Cortex News Service, the 'verse's source for news in SL

Tsunami on Hera

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:24:00 GMT

CNS NewsWire

HERA - Effective 7:00 AM Local Time, a 7.9 earthquake was detected on an archipelago 1000 kilometers from Tsunami Shores. This energy has caused a tsunami to form. The energy has created wave crest of 3 to 7 meters and is expected to reach Tsunami Shores, Serenity Valley, within the hour. Governor Baar has issued immediate execution of emergency protocols. Seek high ground or evacuate immediately all low laying sea side areas. All ports and harbors are closed until further notice.

Zenobia Border Restrictions Eased

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:20:00 GMT

<:od>
The Zenobian Times

ZENOBIA - The Government of Zenobia has eased travel restrictions to the vast Northern Provinces of Albion.

Hills and meadows. Quaint villages and lordly homes. The Northern Regions have long been a favorite tourist destination for citizens of the UAP.

Travellers can enjoy a little taste of old world hospitality under the watchful eye of the Alliance station orbiting high above.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Deep%20Lagoon/30/20

Report All Griefers

jaiboldly@yahoo.com (Jai Raghilda) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:45:00 GMT

REPORT ALL GRIEFERS.

Some people's idea of fun to make you feel bad. They exploit our congeniality and sense of community to create victims for their antisocial behavior.

You do not have to tolerate this.

REPORT ALL GRIEFERS.

VIOLATIONS:

INTOLERANCE: Using extremely insulting and inflammatory language toward groups of people based on race, nationality, religion, or sexual preferences.

HARRASSMENT: Pressing for interaction with someone after being told to stop; Pursuing, bothering, or repeatedly insulting a person. Debates and personal quarrels are consensual activities and do not constitute harrassment

ASSAULT: Repeatedly walking into someone (not by mistake);
         Using a weapon to push people out of a location where they have a right to be;
         Placing a cage or container around a person;
         Producing objects, particles, or sounds that are disruptive or interfere with your field of view, or which excessively consume server resources in the region;
         Repeatedly playing sound clips or filling chat with verbage so as to disrupt other people's conversations.

INDECENCY: Nude genital display, using obscene language excessively or repeatedly, or rezzing disgusting objects in a PG area or in a mature area where land owners forbid it, or the intention is to bother others.

PARCEL VIOLATIONS: Placing objects across parcel boundaries; using another person's land to place advertisements or malicious objects; littering another person's land.

EXCLUSION: Seeking to exclude a person from a public activity or area.

There are two sets of procedures for dealing with Griefers:
1. Report to the sim owners/admins/officers.
2. Report to Linden Labs

1. Report Griefers to sim owners/admins/officers

REPORT ALL GRIEFERS.

Griefers often justifying any authorative/bullying behaviour with statements like "they have permission" or "they have the right". The only players that have the right to speak for the sim are the officers/owners of the sim.

IM the sim's owners/officers/admins. If they are online, they will take care of it immediately. Even if they are offline (or appear to be), IM them immediately so they have a record of the event. Some get email notices of their IMs and will log in to deal with the emergency.

In the case of rezzing of inappropriate objects, contact an officer who will come and return said object. Officers have the power to derezz objects, freeze, kick and ban avatars from the sim. Talk to them calmly, they will help you out.

Make sure to document as much as possible. Log IMs and local chat. Take pictures. Make note of the chain of events. Even if you can get a hold of an online officer, documentation is important. Griefers/abusers often complain about the treatment they receive, and claim to have had good reasons for their actions. Documentation is critical.

If the sim's owners/officers/admins are unavailable, politely ask the person/persons to stop what they are doing. Don't be rude, don't provoke them, and don't fight fire with fire. Just ask them as nicely as possible to cease what they are doing. If you start a fight, chances are they will return in greater numbers with retaliation in mind.

If no officer is online, please leave the sim until the abuser is gone or at least get away from him/her/it. Do not provoke them or start a fight, as it often spirals out of control.

Whatever the end result of the debacle may be, always leave the sim owner/admin/officer a message. Send logs, pictures, your account, anything you have. Anything that is shared stays with the officer and the information will only be used to deal with the incident.

2. Report Griefers to Linden Labs

(From the Secondlife wiki)

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Reporting_griefers:_very_detailed_instructions

REPORT ALL GRIEFERS

A. Executive summary of this notecard:

To report griefing, go to Help at the Top of your screen. If you were shot or shoved or constrained, check Bumps Pushes and Hits to see who did it. Then, also in Help, select Report Abuse and fill out the AR (Abuse Report) form. Details and explanation follow, below.

B. WHAT ARE GRIEFERS? Griefers are people who deliberately interfere with other people's legitimate enjoyment of an activity; or who pursue their own fun with wreckless disregard for negative effects on bystanders.

You can report abusive behavior to Linden Lab. Multiple reports lead to the griefer being suspended from Second Life for a time, or possibly being permanently banned.

C. USE THE AR (Abuse Report) TO REPORT A GRIEFER

1) If griefers are pushing you around or shooting at you, quickly sit on the ground or on something belonging to you. Normally griefers cannot move you while you sit. If they are using malicious objects, hover your pointer over the object to see the owner's name.

