Weird Times (Part II)

Prosthetics – Contraband

Prosthetics are bio-mechanical devices developed to replace damaged limbs, organs and other body parts. Hyperial perfected the development and production of highly specialized Prosthetics decades ago and was the only production source. After years of lobbying and protests — primarily by Quantar — Prosthetics exports from Hyperial were outlawed by the Factions in 107.2 after evidence was unearthed that the Prosthetics included organic tissue of questionable origin.

According to UUNN Prosthetics vanished from the open market since Hyperial stopped production in 107, after TRI outlawed exports from there. The first report about a smuggler transporting Prosthetics and beeing caught by TRI-SEC was announced at 118.1.3, more then ten years later.

Ares Kiden asked “What’s Going on With Prosthetics?” in The (Unregulated) Update

“I don’t understand what is going on with Prosthetics.  They were declared contraband years ago, but there is still a black market for some reason and my sources tell me they are selling for over 4.2 million credits to the right buyers.  Who is buying these and why?”

Posted by UUNN on 119.1.30
Vol. III, No. 3 – by Ares Kiden

Solder Ronin, Commandant of TRI-SEC made the following statement, after a smuggler died avoiding capture:

“Prosthetics activity seems to be on the rise again — especially out of Lothars, prices have skyrocketed and these smugglers are willing to take big risks for big profits.  But it won’t be worth it.  We will catch them.”

Posted by UUNN on 119.1.22

Dealers – Customers – Smugglers – Insider Informations

We only heard from captured or dead smugglers, but noone had a clue about the persons pulling the strings, at that time. Obviously Hyperial never stopped to produce Prosthetics, but Lothars Landing was mentioned too, to be a place with a lot of fluctuation going on.

At some point I decided to get in touch with some people to gather informations on my own. I was told it would be dangerous, extremely dangerous, to find out more or get involved with the smuggling ring.

Long before UUNN reported about the autopsy of the deceased Empereor Atticus Septus in The (Unregulated) Update on 119.2.27 I was able to get in touch with one of the pilots payed to deliver Prosthetics from Hyperial to Great Pillars Station.

The following recordings, dated 118.1.19, expose Dr. Viggio Ragne, Hyperial Special Representative, as one of the masterminds of the Prosthetics trade, and the former Consul of Martius, Cicero Rnenta, as his counterpart for Octavius.

Hyperial Station

Great Pillars Station

At that time, I knew who is involved, but not who else is gaining from the smuggling or for what the Prosthetics got used for.

My plan was to get deeper into it and become a smuggler myself. I left The Brotherhood and founded Black Ore, bought Prosthetics at an unregulated station, spoke about searching a customer for them on open channels and at various locations and soon was a person of interest for TRI-SEC.

Looking back now, I remember someone told me “it will not work”, because of my reputation, and you were right!

I won’t go into detail, but my plan didn’t work out, just more questions without answers …

There was that politican, who entered race for Major of Barnard and got accused of beeing tied to Prosthetics smuggle, Berl Rismore. Wanted to find out more about him and his backround, cause in his campaign he didn’t sound like a typical Hyperion.

Next destination: Hyperial Station …

Btw.: Those individuals mentioned above announced joint efforts between Hyperial and Martius on 118.5.9:

“Today we take a step which will be long-remembered.  Emperor Atticus Septus and President Drago Maximilian have reached out across the Void to form a partnership.  Despite our different histories . . . our different traditions . . . our different politics, they have found enough common ground to build an important partnership that, we hope, will bring just a little bit of unity in our badly-fractured corner of space.”

Posted by UUNN on 118.5.9

Amnesia - Epidemic - Death - Riots - Blackout - Iulia - Weird Times (Part III)

Weird Times (Part I)

Rise more – or die

Everything started with the following news at UUNN:

“Challenger Enters Race for Mayor of Barnard”

Posted by UUNN on 118.3.15
UUNN Newswire
(Hyperial Station) In a somewhat surprising late development, Berl Rismore, formerly a Senior Project Director at Samsun Universal, has decided to throw his hat into the ring as a candidate for Mayor of Barnard in the upcoming election to be held on 118.4.1.
Rismore recently became a member of The Directorate when he was chosen to assume the seat for his recently-deceased father.  His decision to challenge Dr. Elin Araad, who had been running unopposed, has caused a political stir.  He has launched his campaign using non-traditional media that breaks with Hyperial tradition in keeping all political debate private to Hyperial.
With little experience and almost no political capital, Rismore is not expected to pose much of a challenge to the incumbent.

Berl Rismore R.I.P.

