has attempted to purchase telomerase in the past as part of a plan to engineer her own tissues. Officials were quick to point out that the science behind her methods was shoddy. "You can't just inject telomerase and expect a fountain of youth," said Dr. Antonin Esposito, who reviewed her work for the police. "If it were that simple, Dr. Vidmar would look a lot better than she does.""
"A corporatist army general is dead on Garvug tonight, and authorities consider the circumstances suspicious. Noah Vardos, a 61-year-old brigadier general, died of a gunshot wound to the head at Hanarsh Army Base in Dhazil. A base-wide alert sounded when the body was discovered but was cancelled a short time later. Vardos served in the Sonax Industries army and was known to be a close friend of supreme commander Lira Speight. Speight herself answered few questions about the incident, saying only that his position will be filled by Colonel Oleg Horvat. General Vardos is survived by his three children."
17th - No Security Procedure Inquiry After Garvug General Death
"New information in the death of Brigadier General Noah Vardos has raised more questions than answers. Colonel Richard Hawke, overseeing security at the Hanarsh base where the general died from a gunshot wound, said that no inquiry into security procedures is planned at this time. No suspect leads are reported, and GBC News has acquired an e-memo sent out to all senior base personnel warning of strict consequences if any personnel talked to the press."
18th - GBC News Acquires Copy of Garvug General Suicide Note
"In a galactic exclusive, GBC News has acquired a copy of the suicide note of General Noah Vardos, who died earlier this week from what is now believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The three-page note jumped from topic to topic with the general blaming himself for pursuing but not catching three krogan who escaped off-planet and who are now believed to have perpetrated the warp bomb attack on Sonax command. Vardos described the worsening situation on the planet as a "Charlie Foxtrot," and took responsibility for the men and women he had "gotten killed for half a credit a share." Sonax Industries has not commented on the suicide note."
19th - MIT Exo-Biologist Claims Astonishing Antilin "Ghost Ship" Discovery
"The scientific community is abuzz today after the latest report from MIT exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler was filed last night from the Antilin System, where he's currently investigating a mysterious "ghost ship." Claiming a breakthrough, Detweiler writes, "What I've discovered is nothing short of astonishing: This so-called derelict ship isn't derelict at all. It appears that an alien race has downloaded its consciousness to a massive array of quantum computers onboard the vessel. It's my belief these aliens now reside entirely in a virtual world and have been there for at least 8,000 years." Detweiler estimates the population of the virtual world numbers close to one billion individuals. He explains: "The ship's AI is something of a caretaker to these people, or even a god depending on how you look at it. More importantly, the AI is now requesting our help. It says a power failure is imminent and threatens the entire virtual civilization.""
20th - General Partinax Declares End of Major Combat Ops on Taetrus
"In a long-awaited announcement today on Taetrus, General Partinax declared the end of major combat operations in the Diluvian Wildlands. "We are grateful to the brave men and women who got us this far," he said, "and we now call on the people to contribute to the great task ahead." Public works projects employing the formerly captive population in the reconstruction effort are scheduled to begin at the end of the month, an effort that is expected to dwarf the cost of combat operations. This does not, however, mean that the entire army will be pulling out -- more than ninety percent of the colonialist fighting force is scheduled to remain in-country until the end of the year to provide security, while the remainder of the units will be rotated out to give troops time off."
21st - Opinions Mixed After Discovery of "Ghost Ship" Virtual Civilization
"Opinions were plentiful this week after MIT's Jordan Detweiler stunned the scientific world when he revealed the existence of a virtual alien civilization residing in a derelict "ghost ship". Niran Patalung, a Buddhist scholar at the Center for Religious Studies in Bangkok, said, "I'm struck by the parallels to ancient human beliefs in reincarnation. Clearly, life does not end for these aliens when they 'die.' Their souls, if you will, simply re-inhabit other virtual personalities and continue living." Thomas Copeland, spokesman for an Earth-based atheist group, disagreed: "That's true until you pull the plug. Then what? All these 'souls' just wink out, that's what. Those who would latch onto this incident as proof of some higher level of existence are simply projecting their own wishful thinking onto digital noise." Mr. Patalung replied: "One man's noise is another man's music. Perhaps in his next life, Mr. Copeland will be less tone-deaf.""
22nd - Plastic Surgeon Arrested on Earth for Murdering Asari Patients
"Local police on Earth have arrested plastic surgeon Erzsebet Vidmar for the gruesome murder of over thirty asari who frequented her clinic. Dubbed "Vidmar the Vampire" by the popular press, Vidmar allegedly killed her victims for their telomerase, a substance essential to slowing the aging process. Vidmar is allegedly obsessed with the asari extended lifespan and has attempted to purchase telomerase in the past as part of a plan to engineer her own tissues. Officials were quick to point out that the science behind her methods was shoddy. "You can't just inject telomerase and expect a fountain of youth," said Dr. Antonin Esposito, who reviewed her work for the police. "If it were that simple, Dr. Vidmar would look a lot better than she does.""
August, week 5:
23rd - Fallout Continues for Carson Noble over Fashion Week
Comments
"The fallout continues for beleaguered editor Carson Noble regarding comments he made during an Illium Fashion Week presentation of quarian-inspired clothing. A series of extranet vids, taken at public media events and dating back almost six years, has recently surfaced. The vids feature Noble making a variety of racially charged statements. This has prompted a call for his resignation as contributing member of the Fashion Media Collective (FMC), adding to the list of legal actions over cancelled public events amidst the controversy. Lawyers for Mr. Noble have made no comment other than stating he is "on vacation with his family and cannot be reached at this time." Noble himself has not consented to any interviews since the story broke several weeks ago."
24th - Galaxy Remains Riveted to Ongoing "Ghost Ship" Saga
"The galaxy remains riveted to the ongoing saga of the AI-driven "ghost ship," now in danger of perishing because of dwindling energy reserves. Evolutionary biologists have jumped into the fray, with one claiming the extinction of the virtual alien race is the natural order of things. "Face it," turian scientist Elgus Paramon argued, "these aliens were clever, but they weren't clever enough to build a better battery. Their lack of foresight is a failure to adapt to changing conditions. Their species represents an evolutionary dead-end, and their civilization should be allowed to perish." Responding, the chief exo-biologist investigating the ship, Jordan Detweiler, said "Mr. Paramon would have us commit genocide by turning a blind eye to the situation. We can save this civilization. The power requirements to preserve their virtual world are manageable." The matter is now being referred to the Citadel Council for further consideration."
25th - No Decision Yet Reached in "Ghost Ship" Case
"With time running out, no decision has yet been reached in the case of the alien "ghost ship" found drifting in salarian space. Exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler estimates the energy reserves currently powering the virtual alien world are down to 4% and will fail soon. Meanwhile, opportunistic explorers boarded the ship last night and managed to hack into the virtual civilization. Before they were caught, the hackers spent six hours interfaced with the ship's computers. In that relatively short period of time, it appears that some 180 years passed within the virtual world. Both hackers are currently in deep comas and doctors are unsure as to their recovery. "The interface was too much for their systems to absorb. Trying to re-connect their minds to their bodies after being "away" for so long mentally was too large a shock. Physically they're fine, but I'd wager scrambled eggs have more consciousness.""