2) Quickly write down your location (region, XYZ coordinates). If you can tell who the griefer is, write their name quickly on a piece of paper. Don't bother to engage the griefer in conversation or argument. It just gratifies them and delays your report.

3) Go to HELP at the top of your SL screen.

If you have just been forced out of your location or position, by shoving or with a weapon (scripted object), select BUMPS, PUSHES, & HITS. The abuser's name will probably be listed there. . Be careful -- there are many innocent bumps sometimes, from people who accidentally walk into you.

Also under HELP, select REPORT ABUSE.

4) On the AR (Abuse Report Form) you will see a small snapshot of your current field of view. If this snapshot shows what the griefer is doing, click "include screenshot" under the picture.

5) You will see a box that says "Select Category" and has a drop-down menu. You must select one of the categories of abusive behavior. Here are some examples to clarify those categories.

INTOLERANCE: Seeking to exclude a person from what should be a public activity or area.

Using extremely insulting and inflammatory language toward groups of people based on race, nationality, religion, or sexual preferences.

HARRASSMENT: Pressing for interaction with someone after being told to stop;

Pursuing, bothering, or repeatedly insulting a person. Debates and personal quarrels do not constitute harrassment, however. Those are consensual activities.

ASSAULT: Repeatedly walking into someone (not by mistake);

Using a weapon to push people out of a location where they have a right to be;

Placing a cage or container around a person;

Producing objects, particles, or sounds that are disruptive or interfere with your field of view, or which excessively consume server resources in your region;

Repeatedly playing sound clips or filling chat with verbage so as to disrupt other people's conversations.

INDECENCY: nude genital display, using obscene language excessively or repeatedly, or rezzing disgusting objects in a PG area ( or in a mature area where land owners forbid it, or the intention is to bother others).

PARCEL VIOLATIONS: Placing objects across parcel boundaries; using another person's land to place advertisements or malicious objects; littering another person's land.

6) Abuser name

You cannot directly write the griefer's name in the "Abuser name" box. Click the Select button just to the right of the Abuser name box. It will open "person chooser".

In the person chooser, type the griefer's name or part of it. This will open a list of similar names. Choose the right name and click Select. That name will automatically be placed in the "Abuser name" field of the AR form.

If you cannot see who the griefer is (for example, you are assaulted with a lot of sounds and you do not know where they are coming from) use the name BLUE LINDEN. Blue Linden generously allows his name to be defamed this way, as a work-around. The AR cannot be sent with no abuser name on it.

7) Location of abuse

If you are still at the site of abuse when you begin the report, the report will automatically record the location and time. If you have gone to a different location to make the abuse report, you must use the body of the report form to state the name of the sim in which the griefing occurred, and preferably the parcel name or coordinates too.

8) Summary

Give a brief title to your report. Refer to the time, so that the Abuse Team at Linden Lab knows whether an immediate response is helpful or not.

Examples of summaries:

"Here and Now, griefers shooting a crowd" or "Griefers 4PM, shot people, gone now" or "Harrassing me now, won't leave my house" or "Griefer yesterday left objects on parcel"

9) Details

Your abuse report will reach the Lindens with an automatic date and time stamp showing when it was sent, and from where. You do not need to give the date, time, and coordinates of the griefing episode if the automatially entered information is accurate. Just start the description with something like "Here and now" if the abuse is happening; something like "Here at 4PM Second Life Time" if you are reporting after the fact.

Example of "Details":

"4 PM yesterday June 4 at Rosebud 110, 30, 31 Ratsucker Hax shot 6 guests out of my shop."

"Here and now, Ratsucker Hax is rezzing obscene objects and particles going over my parcel boundary. Chat excerpt: You: Get rid of this stuff. You have no quarrel with my guests. Ratsucker Hax: its not on ur land u cant do anything so eat me lol

10) REPORT ABUSE

Don't forget to click the Report Abuse button at the bottom of the report, to send it!

D. REPORTING A GRIEFER OBJECT

If a griefer goes away and leaves a harmful or irritating object behind, you can use the object to identify the griefer and submit a report.

1) Right-click on the object

2) Select More

3) Select More again

4) Select Report Abuse

5) The Abuse Report form should open for you, showing the name of the owner of the object in the "Abuser name" field. If not, use the "Click the button, then the object" option near the top of the Abuse Report form.

6) Fill out the rest of the form and be sure to click the Report Abuse button at the bottom when it is complete.

WILL THE GRIEFER SEE MY NAME?

The Lindens will not tell the griefer the names of any people who reported him.

IF THE GRIEFER KNOWS I REPORTED HIM, CAN HE TRACK ME DOWN AND BOTHER ME?

Anyone can send you IMs, unless you mute that person. Then you will no longer received their IMs or see any of their chat text. People can tell your location only if they are on your Friends list and you specifically give them that power. There are spy devices that can follow or look for you but they normally have a range of only 96 M. Objects cannot follow you when you teleport. If you own land, you can use land settings to prevent objects from entering your land. You can also eject specific people from your land and ban them from re-entering.

OOC: Official Statement concering Eavesdown and MacLaren's Drift.