Hope was rising – not only for Hyperial

Change, deescalation, unity, a better future, something was going on:

“Early Polls Show Interest Growing for Rismore”

Posted by UUNN on 118.3.20
UUNN Newswire
(UUNN HQ) An anonymous poll conducted by UUNN show Berl Rismore, the unexpected challenger in the race for Mayor of Barnard, could garner at least 28% of the votes from his colleagues in The Directorate.  The position of Mayor of Barnard, like all other major offices in Hyperial, is elected exclusively by the 400-members of The Directorate.
When Rismore initially announced his candidacy, the general opinion was that he would get a single-digit percentage of the vote at best.  The incumbent Mayor, Dr. Elin Araad, has yet to do any public campaigning for her re-election, and was probably not expecting the need to do so.
Berl Rismore, the son of long-time Directorate member Eldrid Rismore, has run a very non-traditional campaign, taking his message beyond The Directorate and even beyond the Hyperial public — into very open, very public forums.

Berl Rismore – a true politican – Hyperial needed a person like him since decades

“I’ve been criticized by the status-quo people for “going public” with my message. We refused to join TRI in 40AT. We refused again in 99AT. Where has that gotten us? As Mayor of Barnard, I will use my influence to explore opportunities for change. Let’s join the universe!”

TRI 118.03.22 Berl Rismore

“The Purge”

And then, the corrupted system, Hyperial is ruled by, started to tear him down. Another reason why Hyperial has to be punished and be imposed punitive tariffs on theire products.

“Hyperial President Releases Statement”

Posted by UUNN on 118.3.20
UUNN Newswire
(Barnard, Hypsos) The office of President Drago Maximilian released a Presidential Statement today regarding recent campaign claims made by Berl Rismore.
Since Mr. Rismore has taken it upon himself to campaign to the galaxy rather than focusing on the electors in The Directorate, I feel the need to set the record straight.  Perhaps a century or so ago the position of Mayor of Barnard was actually about running a city, but since that time the duties — if not the title — have evolved significantly.  The Mayor of Barnard is one of my very closest advisers, especially as it relates to trade and relations with the other entities and factions.  So it is not very “odd” that other factions or corporations might take an interest in who occupies that office.  It is not some dark, dirty secret.  I guess time will tell whether the electors and the financial backers feel that Mr. Rismore is up to a job of that magnitude.  I do not.

“Prosthetics Smuggler Tied to Rismore Campaign”

Posted by UUNN on 118.3.23
UUNN Newswire
(UUNN HQ)  A pilot apprehended and detained today by TRI-SEC for having a number of Prosthetics in cargo, is rumored to have ties to Berl Rismore, a candidate in next week’s election for Hyperial’s Mayor of Barnard.  We have been unable to get formal statements from either TRI-SEC or the Rismore Campaign.
TRI-SEC has increased its “stop-and-scan” patrols recently due to an upsurge in Prosthetics trafficking.

“TRI-SEC Releases Statement on Prosthetics Smuggler”

Posted by UUNN on 118.3.24
UUNN Newswire
(Solrain Core) TRI-SEC today released a statement from Commandant Solder Ronin on the recent apprehension of a Prosthetics smuggler:
On 118.3.23, a TRI Security officer on regular patrol stopped an scanned a pilot in Zealot’s Refuge.  The pilot, Garrod Kelton, was found to be carrying 30 units of Prosthetics.  He was immediately detained and his ship impounded.
During questioning, Mr. Kelton indicated that he had been contracted anonymously to move the Prosthetics from Klatsches Hold to Lothars Landing in exchange for for 11 units of platinum (about 500,000 credits).  He claims to have picked up the cargo from a storage container on Klatches Hold and did not know who would be receiving the contraband at Lothars.  He did indicated that when initially contracted, he was told that the significant proceeds of the transaction would be used to help fund the Rismore campaign in Hyperial, but we have been unable to ascertain any concrete ties to Mr. Rismore or anyone else in his campaign organization.
Mr. Kelton is a citizen of Solrain and is being turned over to the STCC for appropriate prosecution.  If we receive any other pertinent details that can be released under Solrain law, we will make them public.
We will continue out vigilant patrols in an attempt to disrupt all Prosthetics trade and request the cooperation of all law-abiding pilots.

For anyone who missed the responses of Berl Rismore:

Berl Rismore@BerlforMayor · 118.03.23 “Rumored to have ties …?” “I am astounded that UUNN, and to a lesser degree TRI-SEC, would play pawns in this.”