26th - Aish Ashland Marries Singer Jenellen Lepp on Illium
"By the time we heard the bells, it was almost over: socialite Aish Ashland and singer Jenellen Lepp got married yesterday at midnight in a secret ceremony in Nos Astra. "Me and Jel only met three months ago," Aish said, "but when he proposed I decided to get married right away so we could have a honeymoon during the conjunction on Illium. Our horoscopes there are totally charged! We'll have a family wedding once Jel's Red Sand Scratch clears up." Ashland's probation officer had only this to say of the nuptials: "She left the state. She's in violation.""
27th - Alien "Ghost Ship" Saga Ends Under Veil of Secrecy
"The saga of the alien "ghost ship" has come to a surprising end. Earlier today, reports surfaced that the Citadel Council was prepared to rule against saving the ship, fearing its AI system was sophisticated enough to pose a "security threat of unknown dimensions." In response, chief scientist Jordan Detweiler inserted himself into the virtual alien world to warn its citizens of their civilization's imminent end. He returned one minute later -- apparently equal to half a year within the accelerated timeline of the alien world -- bringing a treaty offer from its inhabitants. At that point, details turn sketchy. One inside source claims the virtual aliens offered scientific advancements "far beyond anything we have" in return for assistance. A veil of secrecy was immediately erected, with Citadel intelligence agencies classifying the matter as top-secret. Rumors now have Jordan Detweiler embarking on a Council-sanctioned mission into the virtual world to make diplomatic contact."
28th - Hanar Religious Holiday of Nyahir Begins on Kahje
"Today marks the beginning of the religious holiday of Nyahir or "First Cresting Bloom" on the hanar homeworld of Kahje. Lasting a full thirteen days, this celebration honors the gift of speech that many hanar attribute to the Protheans, known on Kahje as "The Enkindlers". The celebration is a mixture of contemplation and competition as the faithful perform stylized debates, poetry duels, and other traditional hanar art forms. Winners' names are inscribed in bioluminescence for a year on the sides of Mount Vassla, an underwater volcano at the heart of one of the oldest Prothean ruins on Kahje."
29th - Visionary Turian CEO Exposed As a Fake
"He started one of Nos Astra's hottest companies. His vision landed him on magazine covers. His parties were legendary -- and he was a fake. Delumcore Systems CEO Jaxum Borlin is actually Rolan Quarn, a turian from Erinle who met Borlin on vacation. When Borlin died from a heart attack a week into his holiday, Quarn boldly lifted the CEO's passport, sampled his genetic material, and passed himself off as a tanned Borlin. Even close friends simply thought that Borlin seemed "energized" and "eager to get back to work." Despite a lack of credentials, Quarn successfully ran Delumcore for two years before a routine traffic stop took a fresh tissue sample and caught the discrepancy in his geneprint. Quarn is being held on charges of fraud and impersonation, and goes to trial tomorrow."
"The fallout continues for beleaguered editor Carson Noble regarding comments he made during an Illium Fashion Week presentation of quarian-inspired clothing. A series of extranet vids, taken at public media events and dating back almost six years, has recently surfaced. The vids feature Noble making a variety of racially charged statements. This has prompted a call for his resignation as contributing member of the Fashion Media Collective (FMC), adding to the list of legal actions over cancelled public events amidst the controversy. Lawyers for Mr. Noble have made no comment other than stating he is "on vacation with his family and cannot be reached at this time." Noble himself has not consented to any interviews since the story broke several weeks ago."
24th - Galaxy Remains Riveted to Ongoing "Ghost Ship" Saga
"The galaxy remains riveted to the ongoing saga of the AI-driven "ghost ship," now in danger of perishing because of dwindling energy reserves. Evolutionary biologists have jumped into the fray, with one claiming the extinction of the virtual alien race is the natural order of things. "Face it," turian scientist Elgus Paramon argued, "these aliens were clever, but they weren't clever enough to build a better battery. Their lack of foresight is a failure to adapt to changing conditions. Their species represents an evolutionary dead-end, and their civilization should be allowed to perish." Responding, the chief exo-biologist investigating the ship, Jordan Detweiler, said "Mr. Paramon would have us commit genocide by turning a blind eye to the situation. We can save this civilization. The power requirements to preserve their virtual world are manageable." The matter is now being referred to the Citadel Council for further consideration."
25th - No Decision Yet Reached in "Ghost Ship" Case
"With time running out, no decision has yet been reached in the case of the alien "ghost ship" found drifting in salarian space. Exo-biologist Jordan Detweiler estimates the energy reserves currently powering the virtual alien world are down to 4% and will fail soon. Meanwhile, opportunistic explorers boarded the ship last night and managed to hack into the virtual civilization. Before they were caught, the hackers spent six hours interfaced with the ship's computers. In that relatively short period of time, it appears that some 180 years passed within the virtual world. Both hackers are currently in deep comas and doctors are unsure as to their recovery. "The interface was too much for their systems to absorb. Trying to re-connect their minds to their bodies after being "away" for so long mentally was too large a shock. Physically they're fine, but I'd wager scrambled eggs have more consciousness.""
26th - Aish Ashland Marries Singer Jenellen Lepp on Illium
"By the time we heard the bells, it was almost over: socialite Aish Ashland and singer Jenellen Lepp got married yesterday at midnight in a secret ceremony in Nos Astra. "Me and Jel only met three months ago," Aish said, "but when he proposed I decided to get married right away so we could have a honeymoon during the conjunction on Illium. Our horoscopes there are totally charged! We'll have a family wedding once Jel's Red Sand Scratch clears up." Ashland's probation officer had only this to say of the nuptials: "She left the state. She's in violation.""
27th - Alien "Ghost Ship" Saga Ends Under Veil of Secrecy
"The saga of the alien "ghost ship" has come to a surprising end. Earlier today, reports surfaced that the Citadel Council was prepared to rule against saving the ship, fearing its AI system was sophisticated enough to pose a "security threat of unknown dimensions." In response, chief scientist Jordan Detweiler inserted himself into the virtual alien world to warn its citizens of their civilization's imminent end. He returned one minute later -- apparently equal to half a year within the accelerated timeline of the alien world -- bringing a treaty offer from its inhabitants. At that point, details turn sketchy. One inside source claims the virtual aliens offered scientific advancements "far beyond anything we have" in return for assistance. A veil of secrecy was immediately erected, with Citadel intelligence agencies classifying the matter as top-secret. Rumors now have Jordan Detweiler embarking on a Council-sanctioned mission into the virtual world to make diplomatic contact."
28th - Hanar Religious Holiday of Nyahir Begins on Kahje
"Today marks the beginning of the religious holiday of Nyahir or "First Cresting Bloom" on the hanar homeworld of Kahje. Lasting a full thirteen days, this celebration honors the gift of speech that many hanar attribute to the Protheans, known on Kahje as "The Enkindlers". The celebration is a mixture of contemplation and competition as the faithful perform stylized debates, poetry duels, and other traditional hanar art forms. Winners' names are inscribed in bioluminescence for a year on the sides of Mount Vassla, an underwater volcano at the heart of one of the oldest Prothean ruins on Kahje."
