News Brief #16: Carnage in Cortona Park

Stardate: Sixday, 098-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Tarsan Security Detail Involved in City Park Gun Battle

Two days ago, members of Diplomatic Security Team Three (DST-3) were involved in a firefight in the middle of Cortona Park on Ku Crassus.  The team happened upon a meeting between an apparent Sith Lord and the Bongolaanian delegate, after the Tarsan-Bongolaan negotiations ended for the evening.  After the meeting, the team attempted to follow the Sith, but were ambushed by a strike team of rifle-armed Sith Mutants.

The blaster fire alerted the Crassian police, who dispatched a squad to the scene.  All five of the Sith Mutants were killed, along with one Crassian police officer, in the ensuing battle. 

However, these were not the only casualties.  Several gang-members and a couple of homeless beings were reported killed while DST-3 was in hot pursuit of the Sith Lord.  Currently, there are conflicting reports on the causes of death among the park-dwellers.  An investigation is now underway to determine if DST-3 employed indiscriminate blaster fire during the chase.

One homeless man did survive, despite suffering from cardiac arrest.  The individual, who bears some resemblance to Janos Gazdag, Professor of Economics at the University of Shanneka, was escorted into a police land speeder by DST-3.  The professor has been missing for several days now.  (See the bottom story of News Brief #13).  The identity of the survivor taken out of the park has not yet been released.

 

The Sith Mutants sacrificed themselves to allow their leader to evade DST-3's pursuit and the subsequent search by Crassian authorities.  An anonymous source in the Crassian System Defense Force told FIN, it is possible this being is off-planet by now.  If he has access to Sith Infiltrator starships, like the type spotted landing on Gadnek Island in the Zenya System.  Such vessels are equipped with cloaking devices and can easily evade military-grade sensors and scanners. 

If this is so, then it is anyones guess where this Sith Lord and his mutant strike teams will turn up next. 

Webcomic Chapter 4 Posted

Breakout from Bongolaan's Chapter 4 has been posted and can be found on pages 85-123. 

The soundtrack interlude to this chapter is:  When the Levee Breaks, by the ladies of Zepparella.  I thought this tune evoke the sense of danger and despair in the face of an approaching storm. 

I've made a couple of changes to help streamline the process of posting my graphic novels.  The nature of the modifications can be found in the Webcomic Link Page on the Stern Rake Studio site. 

Now that Chapter 4 is available for viewing, it's time for me to add some news briefs and intel summaries on what's transpired recently in the Redshift...

Operations Order 130-2: Emergency Redeployment of Tarsan Task Forces

Stardate:  Fiday, 097-130 ABY, Tarsan Commission of Diplomatic Affairs (CODA)

Subsector:  Shannekam

Flash Message to:  The Directory Council of Tarsus

From:  Eleonora Heraud, Commissioner of Diplomatic Affairs

Subject:  Emergency Redeployment of Task Forces 627-1 and 627-2

Begin transmission...

It has come to our attention that the People's Republic of Bongolaan intends to launch an invasion of the TAg Market Islands on Zenya, despite the current attempts to seek a diplomatic resolution. 

According to our reliable sources, the attack is scheduled to commence two days from now.  It will take three days for a subspace radio message to reach Pierson Station.

Therefore, we are dispatching the armed freighter Gadnek Survivor, (pictured in the lead image at Cortona Commons Starport on Ku Crassus), with elements of Diplomatic Security Team Three (DST-3), to Zenya and warn the local Tarsan authorities on the TAg Market Islands.

We are also dispatching Task Force 627-1 to rendezvous with Task Force 627-2, currently in the Zandamak System.

Together, these forces will make all speed to Zenya and evacuate Tarsan citizens from the islands, as initially detailed in Operations Order 130-1. 

 

A military-grade hyperdrive was just installed on the Gadnek Survivor, thanks to TAg Market CEO, Thasallah Cohain.  This vessel should reach Zenya within a day.  Based on our best-scenario calculations, Task Forces 627-1 and 627-2 should arrive within six hours prior to the scheduled attack. 

We hope.

The Zenyan Mainland United Government (Z-MUG) is divided over this issue.  We do not believe they will obstruct, or hinder our operation.  On the other hand, the Mainlanders won't likely help us either.

May the Force grant our ships and our citizens safe passage in the days ahead.

End transmission...

News Brief #15: Assassination Attempt Against the Tarsan Ambassador

Stardate: Thirday, 095-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Tarsan Ambassador's Convoy Attacked!

After the pirate attack on 092-130 ABY, the crippled Tarsan Ambassadorial Vessel, Tangletree Envoy, took an additional day to arrive at Ku Crassus.  Due to the extensive damage on the starboard engine the ship made a hard landing at Cortona Starport, just outside the planetary capital.  There were no reported injuries.