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:03:00 GMT

You may or may not have heard confusing reports with regard to the sims no longer be part of FFRP and that we are no longer firefly rp sims.

Hopefully the following points will help to clear up any confusion.

1. Eavesdown Docks, MacLaren's Drift (inlcuding Prosperity) are no longer Firefly Roleplay Sims?

No. Not at all. These sims were concieved as and remain strong character driven roleplay sims set in the Firefly 'Verse. This has not changed, nor will it. What has happened is that for reasons that would be inappropriate to expand upon, the sims have left the affilated group of sims co-ordinated by the Firefly Roleplay Group (FFRP). In other words we've gone independent (no pun, honest).

2. What does this mean for players/characters?

Hopefully, nothing at all. Firefly roleplay, by its nature should be transient; ships, crews, individiuals making their way in the 'Verse and visiting different worlds (sims). The independence of Eavesdown and MacLaren's should in no way change the RP experience and habits of players (aside from whatever we decide to do with regard to a meter). Players should continue to RP as they have been doing and adding to the rich tapestry that is Firefly themed RP.

3. Eavesdown Docks and MacLaren's Drift are restrictive and selective with regard to players.

There is a "Canon Firefly RP" group out there, this is NOT the group for our sims. While there is no secret that Eavesdown and MacLaren's Drift are canonicaly themed, as stated before they are character driven roleplays. This means there are no overarching campaign story arcs. They provide a framework and a background for players to craft their own interactions, stories and journies. Yes, there are no furries, nekos, antros etc that we know of in the established Firefly canon, but as is clearly stated in sim rules, we're more than happy to accept characters already crafted and integrated into the firefly RP universe. New players? We encourage them to craft their character along the more established canon lines.

4. Can my character still visit MacLaren's Drift/Eavesdown Docks, and then go to [insert FFRP-affiliated sim] and make reference to events taking place on MacLaren's/Eavesdown?

Yes. The world that the character moves in is dictated and decided on at the player's discretion. If you want your character to travel to Persephone, then you have every right to do so. You write your own story.

Ultimately Eavesdown Docks and MacLaren's Drift/Prosperity are, and continue to be, character driven roleplay sims in the Firefly 'Verse. Players and their creactivity and interactions make the sims what they are. hopefully this short note has served to answer any questions you may have, if not? Or if you have concerns, suggestions, requests, etc: as always, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Gabe Yazimoto
Duncan Cooperstone 21st Feburary 2010

Fight Club at Eavesdown Docks

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:43:00 GMT

Fighters gather before the cage match in Eavesdown, Persephone.

By Jai Raghilda
Cortex News Service

EAVESDOWN - The Eavesdown Docks hosted an elimination tournament cage match fightnight, Tuesday at the Cockpit.

HwuanDanJoe Collazo offered a prize purse to the last combatant standing.

Gabe Yazimoto, Ziggy London and Duncan Cooperstone all participated.

Eavesdown Dock's own resident physician Doc Wess was on hand to tend to the combatants.

Bernice Afterthought, Suzanne Starship, Zade Karu, Valiant Vuckovic, Mildred Twine, Ibram Ansar, Rottengirl Elswit, Aoife Foxclaw and a dog named Dog were in the audience.

Duncan Cooperstone and Gabe Yazimoto faced off for the first match. Yazimoto almost survived the entire two minute round, but finally collapsed to the canvas, outpummeled by Cooperstone.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss359/JaiRaghilda/GabeKObyCoop.jpg

After a nearly 20 minute break, Duncan Cooperstone faced off against challenger Ziggy London. London's lasted less than a minute against the onslaught of Cooperstone's relentless attacks.

Ziggy London fell to the ground, winded and beaten, down for the count. Followed by a weary Duncan Cooperstone, wheezing and sweating drops to the mat beside Ziggy.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss359/JaiRaghilda/ZiggyKObyCoop.jpg

Ziggy London commented, "Ow, Jaysus Dunc, you punch like a traction engine."

WIth no further challengers remaining willing to stand in the ring with Duncan Cooperstone, all eyes were on the Prize Patron of the evening's matchups.

There was a brief verbal quarrel between participant Gabe Yazimoto and Joe Collazo concerning the nature of the prize. Some discussion ensued about the nature of appropriate currency for the venue, until prestigous resident Bernice "Burn" Afterthought settled the matter.

After counting the prize money and getting patched up by the attending Doc Wess, the combatants settled into the final rituals of the evening and moved on to the Burning Barrel for drinks.

The standing champ commented on his plans for the prize money, "...drinkin's high on the agenda."

Hwuan Dan Joe Collazo was overheard discussing the details of the next Fight Night with Bernice Afterthought, proposed to take place this very weekend, but declined to make an official comment to the CNS representative.

"You best not be printin' this in your fancy news feed," Mr Collazo was quoted as saying.

More on this when information becomes available. Notices will be published for further fightnights.

Blast Rocks Al Raqis, Damages Faith Industries

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:34:00 GMT

Smoke billows from the Al Raqis offices of Faith Industries after a bombing.

