Bomb Threat Grounds Shuttle Flight

Raconteur Staff

HIGHPORT - The Al Raqis ground-to-orbit shuttle was grounded for 9 hours today after anonymous threats were left, claiming the shuttle carried a bomb.


Bomb teams shutdown the automated shuttle, moved it to a remote field, and examined it completely. No bomb was discovered. However, many automated control boards were replaced before the shuttle was put back in service.

Officials stress that it is safe, but the automated shuttle is now under increased surveillance and security checking in the wake of this incident.

Death at the Keep

Raconteur Staff

AL RAQIS KEEP - Mr. Kamm, CEO of Imperial Logistics Corporation, was murdered last night at the Magistrate's Keep during a cocktail party. Magistrate Al Jofar summoned investigator Nephyxtemet Ceriaptrix, who quickly determined the identity of the murderer.

Reiko Soyinka, Lady of House Morloch, stands accused of murder. She walked away from custody, assisted by her paxman and a squad of Morloch guards.

New information indicates that Mr. Kamm may have had some connection to an outsystem pirate and smuggling cartel.

Security Arrests Suspects In Ship Theft Ring

Working with the IISS, House Security have arrested "several" men suspected in a series of starship hijackings over the past 18 months.

"They would 'hire' a ship to move false 'cargo' which would infiltrate ship systems and compromise them, leaving the vessel helpless to prevent boarding and 'salvage'"

The ship crews are still missing but stolen ship components and hulls have been traced to surrounding systems. Local officials continue recovery operations with officials from those systems.

Excalibur/Sword Worlds [TNS] 178-1127

Genetic material from the excavations on the third moon of Excalibur is being sent to several universities throughout the Imperium, including the University of Sylea.

A representative of the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service made the announcement, saying that the samples would be carried by special Scout couriers because of the importance of the findings.

"It is to be hoped," said a representative of the IISS, "that the samples will confirm the discovery of a previously unknown sophont race."

IISS Issues Storm Warning For Local Regions

The IISS adjunct to House Kira has issued a storm warning in effect for the next 200 hours. The IISS is tracking the formation of coriolis storms across the deep desert basins. Tracking models predict more than 50% chances these storms may cross the Al Raqis or Splintered Rock settlements. All residents are advised to check emergency supplies, preparations, shelter and evacuation plans. This storm warning may be upgraded any time due to concerns with increased solar activity levels driving these storms.

Al Raqis Wind Farm "On Indefinite Hold"

AL RAQIS CITY  - Offworld entrepreneurs notifed the IISS base on Al Raqis that the large-scale wind farm planned after this year's earlier successful pilot is now on "indefinite hold."

Local IISS representatives cite the current unstable political climate for the lack of continued investment, while studying interim plans and alternatives to continue the project without offworld help.

House Kira Shipment Delays

HIGHPORT - Upset local business people gathered at the House Kira manor, complaining about recent shipping delays.

"We have contracts that stipulate schedules, and these are not being met." said one angry owner.

Allie Reiland, representing House Kira, assured that ships were coming in, "But, the unstable political situation in Al Raqis' system makes many nervous. Ships are taking more precautions, causing these delays."

Many question these remarks but others speculate House Veles may be the source of the concerns.

Concordia Relic Salvaged

AL RAQIS CITY - An IISS team on a routine beacon servicing mission salvaged a derelict first-era Concordia frigate. The frigate, estimated to be on a 250-year cometary orbit, dates back to the original Concordia colonization phase here.

The IISS team laid a salvage claim marker on it and transmitted the orbital parameters to the Concordia Dept. of Antiquities. It is expected to take years to fully explore and document a find such as this, but Concordia historians are already excited by the initial survey results.

Reception for House Veles, Saturday 12:00 SLT

Al Raqis Raconteur
THE KEEP  - The Magistrate commands your presence at a formal dinner to honor the granting of a Great House contract to House Veles. The dinner shall be held at the Magistrate's Keep on Saturday, July 10. 12:00pm SLT. Formal dress required. No weapons. Freed attendants only. Poison detectors provided.

Kadiaru Faith Healers Gaining Acceptance

Al Raqis Raconteur

AL RAQIS CITY - Al Raqis-born have long known of the benefits of Kadiaru faith healers and their exotic treatments. New studies in the Concordia Journal of Regional Medicines have also taken note.

According to local tales, Kadiaru apprentices harvest only deep desert plants and animal extracts for the elders to prepare their closely-guarded recipes from, guided by rituals and chants handed down within families for generations.

Researchers are negotiating to document these treatments for widespread use off-world.