29th - Visionary Turian CEO Exposed As a Fake
"He started one of Nos Astra's hottest companies. His vision landed him on magazine covers. His parties were legendary -- and he was a fake. Delumcore Systems CEO Jaxum Borlin is actually Rolan Quarn, a turian from Erinle who met Borlin on vacation. When Borlin died from a heart attack a week into his holiday, Quarn boldly lifted the CEO's passport, sampled his genetic material, and passed himself off as a tanned Borlin. Even close friends simply thought that Borlin seemed "energized" and "eager to get back to work." Despite a lack of credentials, Quarn successfully ran Delumcore for two years before a routine traffic stop took a fresh tissue sample and caught the discrepancy in his geneprint. Quarn is being held on charges of fraud and impersonation, and goes to trial tomorrow."
August, week 6:
30th - Turian Impersonator Linked to Dozens of Other
Identities
"A new wrinkle in the trial of Rolan Quarn, the turian who masqueraded as the CEO of Delumcore Systems: passing himself off as Jaxum Borlin isn't the first time he's stepped into someone else's life. Quarn has impersonated dozens of other people including a stunt driver, sous-chef, martial arts instructor, ambassador, varren tamer, news anchor, and stand-up comedian. Nos Astran police chief Sonja Treme stated that Quarn is being "cooperative" and that "he was living off of what he made once he joined Delumcore. Borlin's personal accounts haven't been touched.""
31st - Nos Astra Police on Manhunt for Escaped Turian Impersonator
"Nos Astra police are on a manhunt this evening for Rolan Quarn, who slipped his tracking bracelet and led police on a two-hour chase before disappearing. Before he left, the turian recorded a message to the employees of Delumcore Systems, thanking many of them by name and giving advice for the company's future. Quarn ended by saying "Sorry about the bail. I wish everyone the best. I've never been prouder of the people I've worked with, and that's saying something." Authorities believe Quarn will be attempting to book a passage off-system."
"A new wrinkle in the trial of Rolan Quarn, the turian who masqueraded as the CEO of Delumcore Systems: passing himself off as Jaxum Borlin isn't the first time he's stepped into someone else's life. Quarn has impersonated dozens of other people including a stunt driver, sous-chef, martial arts instructor, ambassador, varren tamer, news anchor, and stand-up comedian. Nos Astran police chief Sonja Treme stated that Quarn is being "cooperative" and that "he was living off of what he made once he joined Delumcore. Borlin's personal accounts haven't been touched.""
31st - Nos Astra Police on Manhunt for Escaped Turian Impersonator
"Nos Astra police are on a manhunt this evening for Rolan Quarn, who slipped his tracking bracelet and led police on a two-hour chase before disappearing. Before he left, the turian recorded a message to the employees of Delumcore Systems, thanking many of them by name and giving advice for the company's future. Quarn ended by saying "Sorry about the bail. I wish everyone the best. I've never been prouder of the people I've worked with, and that's saying something." Authorities believe Quarn will be attempting to book a passage off-system."
September, week 1:
1st - Best-Selling E-Book Discusses the Downside of First
Contact
"The new e-book "First Contact: Who Needs It?" by author Kurt Riven has zoomed to the top of this week's best-seller list. In the book, the counterculture icon argues that contact between extraterrestrial species is inherently a bad idea. Riven writes, "Aside from the inevitable wars, jingoism, and disease that always follow first contact, there's a more insidious problem: the homogenization of culture, of thought, of ideas themselves. As soon as I see how your ship works, I don't need to figure it out myself. I'll copy yours and whatever hope we had for something new evaporates. Maybe mine's a different shape, but so what? The same problem exists on a galactic scale, where all major species are busy duplicating each other's ideas. It would have been better if they never met." Ironically, in light of the book's success, many copycat books are already popping up across the extranet."
2nd - Spectacle Abounds at the Galactic Video Music Awards
"The Galactic Video Music Awards kicked off tonight with dazzling numbers from Eff Tee El, Bootyherax, and Blue Giants. In what will undoubtedly be called the entrance of the year, Eff donned a cowboy hat and reinforced codpiece to ride a low-powered biotic singularity onstage. As for the awards, Best New Artist went to Domino Masque, Best Choreography went to Skinsuit's "Mix It," and the coveted Video of the Year went to Varrencage for their anthem "Let It Up, Let It Out." A moment of silence for deceased singer Lady Sweat preceded her band's performance of "Where You Gone?" with the soulful vocals provided by VI-vian Wonder. But the most memorable antic of the night was dubbed the "Quarian Kiss": Lita'Orn nar Idenna stripped off her mask when she won Best VI-Directed Video and gave presenter Illesa T'Nasty a big wet kiss. Lita's representatives say she is expected to make a full recovery."
3rd - Newlywed Aish Ashland Returns to Earth Newly-Divorced
"After a week-long honeymoon on Illium, Aish Ashland is returning home -- as a free woman. Sources say that during the flight back to Earth, this newly-divorced newlywed discovered her ex-husband Jenellen Lepp in a delicate situation with another couple... and a bag of narcotics. A tearful Aish had this to say to the press: "I don't know what he was thinking. He had no right to use up my stash, and I can't live with someone who disrespects that. Also, you've got to have fidelity in a relationship, and I know about fidelity. I've had a music pod for 19 years.""
4th - Prize Varren Breeding Rights Sell for 7.3 Million Credits
"A record 7.3 million credits was paid for breeding rights to Gorefang Akosh Himon Igole Forvros, the varren who wowed judges at this year's Inter-Colony Varren Kennel-Club Show on planet Kruljaven. Gorefang is a red-striped clefnose from Tuchanka who, his trainer boasts, "has torn the heads off of a dozen armored mercs." While the judges had no way to verify this particular qualification, Gorefang is free of scars and has fine dentition. Don't rule the claim out, though -- experts say that piercing standard krogan battle armor is quite possible for a varren in top shape. Tests have recorded Gorefang's jaw exerting more than two metric tons of pressure per square centimeter. That's quite a bite!"
5th - Jenellen Lepp Demands a Divorce Settlement From His Ex-Wife
"In a case many are calling "preposterous", socialite Aish Ashland's ex-husband Jenellen Lepp is demanding a divorce settlement from his former spouse. Legal experts say the singer has zero grounds for a settlement, if only because the marriage lasted less than a standard galactic week. Critics are calling the entire "now-they-are, now-they-aren't" fiasco a publicity stunt timed for the release of Lepp's album, "Depth of Field," which debuts next month. Aish Ashland could not be reached for comment."
"The new e-book "First Contact: Who Needs It?" by author Kurt Riven has zoomed to the top of this week's best-seller list. In the book, the counterculture icon argues that contact between extraterrestrial species is inherently a bad idea. Riven writes, "Aside from the inevitable wars, jingoism, and disease that always follow first contact, there's a more insidious problem: the homogenization of culture, of thought, of ideas themselves. As soon as I see how your ship works, I don't need to figure it out myself. I'll copy yours and whatever hope we had for something new evaporates. Maybe mine's a different shape, but so what? The same problem exists on a galactic scale, where all major species are busy duplicating each other's ideas. It would have been better if they never met." Ironically, in light of the book's success, many copycat books are already popping up across the extranet."