By Tillery Woodhen
Cortex News Service

AL RAQIS - Another bomb has shaken Al Raqis, this time damaging the Al Raqis offices of Faith Industries.

The structure of the office was unharmed, but the reception room on the ground floor was severely damaged. Al Raqis fire services were able to quickly put out the fire before it spread to the neighboring warehouse.

As of press time, there were no suspects in this latest bombing. There has been a rash of bombings on the planet, including an attempted bombing last week at the offices of the Cortex News Service, just across the plaza from Faith Industries.

Cheif Magistrate Joan Al Jofar said the device used at Faith Industries looked to be very similar to the devices placed at the CNS office.

CNS Target of Attempted Bombing on Al Raqis

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:38:00 GMT

By Tillery Woodhen
Cortex News Service

The Cortex News Service bureau on Al Raqis was the target of an attempted bombing this week.

Two devices were discovered when CNS CEO Tillery Woodhen came in to make a routine check on the office. Authorities were immediately contacted and were able to defuse the bombs with no injuries.

The Al Raqis authorties refused to speculate on who placed the bombs and why. "We recovered two devices. Our invesigators are examining currently examining all of the evidence," said Al Raqis Chief Magistrate Joan Al Jofar. "We have a zero tolerance on Al Raqis for this sort of behavior. Bombings outside Kanley will investigated and the perpetrators will be brought to justice."

"The Great Houses know how to handle vendetta," she added. "This bombing attempt was clearly made by an amateur."

Woodhen has his own suspicions but chose not to release them to the press.

The bureau is across the central place from the warehouse and Al Raqis offices of Faith Industries.

AD: Habana Humidor And Cigar

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:33:00 GMT

The finest in the Verse. Samples available
at Suzanne's Laundry and Bath on Persephone.

Blue Sun Announces Factory Opening

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:29:00 GMT

Blue Sun Signal

BlueSun is pleased to make applications to prospective employees available at the new BlueSun Special Projects Factory. While the majority of high level positions have been filled, there still exist a need for security guards (on call) and caterers. Due to the nature of the work, the security guard position applicants will undergo multiple testing phases prior to becoming a verified employee.

Please inquire of Miss Berry, the first in the new synthetic custom made AI line offered by BlueSun, if you are interested. Deemed the "Like a Flower" line, these synthetic AIs are designed to meet your specifications in terms of appearance. The AI memory is flashed using a series of proprietary technologies and the AI will be whoever you want it to be based upon preferences.

Addressing the concerns of ethicists and religious leaders, BlueSun has made it their policy to not create any bots for the purposes of sexual activity. "Such things may take place, but we don't want to know about it if they do", stated Miss Berry, BlueSun's newest spokesperson, shown here with a number of visitors to the new facility.

Blue Sun Update

Inquiries related to BlueSun Special Projects should continue to be relayed to Ms. Zhangsun in the Corporate Headquarters, via either of the capable office staff, Emma Ditko or Lucy Applemoor.

While Ms. Zhangsun's office is always open, and she is happy to see visitors by appointment, due to extensive travel she will not necessarily be able to meet with visitors who arrive without an appointment.

If you do not have an appointment, you risk arrest and possible incarceration for trespassing. Please do not attempt to enter the BlueSun Office areas without an escort.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Girolami Medical Centre Scheduled for Closure

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:21:00 GMT

The Zenobia Times

<:od>February 4 - Today it was announced that the Girolami Medical Centre, located in the Pleione Province, will be closing its doors later this month.

Famous for charity work both at home and off-world, the Girolami Medical Centre has been recognized as a leader in the interplanetary medical community. Providing services to citizens and non-citizens alike, the hospital has offered an array of services ranging from simple heart bypass and cloned organ transplants to cybernetic implants and nerve and tissue regeneration procedures.

Sources from the Ministry of Health and Reanimation (MOHR) have stated that new facilities are being considered in a number of locations.

[OOC - we are moving some of our parcels. Stay tuned!]

Obituary: Aurora Littleboots

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:32:00 GMT

Blue Sun Signal

BlueSun sends condolences to the family of Aurora LittleBoots.

We are certain that Miss Aurora will be missed by those who loved her.

Aurora is pictured here with Miss Jai Raghilda.

Her death has been ruled accidental by the Hale's Moon Sheriff.

Hale's Moon Starstrucks Reopening with Barista Service

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:17:00 GMT

Hale's Moon Herald

Hale's Moon Starstrucks Reopening with Barista Service.

Hale Resident Leia will be working there, but it is automated when during times when there is no live wait staff.

Zenobia Opens Embassy on Al Raqis

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:14:00 GMT

The Zenobia Times

January 20 - Lord Senenmut Flanagan visited Al Raqis earlier today to open the newly-established Zenobian embassy. The Noble Lord of Zenobia's leading family gave his approval to the efforts of newly-appointed Ambassador Jai Raghida and Manager of Estates Zeno Baxton.

Decorated with art from the private collections of the nobility, the embassy will offer full consular services. Embassy staff will pursue trade and treaty negotiations with the Great Houses of Al Raqis and the settlement of Splintered Rock.

While Zenobia remains a member state in the Union of Allied Planets, she is exercising her right to conclude certain treaties with foreign powers.