Berl Rismore@BerlforMayor · 118.03.23 – FULL DISCLOSURE. For those who have not heard about this new smear campaign … https://jgnewsnet.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/prosthetics-smuggler-tied-to-rismore-campaign/ Unfortunately since they have not named this “rumored associate” it’s pretty hard to respond.

Result of an manipulated election:

“Araad Cruises to Win”

Posted by UUNN on 118.4.2
UUNN Newswire
(Barnard, Hyperial) Hyperial has announced that Dr. Elin Araad received 395 of the 400 votes from The Directorate, to win a second term as Mayor of Barnard.  The race generated some news when the relatively-unknown Berl Rismore announced his candidacy and ran an unconventional campaign.
Rismore was not available for comment on the final results of the election.

Comments from a Hyperial citizen:

“I love my city. I love my world. I know most of you have never visited Barnard. It enormous and vital and beautiful and seductive like no where else I have ever seen. It is the soul of Hyperial.“

“Many think of Hyperial and think of politics … wars … weapons … contraband. I think of parks, architecture … the rolling fields of our farms, our beautiful textiles. Have you ever seen an ancient Hyperial tapestry? You should.“

“To see MY Hyperial, there is a fair layer of accumulated grime you will need to scrape away. But once you get past that … it’s magnificent!“

Berl Rismore@BerlforMayor 118.03.24

__________________________________________________________________________________

What now? He’s dead!

“Rismore Found Dead”

Posted by UUNN on 120.4.30
UUNN Newswire
(UUNN HQ)  TRI-SEC is reporting that remains found and reported to them by a pilot on 120.4.27 have been confirmed to be those of Berl Rismore, who famously ran for Mayor of Barnard (and lost) in 118.  The remains were found in the access port of the Magnesium Nanoproducer in Hyperial Station sector
Although Rismore was last heard from just two months ago, promoting a Hyperial Faction mission, TRI’s forensics experts insist that based on their study of the remains, he has been dead for at least twelve months.  Rismore, age 33, was also a member of The Directorate.
TRI-SEC has turned the case over to Hyperial Station Security (HSS) for further investigation

Prosthetics - a reason to die - contraband - Weird Times (Part II)

“The Dark” – official memo

TRI 120.5.21 – Aman Gate – sporksfoons – for immediate release

The tournaments organized by E.R.I. in the last weeks made some headlines and involved pilots from different factions. It was a positive sign and a new approach to give pilots the possibilty to compete in real space under real conditions, incomparable to events in the simulator.

The following informations, a leaked medical report and a hint by an unnamed source, makes the activities in sector The Dark suspicious.

TRI 120.5.13 – Leaked Medical Report – signed by – X. Scaggwhistle

Source: https://joystickrequired.com/threads/leaked-medical-report.13070/#post-78467

TRI 120.5.14 – Quantar Core – Message on the local channel from an unnamed source to Kanthakeh/Brotherhood

That leaves an aftertaste to the events, mostly organized by GrimGriz, who dissolved his squad “Lost Sons of Hyperial” and is now a member, maybe the head of E.R.I., confidant of Edgar Reece and well known for psychological, nuclear and guerilla warfare.

Demand/offer to E.R.I.:

“Access to the infected person(s), examination of the infected person(s) with aid of a medic located at Quantar Core, the medical equipment necessary for the examination will be dropped at the affected station by a pilot from Brotherhood.”

Advice to everyone cooperating with E.R.I.:

“Watch out for attempts of manipulation or mindcontrol, be careful with everything that involves Hyperial!”

Own actions:

“We will patrol sectors around The Dark more often and more carefully, including scans of ships heading or leaving the sector and the affiliated stations.”

 

“We live in weird times*, some are still searching for answers, others don’t, many of us just vanished into the skein … “

Nessos – Brotherhood of the Stone

 

*Weird Times (Part I) – Thoughts about the past and recent events – will be released on TRI-Plog in the coming days.

Personal Log

Eye of Roh HQ (Tesrend’s place)

It was a very quick tour today. I didn’t have a lot of time so I decided to grab the freighter from Eye of Roh HQ and head to Ring View to see what was in the ore depot.

As it turned out a freighter was overkill. There was just 267 units of common or for me to pick up. It was an easy run except for the armor storm — which didn’t erode my tough armor but did make it tough to see.

