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.

Operations Order 130-1: Deployment to Market Islands

Thirday, 081-130 ABY Tarsan Defense Force

Subsector: Shannekam

Diplomatic Overtures from the Zenyan Mainland Union Governement

Two days ago, the Tarsan High Commission received a subspace radio message from the Zenyan Mainland United Government (Z-MUG). 

Z-MUG officials are offering to host mediation talks, in an attempt to peacefully resolve the growing tensions between Bongolaan and Tarsus over the TAg Market Islands, in Zenya's Tau Tau Archipelago.

The diplomatic message hinted at deploying Z-MUG peacekeeping forces to the TAg Market Islands.  However, at this time, such a commitment remains uncertain.

The Commission of Diplomatic Affairs (CODA) declared Zenya an "Amber Zone," to discourage Tarsan citizens from traveling to Pierson Station, or any of the TAg Market Islands.

It was suggested the mediation talks take place on Ku Crassus, the industrial world midway between Tarsus and Bongolaan.

The Deployment of Tarsan Ground and Star Forces

Ambassador Eleonora Heraud, Prime Commissioner Winthrop Coghill and General Gwyn Norrocks (pictured in the top image) have all agreed to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the Market Island Issue.

Once the details of the mediation meeting are confirmed, Ambassador Heraud will travel to Ku Crassus.  Diplomatic Security Team Three (DST-3) is hereby ordered to provide space and ground security for the ambassador and her staff. Task Force Commission of Diplomatic Affairs (TF-CODA) will transport personnel and equipment to Ku Crassus, as well as supplies to the Tarsan Consulate.

Elements of the Tarsan Long Range Patrol Squadron (Old Republic designation--627th LRPS), will mobilize for out-system operations.

Task Force 627-1, pictured below, will provide high-guard escort for TF-CODA to Ku Crassus and possibly, to Zenya.

Third Battalion/3rd Lift Infantry Regiment (3/3LIR) will board the four TAg Market-owned GR-75 Medium Transports, Golden Jamasp, Kulovaan Coral, Milquoor Monarch and Vandalla Venture for possible ground operations on, or among, the TAg Market Islands.  Task Force 627-2, pictured below, will escort the troop convoy to Zandamak, two parsecs rimward from Zenya.  This unit will hold its position, refuel, resupply and conduct exercises as necessary, in the Zandamak System and await the conclusion of the mediation talks. 

Z-MUG officials insisted on limiting the size of task forces to no more than six combat vessels of frigate-size, or smaller.

Scheme of Operational Manuevers 

Phase I:  Deployment of diplomatic, security and military assets to Ku Crassus and Zandamak.  What assets Bongolaan and Zenya will send to Ku Crassus is unknown at this time.

Phase II:  Possible deployment of the combined task forces, if the mediation talks end with no clear, peaceful resolution.  Under such a circumstance, the mission objectives will be to secure Tarsan property, protect Tarsan citizens and if necessary, evacuate non-combatants.  TF-CODA will, most likely deploy to the Zenyan capital of Kairobi and establish a diplomatic liaison between the Tarsan military operation and the Z-MUG.

Gamemaster's Notes:

The ship counters representing the transports are from Federation Commander.

The corvette and frigate counters were copied from page 44 of the Firestorm Armada rulebook, by Spartan Games.

Adding "Ad Sense"

Writers are always on the lookout to earn money for their work.  With this in mind, I finally signed up for Google's Ad Sense this evening.  After Google reviews my blog, there will be advertisements placed in the side bar.  I could have opted to have ads attached to each post, in addition to the sidebar notes, but I didn't to bombard my readers with "This post brought to you by..." messages.

Web Comic Chapter 1 Posted

Today, I posted the first chapter in my web comic Breakout from Bongolaan, which can be found in the Pages Tab in the top right-hand corner of the chronicles blog.  This is a detailed story of the first adventure I hosted for my Star Wars Redshift Chronicles Campaign.   The synopses to the story can be found in News Briefs 1-3 and Intelligence Report 1.

In addition to posting Chapter 1, I launched my "media blitz" and uploaded my "book trailer" on YouTube.

It is my goal to post one chapter each month.  The operative word being "goal."  My rotating shift work and life, in general may cause a delay, or three.  But I'll keep the one chapter/month goal in mind.

For this initial chapter in this saga, I'm employing a literary technique advocated by Bob Mayer, which is to introduce the villain first. 

Why?  Because he sets events in motion.  Remember, in Star Wars:  Episode IV, Darth Vader was introduced before Luke Skywalker.

So without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Bunda Akhtar...