Lands Of Opportunity
2008-05-07T19:01+00:00
Basgerin - In this sleepy backwater of the Federation, a new life is beginning for thousands of hopefuls. Many have travelled immense distances for a chance to become one of the chosen few. To become a Terraformer.
At Basgerin VII - Moon 7 - Federal Administration Archives, the final stages of the selection process to become a Terraformer are taking place. These people will only get one chance; the demand for places is so high that they are strictly limited to one application. However, to get this far down the path, they have already proven that they have something that the Federation wants.
Terraforming is a process that takes decades to bring to fruition. Only in the final few years, when there is an almost one-hundred percent chance of successful population, will the Federal Administration begin the selection of people to populate these virgin worlds. Life on the frontier isn't easy. The extreme environments these pioneers suffer, both physical and mental, mean that the suicide rate on new worlds is one of the highest in the Federation. The applicants must be able to convince the authorities that they are sufficiently robust to not just survive on these new worlds, but that they will be able to thrive. What are the authorities looking for in an applicant?
"You have to understand that we are usually oversubscribed in the region of fifteen times the amount of people we need for each planet," remarked Phillipe Jansoewe, a member of the interview panel for the current vacancies "and this enables us to be quite choosy in our selection. Firstly, the size of the planet that we are going to populate is taken into account, then combined with the intended use we can come to some sort of figure for how many people we need. For example, if the planet is to be largely agricultural, we will need more manpower with a background in farming; conversely if the planet is to be a mining outpost, then an industrial background is more likely to get a person selected. This is just speaking broadly, as on the mostly industry heavy Terraformed worlds, we will still need a certain amount of agriculturalists, because these colonies will be self sufficient. This works the other way, obviously, with farming outposts."
"I'm only giving you a couple of basic examples here, as every Terraforming population will be hand-picked for the specific world they are going to populate. After we have figured out the demographics to enable the new world to fulfil its intended function, then we have to add in all the other trade groups that enable a society to exist. We need doctors, dentists, clerks, communications workers, cooks, engineers, shopkeepers, barkeepers, bankers; the list goes on and on. I think you would be surprised to learn that we even recruit artists, poets and musicians to populate these Terraformed worlds. In short, every trade and profession you would find in a normal Gallentean society is required, just in carefully measured proportions." Jansoewe chuckles to himself "Can you imagine what would happen if we sent too many poets and not enough plumbers?"
"The profession of the applicant is only one of the criteria we select our terraformers on. Health is just as important. We look for the strongest and fittest people; there can be nothing left to chance. A medical is carried out by Navy doctors, very similar to a Capsuleers. DNA is checked to ensure they aren't carrying any faulty genes. Full psychometric evaluation is carried out. These people need to be tough mentally as well as physically; we leave nothing to chance. Once we are happy that the applicant is medically fit, we look at their reasons for applying. Single young men who are looking for adventure are definitely out. Statistically, they have the highest failure rate. One of the biggest problems Terraformers have is dealing with boredom. We have tried supplying the latest holoreels, gaming machines, egones; you name it, we've tried it. Simply put, we found the best cure for boredom is one of the leisure activities that the human race has practiced since the dawn of time." Jansoewe's eyes twinkle, "We particularly welcome fertile young couples into the programme. You have to remember, we want to populate the planet long term. In addition to this, we encourage family groups to apply; providing they all meet the requirements."
It certainly seems to be a very thorough process. What attracts someone to give up their normal life, subject themselves to all these tests, in the hope of living in such a hostile new world? In one of the waiting rooms was an electronics technician from Direrie, Gilliere Macsonde. "I'm excited at the thought of being part of something truly unique in the universe," he smiled "I wanted to become a Capsuleer, but after I married I realised I preferred home life too much, although there wasn't much of a challenge." His wife, Kiszault, continues "I'm an obstetrician, and I feel I have gone as far in my career as I can in my practice on a station. I would like our children to look back at us in forty, fifty years and see us as real pioneers. I had reached a ceiling, and becoming a Terraformer would give our lives a new beginning." Gilliere responds "Besides, living in an apartment on a station is not the best environment to bring children up. This way, we will have something more tangible to pass on to our descendants; something more than a steel box in orbit around a planet." They are hoping to be accepted along with their two children, Janson and Kresson.
In this modern age, it appears that some humans still have the desire to feel solid ground beneath their feet, and have somewhere they can rest their heads and say "This is my home."
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Attempt made on Midna's life during concert
2008-05-04T21:29+00:00
Luminaire - During her concert on Caldari Prime, Midna was shot in the stomach at point blank range by an assailant who then committed suicide. Midna was rushed to the hospital where she is in serious but stable condition as DED agents attempt to piece together the evidence of the night.
