SDW: UC retakes Toka-II 2/2 From: Thomas Leitgeb <thomas.leitgeb@kfunigraz.ac.at> Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000 GECKO TAKES OVER SO McNeil's Death Investigated SO/C Stormgiant (Iridani System) [Independent Reporter] - In a much anticipated press release, Storm Opportunities announced today the successor to the presidency of SO. Warmaster Gordon R. Gecko, formerly Chief Executive Officer of Octogon Corporation and co-founder of Storm Opportunities, will be assuming control of the dark and often enigmatic organization. Though unavailable for comment, it is known that Warmaster Gecko was a close friend of Storm McNeil and has been in a livid rage since Storm's surprising and untimely death. According to inside sources, Warmaster Gecko has ordered an investigation into the "unlikely events" surrounding Storm's death. Though little word has passed out of the inner sanctums of SO regarding the outcome of the investigation, a minor SO official has been quoted as saying "...(the) inquisition has nothing on (Gecko)." Rumored to have been a self-willed, determined and hard charging lieutenant for Storm McNeil (who reportedly had to contain Gecko's "enthusiasm" on more than one occasion), it would not be wild speculation to suggest things will be different in the Darkwell from now on. This reporter has not had the dubious honor of interviewing Warmaster Gecko as of yet and therefore can lend no insights into his character. However, based upon the "trapped animal" appearances of the various officers leaving the investigation office, the idle remarks in the hallway and what little this reporter could determine from other sources, it is clear that Gordon Gecko has a much finer purchase on that ledge otherwise known as sanity. NOTES FROM THE GM Seeking Sanctuary One thing about the destruction of Marathon Reach is that new players simply don't have a safe and sane place from which to start their adventures within the game. New ships can start at any city belonging to their allegiance, but there are only two allegiances that are open to new recruits. New players coming in as non-aligned can start at any "Open" city, places that are supposedly looking for visitors and customers. Even here they are immediately threatened and/or set upon as soon as they appear in dock. This creates a problem, because without an influx of new players, new characters, and new ideas into the game Stars of the Dark Well will eventually dry up and blow away. Not soon, but it will happen. The level of paranoia and hostility aimed at new players is on the rise. Even the so-called "open" allegiances attack new members with disturbing regularity, usually based on the most nebulous of assumptions. As you can see, this trend is not just bad news for new players, it's bad news for ALL players. The politics within SDW are so complex that new players really need a helping hand, not a slap across the face. Let's drop the cliquishness before it's too late. To all city managers: please let me know if you would like to have new players starting at your city. This is, after all, a great way to make new friends. I would even suggest putting your phone number into your market report. To all allegiance presidents: If you can't deal with new members, please close your allegiance to recruiting. Don't use it as a trap for the unwary. If your allegiance is closed, consider opening it. This may seem obvious, but having more players working on a task means spreading the real-world turn costs around more. To all: Try to be a little friendlier to the newbies okay? Remember when you first started playing? OPEN TRADE CITIES In Dark Well Space BN/C CHINA GROVE City Manager CMDR. KNOXIOUS Configuration Rating 50,035,660 Maintenace Rating 100,071,320 Repair Rating 150,106,980 Recreation Capacity 32,400 Population 126,236 Location RISPIR System +02/-05 NX/C ALEXANDRIA City Manager ECMGR. P.K. O'MALLEY Configuration Rating 30,131,200 Maintenace Rating 60,262,400 Repair Rating 90,393,600 Recreation Capacity 80,000 Population 711,095 Location GLADE System -02/+02 SC/C RLEGH City Manager CMGR. K-TULLAA Configuration Rating 8,619,000 Maintenace Rating 17,238,000 Repair Rating 25,857,000 Recreation Capacity 2,200 Population 8,137 Location VIE-TAR System +02/+04 SC/C SATISFACTION City Manager Not Known Configuration Rating 25,880 Maintenace Rating 51,760 Repair Rating 77,640 Recreation Capacity 0 Population 0 Location SULU System +03/+05 SP/C VECKTA City Manager CMGR. REGINA WONG Configuration Rating 25,000 Maintenace Rating 50,000 Repair Rating 75,000 Recreation Capacity 800 Population 2,044 Location ASWICK System +01/+01 UN/C HANNIBALS KASTEL City Manager CMGR. HAMILKAR DYKE Configuration Rating 21,000,000 Maintenace Rating 42,000,000 Repair Rating 63,000,000 Recreation Capacity 10,000 Population 15,065 Location YULE System -04/-06 CLASSIFIED The people of the stars are somewhat upset about the current situation of the galaxies. What's exactly going on? Once-embracining corporations (Nexus Research) once welcomed all. However, lately, these preachers of universal harmony have crawled back into their technocratic hideaways. We the people demand that the doors be swung open, to allow the people a chance. CLASSIFIED To FI Members: You are under attack for the sole reason that you a member of FI. There is no hatred for FI members, only for your emperor. But no distinctions can be made about who owns what. Only FI holdings will be attacked. Leave FI and your holdings will be safe. Stop being used by your corrupt emperor. ELF:Endeavor Libration Front Up