Mendell City Bugle

[Caelphon]

Peterdiezel Boating Competition Ends

The Peterdiezel Boat Racing Competition comes to a close after being extended by Tropical Storm Ernesto, with many of those watching the stream by Ingi Usang Entertainment Company experiencing this momentous moment in history - live, thanks to an agreement between the Republic of Biesel and Einstein Engines to boost the extranet signal with the use of the Einstein Engines Interstellar Communications Relay Everest in orbit of Biesel. 

Each team displayed proficiency in their skills, navigating and persisting even in the face of the turbulent winds and torrential downpour that barraged Xavier’s Sea. Despite the loss of the Sunshine City Sailors, the Peterdiezel Boating Competition continued and is set to conclude as the last remaining teams dock in Craterview. Millions cheered in anticipation as the qualifying teams passed the finish line. 

The Mictlan Marineros secured themselves as the victors, following closely the Mendell City Boating Club, and in third the New Marfa Yacht Club. The respective leaders of the competitive teams have shown today their extraordinary skills, as well as the solid work ethic of those that they led throughout the setbacks experienced. Congratulations are in order for all. 

Swimstars finished fourth, followed by the Europan Submariners, Moghesian Fishing League, Phoenixport Phantoms, Cape Codes, and in tenth place the Adhomian Royal Yacht Club. Those that finished after the Adhomian Royal Yacht Club did not place, and were instead given a participatory award for their efforts, and applauded for their navigation of tropical storm Ernesto. The Sunshine City Sailors were unfortunately disqualified due to veering off course, and their subsequent recovery by NanoTrasen.

[Caelphon]

Bluespace Gates Struggle

 

In a press conference this past Sunday, President Joseph Dorn announced that the Bluespace Gates within the Republic of Biesel, the ones present within Tau Ceti, are struggling to cope with the volume of vessels that passes through the system and will be forced to begin scheduled shutdowns. He further confirmed that the amount of phoron required to keep the Bluespace Gates operating has dwindled most of the Republic’s stores of the mineral and unless another source is found the period that the Bluespace Gates remain online will continue to decrease. 

Quote

“Due to the unfortunate circumstances that we find ourselves in, hard decisions must be made for the greater good.  The scarcity of phoron has caused significant issues across the Orion Spur, and unless another source of this mineral is found, will continue snowballing. It is with the advice of my cabinet, that it has been decided that the Republic of Biesel will begin implementing scheduled blackouts for the Bluespace Gates in Tau Ceti,” President Dorn announces. 

Dorn then further expanded that the Bluespace Gates will be offline triweekly, occurring every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with immediate effect. There have already been reports of panic buying across the Orion Spur, commencing shortly after President Dorn’s announcement of the rolling blackouts. Additionally, it was announced that the tariffs for using the Bluespace Gate have also increased in an attempt to incentivise non-Bluespace Gate travel. Stellar Corporate Conglomerate Vessels are exempt from these tariffs. 

[Haydizzle]

Businesses Vacate the Hegemony; Izweski Economy in Ruins?

 

In an announcement made by many Stellar Corporate Conglomerate companies, there is news out of the Badlands today when it was announced that they will no longer be engaging in major business practice within the Hegemony. They cited “unfriendly” practices and difficulty with the transportation of goods and services purchased within the nation to the rest of the Spur as their reasons for withdrawing from their businesses growing inside of the Hegemony. The only two corporations to not make an announcement of similar note are Hephaestus Industries and Orion Express, who both answered the questions of Bugle journalists with affirmatives when asked if they would continue to operate with Hegemonic businesses, or guilds as they are called by Unathi, and within the Hegemony.

Azui Hutay'zai, economic consultant for Hegemon Not'zar, answered brief questions on the matter. While the loss of valued partners in trade and beliefs will be missed, he offered that "[the Izweski Hegemony] will graciously accept their time and business again … when they are able." Other questions were declined, however, notable among which were how Not'zar Izweski plans to have his country cope with the departure of important business within the Hegemony, or if they would attempt some way to bring corporate interests back into the fold. The withdrawal will likely not be immediate, as though there are not many, these storefronts will become either unmanned and foreclosed, switch to being owned in shop, or be bought by competing guilds. The more concerning point of the withdrawal is the massive amount of raw resources purchased within the Hegemony by many of the withdrawing corporations. The Hegemony along with the other less developed states of the Badlands, such as the People's Republic of Adhomai, account for a majority of rare metals and raw resources used in factories across the spur, from Xanu Prime to New Hai Phong. The loss of these materials may be felt far and wide, though multiple corporate spokespersons have stated that their factories would not be affected by this change.