2nd - Spectacle Abounds at the Galactic Video Music Awards
"The Galactic Video Music Awards kicked off tonight with dazzling numbers from Eff Tee El, Bootyherax, and Blue Giants. In what will undoubtedly be called the entrance of the year, Eff donned a cowboy hat and reinforced codpiece to ride a low-powered biotic singularity onstage. As for the awards, Best New Artist went to Domino Masque, Best Choreography went to Skinsuit's "Mix It," and the coveted Video of the Year went to Varrencage for their anthem "Let It Up, Let It Out." A moment of silence for deceased singer Lady Sweat preceded her band's performance of "Where You Gone?" with the soulful vocals provided by VI-vian Wonder. But the most memorable antic of the night was dubbed the "Quarian Kiss": Lita'Orn nar Idenna stripped off her mask when she won Best VI-Directed Video and gave presenter Illesa T'Nasty a big wet kiss. Lita's representatives say she is expected to make a full recovery."
3rd - Newlywed Aish Ashland Returns to Earth Newly-Divorced
"After a week-long honeymoon on Illium, Aish Ashland is returning home -- as a free woman. Sources say that during the flight back to Earth, this newly-divorced newlywed discovered her ex-husband Jenellen Lepp in a delicate situation with another couple... and a bag of narcotics. A tearful Aish had this to say to the press: "I don't know what he was thinking. He had no right to use up my stash, and I can't live with someone who disrespects that. Also, you've got to have fidelity in a relationship, and I know about fidelity. I've had a music pod for 19 years.""
4th - Prize Varren Breeding Rights Sell for 7.3 Million Credits
"A record 7.3 million credits was paid for breeding rights to Gorefang Akosh Himon Igole Forvros, the varren who wowed judges at this year's Inter-Colony Varren Kennel-Club Show on planet Kruljaven. Gorefang is a red-striped clefnose from Tuchanka who, his trainer boasts, "has torn the heads off of a dozen armored mercs." While the judges had no way to verify this particular qualification, Gorefang is free of scars and has fine dentition. Don't rule the claim out, though -- experts say that piercing standard krogan battle armor is quite possible for a varren in top shape. Tests have recorded Gorefang's jaw exerting more than two metric tons of pressure per square centimeter. That's quite a bite!"
5th - Jenellen Lepp Demands a Divorce Settlement From His Ex-Wife
"In a case many are calling "preposterous", socialite Aish Ashland's ex-husband Jenellen Lepp is demanding a divorce settlement from his former spouse. Legal experts say the singer has zero grounds for a settlement, if only because the marriage lasted less than a standard galactic week. Critics are calling the entire "now-they-are, now-they-aren't" fiasco a publicity stunt timed for the release of Lepp's album, "Depth of Field," which debuts next month. Aish Ashland could not be reached for comment."
September, week 2:
6th - "Wee-Cee" Simulstim Bug Infests Extranet
"A dangerous new bug called "Wee-Cee" ripped through several thousand public extranet terminals last night and potentially infested millions of private connections. The bug targets simulstim watchers, randomly cutting into programs with static feedback that causes headaches and even seizures in some viewers. Asked what people could do to protect themselves, Synthetic Insights senior programmer Neartanlis Ontant says, "Simple: buy and register an accredited, VI-monitored anti-virus program and keep it updated. I don't understand why people won't spend 50 credits to shield themselves when plugging stimuli directly into their brains.""
7th - C-SEC Clamps Down on Curve Gliding Craze
"C-SEC authorities are clamping down on the latest craze among extreme sport enthusiasts: "curve gliding." An idea first joked about on the popular weekly drama "The Lower Wards," curve gliding is dangerous and all too real. On the Citadel, a glider straps a power cell to a specially designed, pressurized glider suit, jumps from a high-altitude point, and follows the curve of a ward as far as possible before having to land. C-SEC officer Robert Coles said: "Not only is this activity dangerous to the glider, the chances of hitting a person or flying into traffic are significant. It's only a matter of time before someone crashes an aircar because of this." C-SEC has stepped up their vigilance in response to an incident that ended with a potential glider under arrest for attempting to scale the Citadel Tower."
8th - Masked Data Found in Static Produced by Wee-Cee Bug
"Panic swept the extranet as programmers studying the Wee-Cee bug discovered that the "static" it generates in simulstim programs contains masked data. Although scientists insist that the data is scrambled in a way that can't be "read" by organic minds, the simulstim industry lost hundreds of millions of credits over the weekend as downloads dropped 80 percent. Rumors have circulated that Wee-Cee is everything from a geth infiltration program to a malfunctioning rogue AI, but authorities say there is no indication that the malware is sentient. Omni-tool users who have been infected can download an adaptive system wipe-and-restore from all major extranet provider home pages."
9th - Arrests Made After Wee-Cee Bug Is Linked to Media Company
"Authorities have made 15 arrests so far at the offices of cross-promotional media company Shared Visions, a start-up corporation responsible for the Wee-Cee bug. Shared Visions faces the wrath of extranet providers, simulstim distributors, and omni-tool manufacturers as investigators confirmed that the bug was a failed attempt at designing a covert delivery system for subliminal advertising. The link was discovered after the malware's data was unscrambled to reveal an advertisement for "Razor Pumps," a line of athletic footwear with a Shared Visions account."
10th - Over 23 Million Wee-Cee Victims to Sue Shared Visions
"More than 23 million extranet users have signed up to sue Shared Visions, the company that created the notorious Wee-Cee program as part of an advertising campaign. CEO of Spyte Media Marcus D'Angelo weighed in on the subject, calling the malfunctioning malware "quaint." He added, "The last people who believed subliminal advertising was effective also thought playing music backwards could make kids kill themselves. If you can't sell something up-front, you have no business selling it at all." Shared Visions could be faced with paying up to 3.8 billion credits in damages."
11th - Sonax Mining Facilities Attacked by Guerillas on Garvug
"A simultaneous attack on three iridium mining facilities on Garvug has captured galactic attention tonight. The facilities, which are outside the colonial capital of Dhazil, were captured by Sonax Industries early in the planet's occupation. Krogan and vorcha guerillas first set off truck bombs to penetrate the outer fences of the heavily guarded mines before shooting personnel. Moments later, the guerillas used explosives to collapse the mouths of the mines. Casualty estimates are low because of Sonax's extensive use of robo-miners, but the move cuts off a significant income source for Sonax and the planetary government. The strike's timing is clearly no coincidence: Sonax's quarterly shareholders' meeting is tomorrow."
12th - Sonax Industries' Shareholder Meeting Held on Illium
""Security" and "accountability" are the watchwords of Sonax Industries' quarterly shareholders' meeting tonight on Illium. Fearing disruptions or attacks from guerilla sympathizers, the company tried to keep the meeting location under wraps; however, hundreds of protestors found it, and fences and paramilitary forces are the only thing keeping the crowd back at this hour. The course of the war on Garvug could change tonight, as the board of directors is expected to meet shortly after the shareholders vote on company direction."
