Demons Gate

Frontier News Issue 17

  The Demons have at last got their galactic information network presence back up, and the Feds it seems are a bit worried. After the suspected Thargoid attack a few weeks ago, the Federal systems Anlave, Ceedex, Ackacked and Sodagre defected and allied themselves with the Demons (under highly suspicious circumstances, it may be added).

  The Demons now claim to be at war with the Thargoids as a result of this attack, with the help of the shady group "Combat 20" along with an alien race called the Psions. The triumvirate that has been formed is apparently dedicated to the elimination of the Thargoids. However, skepticism runs deep amongst the scientific community.

  Vic Dobbins, the ASC's chief scientific officer told the Frontier News, "We don't really understand where this Thargoid stuff is coming from. Thargoids have been steering clear of human space for a long time, and I think we'd have noticed if they were back. The whole thing is very suspicious indeed."

  The tabloid press continues to make connections between the Psions (who have only apparently ever been seen or communicated with the Demons) and the two LRA objects. The ASC told the News that this link was "utter nonsense".

  "Whoever the LRAs belong to have such a different frame of reference, it's unlikely that anyone - much less the Demons - will have meaningful communication within the next century, especially since all we have seen is machines. If the Psions do exist, it's nothing to do with the LRA," said Dobbins.

  Meanwhile, reports of sightings of strange alien vessels have been coming in. The ASC has been examining them, but so far, has debunked them all as optical illusions or plain fraud. It is of course possible that the Psions, whoever they are, are just keeping well-hidden. Despite all the turmoil, trade between Alliance systems and the four systems near Vebein has remained normal.

Frontier News Issue 18

Frontier News Issue 17

  Jose Davis, the former Secretary to the Treasury of the Alliance, was granted continued bail last Friday. Davis is charged with the kidnapping and murder of his political rival, Michelle Barbers. His bail was set at CR 1.1million, and he must remain on the planet Hope, in the Gateway system. His ship has also been impounded as part of the bail conditions.

  Presiding in the Supreme Court at Old Curie, Justice Kent Jackson told the court that he did not believe that Davis would attempt to run, but in light of the seriousness of the offence and Davis's resources, the bail conditions had to be set high.

  The prosecution and defence are now preparing their cases. The prosecution has already stated that it believes its case is strong. Janice McDaniels, the prosecution lawyer for the Gateway Prosecution Service told the News, "Davis will have his day in court, of course, but we don't think this trial will last long".

  Davis, on the other hand protests his innocence. He has hired a defence attorney with a superb reputation. Patrick Minson, the defence lawyer, has had some spectacular successes in the past - and it is likely that his clients really were innocent too.

The trial is set to start in three weeks time.

alt.fan.elite

Elite Club - Official site

Elite Club - unofficial site

  It looks like the Elite Club has got one step closer today as the official domain, eliteclub.co.uk, now points to its own server instead of Frontier Developments' server. Andrew Gillett said on alt.fan.elite that it was likely to be only a couple of weeks until he uploaded the first website data to the new server, and not too much longer before the freeware/shareware versions of FE:2 and FFE were available.

  Frustration has been growing a little in recent weeks about the time for the Elite Club to come online (see the Frontier News Issue 16). However, potential club members must remember that the club is a "time available" effort, and that Frontier Developments are currently extremely busy working on three other projects.

The Ironfrost Elite Network

Frontierverse

Far Traders

  Earlier today, at around 2pm GST, a high profile Imperial officer, Lord Ironfrost (to give him his full Imperial title - His Grace Kevin Prest, Protector of Ironville, and Officer of His Majesty's 1st Fleet of Facece), fell dramatically down a precarious flight of steel steps under suspicious circumstances. It is rumoured that he was pushed by an anonymous Federal assassin (speculated to be Carstein, who was originally presumed dead), but conflicting reports say he simply passed out after drinking too much Sohoan Red. It is still not known whether his Lordship can't take his drink, or whether Carstein is once again on the loose.