Some professionals speculate that due to the aforementioned heavy reliance on exports, the Hegemony’s economy may take a steep dive as it is already struggling to cope with the ongoing scarcity of phoron affecting the wider Spur. Without the backing of most of the economic backbone of the galaxy, one pressing question remains: what direction is it that the Hegemony is heading?

[Caelphon]

Operations on Reade Expand!

The Stellar Corporate Conglomerate has announced plans to expand its operations on Reade, focusing predominately on the gas extraction and refinery industry present across the gas giant and its moons. With deposits of both Helium-3 and Hydrogen, Reade is expected to become increasingly integral to the overall stability of the Republic of Biesel as it continues to push the Peacekeeper Mandate within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, as well as being one of the only ways of protection against the encroaching phoron scarcity.

It has been confirmed that Orion Express Logistics will hold the majority controlling interest within these expanded operations on Reade, increasing their corporate portfolio. Chief Executive Officer Hong Chin-Hae allegedly met with several of the other megacorporate directors several days before the announcement, with many believing her to be the pioneer of the idea. The Orion Express will also commence construction of refuelling depots across the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, with the SCCV Horizon likely to be one of its customers along its journey across the Orion Spur. 

With the scarcity of phoron worsening, reliance on warpdrives has steadily increased over the last months, with Einstein Engines confirming the possibility of the Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive making its way into the civilian market after formalities set by the Solarian Corporate Authority have been met. While it is unknown how this may impact the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, it can certainly be said it will alleviate worries regarding interstellar travel within the Orion Spur.

[Caelphon]

Caprice is Rationed

After a meeting with High Queen Vaur’skiyet’sca of the Zo’ra Hive, President Dorn has announced that Caprice will be receiving less phoron than previously due to the impact of the mineral’s scarcity, and a system of rationing will soon be implemented across the planet. Additionally, Lesser Queen Scay’extiih’aur of the Zo’ra Hive is set to leave the Xerxes Biodome on New Gibson in order to discuss potential alternative avenues for increased K’ois production with the High Queen. 

It is possible that the planned expansion of K’ois farms on Caprice may commence sooner rather than later in the wake of the decisions taken by the Republic of Biesel to combat the encroaching scarcity of phoron, as well as limit the impact of the galactic economic recession that fast approaches since the announcement of the rolling blackouts scheduled by the Dorn Administration earlier this week. 

There is some unrest brewing within Flagsdale following the announcement of phoron rationing, with a particular group known as the Ky’klux - an organisation of Vaurcae that have no allegiance to any brood within the Orion Spur - voicing their concerns and taking the rationing as a sign of their predictions being made true. This comes as worry since the group has rather kept to themselves and performed petty crimes like vandalism, with many beginning to panic at the thought of another riot within Flagsdale.

[Caelphon]

 

Einstein Engines releases Civilian Hammerdrive

The successful rollout of the Suzuki-Zhang Hammerdrive across the Solarian Alliance’s Navy sees Einstein Engines fulfil their promises of bringing the advanced warpdrive to the civilian market after almost two years of its successes in dealing with the encroaching phoron scarcity - and restoring the capabilities of the Solarian Alliance is ensuring stability within its borders, through being incredibly affordable in its consumption with Helium-3 and breaking previous speeds set by other competing warpdrives. 

Pluto has seen its strategic importance regarding future military intervention in the Human Wildlands skyrocket as a result of the Suzuki-Zhang Hammerdrive’s success, with Helium-3 extraction capabilities doubling over the last twenty-four months according to the People's Commissariat for Economics and Finance of the Plutonian Special Administrative Zone. 

While slightly different to what is found within the Solarian Alliance’s Navy, the civilian Suzuki-Zhang Hammerdrive is said to still push far beyond the boundaries of existing warpdrives - doing so economically thanks to its decreased fuel consumption rates. Einstein Engines has reported its civilian launch has already seen widespread success in its limited marketing only within the Solarian Alliance and has announced that it will commence bringing it to other markets considerably earlier than expected - beginning with the Republic of Biesel.