"A dangerous new bug called "Wee-Cee" ripped through several thousand public extranet terminals last night and potentially infested millions of private connections. The bug targets simulstim watchers, randomly cutting into programs with static feedback that causes headaches and even seizures in some viewers. Asked what people could do to protect themselves, Synthetic Insights senior programmer Neartanlis Ontant says, "Simple: buy and register an accredited, VI-monitored anti-virus program and keep it updated. I don't understand why people won't spend 50 credits to shield themselves when plugging stimuli directly into their brains.""
7th - C-SEC Clamps Down on Curve Gliding Craze
"C-SEC authorities are clamping down on the latest craze among extreme sport enthusiasts: "curve gliding." An idea first joked about on the popular weekly drama "The Lower Wards," curve gliding is dangerous and all too real. On the Citadel, a glider straps a power cell to a specially designed, pressurized glider suit, jumps from a high-altitude point, and follows the curve of a ward as far as possible before having to land. C-SEC officer Robert Coles said: "Not only is this activity dangerous to the glider, the chances of hitting a person or flying into traffic are significant. It's only a matter of time before someone crashes an aircar because of this." C-SEC has stepped up their vigilance in response to an incident that ended with a potential glider under arrest for attempting to scale the Citadel Tower."
8th - Masked Data Found in Static Produced by Wee-Cee Bug
"Panic swept the extranet as programmers studying the Wee-Cee bug discovered that the "static" it generates in simulstim programs contains masked data. Although scientists insist that the data is scrambled in a way that can't be "read" by organic minds, the simulstim industry lost hundreds of millions of credits over the weekend as downloads dropped 80 percent. Rumors have circulated that Wee-Cee is everything from a geth infiltration program to a malfunctioning rogue AI, but authorities say there is no indication that the malware is sentient. Omni-tool users who have been infected can download an adaptive system wipe-and-restore from all major extranet provider home pages."
9th - Arrests Made After Wee-Cee Bug Is Linked to Media Company
"Authorities have made 15 arrests so far at the offices of cross-promotional media company Shared Visions, a start-up corporation responsible for the Wee-Cee bug. Shared Visions faces the wrath of extranet providers, simulstim distributors, and omni-tool manufacturers as investigators confirmed that the bug was a failed attempt at designing a covert delivery system for subliminal advertising. The link was discovered after the malware's data was unscrambled to reveal an advertisement for "Razor Pumps," a line of athletic footwear with a Shared Visions account."
10th - Over 23 Million Wee-Cee Victims to Sue Shared Visions
"More than 23 million extranet users have signed up to sue Shared Visions, the company that created the notorious Wee-Cee program as part of an advertising campaign. CEO of Spyte Media Marcus D'Angelo weighed in on the subject, calling the malfunctioning malware "quaint." He added, "The last people who believed subliminal advertising was effective also thought playing music backwards could make kids kill themselves. If you can't sell something up-front, you have no business selling it at all." Shared Visions could be faced with paying up to 3.8 billion credits in damages."
11th - Sonax Mining Facilities Attacked by Guerillas on Garvug
"A simultaneous attack on three iridium mining facilities on Garvug has captured galactic attention tonight. The facilities, which are outside the colonial capital of Dhazil, were captured by Sonax Industries early in the planet's occupation. Krogan and vorcha guerillas first set off truck bombs to penetrate the outer fences of the heavily guarded mines before shooting personnel. Moments later, the guerillas used explosives to collapse the mouths of the mines. Casualty estimates are low because of Sonax's extensive use of robo-miners, but the move cuts off a significant income source for Sonax and the planetary government. The strike's timing is clearly no coincidence: Sonax's quarterly shareholders' meeting is tomorrow."
12th - Sonax Industries' Shareholder Meeting Held on Illium
""Security" and "accountability" are the watchwords of Sonax Industries' quarterly shareholders' meeting tonight on Illium. Fearing disruptions or attacks from guerilla sympathizers, the company tried to keep the meeting location under wraps; however, hundreds of protestors found it, and fences and paramilitary forces are the only thing keeping the crowd back at this hour. The course of the war on Garvug could change tonight, as the board of directors is expected to meet shortly after the shareholders vote on company direction."
September, week 3:
13th - Sonax Industries and Guanghui Solutions to Withdraw
from Garvug
"The Sonax board has spoken: after six months of war on the planet Garvug, Sonax Industries' board of directors voted 6-5 to withdraw troops from the combat theater beginning in thirty galactic standard (35 Earth standard) days. To date, war casualties include 2,586 Sonax troops and 438 contract soldiers. Fielding troops and conducting the war has cost an estimated 21 billion credits, not including revenue lost from destructive acts such as the iridium mine attack just days ago. Within minutes of the announcement, Guanghui Solutions, the war's other major investor, fired off a press release saying they, too, would withdraw their troops from the planet."
14th - Sonax Industries' Garvug Withdrawal Decision Makes Waves
"Sonax Industries' decision to withdraw from the planet Garvug is still making waves tonight as pundits absorb the news. "The lesson here is that corporate forces can't hold a planet on their own," said Josef Kohl, GBC news contributor. "They can't face a determined enemy. Might be useful as supplemental troops or in corporate-on-corporate actions, but war is an inherently unprofitable enterprise." Julius Redstone, former adviser to President Durden, says the board did the right thing: "The army gave it all they had and couldn't destroy the guerillas' capacity to pull off large, coordinated attacks. The one-sided war that it was in the first few months would have been profitable; but as soon as that metric disappeared, they had to pull out. Iridium only sells for so much.""
15th - "Ghost Ship" Researcher Jordan Detweiler Sighted on the Citadel
"The famed "virtual ghost ship" is back in the news today after a reported sighting of MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler. This follows weeks of rumors that Detweiler had embarked on a diplomatic mission into a virtual alien world that he discovered on the ship's supercomputer. It is now understood that Detweiler's body remained in a controlled coma while his consciousness explored the artificial civilization. However, multiple eyewitnesses on the Citadel claim to have seen Detweiler visiting the Presidium recently. A Council spokesperson would only say, "We do not comment on internal Citadel matters." This fueled speculation that Detweiler was indeed acting on behalf of the Council in his logins to the virtual world."
16th - Polls Show Many Citizens Are Ignorant of Galactic Politics
"Recent polls show that two out of five respondents can't name their Citadel Representative, and that three out of ten don't know the difference between full and associate membership on the Council. Educators and political parties are calling the polls an alarming indication of just how little the average citizen feels connected to galactic-level politics. "Even if a Council member makes a decision that trillions love," critiqued political commentator Erlan Golta, "billions will still hate it. So they take a middle road that turns their macro-level policy decisions into pure bureaucratese. A typical Council meeting produces a novel-length request for new Citadel carpeting before the issues that affect everyone else are actually discussed.""
17th - Erlan Golta Clashes with Bryan Theodor on "Eye on the Stars"
"Political commentator Erlan Golta clashed today with Bryan Theodor, host of the popular late-night "Eye on the Stars." Golta appeared on the show to discuss his new book "Juggling the Monkeys: An Insider's View of the Tower." When Theodor accused Golta of being deliberately inflammatory in his portrayal of Council politics, Golta said "Are you kidding? I could show you signed orders drawn up to book Commander Shepard on obstruction of justice. And this is from the offices of the Councilors after the [expletive] Battle of the Citadel." Messages both condemning and applauding the controversial writer have flooded in. When asked about Golta's guest appearance, Theodor remarked "It's always a pleasure. Anytime Golta wants to be catastrophically wrong in front of millions of viewers, I'm happy to have him on.""