Immediately upon landing, members of Diplomatic Security Team Three (DST3), organized a convoy for Ambassador Heraud and her staff.  Due to the threat of a possible Offworlder Riot, like the ones erupting on nearby Zenya and Zandamak, there were no Crassian security assets available to escort Ambassador Heraud's motorcade.  (Note:  DST3 initiated a formal complaint against the Crassian Government for the lack of VIP security).

The attack occurred just as the convoy approached Cortona's downtown district.  At least three beings, in red armor and armed with slug-throwing rifles, appeared over a tenement roof ledge and fired on the vehicles as they sped by.  (See the topmost image).  DST3 returned fire with their blasters, forcing the attackers back from the ledge.  The vehicles suffered minor damage, but there were no reported injuries.  The Tarsan Delegation arrived at the Crassian Government Building without any further incident.

It is unknown at this time if this incident was related to the pirate attack, or merely coincidental.  In any case, there is unconfirmed speculation that the red-armored attackers are the same, or at least similar beings to the ones encountered by DST3 on Zenya's Gadnek Island.

News Brief #14: Pirate Attack Against Tarsan Ambassador

Stardate: Tuday, 094-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Pirates Attack Tarsan Ambassadorial Ship!

Two days ago, Ambassador Heraud's vessel, the Tangletree Envoy, was attacked by a pirates as the ship neared the asteroid field in the Ku Crassus System.  Due to a slight miscalculation, the Tangletree Envoy came out of hyperspace several light-seconds behind it's escort the armed transport, a YT-1300 light freighter, Gadnek Survivor.

The attack occurred just as the ambassador's vessel was maneuvering over the asteroid field.  Two TIE fighters opened fire, bringing down the starboard deflector shield and causing minor hull damage.

The Tangletree Envoy then plunged into the asteroid field to avoid further damage from the pirate mother ship.  The desperate maneuver brought the ship too close to an asteroid, which smashed the starboard engine (seen in the above image).

Meanwhile, the Gadnek Survivor maneuvered back to protect the crippled vessel, which was now leaking nuetronic fuel.  Apparently the appearance of another starship distracted, or panicked, the crew of cutthroats.  The pirate ship collided with an asteroid as it attempted to outmaneuver the Tarsan transport (seen in the image below).

Despite suffering from forward hull damage, the pirate vessel and its accompanying fighters, were more than a match for the YT-1300.  Fortunately, a small Tarsan task force, consisting of the corvettes Skaig and Skerron, led by the frigate Deft, dropped out of hyperspace.  Now suddenly outnumbered and outgunned, the pirate ship quickly retrieved it's fighters and made the jump to hyperspace before the Tarsan warships could pursue.

It is unknown at this time whether this attack was a random occurrence, or if the pirates were informed of the ambassador's specific itinerary.  It is rumored the pirates belong to the Hidden Dagger Clan and may be responsible, at least in part, for the higher-than-normal ship disappearances that have occurred in this subsector.

Webcomic Chapter 3 Posted

When I started this story, my intent was to post one chapter every month.  Unfortunately, I had some technical difficulties which caused all the pictures to be deleted when exported them from the Comic Life program to computer's C-Drive.  I'm sure this was due to operator error.  In any case, I didn't have time to recreate Chapter 3 before travelling back east to visit my family.

Despite being a month behind, Chapter 3 has now been added to Breakout From Bongolaan which consists of pages 48 through 77 (54-84 using the slideshow) and is also posted on my Stern Rake Studio site.

The Soundtrack Interlude for this chapter is:  I Know There's Something Going On by Frida.  I always thought this song evoked a sense of mysterious foreboding.

One of my friends told me he couldn't find the second chapter.  I realized that clicking on a picture initiates a slide show, so the reader may not see any of the narrative on the blog's page.

In response to this, I created title pages for each chapter.  Here are the titles for the previous chapters:

I used images that weren't already incorporated into the body of the story.  Since only a fraction of the photos I've taken get put into the story, finding a suitable pictures for titles has been easy--so far.

News Brief #13: Public Discovery of the Sith Mutants

Stardate: Sixday, 091-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector:  Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

THE SITH WALK AMONG US!

FIN has learned that the special operatives involved in the rescue of Damethon Cohain, confronted hundreds--possibly thousands--of cannibalistic Sith mutants on Zenya's Gadnek Island. 

At least two squads of mutants, equipped with firearms, were led by a force-user, possibly a Sith Lord.  Unsubstantiated reports that Sith mutants can appear as normal beings are now being circulated throughout the subsector.  "Ground Zero" for this rumor sprung from Mappel Street, a week ago, in the Zenyan capital city of Kairobi.

Fear gripped the suburban residents as they accused offworlders--even friends and neighbors--of being Sith mutants, or collaborating with these monstrosities.

 In less than 24 hours, fear--and riots--engulfed dozens of cities on Zenya...

Two days later, "Offworlder Riots," erupted on the neighboring system of Zandamak.

