Beer Flood Strikes Osiris
NEW CHICAGO, Osiris - Tragedy struck today when a freak beer flood hit the Oktoberfest in this quiet Osiris city.
New Chicago, on Osiris's north continent, was celebrating its 466th Oktoberfest when a massive flood of beer poured into the city's central place, where the annual beergarten was being held.
The event is the largest Oktoberfest in the Central Worlds with more than 750,000 attendees. More than 300 people were injured with 54 still missing as of press time.
The souce of the flood was found to be the temporary facility at the beergarten installed by Purple Ribbon Beer. The company has been a major sponsor of the event for the past 56 years. During the past twenty, except during the Unification War, Purple Ribbon has installed a prefab brewery at the beergarten itself to ensure a steady supply of beverages to the thirsty crowd.
Damages are estimated to be around 50 million UAP credits, including structural damage to New Chicago's city hall and about half the plaza's foundation being washed away.
"It was horrible," said one malty-smelling surivor. "All that beer, just going to waste."
No word yet on if the festival will be held again next year.
Al Raqis Environmentalists Prepare for Migration
AL RAQIS - Eco-activists planet-wide started gathering this week for the twice-annual trip to observe young sand worm migration.
"No one knows why they choose the timing or the routes, but this is one of the best chances to study these magnificent creatures!" enthuses organizer "Freewater" Willy La Roque.
Feelings are mixed as locals greet the influx of tourist credit but eye the tourists themselves skeptically. "One nut bar says he can talk to worms? A lot of granola at these migrations..." opines a local.
New Orbital Hotel Opens at Hales
HALE'S MOON ORBIT - Last week saw the Grand Opening of The Companion Hotel, Hale's Moon's finest fine dining, lodging and event planning facility.
Shown here are Miss Shaylin Meadowbrook, Mister Tillery Woodhen and Mister Kasimir Heffner. Miss Meadowbrook was the original occupant of the actual Hotel Building when it was located in Blackburne Downport. Scout Sunday tomorrow, 9AM SLT -- Scavanger Hunt!
Al Raqis Raconteur
AL RAQIS - The IISS has recieved reports that a smuggler has stashed some treasure out in the desert... and we have a list of clues to where it is.
Tomorrow's Scout event is a scavanger hunt in Al Raqis to find the hidden treasure. Everyone participating gets a prize of some sort in this one
Contact Baroun Tardis for more details
Scientist: Al Raqis Not Always Dry
AL RAQIS - In a controversial report, offworld scientists working near Al Raqis City report that Al Raqis was not always a desert world.
"There is more water locked into local rock strata, as much as 100 times more, than fits our models for a planet that was 'once a desert, always a a desert.'" says senior scientist.
Other scientists disagree, "That report is sham science backed by no data. I expect we'll find core sample contamination skewed results."
With the report, amateur 'water prospecting' has increased.
Explosion Outside Eavesdown Party
Reggier Rimbaud in the Eavesdown market after the explosion (CNS photo by Jeanette Avedon)
By Jeanette Avedon
Eavesdown Emissary
EAVESDOWN DOCKS, Persephone - It was supposed to be a celebration, the community coming together to honor the community's forefathers. However, things turned sour when Reggier Rimbaud appeared outside the "Barrel," a popular bar and social gathering place at the Eavesdown Docks, in a pool of her own blood. The victim of an apparent premature detonation of dynamite. Despite having a feint pulse Valiant Vuckovic was able to the local hospital, where she was attended to. Despite the severity of her wound she was able to recover and was discharged fairly rapidly.
Rimbaud, while recovering, was able to talk about the incident. Rimbaud gave a very effusive and poorly detailed description of events, just stating that her dynamite exploded prematurely. She refused to answer why she had the explosives in the first place other than saying that "I always carry them [dynamite sticks], makes a bigger impression than shooting people." Vuckovic, however, believed that the dynamite detonated because it was improperly manufactured, causing an unstable crystallization of its chemicals.