Asked if the embassy will be flying the flag of the UAP, Manager of Estates Zeno Baxton said, "We are here to represent House Zenobia. We would never presume to speak for the Central Government. "

A formal opening ceremony will be held at a date to be determined.

United Systems Directorate Condemns Alliance Actions on Shadow

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:01:00 GMT

By Delta Sweetwater
Special to CNS

After the events that led to the destruction of Shadow, more and more voices condemn the actions taken by the Alliance. Recently the United Systems Directorate released an official statement condemning the bombing of Shadow as a “terrible and unnecessary act of violence”. Furthermore, the USD held a press Conference on Acriobrea regarding the happenings on Shadow and presented another survivor of the nuclear apocalypse.

Lt.Col. John Collins, Officer of the United Systems Military: Ground Forces was on the surface on November 7.th and was caught in the conflict. “I was on leave and spend some of my free time on Shadow, together with a friend of mine when I saw bright flashes in the sky. I knew on the instance that it were re-entry vehicles from Orbital Weapons. We were in the center of the town and I shouted to get out asap.” Colonel Collins said.

On the question how he survived he said “I was wearing a power Armor at this time, I just had completed the refreshment training every power armor wear has to make and didn’t removed it when we landed on Shadow.

We all ran out of the town, into the direction of a river. Shortly after that the nuclear warheads detonated behind us, so we hit the deck. We later took cover in a abandon looking bunker and hid in there. 24h later we crawled back to the surface and could establish a commlink with a freighter that was in orbit and we got picked up.”

The story sounds incredible and but was certified by the Official USD Spokesperson: “We have a detailed report and we have several eyewitnesses that can certify the report and we should not forget the Data collected by the Power Armor inbuilt sensors.”

Still that raises some question: how can an Lt.Col. of an foreign power simply be take its leave on Shadow and take a stroll through the town wearing Power Armor? Was he really just with a friend, a civilian or is there more than meets the eye? And who are those eyewitnesses and what freighter picked them up after 24h?

One question could at least be answer, how the Colonel could survive the high radiation: “The PA-M45 Advanced power Armor type “Enclave” has full NBC protection for a period of at least 4 weeks if necessary” The Colonel said.

The United Systems Directorate (USD) is a unification of several star systems in the Aurora out arm, with a federal government style system which is located at Naruni Prime. The ruling bodies are the High Council and the Senate who compose the main ruling body for the separate sector administrations.

Having been neutral for a long time, this change of positions is quite a surprise and may relate in cold relations between the Alliance and the USD. At this time, the true power and potential of the USD is unknown and The Alliance has yet to react on this statement.

Head Minus Body Found on Splintered Rock

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:36:00 GMT

By Woodrow Wilson Smith
Cortex News Service

The edge of the Splintered Rock desert was graced today by a grisly sight. The head of Charles Thomas Flux a long time resident of the Rock was found on a pole just beyond the edge of the Tarmac. His body as yet has not been located. "We will get to the bottom of this attrocity, you mark my words," Constable Vooper was ademate in his resitation of what will happen to those involve in this devistating occurance.

As of this posting, no body has been found. Locals say that it is traditional to strip it of all water and feed the rest to the worms.

May what ever Gods he worshiped find peace for his soul.

Citizens Taken Into Custody?

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:36:00 GMT

CNS Staff Reports

Reports that Alliance citizens have been taken into custody and held without charge in the wake of the events of November 7 remain impossible to confirm, as government officials refuse to release the name, number or location of persons in "extraordinary detention".

Now a new source of confusion and anxiety surrounds the seizure of ships and crews in the exclusion zones declared during the operations against Caliban and Shadow. In the latter case in particular, large numbers of craft and people remain unaccounted for, including cases where witnesses confirm they had escaped the areas under attack.

A military source who declined to be identified for this report told CNS that "persons remaining in the exclusion zone after the beginning of the operation were designated as enemy combatants, and will be processed to determine whether they pose a continuing threat to the security of the Alliance." This source refused to state the nature of the process, or when anxious relatives and the public can expect to learn whether missing persons are in fact in custody and where.

Relatives of missing persons have petitioned military and government officials, but report receiving no assistance. In one case, a mother whose two small children were aboard a ship bound from Shadow to Persephone cannot determine their whereabouts, or those of the ship.

"I don't know what to believe," she told our reporter. "If the military has them, wode ma, why won't they tell me? And if not, tian shaode!"

Al Raqis Highport now Operational

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:33:00 GMT

By Vooper Werribee
Splintered Rock Ning

AL RAQIS - Originally a standard docking station, the Al Raqis magistrate was able to acquire this station as non-
operational salvage. When towed into orbit over Al Raqis on 12Nov, it hardly seemed worth the effort to
renovate it. However, looks were deceiving, and a small orbital construction crew began welding and
adapting the docking port into service, delivering a pressurized environment, complete redundant airlocks,
lighting, and beacon, in record time. The Highport began operational certification in limited service on
6Dec with the activation of the beacon. The Al Raqis Highport began full commercial service on 18Dec with
the arrival and clearance of the TTW Freighter "Christine".