  His Lordship had been attending a summit detailing the possible threat to the Empire caused by the re-emergence of the "long-time thorn in the side", the Demons. He was accompanied by the baron Jonathan Stott, and the Lord Duke of Cactus, Robin Sharrock. A rumour was apparently spread that there was a selene outbreak from the science labs next door. However, the supposed selene outbreak had in fact been a last waft of air from the airconditioner fan as it failed, allowing the room to heat up under the glare of Achernar.

  In the ensuing panic, Squire Dean Mohareb in the front row collapsed over his chair, having fainted. The speaker at the front shouted, "Feds! Feds!". Lord Sharrock then also passed out in the confusion. Dr. Yoni Garson from the DIY Institite of Medical Failures was soon on hand, using the tried and tested method of slapping Lord Sharrock on the face to attempt to bring him around. The two officers were escorted from the room by nurses on hand, and the meeting was then returned to normal. Jonathon Stott could then finally resume his speech about the much more mundane subject of the National Cheese Foundation's ineptitude.

  It was at this point that the suspected assassination took place. Lord Ironfrost spent the time on an outside balcony for fresh air. Suddenly, Dr. Garson shouted "Kevin!" as the Lord began to tumble down the steel stairway, breaking his glasses and lying in a bloody heap at the bottom of the stairway. The room was evacuated, and Imperial footguards joined the scene. Lord Ironfrost was eventually airlifted by the DofE funded shuttle service to a nearby hospital where he could recover.

  Speculation on the incident is hot, since it was found that both Lord Sharrock and Squire Mohareb were poisoned by a small dart that had hit them on the back of the neck. Tension with the Federation has increased once again, as Imperial diplomats have accused the Federation for being resposible for this incident. A spokesbeing for the Empire told the News, "Nobody messes with Ironfrost and gets away with it. Was he pushed or did he fall? If he was pushed, there's going to be trouble."

  Lord Sharrock has now recovered. He told the Frontier News, "Lord Ironfrost is fine now. He'll be awarded a free, commemorative cheeseburger by his Imperial Majesty."

A free cheeseburger is a very curious award for this kind of incident. Perhaps Emperor Duval has finally gone insane.

alt.fan.elite

Acorn Elite Pages

Vanguard's Elite page

  A savage battle has begun between a new commander, who goes only by the name of Vanguard, and Commander Simon Challands (Elite), a long-standing member of the Elite Federation of Pilots. Vanguard, probably a pirate, started the battle by alledgedly pillaging copyrighted works from Challands. When asked to just credit the artwork in question, he vehemently refused.

  In a move uncharacteristic of a different pirate association, Reaper of the Demons went ahead and published convincing proof that Vanguard had committed the alleged act of piracy. This co-operation between bounty hunter and pirate is very rare, and has demonstrated the almost unanimous opposition to Vanguard's refusal to credit Cdr. Challands for his original artwork. Out of all the commanders who regularly meet in alt.fan.elite, only Louis J.M. of Mizar supported Vanguard, and even then only half-heartedly. However, Louis J.M. is well known as alt.fan.elite's "resident troll".

  Like all of these battles, this is likely to be settled with a 4MW beam laser and a decked out Asp. It is extremely unlikely that Vanguard will prevail if he continues his current behaviour. Opinion amongst the majority of alt.fan.elite was that Vanguard's site was "not very good"*

Aftermath

Frontierverse Fiction

Frontierverse news

  It's good to see that Simon Challands has another chapter of Aftermath online. The latest installment sees the stolen Constrictor go for a rather rough ride, leading to the arrival in a rather unexpected place (as well as some bruises and broken bones). And now the crew find themselves a long way from home...or is it close to home?

  Also this week, a new chapter of the saga, "Why Did the Groigan Dance?" is online. Chapter 28 sees a surprising turn...peace with the Federation? However, the Empire must now squash a traitor. Read the latest installment on the Frontierverse's Fiction section.

  Also at the Frontierverse, the news page indicates that the individual behind the FCIA (see last week's Frontier News) has been traced. Apparently, the prankster behind the FCIA is "now a prisoner in the Empire's maximum security prison". Rob Sharrock isn't letting on who the prankster is, though.