[Caelphon]

Zeng-Hu Commences Charters

Following an announcement by the government of Assunzione regarding the decreased expedition launches into the Light’s Edge region of the Orion Spur, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals has jumped at the opportunity to expand its foothold within the interstellar economy through developing an additional branch based on exploratory sciences - different to their original intent of pursuing medical-based sciences.  

Chief Research Officer, Yuko Murakami Haya, has long claimed that the next important discovery regarding medicine is most likely to be discovered within this anomalous region, and is believed to be the main proponent of the creation of the medical conglomerate’s mission of chartering Light’s Edge. The Triesto Branch on Assunzione will be expanded to incorporate the oversight offices of the Light’s Edge Expeditionary Charter Group.  

Vice President, Rochelle Mohi, and Chief Medical Officer, Fukumi Cho, have worked in conjunction with CRO Haya in attempting to devise an alternative mindshield implant that can assist in countering the effect that the anomalous region has on the Zona Bonvinae - the current working theory regarding the heightened development of psychosis while traversing it. This alternative mindshield implant has seen some success in testing groups on Europa, and will soon see itself utilized in the Light’s Edge Expeditionary Charter Group.

[Caelphon]

Einstein Engines Phoenixport Expansion

Following the release of the Suzuki-Zhang Hammerdrive to the civilian market, Einstein Engines has declared that it will begin acquiring additional facilities within Phoenixport in order to “revitalize” the city - and become a “major economic hub within the Republic of Biesel overseen by an employee-centric corporate ethos that promotes productivity, whilst still complying with existing constraints” - according to Chief Executive Officer Noella Lopez-Zhang.  

The most recent acquisition is the dilapidated University of Phoenixport, procured by Einstein Engines earlier this week, and confirmed to be the start of Phoenixport’s resurgence after the megacorporation declared that the University will see itself uplifted and will soon become a centre of important discoveries within the Orion Spur. It was then revealed it will undergo a name change, the Lopez-Zhang Academy of Science and Technology and will have a focus on advancing the understanding of warp theory. 

Additionally, Einstein Engines funded the expansion of Phoenixport Regional Hospital Centre with the medical facility unveiling the opening of an entirely new wing dedicated to long-term patient care and rehabilitation, and will be utilized as soon as renovations are completed, and when it passes interstellar structural integrity tests. 

[Desven]

 

Dorn Presses ‘Orb’ Donation

Due to the Phoron Crisis, the Dorn administration has requested a phoron donation from one of their domestic allies, the Zo’ra Hive.

The petition for an ‘Orb,’ a Vaurca lifeform that serves as a live container of phoron, was made almost a month ago when Joseph Dorn and High Queen Vaur met in Mendell City. However, an ultimatum was made yesterday afternoon with the Dorn administration threatening to empty Dis, the Vaurcaesian stronghold which houses Warforms and serves as a military base. 

The announcement was made public in a report by Fred Bolas, a spokesperson for the Republic of Biesel. “Without further phoron supplies, it is unsustainable to continue to house Warforms, the property of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, in reserve on Caprice. These weapons would be better put to use within outposts situated throughout the Corporate Reconstruction Zone,” the document reads.

This is not the first time the issue of Warforms has come to the fore, with the Foreign Legion and the Zo'ra Hive having been in a long-standing debate on their ownership, both sides claiming to be the true authority. Although escalation is unlikely, this event is an unexpected turn in the otherwise friendly relationship between the Republic of Biesel and the Zo’ra Hive since their arrival to Tau Ceti.

Even if the ‘Orb’ is donated, scientists disagree on the benefits.

“We don’t know how pure the phoron inside the Vaurca is,” said Miles McGregor, one of the leading researchers of Vaurcaesian physiology. “Simply put, k’ois tend to stick to other components, and they're not easy to separate. It is highly likely that the phoron, even if it originated from pure crystals, may now be tainted because of the Vaurca diet.”

While the Zo’ra Hive has made no official report, an inside source claims that the donation is expected to occur later this week.