Original Docking Station architect: Griffen Shinn
Renovation Crew Leader: Allen Kerensky

====================================================================
FACILITIES
====================================================================
* Jump Gate
* Automated beacon
* Landing areas
* Directional lighting
* Cargo Locks
* Cargo Bays
* Personnel airlocks
* Central lift
* Pressurized office space
* Shuttle docks
* Groundside Landing Fields

====================================================================
JUMP GATE
====================================================================
Al Raqis is proud to announce the start of construction on an intersystem Jump Gate at 100, 116, 4000.
All Intersystem-capable starships are requested to rez to those coordinates for all future jumps.
NOTE: Failure to jump to those coordinates may result in collision with Al Raqis orbital facilities, defenses, or future construction.

====================================================================
AUTOMATED BEACON
====================================================================
Al Raqis Highport offers an automated landing beacon on 14300 kHz.
This beacon announces itself periodically.
(( Channel 14300, Al Raqis Highport Automatic Beacon said, "this is automated highport beacon "al raqis" broadcasting on 14300khz. audio carrier available on http://splinteredradio.ipr365.com:10624" ))

To transmit to the beacon, use channel 14300 in local chat
/14300 request clearance
(( Channel 14300, Allen Kerensky said, "request clearance" ))
(( Channel 14300, Al Raqis Highport Automatic Beacon said, "transmit your starship and captains name, port of registry and departure, crew, passenger, and cargo manifests on this frequency." ))
/14300 Sierra II,Allen Kerensky,Kira's World, Kira's World, self, none, none

To receive the beacon's transmissions, you will need a radio receiver capable of tuning 14,300 kHz.
Public domain beacon receiver software: 𐀃
Simply drop this software patch into your ship's radio and your ship can receive standard ATC Beacons.
NOTE: This beacon receiver is experimental and not yet fully-rated for civilian ATC operations in this star system. During periods of peak flare activity, beacon operations may be disrupted.

To transmit civilian or commercial beacon information compatible with this automatic beacon system, ship owners can use the following software patch.
Public domain beacon transmission software: 𐀄
Simply drop this patch into your ship comm system, edit the patch, and fill out lines 8-14 with your starship data.
NOTE: This beacon transmitter is experimental and not yet fully-rated for civilian ATC operations in this star system. During periods of peak flare activity, beacon operations may be disrupted.

====================================================================
HIGHPORT LANDING AREAS
====================================================================
Each of the 4 landing areas on the highport can accomodate vessels up to 40x50m in size.
Each Landing area has its own dedicated cargo lock, cargo bay, and personnel lock.

Landing Area 1 - facing planetary north at 100, 156, 724.
Landing Area 2 - facing planetary east at 140, 100, 724.
Landing Area 3 - facing planetary south 100, 76, 724.
Landing Area 4 - facing planetary west 60, 116, 724.

NOTE: Due to the variance of shipside operating systems and designs, Al Raqis Highport does not offer automated landing and docking systems.
Manual landing and liftoffs only!
Station collisions will incur hefty fines or revocation of docking privileges.

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DIRECTIONAL LIGHTING
====================================================================
The Al Raqis Highport uses standard directional lighting.
Landing areas are marked with green target lights and red warning borders to help direct pilots.
Flashing red anti-collision markers denote hazard areas for spacecraft to avoid such as antenna complexes.

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CARGO LOCKS
====================================================================
Standard cargo locks are provided for each field to allow efficient loading and unloading operations.
To operate a cargo lock, simply touch the door control.
The bay door will open, simultanously crosslocking the matching door if necessary.
Red/green airlock pressure indicators are provided around all airlock borders.

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CARGO BAYS
====================================================================
Each landing area has a pressurizable cargo bay for the convenience of orbit-to-ground and ground-to-orbit cargo operations.

NOTE: Al Raqis Highport does not have pressurized loading and unloading capabilities, or SCAM-class loaders.
All cargos transferred through the highport should be vaccuum-rated or packed appropriately.
The design of the highport does eliminate long vaccuum exposure times, but cross-vaccuum cargo operations should be assumed for all transfers.

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PERSONNEL LOCKS
====================================================================
For the convenice of starship crews, separate personnel airlocks are provided from each landing area to the main level concourse.
This allows starship crews convenient access without requiring multiple cargo airlock operations, and excessive vaccuum exposure for cargo stored in the bays.
NOTE: Al Raqis Highport does not offer pressurized boarding facilities due to the wide variance of starship entryway design.
All crew operations require vacc-rated suits and experience.

To operate a personnel lock, simply touch the door control.
The door will open, simultanously crosslocking the matching door if necessary.
Red/green airlock pressure indicators are provided around all airlock borders.

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CENTRAL LIFT
====================================================================
Each floor of the highport has a control to call the lift from other floors.
The lift itself has a simple control box with a button for each level.

NOTE: For your safety, do not enter the circular-bordered areas around each lift when the lift is not present.
Highport gravity remains in effect, and you will fall.
You may also be crushed under the lift if you are not careful.

====================================================================
HIGHPORT OFFICES (LEVEL 1)
====================================================================
Level 1 offers 4 offices and a small central area.
Each office overlooks a separate landing area.
Short and long-terms Highport office rentals are available through the Chief Magistrate's office, Al Raqis Downport.