18th - Krogan Rebellions-Era Mass Grave Discovered on Uresium
"In a disturbing discovery, two hikers recently found a mass grave on the planet of Uresium. Investigators have now confirmed over 430 skeletal remains of turian soldiers dating back to the Krogan Rebellions of 749 CE. Recent seismic activity on Uresium exposed the grave, which had been overgrown by local flora. Turian authorities have begun work with local colonists to ensure the integrity of the site and its remains. Chief archaeologist and historian Salur Darikun released a statement saying, "We will ensure that these sons and daughters of the Turian Hierarchy are returned home and recognized for their supreme sacrifice." Darikun hopes to begin transporting the remains to Palaven early next week, with a laying-to-rest ceremony planned for later in the month."
19th - Kyra Detweiler Claims Her Father Is Being Deliberately Endangered
"An unusual twist today in the case of MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler: acting on recent rumors that he was seen visiting the Citadel, Detweiler's daughter, Kyra, traveled to the galactic hub and demanded a meeting with him. Although she signed a confidentiality agreement, Ms. Detweiler claims she was repeatedly denied access. "They only let me see my dad after I raised hell about it," she said. "I can be prosecuted for speaking to the media, but I don't care. He's in danger. There's something wrong with him and the Council knows it." Council representatives continue to refuse comment on the matter."
"The Sonax board has spoken: after six months of war on the planet Garvug, Sonax Industries' board of directors voted 6-5 to withdraw troops from the combat theater beginning in thirty galactic standard (35 Earth standard) days. To date, war casualties include 2,586 Sonax troops and 438 contract soldiers. Fielding troops and conducting the war has cost an estimated 21 billion credits, not including revenue lost from destructive acts such as the iridium mine attack just days ago. Within minutes of the announcement, Guanghui Solutions, the war's other major investor, fired off a press release saying they, too, would withdraw their troops from the planet."
14th - Sonax Industries' Garvug Withdrawal Decision Makes Waves
"Sonax Industries' decision to withdraw from the planet Garvug is still making waves tonight as pundits absorb the news. "The lesson here is that corporate forces can't hold a planet on their own," said Josef Kohl, GBC news contributor. "They can't face a determined enemy. Might be useful as supplemental troops or in corporate-on-corporate actions, but war is an inherently unprofitable enterprise." Julius Redstone, former adviser to President Durden, says the board did the right thing: "The army gave it all they had and couldn't destroy the guerillas' capacity to pull off large, coordinated attacks. The one-sided war that it was in the first few months would have been profitable; but as soon as that metric disappeared, they had to pull out. Iridium only sells for so much.""
15th - "Ghost Ship" Researcher Jordan Detweiler Sighted on the Citadel
"The famed "virtual ghost ship" is back in the news today after a reported sighting of MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler. This follows weeks of rumors that Detweiler had embarked on a diplomatic mission into a virtual alien world that he discovered on the ship's supercomputer. It is now understood that Detweiler's body remained in a controlled coma while his consciousness explored the artificial civilization. However, multiple eyewitnesses on the Citadel claim to have seen Detweiler visiting the Presidium recently. A Council spokesperson would only say, "We do not comment on internal Citadel matters." This fueled speculation that Detweiler was indeed acting on behalf of the Council in his logins to the virtual world."
16th - Polls Show Many Citizens Are Ignorant of Galactic Politics
"Recent polls show that two out of five respondents can't name their Citadel Representative, and that three out of ten don't know the difference between full and associate membership on the Council. Educators and political parties are calling the polls an alarming indication of just how little the average citizen feels connected to galactic-level politics. "Even if a Council member makes a decision that trillions love," critiqued political commentator Erlan Golta, "billions will still hate it. So they take a middle road that turns their macro-level policy decisions into pure bureaucratese. A typical Council meeting produces a novel-length request for new Citadel carpeting before the issues that affect everyone else are actually discussed.""
17th - Erlan Golta Clashes with Bryan Theodor on "Eye on the Stars"
"Political commentator Erlan Golta clashed today with Bryan Theodor, host of the popular late-night "Eye on the Stars." Golta appeared on the show to discuss his new book "Juggling the Monkeys: An Insider's View of the Tower." When Theodor accused Golta of being deliberately inflammatory in his portrayal of Council politics, Golta said "Are you kidding? I could show you signed orders drawn up to book Commander Shepard on obstruction of justice. And this is from the offices of the Councilors after the [expletive] Battle of the Citadel." Messages both condemning and applauding the controversial writer have flooded in. When asked about Golta's guest appearance, Theodor remarked "It's always a pleasure. Anytime Golta wants to be catastrophically wrong in front of millions of viewers, I'm happy to have him on.""
18th - Krogan Rebellions-Era Mass Grave Discovered on Uresium
"In a disturbing discovery, two hikers recently found a mass grave on the planet of Uresium. Investigators have now confirmed over 430 skeletal remains of turian soldiers dating back to the Krogan Rebellions of 749 CE. Recent seismic activity on Uresium exposed the grave, which had been overgrown by local flora. Turian authorities have begun work with local colonists to ensure the integrity of the site and its remains. Chief archaeologist and historian Salur Darikun released a statement saying, "We will ensure that these sons and daughters of the Turian Hierarchy are returned home and recognized for their supreme sacrifice." Darikun hopes to begin transporting the remains to Palaven early next week, with a laying-to-rest ceremony planned for later in the month."
19th - Kyra Detweiler Claims Her Father Is Being Deliberately Endangered
"An unusual twist today in the case of MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler: acting on recent rumors that he was seen visiting the Citadel, Detweiler's daughter, Kyra, traveled to the galactic hub and demanded a meeting with him. Although she signed a confidentiality agreement, Ms. Detweiler claims she was repeatedly denied access. "They only let me see my dad after I raised hell about it," she said. "I can be prosecuted for speaking to the media, but I don't care. He's in danger. There's something wrong with him and the Council knows it." Council representatives continue to refuse comment on the matter."
September, week 4:
20th - Kyra Detweiler Releases Statement to GBC News
"Kyra Detweiler, daughter of famed MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler, has released a statement to GBC News alleging the Citadel Council is covering up her father's deteriorating medical condition. "He didn't even know who I was -- his own daughter! I got five minutes to speak with him before security whisked him away. Is he sick? Is he brain-damaged?" Council representatives declined to comment on the situation, fuelling speculation that Dr. Detweiler was profoundly changed by his visit to the virtual world inside a derelict spacecraft. "Silence is a terrible answer," wrote columnist Urla Dhen. "The public doesn't know much, but it knows that anything relating to AI or synthetic life is something to fear. Refusing to comment leads us all to assume the worst.""