Edited August 14, 2022 by Desven
editorial

[Desven]

Police Doubled In Flagsdale

As a preventive measure, the Mendell City Police has increased its presence in Flagsdale, the largest Vaurca center in Biesel.

The decision was made after High Queen Vaur announced that the Zo’ra Hive would provide no more eggs for the ‘Queenless,’ a broad group of Vaurcae that do not belong to any of the major broods.

Queenless Vaurcae are said to be the main perpetrators of Flagsdale riots, according to statistics from the Mendell City Police Department in 2462. Last year, a Queenless band known as the Ak’riix disrupted the Flagsdale Hivenet relay, a major loss in the district’s infrastructure. Outside of District 9, Queenless Vaurcae have the highest crime rates. 

Vaur’s announcement was made after the Dorn administration declared that the Zo’ra Hive would receive less phoron, due to the mineral’s scarcity.

Although all attempts to disturb the peace in Flagsdale have been suppressed, Mendell Police City still expects a significant demonstration.

When asked to provide a statement, Ta’Akaix’Ger’myck’aal, a representative of the Zo’ra Hive, said, “In times of crisis, our charity work has to be reduced. The aid we provided to the unaffiliated hive-cells is not viable for the time being.”

[Desven]

Getmore Corporation CEO Responds to Threats of General Strike

After the allegations of a general strike made by Queen Xakt regarding the Luthien facilities, Mataji Khatri responded in a short statement.

The response, provided by Miss Nala Somari, was claimed to be “not official in any way, just a clarification.” She then proceeded to read from a piece of paper. “Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we say things we don't really mean to,” quoted Somari, “and those comments should be taken with a grain of salt.”

Two days ago, when asked by the press, Queen Xakt said that she would follow with a general strike if the ‘Orb’ is donated, per Dorn’s request. “If Dorn keeps demanding our most precious resources, we have no option but to protest. I'm willing to stop the production in all Luthien facilities if hostilities continue.”

However, economist Joe Wollock claimed this scenario to be “highly unlikely.”

“The Zo’ra Hive knows its worth,” said Wollock in a holo interview, “but they also know that their special status greatly depends on the services they provide. If Xakt keeps pushing for a strike, antithetical to the Vaurca values the Hive has promoted since their arrival, they give us no option but to look at other suitors that can fulfill the job.”

Queen Athvur declined to comment after she was asked about Xakt’s threats. While the Mendell City Bugle could reach no other Queens, New Sedantis returned a fax with the following response: “Comments from Queen Xakt do not reflect the current position of the Hive.”

[Connorjg1]

Main avenues close for Zo’ra Hive’s military parade

Today, large crowds of Zo’rane Vaurcae gather in Mendell City to celebrate “Hive War Victory Day,” a non-autochthonous holiday in honor of the historic victory over the Lii’dra during the “Great Hive War,” and the conclusion of the conflict thirty-thousand years ago today.

The Biesellite version of the parade was established in 2459 when Zo’rane Workers and Warriors took to the streets of Flagsdale in a boisterous celebration of the occasion. The event remained local to District 9 until 2461 when a contingent of Vaurcae arrived at Freedom Plaza in Zhèngfǔ District.

This year, the event has taken a different tone. In recognition of the anniversary, the Zo’ra Queens have arranged a major military parade to be televised. The broadcast, prepared in the early morning hours, has hired human commentators to better inform the spectators about the historical significance of the “Great Hive War.”

Currently, the Flagsdale contingent—led by High Queen Vaur—occupies five primary lanes of the Interdistrict Highway. While circulation is still possible, long traffic is to be expected. The Mendell City Bugle anticipates the downtime to last for the remainder of the day in Districts 1 through 9.

Another contingent, arriving from New Sedantis—led by Queen Zoleth—, is currently positioned in District 1. Major arterials from Mendell City’s downtown, such as Lulworth Avenue and Trasen Memorial Road, are completely occupied by the Zo’ra Hive. Spectators can join and observe the parade starting in Minell Street, where the proper preparations have been made for the audience.

Though there is currently a second parade in Caprice, the event is not as flamboyant as the one in Mendell City. In Biesel, Zo’rane senior Warriors are sporting the best of the Hive’s equipment while preparing to recreate their traditional formations. In addition, various Warforms from the storage facility “Dis” are expected to march alongside the parade in District 1.