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MAIN CONCOURSE (LEVEL 2)
====================================================================
Level 2 is the main concourse, allowing access between all four landing areas cargo and personnel locks as well as a central lift to move between levels.
For the convenience of station visitors, pressure, heat, light, and gravity are all provided free of charge.

NOTE: Due to the large number of locks and small volume of habitat, a lock accident could depressurize the entire highport very quickly.
Although a shirt-sleeve environment is offered, all visitors are cautioned to keep a vacc-suit readily available at all times.

NOTE: The station reactors are located below the main concourse and are off-limits to all visitors.
Authorized highport personnel only.

====================================================================
SHUTTLE DOCKS (LEVEL 3)
====================================================================
Al Raqis Highport offers two (2) groundside shuttle locks on its lowest level.

Shuttle Dock 1 (Airlock 5): facing planetary east at 115, 116, 701.
Shuttle Dock 2 (Airlock 6): facing planetary west at 85, 116, 701.

To operate a shuttle lock, simply touch the door control.
The shuttle lock will open, simultanously crosslocking the matching door if necessary.
Red/green airlock pressure indicators are provided around all airlock borders.

NOTE: Regular ground-to-orbit and orbit-to-ground personnel or cargo shuttle service is not available at this time.
You will have to make your own arrangements with a groundside shuttle operator if your ship is not equipped with its own shuttles.

NOTE: Due to the variance of shuttle designs, Al Raqis Highport does not offer automated shuttle docking systems.
Manual anchorage only!
Station collisions will incur hefty fines or revocation of docking privileges.

NOTE: Al Raqis Highport does not offer pressurized shuttle boarding facilities due to the wide variance of shuttle entryway design.
All shuttle operations require vacc-rated suits and experience.

====================================================================
DOWNPORT (GROUNDSIDE) LANDING AREAS
====================================================================
Al Raqis downport offers eight (8) short-term lease public landing areas for rough-landing-capable starships.
Other private landing facilities are available for longterm lease through arrangement with the Chief Magistrate's office.

Landing field 1 at coordinates 76, 138, 68.
Landing field 1A at coordinates 101, 161, 68.
Landing field 2 at coordinates 127, 140, 68.
Landing field 3 at coordinates 148, 115, 68.
Landing field 4 at coordinates 126, 90, 68.
Landing field 5 at coordinates 102, 69, 68.
Landing field 6 at coordinates 77, 206, 57.
Landing field 7 at coordinates 79, 91, 68.

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ROLEPLAY NOTES AND IDEAS
====================================================================
All of the above information is pointless unless you can use this thing for roleplaying.
So, here are some ideas how to use this as a roleplay setting and plot device:

* When you go above 300m, set your SL Viewer to "Midnight" to see a starry sky representing space.
Open the viewer's "World" menu, xchoose "Environment Settings" then choose "Midnight"

* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: Shuttle Pilots: move cargo and people from orbit to ground and back
* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: Dock Rat: inspect, load, or unload cargo for groundside or outsystem shipment
* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: Outsystem Trader: meet groundside brokers from Al Raqis here
* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: Groundside Broker: conduct trade with outsystem traders on behalf of groundside factions
* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: Groundside Prospector: sell (or smuggle) spice, water, and other groundside resources
* ROLE OPPORTUNITY: In-System Prospector: sell their asteroid resources here, refurbish your ship

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FEEDBACK AND IDEAS WANTED
====================================================================
Send your ideas for other Al Raqis roles, or how to use various Al Raqis setting locations for roleplay to:
Joan Vhargon and Allen Kerensky

Tri-V Co-Owner Talks About Escape from Shadow

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:45:00 GMT

By Woodrow Wilson Smith

There are many Stories from the recent events leading up to and after the destruction of Shadow Moon and Caliban. This Reporter has recently tracked down one such Story. One that shows the depth of the recent events on the local populations.

Valiant Vuckovic, the Tri V Corporate Representative to this sector recently gave us an interview and the culmunation of what happened during the attack.

"The Lady of Opportunity was docked at port 3 of Serenity Station, where the Entertainment facilities aboard were being used by Station personel and those passing through the station. Fortunately my Chief Engineer and I were aboard when the Station was hit..." he pauses looking thoughtful.

"How did you manage to save the ship?"

"Oh, my Chief Engineer was at the entry just as the station was hit, barely getting aboard before the blast. She managed to release the docking clamps just as the ship was thrown clear. We were damaged severly along the port side, and it took a few moments to get the port engine working sufficiently enough to be of any use to the colonist."

"It's said you actually flew over the Colony during the bombardment."

"Yes, several times actually but we weren't the only ship doing that. As soon as it was possible we began shuttling survivors aboard the ship. Don't mind telling you was havin a bitch of a time keepin the engines aligned well enough to stay in the air. Lady was never a great atmosphere puncher, she carries a lot of weight..."

"Yes, a gallant ship, but what of the survivors?"

"Oh yeah, well one was your own Editor Tillery Woodhen. He got shot up pretty bad on the surface. Fortunately the Lady had a well stocked medical bay, and thanks to a quick thinnkin Med he was pulled through."