Sheriff Nightfire, and the Eavesdown medical staff was unavailable for comment.
Al Raqis Constable Beaten in Bar Fight
SPLINTERED ROCK, Al Raqis - Several witness reported that the local constable in an apparent drunken stupor assulted a prominate native woman and wife of Doctor Albert Starsmith.
He was heard accusing her of being a dead native that was alleged to have been involved in the bombing of the spice refinery. As he was trying to take the woman into custody she defended herself and beat the constable down and walked over him as she left the scene.
Reports are still sketchy, but new services are trying to firm up some of the confusion as to who the constable was.
When contacted for a comment the Magistrate issued the following statement: " Although at this time certain aspects of the incident remain unclear, the Magistrate's office continues to have complete confidence in the capabilities of the local constabulary."
After checking the lock on her liquor cabinet the Magistrate continued, "While it is generally agreed that the conduct of both parties in the incident was most irregular and boorish, the Al Raqis Court expects all of its officials to be tasteful and well-mannered even when intoxicated. Allowing himself to be walked over by a woman is by no means appropriate for a gentleman of his standing."
House Kira Establishing Embassy and Trade
CNS wire services
CITADEL, Al Raqis - Captain Baroun Tardis, Barounet Kira of Kira's World resumed negotiations with Joan Al Jafar, Chief Magistrate of Al Raqis, for a formal embassy and trade delegation.
Earlier charter applications were met with protests and threats, causing delays.
Closed negotiations are ongoing, but insiders report the Magistrate has deeded a ground-side embassy, warehouse, and the Highport to House Kira.
A dinner and reception is planned to coincide with the formal planet-wide announcement of the specific charter.
Reavers Hit Moonshel Again
CNS wire services
MOONSHEL - While standing on the edge of MoonShel, Marc Komarov and Cheri Collazo, Companion based on MoonShel, were attacked by Reavers while admiring Dr. Lea Swordthain's new horse on the very edge of town.
The town of MoonShel has been the target and nibbling grounds for the scattered Reavers who seem to pop up throughout the `verse.
Most Reavers seem to travel in ships or pods but a few seem to break away, feeding on the edges of towns, nomads taking food where they can.
The scavengers bit, scratched and generally chewed upon both Marc and Cheri but both were treated immediately by Dr. Swordthain and Dr. Pookie Ogleby, the newest physician for the Firefly class cargo ship Clarity, based on MoonShel.
MoonShel offers clinic hours most week nights for routine physicals and such. Please send a wave to Dr. Swordthain or Dr. Ogleby for the times the clinic is open.
Please note, all visitors to MoonShel should remain on alert at all times but all are welcome.
Hale's Moon Put Under Martial Law
HALE'S MOON - The UAP has declared martial law on Hale's Moon after the latest trouble to hit the riot and asteroid struck moon.
The crisis for the moon increased yesterday when transports approaching the spaceport were attacked. Three ships were heavily damaged but managed to land without injuries, though the fire of the Moonshel-registered Little Clarity did explode after landing, requiring emergency services to put out a rapidly spreading fire near the main hanger. A fourth ship was so badly damaged it crashed in the badlands beyond the town with all hands lost.
Colonel Silvermane of the IAV Abraham Sinkov declared martial law after arriving on Hale's moon after the latest problems.
Hale's Deputy Mayor Gennie Foxtrot, speaking for the colony while Mayor Seana Kawanishi was off world, said the arrival of the military came as a shock to the local populace, but that the people did appreciate the arrival of food and medicine. Both had been cut off because civilian ships were blocked from crossing the now treacherous airspace to the port.
As for the chance of it affecting the moon's relationship with the UAP military, Foxtrot said "Could if they start acting uppity with us. They've been civil a while now, so I'm hoping they don't change their ways."
Kawanishi has been told of events on the moon, Foxtrot said.
No word as of yet as to when martial law will be lifted or on the cause of problems on the rim world.