Despite the current political tensions regarding the phoron shortage, the Zo’rane parade has all the required permits requested by the Mendell City Police and is expected to remain a peaceful, family-friendly event.

Edited August 28, 2022 by Connorjg1

[Connorjg1]

What Is ‘Wyvenet’ and How to Report It

Following the tense situation in Flagsdale, authorities of Mendell City have advised about a highly illegal communication protocol within Vaurcae, commonly known as ‘Wyvenet.’

‘Wyvenet’, named after its developer, Ka’Akaix’Wyve Zo’ra, is an alternative channel for bandless Vaurcae (dubbed ‘Queenless’) to communicate without official supervision. At the time being, the protocol has not been cracked.

“This is a major threat to Mendell City and a stain on our relationship with the Zo’ra Hive,” said Mendell City Police Deputy Michael Gomez. “It cannot continue.”

As ‘Wyvenet’ does not use Bluespace components, the relays are located across Mendell City and other regions of Biesel. While most are kept inside Vaurca buildings, some hide in plain sight, disguised as holovision antennae.

The ‘Wyvenet’ can also be detected by their radio frequency. Though unintelligible, it has a trademark pattern, referred to as ‘spiral’ by experts in telecommunications.

Republic of Biesel citizens are encouraged to report ‘Wyvenet’ stations and suspected activity to their police department. Although ‘Wyvenet’ is only known to operate inside Biesel, authorities suspect ‘Wyvenet’ radios have been smuggled to other planets as part of the cargo orders of different spaceships.

[Desven]

Mendell City Metro Line Evacuated After Foiled K’ois Terrorist Attack

Active k’ois spores were deployed across five stations of Mendell City Metro Line 1, which serves to connect Zhengfu District with Xinghua Prefecture.

So far, more than a dozen suspects have been arrested. All were identified as Zo’rane Vaurcae, affiliated with the Ky’klux gang.

Although the k’ois were identified within minutes, twenty people have been confirmed to be infected with mycosis, with a possibility of up to five hundred more unconfirmed cases from passengers who passed through the station. Line 1 will remain closed through the day as authorities continue to disinfect it.

The Court of Queens in Caprice issued an emergency statement, calling the act “deplorable” and “Lii’draic.”   

“What transpired today in Mendell City is deplorable and does not represent the values of the Zo’ra Hive, much less any of the Vaurca Hives. The nature of this attack is Lii’draic, and we will fully cooperate with authorities for the arrest of all responsible parties.”

Users of Line 1 are encouraged to visit their health centers for a k’ois test. Additionally, some housing buildings in the Xinghua Prefecture have been quarantined to prevent any future mycosis cases.

If left untreated, the contagion of k’ois mycosis can be lethal. For the full list of symptoms and other information, please visit health.biesel.gov/kois.

[Caelphon]

Biesel Announces Citizenship for Reconstruction Zone

President Joseph Dorn of the Republic of Biesel announced earlier today that select planetary member-states within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone have been officially integrated within the Republic, and therefore are entitled to the citizenship that it offers. Though some have criticised President Dorn’s announcement – others have rejoiced as it allows significantly easier assimilation into the greater Republic of Biesel. However, per Solarian laws those that wish to pursue citizenship must forsake their allegiance to the Solarian Alliance. 

The Union of Port Antillia and the Republic of Mictlan have qualified for these changes, with both Premier Julien Guerrier and Prime Minister Ladislao de Santos confirming that their planetary affairs offices will be ready for those that elect to pursue citizenship – where they’ll be able to forego the typical requirements such as enlisting with the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, having resided within the Republic of Biesel for a period of twenty-four months, or speaking Tau Ceti Basic. Integrated Positronic Chassis will still need to adhere to the requirements prescribed before they can be eligible for citizenship. 

However, President Dorn confirmed that those resisting the annexation of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone will not be offered these advantages – with significant stretches of the untamed region still experiencing issues assimilating to their newfound circumstances. – and until they have entered a period of secure stability, citizenship will not be granted to them. There will be a grace period of twelve months following the announcement for those within the Union of Port Antillia and the Republic of Mictlan to acknowledge their citizenship. Those that wish to keep their Solarian citizenship will be required to adhere to Biesellite visa requirements; both for residing and working within its borders.