21st - Council Spokesman Responds to Cover-Up Allegations
"A furor has erupted over the recent GBC News conversation with Kyra Detweiler, daughter of noted MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler. Ms. Detweiler alleged the Citadel Council is covering up her father's deteriorating medical condition, triggering a media backlash from all quarters of the galaxy. In response, the Council held a hastily arranged press conference to manage damage control, at which spokesman Anton Galer said: "Acting on behalf of the Council, Jordan Detweiler did indeed visit the virtual alien world he discovered. Yes, Dr. Detweiler was seen on the Presidium recently, but this was his body, not his mind. He has, for lack of a better term, 'swapped' with an alien consciousness in the virtual world. This procedure was the most stable way for their ambassador to gain access to our physical universe for diplomatic discussions." A stunned media corps quickly erupted with questions, but the Council spokesman declined further comment."
22nd - "Galaxy of Fantasy" Expansion Released
""Waters of Kolono," the newest expansion for "Galaxy of Fantasy," is the hottest gaming title this season with an estimated 3.14 billion downloads after yesterday's midnight release. The title is already out-grossing mega-simulstim "Nekyia Corridor," but the producers aren't flaunting that fact. "We're just pleased that both long-time fans and newcomers to the game are excited about this expansion," says lead designer Ferrus Korlick. "Players can now immerse themselves in 200 to 300 hours of new gameplay." Korlick also addressed technical difficulties with the release: "For those having some trouble logging on from Earth, we ask for your patience. We haven't fully recovered from the fire in the server stadium last night.""
23rd - Scientific World Still Absorbing Jordan Detweiler "Mind Swap" Revelation
"The scientific world is still absorbing the news that an ambassador from a virtual alien civilization is currently visiting the Citadel. An inside source reveals that during his travels within the virtual civilization, MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler agreed to allow the virtual consciousness of an Ambassador Sygan to use his body as a conduit to interact with our physical universe. It is unclear to what extent Dr. Detweiler maintains control of his body. "It's complicated," said the source. "We aren't just talking about diplomatic ties between two planets or species, but between two universes: one physical, the other virtual." The source has refused to divulge details on the nature of the virtual alien world."
24th - Virtual Alien Ambassador Petitions Citadel Council for Asylum
"Breaking news tonight from the Citadel, where Ambassador Sygan, the virtual alien inhabiting Dr. Jordan Detweiler's body, called an unscheduled press conference to issue the following statement: "Long ago, our people lived in your universe of physical matter. When our sun went supernova, we sought refuge in a virtual world free of needless pain and suffering, climate disasters, disease, and many other ills faced by creatures of solid flesh. Some now feel that remaining in this world after the danger had passed was a mistake. We realize that distress can sometimes provide a catalyst for evolution. We miss the turmoil of physical existence. As such, I formally petition the Citadel Council for asylum. I no longer wish to return to my former world.""
25th - Questions Raised About Dr. Detweiler and Amb. Sygan's Fates
"After yesterday's stunning request for asylum, Ambassador Sygan has been placed in a secure wing of the Presidium while the Citadel Council deliberates its course of action. Questions have arisen about the legal, ethical, and physical implications of allowing the emissary to remain in Dr. Jordan Detweiler's body while the exobiologist's mind remains in the virtual alien world. When asked what the Council should do if the aliens were to hold Detweiler hostage, Detweiler's daughter, Kyra, said, "Pull the plug. Remind them who's really in control." The Council has already ruled out this option, citing the moral implications of of wiping out the last remnants of an entire civilization."
26th - Volunteers Step Forward to Swap Places with Virtual Aliens
"Deadlocked Council deliberations over the fate of Ambassador Sygan ended today with a surprising twist: the Council will grant asylum to the virtual alien emissary in the body of a volunteer, allowing famed MIT exobiologist Dr. Jordan Detweiler to return to his own body. Ambassador Sygan will transfer her consciousness into the volunteer's body, while the volunteer's consciousness is downloaded into a computer. Upon hearing this decision, some 400 individuals from various races have volunteered to "swap places" with aliens inside the virtual world who wish to re-join the physical universe. One asari volunteer regarded this as "an amazing opportunity to explore a new realm of existence," while a salarian volunteer said, "I'm doing it because I'm tired of our universe. It's a mess.""
"Kyra Detweiler, daughter of famed MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler, has released a statement to GBC News alleging the Citadel Council is covering up her father's deteriorating medical condition. "He didn't even know who I was -- his own daughter! I got five minutes to speak with him before security whisked him away. Is he sick? Is he brain-damaged?" Council representatives declined to comment on the situation, fuelling speculation that Dr. Detweiler was profoundly changed by his visit to the virtual world inside a derelict spacecraft. "Silence is a terrible answer," wrote columnist Urla Dhen. "The public doesn't know much, but it knows that anything relating to AI or synthetic life is something to fear. Refusing to comment leads us all to assume the worst.""
21st - Council Spokesman Responds to Cover-Up Allegations
"A furor has erupted over the recent GBC News conversation with Kyra Detweiler, daughter of noted MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler. Ms. Detweiler alleged the Citadel Council is covering up her father's deteriorating medical condition, triggering a media backlash from all quarters of the galaxy. In response, the Council held a hastily arranged press conference to manage damage control, at which spokesman Anton Galer said: "Acting on behalf of the Council, Jordan Detweiler did indeed visit the virtual alien world he discovered. Yes, Dr. Detweiler was seen on the Presidium recently, but this was his body, not his mind. He has, for lack of a better term, 'swapped' with an alien consciousness in the virtual world. This procedure was the most stable way for their ambassador to gain access to our physical universe for diplomatic discussions." A stunned media corps quickly erupted with questions, but the Council spokesman declined further comment."
22nd - "Galaxy of Fantasy" Expansion Released
""Waters of Kolono," the newest expansion for "Galaxy of Fantasy," is the hottest gaming title this season with an estimated 3.14 billion downloads after yesterday's midnight release. The title is already out-grossing mega-simulstim "Nekyia Corridor," but the producers aren't flaunting that fact. "We're just pleased that both long-time fans and newcomers to the game are excited about this expansion," says lead designer Ferrus Korlick. "Players can now immerse themselves in 200 to 300 hours of new gameplay." Korlick also addressed technical difficulties with the release: "For those having some trouble logging on from Earth, we ask for your patience. We haven't fully recovered from the fire in the server stadium last night.""
23rd - Scientific World Still Absorbing Jordan Detweiler "Mind Swap" Revelation
"The scientific world is still absorbing the news that an ambassador from a virtual alien civilization is currently visiting the Citadel. An inside source reveals that during his travels within the virtual civilization, MIT exobiologist Jordan Detweiler agreed to allow the virtual consciousness of an Ambassador Sygan to use his body as a conduit to interact with our physical universe. It is unclear to what extent Dr. Detweiler maintains control of his body. "It's complicated," said the source. "We aren't just talking about diplomatic ties between two planets or species, but between two universes: one physical, the other virtual." The source has refused to divulge details on the nature of the virtual alien world."