Constabulary forces on both worlds were overwhelmed and planetary militia forces have been activated to quell the violence.  Hundreds were reported killed and thousands injured, while businesses, homes and even public facilities have been destroyed.  At the time of this news brief, the unrest on both worlds continues unabated and casualties continue to mount.

In other news across the subsector...

Shanneka Constabulary officials reported Professor Janos Gazdag, Professor of Economics and the subject of a possible ethics scandal, has disappeared.  (See News Brief #11).  His home, located on the Shanneka University Campus, showed no sign of break-in and no items, including clothing, appeared to be missing. 

However, after thoroughly examining the professor's computer, it was discovered that his entire upcoming work, An Economic Assessment of the Independent/Non-Aligned Worlds of the Shannekam Subsector, along with all his research notes, have been completely erased from the hard drive. 

At the time of this news brief the Shanneka Constabulary was seeking a warrant to examine and monitor Professor Gazdag's financial accounts.

GM's Notes:

The inspiration for the spark that has ignited the Offworlder Riots came from the Twilight Zone episode, The Monsters are Due on Maple Street.

News Brief # 12: Several of Our Starships are Missing

Stardate: Fiday, 090-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector:  Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Starships Declared Missing

In a press release, a spokesbeing from the Bureau of Ships and Services (BOSS) announced that an unusually large amount of shipping has failed to make scheduled planetfall within the subsector.  Shortly after this announcement, BOSS changed the status of the following freighters from "overdue" to "missing:"

--the Thri-Keen, departed Talchis on 337-129 ABY, bound for Gulnok

--the Nokomsis, departed Gulnok on 338-129 ABY, bound for Bowman

--the Marluuk Ghilsi, departed Shanneka on 340-129 ABY, bound for Tarknal

--the Globtik Solymi, departed Tarknal on 343-129 ABY, bound for Gulnok

--the Liikiran Dreamer, departed Bowman on 350-129 ABY, bound for Bongolaan

--the Lysen Kaashir, departed Tatooine on 357-129 ABY, bound for Bowman

--the Gambler's Luck, departed Zenya on 361-129 ABY, bound for Zandamak

--the Dyshii, departed Zandamak on 365-129 ABY, bound for Ku Crassus

--the Shaarin Challenger, departed Bongolaan on 001-130 ABY, bound for Tarsus

--the Amuar, departed Ku Crassus on 002-130 ABY, bound for Merantis

The spokesbeing did not rule out the possibility of piracy being the leading cause for the disappearances of such a large number of vessels.  If this is the case, then it may explain why only two ships were possibly lost within the Merantis Star Cluster (circled in green).  This volume of space is regularly patrolled by planetary defense forces of the member systems. 

The Shaarin Challenger was one of several ships that made a hasty lift-off from Bongolaan in the early morning hours of the New Year's Coup.  All other ships have been accounted for, having either escaped from, or been captured by, Imperial warships dispatched to reclaim the Gabaki-producing planet.  Since then, no other ships have been reported overdue, or missing, within the Fel Empire (circled in read).  However, this may be due to Imperial censorship of such data.

GM Notes:

This news brief is derived from the Traveller News Service feature of The Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society, No 8, page 5, Regina/Regina, Date:  054-1107.

The ship names are derived from the The Best Ship Names post from Citizens of the Imperium.

News Brief #11: Possible Scandal in Shanneka University

Stardate: Fiday, 083-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector:  Shannekam

"All the news that's fit to transmit."

Shanneka University Professor Under Investigation

Professor Janos Gazdag, of the College of Economics, is currently under investigation by Shanneka University's Board of Ethics.  He reportedly received a donation in excess of 100,000 Credits from an anonymous patron, for his upcoming disertation, An Economic Assessment of the Independent/Non-Aligned Worlds of Shannekam Subsector.  University by-laws stipulate faculty members must report any single-source funding in excess of 10,000 Credits.

Failure to report such funding can give the impression of currying favor, or worse, birbery.  Not only could the professor be fined, if found guilty of violating university ethics, but his entire work may be rejected during the peer review process.

If An Econimic Assessment does get vetted by the university, it will be the first to examine the Gross Star System Product (GSSP) of every world within the Shannekam Subsector.  (GSSP is the market value of all goods and services produced within a single star system).

Webcomic Chapter Two Posted

Pages 30-47 have been added to Breakout from Bongolaan, which can also be found under the Chronicles Pages tab.

Along with the new pages, I've added a new feature:  Soundtrack Interludes.

I collect soundtracks to the movies I love.  While writing this story, I often daydream about the type of music that might fit each scene, as if it were a movie.

For Chapter 1, I chose The Stars Align, #17 on the Necronomicon CD, by Nox Arcana. 

As for Chapter 2, AC/DC's Hell's Bells seemed most appropriate.

This feature is, of course, optional because the intention is to enhance, not detract, from the reader's enjoyment of the story.