"You had a medic aboard?"

"No, one of the survivors had Medical training, don't mind tellin you it was a close call for him. We made the survivors as comfortable as possible and headed for the black, before patrols from Alliance began to stop any ships in the area."

"They were actually doing that?"

"Heck I don't know, wasn't gonna hang around to ask neither. Figured for Maclaren's then thought it would already be stuffed with survivors bein it was closest, and most Alliance would be blockaden that route. So turned to an alternate. and took the long route around to Hales."

"That's quite a distance, but you made that run in record time."

"Well theres a window when the Suns are in Orbit where you can cut the time in half..." he paused again, frowning slightly, " I just know a few short cuts and was lucky, thats all."

It was obvious to this reporter, that Mr. Vuckovic was worried about giving away some Corporate information, so this reporter didnt press the issue." And you arrived safely at Hales? I have heard that Alliance started an inquiry into your aid for the colonist, after the attack at Shadow?"

"We arrived alright and left the colonist there, the Lady was badly damaged, so we headed for a repair facility; and yeah, they did pose a few questions as to what the Lady did during the attack. Never had facilities on the surface of Shadow though. We worked out of Serenity Station, which was managed by Alliance so they let it stand. Given aid to others is still not illegal in Alliance jurisdiction."

"Has this incident damaged your standing as a legal carrier in Alliance Space?"

"Well there was some doubts, but they didnt pull our contracts. It has severly curtailed a lot of travel though, not to mention pissin a few Colonist off. Tri V stands behind her contracts though and still does business where the business is needed."

"Yes I've heard you have opened a new facility in Properity."

"Aye, the Shuttle Stop Cafe and General Store. Even got a small Laundry and Community Bath house. There is even a Meditation area for a Companion to come once a week for classes and such. Should help Prosperity grow and aid the refugees from Shadow. Tri V is there for the populace. We are here to help."

This Reporter ended the session knowing the Tri V Corporation was still an active participant in the lives of the Colonist and a continued trader throughout the Verse. The recent actions from both sides cause grief and pain, but the stalwart Colonist and Alliance personel continue to work for the good of all.

Shindig in MacLaren's Drift

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:59:00 GMT

By Anastasia Horngold

Monday night Shindig at the Opera House! 6 pm SLT. Join the upstanding citizens of MacLaren's at the Wh...Opera House for an evening of fun. Opera House management says purchase not required [wink]. Christmas attire optional--the theme is "Red."

Hale's Christmas Walk Now Open

tillery-pub@comcast.net (Tillery Woodhen) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:58:00 GMT

All citizens of the 'Verse are invited to walk through the BlueSun Corporate Grounds, and enjoy the Christmas Walk put on by BlueSun employees.

The Christmas Walk is an extravaganza you won't want to miss.

The Walk begins at the Gates of BlueSun, and goes throughout the property, culminating in a visit to Santa's Workshop.

Along the way, take time to enjoy the romantic pavillion by following "Snowflake Lane" to the scenic overlook. Or, spend some time in front of BlueSun Headquarters, where you can enjoy refreshments.

The path along "Toytown" is full of exciting new displays, and the ice rink has been specially decorated just for the Christmas Walk. Free skates available, as well as hot cocoa. Have a snowball fight. Snow has been created using shaved ice and the balls are by the toy soldiers.

Wander around, or rest under the Smiling Santa archway and watch the skaters.

Stop and rest, have some BlueSun Cocoa, and continue on, following the candlelit path to "Nativity", our display located appropriately in the BlueSun Stables.

Next, prepare for a visit to Santa's Workshop, where you may find him working - or he may be at one of our other facilities. Inside the workshop are gifts for you and your family.

The playground, dog park, pool and spa are open. However due to recent issues with crime, we ask that no children be left unattended. These areas are not part of the Christmas Walk.

Transportation to the Gates of BlueSun is provided inside Santa's Workshop.

The Walk runs now through January 15th, and is provided free of charge.

Cortex News Service, the 'verse's source for news in SL

Tsunami on Hera

Zenobia Border Restrictions Eased

Report All Griefers

OOC: Official Statement concering Eavesdown and MacLaren's Drift.

Fight Club at Eavesdown Docks

Blast Rocks Al Raqis, Damages Faith Industries

CNS Target of Attempted Bombing on Al Raqis

AD: Habana Humidor And Cigar

The finest in the Verse. Samples available at Suzanne's Laundry and Bath on Persephone.

Blue Sun Announces Factory Opening

Girolami Medical Centre Scheduled for Closure

Obituary: Aurora Littleboots

Hale's Moon Starstrucks Reopening with Barista Service

Zenobia Opens Embassy on Al Raqis

United Systems Directorate Condemns Alliance Actions on Shadow

Head Minus Body Found on Splintered Rock

Citizens Taken Into Custody?

Al Raqis Highport now Operational

Tri-V Co-Owner Talks About Escape from Shadow

Shindig in MacLaren's Drift

Hale's Christmas Walk Now Open

The finest in the Verse. Samples available
at Suzanne's Laundry and Bath on Persephone.