Approximately midway through her set, Midna briefly halted her concert to perform a ritual that has now become commonplace in her act. She called five members of her fan club who had been previously selected by her security onto stage. The fan club members were to engage in a blood exchange ritual with Midna, an act that has become quite coveted among her fans.
As the third member of the fan club approached Midna, he drew a weapon and pointed it at her. DED officers in the crowd, who were present watching for Blood Raider recruiters, credit the fast reaction of venue security for saving Midna's life. One security guard charged the gunman and hit him right as he fired, redirecting the shot away from any vital organs.
As security and DED officers swarmed the stage, the gunman managed to put the weapon to his own head and pull the trigger. Midna was immediately air lifted to a nearby hospital, where she was stabilized. There is expected to be no lasting damage.
The DED officers cooperated with local police officials in taking statements from fans and security personnel, then turned over the official investigation to the local authorities.
The gunman was identified through DNA analysis as Lucius Zant, an Amarrian with long criminal record. He had last been seen in civilized space three years ago as he fled Amarr officials into null-sec space at the Aridia-Fountain border. Police are unsure as to his motive, though strong evidence points to it being religiously motivated. Whether it was as an agent of the Blood Raiders or as a lone zealot of the Amarrian religion is still up for debate.
It is believed Zant replaced the member of the fan club expected to participate in the ritual. The fan club member, Let Kazuma, has not been found and police are proceeding under the belief foul play may be involved.
Midna has yet to make a public statement and her representatives say it will be some time before she is able to speak to reporters. The rest of Midna's tour has been canceled.
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Archaeological Dig Poses New Questions
2008-04-30T17:35+00:00
Postouvin, Solitude - For several months now, archaeologists have been excavating an important find on the first planet in the Postouvin system. Results of some of the preliminary analyses are in, and the researchers now feel that they can confidently date the site to roughly some eleven thousand years before the signing of the Yulai Treaty ushered in the modern era.
"It really is quite a unique and astonishing find," said Dr. Kender Quillian, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Caille's Osmeden campus and director of the dig site. "It offers us tantalizing evidence of a culture that perhaps survived the collapse of the EVE Gate, living in isolation for several millenia before finally dying out. However, these clues pose further questions. Who settled this far-flung outpost? Were they living in isolation? What were they like? And what ultimately led to their disappearance?"
Even the researchers working at the dig have differing theories. Wendella Houvier, an archaeology graduate student explained, "See this support beam? This style of rib-and-skin architecture was almost universal throughout the structures at the site. It's made of a high grade of alloyed steel, but we haven't found any remnants of facilities capable of manufacturing something of this size or complexity here." Similarly, the skin of the shelters was made from an advanced type of polymer sheeting. Some researchers believe these finds imply either that there are further sites waiting to be discovered, or that the settlement here had trading partners, perhaps from off-world.
So far, an extensive search of the surrounding area has turned up a frustrating absence of other sites. Dr. Quillian posits a theory; "I believe that this was at one time a scientific outpost, one that perhaps became cut off from its parent civilization. Postouvin I is a relatively inhospitable planet, though geological evidence proves that it is much cooler now than it was in the time these people lived here." Dr. Quillian goes on to hypothezise that as a small, isolated outpost, the entire community probably numbered no more than perhaps ten thousand inhabitants at its peak. Yet that small community was at some point forced to become a civilization unto itself.
The scientists' understanding is further deepened by the findings of Dr. Jansen Pettigrew, a paleo-botanist with the expedition. "Though it was certainly much warmer then than it is now, the planet is still not suitable for wide-spread agriculture. The soils are very acidic, and with no native vegetation to hold them, they are prone to rapid erosion. The natural atmosphere is also very thin. Yet we find seeds, microscopic leaf detritus, and even pollen from a variety of edible plant crops present here." Dr. Pettigrew concludes that this is evidence of intensive synthetic indoor horticulture, probably in the form of hydroponics.
Indeed, it is this likely dependence on hydroponics which may hold the biggest clue to the eventual disappearance of the civilization. Dr. Quillian explained, "There is virtually no surface water on the planet. Though there are subsurface aquifers and ample evidence of wells and pumps at the site, geological shifts could well have cut off that supply." Similarly, the gradual cooling of the planet could have locked progressively more and more water up in solid ice, leading to a gradual reduction in available water. "I cannot imagine what that would have been like, living through that long, slow decline."
The excavation, which has been lavishly funded by the Federation Endowment for the Arts and Sciences, is planned to continue at least eight more months. In addition to the scientific findings, unique art and cultural objects from the site are slated for a museum tour once they have been fully catalogued, probably sometime mid-year.
