Polaris Day 90 News

From: "Kerry Harrison" <kerry@madhousepress.com>

Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 00:00:00 +0000

http://www.daredevil.f9.co.uk/

MAIN BULLETIN - Day 90

Crystal Palace Establishes Settlement

Amid considerable fanfare, Crystal Palace CEO and founder, Marcus Alaric,
today announced the creation of a research settlement, Carthage, on the
surface of Cirrus Prime. CEO Alaric issued the statement at a conference
held in a Mantuan hall. The Agromman executive suggested that "Agromman
engineers are hard at work constructing the various structures needed to
support a thriving population of scientists and support personnel". The
audience of journalists and reporters were apparently surprised and
delighted. Alaric delighted them further by implying that "additional
facilities will be brought on line as soon as the research labs have been
completed." crystal Palace spokesmen suggested that Carthage would be a
dedicated research outpost, though industry would not be ruled out. Analysts
welcomed the news, predicting that, as the first free colony in the Frontier
Territories, the settlement would likely attract a glut of interest and
inward investment.

OTHER NEWS

Byzant'um Launches New Outlet

Cephalid prefabrication magnate, Mar'ic og Byzant'um, gave a speech today in
which he expressed his pleasure at the increasing growth of his company;
Byzant'um Inc. The company has apparently established a new retail outlet at
Colony Delphi. CEO Byzant'um welcomed the increasing pace of competition in
the region, which he suggested was manifest in the retailers already serving
the colony, namely Bent Products and Crystal Palace. Mar'ics was speaking at
an afternoon reception held for special guests and the press. The event was
staged in the pleasant surroundings of the Mantuan waterfront, where
colonists later raced their makeshift skiffs and canoes. In later
announcements, the Cephalid boss revealed that negotiations had begun which
might lead t membership of the Free Trade League. CEO Byzant'um would not
confirm the conditions under which his company would join this growing
organisation.

NNN Screen 'Lively' Report

In a special report broadcast across the Candida Expanse, Nomura News
Network tonight screened a bulletin depicting the hub of commerce in the
Frontier Territories; Colony Mantua. The intention of the short film was to
capture a day in the life of the bustling colony. Viewers were shown the
starport and introduced to the vital work which goes on there. As well as
being treated to a brief interview with Governor Sacroix, viewers were
granted something of an insight into the firm, steadfast resolve with which
the colonists go about their daily business. The second half of the
documentary, which attempted to portray Mantua's lively nightlife, showed a
different story; and one which is expected to guarantee the syndication of
the programme. In a visit to the pleasure domes of Mantua, cameramen were
treated to a display of debauchery and largesse.

Adopted by a band of drunken crewmen claiming to be employed by GDOP Inc,
the cameramen recorded their riotous evening. To the surprise and
consternation of the film-makers, this involved a night long campaign of
binge drinking and lewd behaviour. The purpose of the consumption frenzy
seems to have been to spend as much money as feasibly possible. This was
evident in every conceivable way. At one point the merry band competed to
chug pints of vintage wine. In another, the crewmen stumbled into a casino
and bought great stacks of chips which they then squandered at random. The
memorable Crewman Scrivener decided to buy everything on the menu at Le
Claude and proceeded to gorge himself sick. With the Candida Expanse reeling
with tales of excess and high living, carriers expect a temporary twofold
increase in migrants to the Frontier Territories. Whether GDOP employees are
paid like Kings, or simply live like them, is unclear.