24th - Virtual Alien Ambassador Petitions Citadel Council for Asylum
"Breaking news tonight from the Citadel, where Ambassador Sygan, the virtual alien inhabiting Dr. Jordan Detweiler's body, called an unscheduled press conference to issue the following statement: "Long ago, our people lived in your universe of physical matter. When our sun went supernova, we sought refuge in a virtual world free of needless pain and suffering, climate disasters, disease, and many other ills faced by creatures of solid flesh. Some now feel that remaining in this world after the danger had passed was a mistake. We realize that distress can sometimes provide a catalyst for evolution. We miss the turmoil of physical existence. As such, I formally petition the Citadel Council for asylum. I no longer wish to return to my former world.""
25th - Questions Raised About Dr. Detweiler and Amb. Sygan's Fates
"After yesterday's stunning request for asylum, Ambassador Sygan has been placed in a secure wing of the Presidium while the Citadel Council deliberates its course of action. Questions have arisen about the legal, ethical, and physical implications of allowing the emissary to remain in Dr. Jordan Detweiler's body while the exobiologist's mind remains in the virtual alien world. When asked what the Council should do if the aliens were to hold Detweiler hostage, Detweiler's daughter, Kyra, said, "Pull the plug. Remind them who's really in control." The Council has already ruled out this option, citing the moral implications of of wiping out the last remnants of an entire civilization."
26th - Volunteers Step Forward to Swap Places with Virtual Aliens
"Deadlocked Council deliberations over the fate of Ambassador Sygan ended today with a surprising twist: the Council will grant asylum to the virtual alien emissary in the body of a volunteer, allowing famed MIT exobiologist Dr. Jordan Detweiler to return to his own body. Ambassador Sygan will transfer her consciousness into the volunteer's body, while the volunteer's consciousness is downloaded into a computer. Upon hearing this decision, some 400 individuals from various races have volunteered to "swap places" with aliens inside the virtual world who wish to re-join the physical universe. One asari volunteer regarded this as "an amazing opportunity to explore a new realm of existence," while a salarian volunteer said, "I'm doing it because I'm tired of our universe. It's a mess.""
September, week 5:
27th - Enormous Fossil Found on Sifurman
"Geologists studying the crust of the seemingly lifeless low-gravity planet Sifurman have discovered a fossil of what may be the largest creature in the galaxy ever to walk on land. "It's the thrill of a lifetime," says Professor Orin Taul. "We theorized Sifurman used to support life, and this is proof beyond our wildest dreams." Paleontologists have already partially reconstructed the skeleton and say that this unknown giant had four legs and would weigh up to 280 tons in Earth gravity. Taul added, "We're still analyzing the data, but I suspect the creature will share structural similarities with Late Cretaceous sauropods on prehistoric Earth." Soft tissue analysis is sketchy, but it hints at the giant's secondary and tertiary "hearts" that would have pumped blood to its neck and tail."
28th - "Waters of Kolono" Continues to Dominate Charts
""The Galaxy of Fantasy" expansion pack "Waters of Kolono" continues to dominate the charts, but users are complaining about long load times, lagging servers, and frequent disconnection. Many users have purchased multiple accounts to play with all new classes at once, but head of development Reta Latronus asked users to stick to single accounts during the first few days of the release. She warns that so many VI-assisted hacks running at the same time will slow the realm down to a crawl. "Our servers should be running smoothly by the end of the week," she said, "In the meantime, just find a team.""
29th - Controversial Musician Has Meltdown During Charity Concert
"Controversial musician Gretel Batts is seeking treatment after an onstage meltdown. The latest scandal surrounding the unpredictable rocker involved her walking out on a charity concert on Earth after an obscenity-laced rant. Her band, the Dramaxeens, kept playing during the often-incomprehensible and vulgar tirade but soon dropped off when it became clear the obscenities weren't part of the lyrics. The ten-minute exchange, which heaped scorn on (among others) the Vol Protectorate, the concert's sponsor, Pope Leo XIV, and Sonax Industries, culminated in Batts throwing her guitar at the crowd and being restrained by security before she could do further harm to herself or others. Already a new turn of phrase is circulating on the extranet -- we can't repeat it here, but it starts with "Batts" and ends with "crazy.""
30th - Protestors Clash With Security Forces on Sathur
"A protest on the human colony planet of Sathur turned ugly today as demonstrators clashed with security forces outside the Regional Governor's offices. With unemployment figures up by 10%, Planetary Governor Vien Suchart has proposed a bill to devote the colony's resources toward the growing of ossilbir, a high-nutrition vine that's become an Alliance military staple. Given the 90% average humidity across most of the planet, Sathur is ideal for growing ossilbir, but protestors fear that the new plant will overrun entire continents. Many are using the almost-uninhabitable garden world of Cassilda as an example of what can go wrong when a non-native species is introduced to a new environment."
"Geologists studying the crust of the seemingly lifeless low-gravity planet Sifurman have discovered a fossil of what may be the largest creature in the galaxy ever to walk on land. "It's the thrill of a lifetime," says Professor Orin Taul. "We theorized Sifurman used to support life, and this is proof beyond our wildest dreams." Paleontologists have already partially reconstructed the skeleton and say that this unknown giant had four legs and would weigh up to 280 tons in Earth gravity. Taul added, "We're still analyzing the data, but I suspect the creature will share structural similarities with Late Cretaceous sauropods on prehistoric Earth." Soft tissue analysis is sketchy, but it hints at the giant's secondary and tertiary "hearts" that would have pumped blood to its neck and tail."
28th - "Waters of Kolono" Continues to Dominate Charts
""The Galaxy of Fantasy" expansion pack "Waters of Kolono" continues to dominate the charts, but users are complaining about long load times, lagging servers, and frequent disconnection. Many users have purchased multiple accounts to play with all new classes at once, but head of development Reta Latronus asked users to stick to single accounts during the first few days of the release. She warns that so many VI-assisted hacks running at the same time will slow the realm down to a crawl. "Our servers should be running smoothly by the end of the week," she said, "In the meantime, just find a team.""
29th - Controversial Musician Has Meltdown During Charity Concert
"Controversial musician Gretel Batts is seeking treatment after an onstage meltdown. The latest scandal surrounding the unpredictable rocker involved her walking out on a charity concert on Earth after an obscenity-laced rant. Her band, the Dramaxeens, kept playing during the often-incomprehensible and vulgar tirade but soon dropped off when it became clear the obscenities weren't part of the lyrics. The ten-minute exchange, which heaped scorn on (among others) the Vol Protectorate, the concert's sponsor, Pope Leo XIV, and Sonax Industries, culminated in Batts throwing her guitar at the crowd and being restrained by security before she could do further harm to herself or others. Already a new turn of phrase is circulating on the extranet -- we can't repeat it here, but it starts with "Batts" and ends with "crazy.""
30th - Protestors Clash With Security Forces on Sathur
"A protest on the human colony planet of Sathur turned ugly today as demonstrators clashed with security forces outside the Regional Governor's offices. With unemployment figures up by 10%, Planetary Governor Vien Suchart has proposed a bill to devote the colony's resources toward the growing of ossilbir, a high-nutrition vine that's become an Alliance military staple. Given the 90% average humidity across most of the planet, Sathur is ideal for growing ossilbir, but protestors fear that the new plant will overrun entire continents. Many are using the almost-uninhabitable garden world of Cassilda as an example of what can go wrong when a non-native species is introduced to a new environment."