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Admiral Alexander Noir receives the Aidonis
2008-04-30T06:49+00:00
The 160-year old Alexander Noir has been named the winner of the Aidonis Statue for the year 109. Noir, an Admiral in the Gallente Navy, has long been praised for his work in bridging the gap between the Gallente Federation and Caldari State. The Aidonis Foundation awarded the Statue to Noir for his lifelong efforts as much as his work over the past year, where he helped negotiate trade relations between the two empires, as well as amicably mediating several issues of border incursions by the two sides' navies.
"I am honored to receive the award," said Noir from his home on Gallente Prime, where he was joined by Gail Noir, his wife of 100 years. "I have long worked to bring total peace between the State and Federation. Once we were joined as brothers. And though those days have long passed, there is nothing that should keep us from being friends."
Noir has significant experience with the conflict between the Caldari and Gallente. He is the last surviving veteran of the Gallente-Caldari war, with most of his combat service coming as a yeoman on board a Dominix-class battleship. A member of the Navy ever since, he became a capsuleer some time after the war. His adoption of capsuleer technology also gives him the unique honor of being the cluster's oldest living capsuleer.
Despite his advanced age, Noir continues to work diligently in pursuit of peace. He is known throughout the Federation by the nickname the "Statesman of Antiquity," despite having never held or sought public office. "Many have wondered when I will retire," Noir said in his statement. "The real question should be, when will we find peace in the galaxy? Unless my body gives out on me before then, I'll never retire." He has continued to serve in the Navy, mostly as an ambassador to the Caldari State, where he is equally well known by Caldari Navy officers.
Contrary to expectations, Admirals inside the Caldari Navy speak of Noir with respect and admiration. "The man is a legend," said Admiral Janus Tovaan. "He is not an empty politician who speaks of peace without knowing the strife of war. He lived and fought through the most harrowing war in memory. I have only had the pleasure of dealing with him once, when I was only a Captain. He proved himself to be a remarkable, unique man."
In accepting the award, Noir emphasized that he does not consider it a culmination of his work. "The galaxy still teeters precariously on the edge," he said. "This award shows that my work is appreciated. But if anyone thinks that it means I will let go, they are sorely mistaken. We must always remain diligent against the specter of war. It is only through constant vigilance, not empty words and paltry gestures, that we can ensure that our children grow up in a world without war. I hope the leaders on all sides can follow my example and work toward peace. And I shall continue to strive every day for the continuation and expansion of the peace we now know."
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DED raid targets Midna concert, arrests 7
2008-04-27T06:11+00:00
Alachene - The DED conducted a raid during a Midna concert last night, arresting seven people for suspected ties to the Blood Raider Covenant. The raid occurred midway through the sold-out concert, which was being held in a concert hall with a three-thousand person capacity.
According to DED spokesperson Elincia Deschanel, the DED had been monitoring the activities of the Blood Raiders in connection with Midna for several weeks. "Once Midna made the announcement that she was a Sani Sabik follower, the DED thought it would be prudent to investigate her. In the course of the investigation, we discovered that the Blood Raider Covenant was sending recruiters to the concerts in order to bring new members into the fold. We set up an operation to arrest the recruiters at the Alachene concert, which was one of the larger ones on her tour."
Approximatively half way through Midna's set, a fight broke out between one of the accused recruiters and the DED undercover officer who was attempting to arrest him. The officer, whom the DED have declined to identify, called for backup. Twenty armed DED officers then stormed the concert hall, putting a halt to the performance as the lights were brought up and Midna escorted off the stage for her own safety.
The concert goers were initially unsure of what was occurring, but the DED took control of the public address system and informed the crowd that the DED was arresting known criminals. There were a few minor injuries to concert goers, and several were arrested for assaulting DED officers, though all were released and no charges are expected to be pressed.
The raid and arrests took thirty-five minutes to complete, at which point Midna returned to the stage and resumed her concert. The pop star was visibly shaken by the occurrence at first, but regained her composure after a few songs. By that point, around half of the concert goers had left the venue. After Midna completed her set, she retreated backstage and did not do an encore, which is the first time she has not on this tour.
"I wasn't sure what was going on," Midna told reporters after the concert. "All of the sudden the house lights all came on, DED agents were swarming in from the entrances, people were pointing guns, and security rushed me off stage. I didn't even find out what was going on for almost a half hour. For a while, I really was fearing for the safety of my fans, as well as myself."
The DED issued an apology to Midna, stating that the undercover busts had already happened at several of her prior concerts without incident. "We'd like to stress that Midna was in no way connected to these Blood Raider agents, except incidentally. Our investigations have turned up no link between her and the Blood Raider Covenant, much as she says. These recruiters were sent, independently, by the Blood Raider Covenant in an attempt to capitalize on Midna's popularity and influence her fans into joining them."
The DED stated that it would continue monitoring Midna's concerts for the presence of Blood Raider recruiters, though they would now cooperate more closely with the singer and venue security in order to avoid a repeat of the incident.
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