News Post

[travelagency]

News for M12 D2 Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. [Jeffers voice is measured and serious as he recites the newscast.] This is headline news:   ➥Many residents fell victim to a recent incident in which surfaces that originally had standard friction lost it for reasons still inexplicable. This resulted in objects in motion causing significant damages. No deaths have been reported, but over 157 individuals have reported injuries and many major businesses have had to close for repairs. The site in front of Mr. Jellicles' entertainment establishment was particularly hard hit, as hundreds of plastic "fun balls" careened out of control, leading to mass destruction of property. The museum's retrieval crews have found direct evidence of similar activity occurring in the swamps, and have brought back physical samples from target areas. This has led to the discovery of more structures of a style and construction unlike ones typical of the ruins. Some scientists are already speculating that there may have been a second, heretofore undiscovered civilization that lived here. In addition, Quadratus's first true skeleton has been discovered, and though it shares similarities with the spawner produced skeletons there are a few notable differences. The skeletons produced by spawners are slightly smaller and are obviously synthetic with a carbon fiber structure and use of additional materials that are sensitive to sunlight. The skeleton found in the swamp has evidence of growth, pelvic changes from childbirth, clothing, and the decomposition of flesh. More findings from the museum's research team will be forthcoming.   ➥To aid in clean-up efforts, Blackstaff will be engaging in an Open House, offering free food, room, and board for a number of temporary workers for a few days. The citizens of Blackway are encouraged to treat these people with as much courtesy as they would their current neighbors, as it is possible they could become permanent additions to our village.   ➥Local doctors are once again imploring the public to do whatever they can to help procure medicines for the clinic, as emergencies like these turn the shortage into a crisis. Blackway representatives cannot emphasize the need enough, and are willing to exchange currency of choice, or favors, for much needed pharmaceutical help. If you have any interest in assisting the clinic please contact Jeffers or a Travel Agent, and temporary right of passage through the teleporter with supervision will be granted. Resources will also be supplied to those who can produce materials here. Donations of sterile bandages, disinfectants, and medicinal herbs (that have been approved for use and confirmed for potency) are also very much appreciated.   ➥And now a word from our sponsor, and local veterinary care facility for those with animals that may require treatment after recent events. "Animal Ad" (Watch on YouTube) We will close with a segment from our ongoing documentary.   ➥[First is shown the inside of a store with chairs knocked over, and a strange pile of ice melting on the floor. And then a street corner, evidence of a rover crash there against one of the poles but the rover has since been moved.] Voiceover: Chaos has rocked the small town of Blackway. Here, local shopkeepers and small business owners are trying to rebuild from the rubble the recent mysterious natural phenomenon of spontaneous frictionlessness, which some scientists are calling "a localized temporary failure of traction," left in its wake. Here are a few stories of perseverance. [The scene changes to the carnage outside of Mr. Jellicles, and then of the interior of the restaurants. Many of the game machines that weren't bolted down are askew, some broken and there are balls and pins and pucks everywhere, strewn across the floor. Not to mention broken plastic.] Mr. Tukkus: This place was my second chance. [Mr. Tukkus says, looking intensely serious as he views the shambles of his business. He's speaking in his usual bland tone, but the expression on his face says that he's bothered.] I come from a lifestyle that wasn't very good. [He stands by the front doors, hands in his pockets.] It's taken me a decade to build up this place. And in one day it's a mess. I don't know why this happened, but when you've spent that long on something, you don't want to give up. I just wanted to make somewhere that families could feel safe and happy. Now I have to rebuild that. The mess will be easier to fix than the trust. [He runs his hand down his face.] I'll have to do what I can to make sure it stays safe in the future. Voiceover: Although damage was widespread, there were no fatalities, owing in part to many acts of altruism and bravery. Neighbors assisted neighbors, strangers helped strangers. [There is a scantily clad green Orion woman helping a child run across the street. If certain members of the village remember, she probably looks like someone they've met.] [Next is shown someone's lost beast, meowing loudly as a rescuer picks it up.] [A mostly bald Centauri courtesan with traditional stylings is shown next, talking with an blue bouncer with antennae. He has his hands over his mouth, a state of distress on his face as he looks at a spot that has what looks like it could be mustard (but is actually yellow blood from someone's injury), and she's touching his arm gently.] [This scene shifts to show that they're outside the brothel.] Aoife: [Aoife is actively working as she talks, sweeping up shards of glass from a once-decadent lamp that broke when its table slid out from under it.] For many of my workers, Blackway is the first safe place they've known. I am sure you all know that many universes can be very unkind to us. This is not the place they work any more. It is their home. It should not come as a surprise what I am willing to do to make sure this town succeeds. That means cleaning. That means rebuilding. We have had to rebuild our lives before. Many times. Rebuilding buildings? [Aoife laughs a laugh that would be familiar to any who visit her brothel regularly, loud and parrot-like.] That is much easier. But rebuilding safety? That, my friends, is true magic. Voiceover: Numerous injuries have been reported, some minor, some more severe, but the clinic's official statement is that all patients are expected to make a complete recovery. Slowly, the town returns to normal after this devastating localized temporary failure of traction. [Clean-up crews are shown around the village, plus plenty of people trying to scoop broken items out of their businesses. The next unfortunate scene is outside of the clinic, with people being ushered in and out.] F'nayalip: We're just grateful that no one was seriously injured or killed. [She shakes her scaled head and her feathers fluff up.] Joe: [He puts his arm around his wife's waist and speaks in a thick New Jersey accent.] Our diner made it through the ruckus in good shape mostly, so if any of youse guys need shelter, a place to stay during the rebuilding efforts, we decided to open up the diner to anyone who's been left homeless until the construction boys [His wife nudges him.]...and girls fix up people roofs and windows. Can't say it'll be fancy but we'll keep people warm and dry who needs it. [There's one last scene of clean up in Blackstaff's gardens, new trees being planted to replace a couple that were broken by a stray vehicle that lost control.] Voiceover: Efforts to preserve and protect this town have come from citizens both native and imported. In our next installment, we will show viewers some of the hazards faced to protect the village, by heroes that we've given a home to. Navigation