The ore delivery actually finished up a Skill Star for me. Then a made  a few extra credits running Titanium from Depot to QC.  Then back to Eye of Roh to get my Phoon.  So not a complete waste of time.

what am i up to.

bear with me this is gonna be a lenghty log of the last few days

it started 2 days ago

TRI date 119.3.26

After the recent difficulties between quantar and hyperial resulted in the station governour of hyperial expelling all quantar made equipment into space.

it occured to me that the current way of stockpiling nukes around space wasnt working all that well .

old system was a 1/3 oct 1/3 sol 1/3 quantar supply of missiles at Amanath , Hyperial and the 4 unregulated stations .

to be honest for me it was a nightmare to keep track of what was available at each station. so i deviced a new way of distribution that is a lot easier to manage.

1 type of nuke on each station .

DSS Data Recovery: DSS116.6.11D3B-1

This may be the largest dataset I have ever recovered, yet it was also the cleanest, fastest data recovery I have done as well.  It was like it had been stored on that DSS recently.

I took a peek at the code and it looks to me that it’s some sort of media, and there are others who are more adept at doing this kind of decryption than me.

Click HERE to access the dataset.  Please let me know if you have any trouble accessing it.

Personal Log

Quantar Core

Today I finished the mission I started yesterday evening — running down to Amananth to pick up Flashfires for Quantar.  The chatter channel was quiet and I saw a couple of people on the way, but no one responded to my hails.  Perhaps it’s the Hyperial bounty.  Nonetheless, I dropped a few FFs at The Stone Temple and the rest at Quantar Core.  We should have plenty to last a while unless they’re stripped.

Phosphorous Nanoproducer destroyed

After Oberothton informed me about GrimGriz’ attack in Omni IV I tried to get up to date about the recent incidents in and around Hyperial.

Not only was it painful to read that the GenMod laboratory (a. k. a. Phosphorous Nanoproducer) was fully repaired. But to be told that instead of taking up arms, Quantar pilots even helped to repair that building made me speechless.

Brother Ambrosius did his best to undo the work, but shamefully he was on his own and had to abort his mission near completion.

When dusting off my bomber today I thought: Well – take 6 nukes and finish off that damn building. So I started my tour from QC to Hyperial sector, but had to see that another Quantar pilot named DUBERANGER was just about to finish repairs again.

Fortunately he seemed to celebrate his efforts at the local bars so I took the opportunity for my bombing run. It took me 7 runs, many reloads and severe PR hits but finally after 20 nukes the building collapsed into space debris – hopefully once and for all.

Hamalza’ab!
 

Personal Log

Cheyenne Mountain

I was reading with disgust how Grimgriz, Me.1 and Imorg fixed that Lab building and figured I needed to do something about it.  After cleaning up some blue beacons in Quantar space I headed to Eye of Roh station to get our “Boomer.”  Then headed to QC to load up with Nukes — three on the racks and six in the hold.

Imorg was on duty somewhere, so I offered him the opportunity to help me out to repent for his sins.  But he was going on about “no proof it was a lab” and so forth.  I think that boy is a little slow.

So I headed out on my own to do some damage, fully expecting Imorg or Grimgriz to try to interdict.  That did not happen so it was a long, boring run.  I made three bombing runs, headed back to KH to reload, and then made 3 more.  Unfortunately, it left me 2 nukes short of finishing off the building.

I guess I’ll be back tomorrow.

Azure Snowflake – Snowfall

08:13; THE AZURE SNOWFLAKE MEANS WINTER IS HERE!
08:13; In Flight
08:21; Target Scan: stage 0, structure at 25%
08:22; Docking in QC POS to activate modified BCU
08:24; Docked(Non-Flight Scrn)
08:24; In Flight
08:24; modified BCU active, proceeding to target
08:28; OP GO
08:30; WE REMEMBER RAUDER – THE LOST SONS REMEMBER
08:30; WE STRIKE AT QUANTARS SHAME
08:31; structure at 20%
08:35; /ratings
08:36; PR says they’ve noticed – one more should finish this

<flew through swarm in RV, to stop at a nearby POS kind enough to sell Glaives to Bountied Pilots:>
Shout out to House of Ribs – Quantar Hook

08:42; Docked(Non-Flight Scrn)
08:50; In Flight

<it looked like the swarm was following the whistle for a few sectors, but they broke off after the CP was destroyed>

08:50; come on puppies!
08:51; COME ON!
08:52; Docked(Non-Flight Scrn)
08:52; In Flight
08:54; GOOD PUPPIES!
08:55; COMMENCING FINAL RUN
08:56; IN REMEMBRANCE OF RAUDER – A STRIKE AT QUANTAR’S SHAME
08:56; SNOWFALL HAS BEGUN
08:58; TARGET DESTROYED
09:02; /ratings
09:03; Docked(Non-Flight Scrn)