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                               The Stargazer                   Vol 5, Iss 1
                      THE News for the Dragon Quadrant
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Your UDA news source, quarterly news journal.
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The 1st Day of Novem, Year 3520.     | Sponsored by TriTeq Industries, Inc.
Issued on March 31, 2001 RL Time.    | "When you want the best, get Teq."
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In this issue:
--------------

TOP NEWS
                RADIATION FALLOUT PUMMELS ALPHA RHYNTHINE

UDA News
		Strange Church Gathers Momentum

Cutting Edge
                Psionic Convention Attracts New Theories

Inside Fashion
                All the Rage!


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TOP NEWS
========

RADIATION FALLOUT PUMMELS ALPHA RHYNTHINE
-----------------------------------------

Space stations and systems as far away as Skyon are feeling the effects of
the disruption of the Rhynthine Primary's cycle of nuclear fusion. A solar
storm like no other previously on record was kicked up when an Unidentified
Flying Orbiter apparently attempted to fly through the sun with the Hyper-
Drive engaged. "We are really at a loss to understand what the pilot was
thinking. It could have been a flashy suicide or it could have just as
easily been a fraternity dare gone horribly wrong," speculated Andrus, the
head of the local magistrate on Alpha Rhynthine. "In any event, the damage
is done and we certainly have our hands full at the moment trying to clean
up this mess."

Alpha Rhynthine has sustained massive damage as a result of the radiation.
Over 20,000 citizens of the planet have succumbed to the effects of 
radiation poisoning and heat exhaustion. "We were unable to evacuate all
the citizens to the underground bunkers and caves before the first waves of
radiation hit us," explained General Quagar of the local militia. "We try
to have emergency plans in place for every conceivable event, but who could
have expected someone to do something as foolish as this?" 

The cost has not just been in sentient lives. It is estimated that a
million hectares of forest was incinerated immediately and that another
half-million is currently burning out of control. Fire control efforts are
under way, but if the fire isn't brought under control within 72 hours, it
is expected to begin threatening villages and towns. Commander Joyce Westin 
of SDO has been coordinating a massive relief effort to assist Alpha
Rhynthine in this time of crisis. "The support from around the quadrant has
been overwhelming. Donations of food and clothes and money have literally
appeared by magic in response to our requests," said Westin. Continuing 
grimly she said, "the situation on Alpha Rhynthine is still critical. The 
moment we got the reports, we were able to dispatch our Emergency Response
Teams, but with all the casualties and the fires, we're going to need every
available emergency worker we can get our hands on."

Complicating matters is the UDA network blackout in the region. The SSMP
or 'Sub-Space Magnetic Pulse' generated at the time of the crash wiped out
the Rhynthine UDA Network Node instantly and caused a 12-hour outage on
Delta Skyo. "Our systems are designed to be resistant to most forms of
radiation and magnetic interference, but the sheer magnitude of this event
simply overwhelmed our protections," explained Infoteq, CEO of TriTeq
Industries, Inc., which manufactures and supports the UDA Network Nodes. "I
have our engineers working on the problem of improving our shielding as
we speak. I've also sent out teams to replace and repair all the damaged
Network equipment. We hope to have the network stable within the next day."

Donations are being accepted 24 hours a day on SDO and any volunteers
for the relief effort should report directly to Dr. Vliet Rhodalco. In
addition, all potential volunteers have been requested to bring whatever
equipment they can, and it is recommended they bring a sleeping bag and
at least two changes of clothes.

                                        -Smilodon & Thorne
  UDA Newswire



UDA News
========

Strange Church Gathers Momentum
-------------------------------

The Organization for Religious Census (ORC) released its annual findings 
this week, and among the most controversial is the large additional numbers
tagged on to a small cult known as the Church of Genie - Scientist.

Dataroid Zakalwe, Chief Collector for ORC told the Stargazer that the
Church had received 800,000 new members in the last year in only the church's
third year of legal existence. Their guarantee of 'Salvation or Triple Your 
Money Back' appears to be ringing through to a multi-generational audience.

"The most interesting thing about the Church of Genie's gain in popularity
is that 80% of its intakes would have previously counted themselves atheist
or agnostic," Zakalwe said.

The Church of Genie - Scientist describes itself in its literature as
"Salvation through Monarch, Queen and Generalisamo!" referring to the
enigmatic leader of the Cult who calls herself only Reverend Genie. 

The Uniting Fundamental Church of Jehovah has expressed concern over the
new Cult's sudden rise to fame. They claim that Reverend Genie and her
bench of Popes are only in it for the money. "Positions in the Papal
hierarchy can be bought simply by paying hard currency to one of the many
Church Altairn bank accounts," Aluitius Qyuevet, Red Cardinal of the United
Fundamental Church of Jehovah, said.

The Church of Genie - Scientist claims this practice more accurately
represents the Real World, God's Will and the Stock Market. Two of those
things it claims are very important. Which two, Genie isn't saying.

"Many of the larger Altair corpo-religions worshiped money, and it would be
too easy to classify the Church of Genie - Scientist as one of them,"
Zakalwe said. "We are tending to classify it more closely to a sort of
Chaos worship where monetary donation becomes part of the learning curve."

The thought experiment goes something like this: 
  1) Money is not important, so why not give some of it to the Church? 
  2) The Church must want money, and hence money must be important. 
  3) Money is important to the Church and not myself. We must look after
     our fellows.

The lessons learnt are supposedly multiple. Starting with 'Money is not
important,' then 'Money isn't important. It is what it gets which is
important.' This then becomes 'Money isn't important. Its informational 
and status value is important,' to finally 'Love of money is important, 
but how much you actually have is not important.'

Many critics of the Church have mentioned that all these aspects of
initiation lead to the new adept giving large amounts of cash to Genie
in return for a card entitling them to be a Pope and a long shot
hope at salvation pending further donation.

                                        -Lazarus 23



Cutting Edge
============

Psionic Convention Attracts New Theories
----------------------------------------

"Psionics is closer to being understood by scientists than ever before,"
Elethaniel Laurenthess told a conference on Psionic Direction held
at the SDO Amphitheatre over the weekend. "Before we knew how to use it,
and now we are learning how to create it."

These remarks were echoed by others at the conference, who commented 
similarly about the new fields of paraphysics that were being revealed by 
the detailed analysis, graciously funded by TriTeq Industies, Inc.

"The old system was much more abut mysticism," Laurenthess said. "It all
revolved around breathing and meditative exercises and projecting your
actual soul and being out of your body. The Qliphoth were somewhat like a
drain on the global unconciousness." Nodding to the old proverb that only 
10% of a being's mind is in use at anytime, she continued explaining, "Some 
of the excess was forming a type of global computer, which eventually grew 
into self-awareness, and finally resulted in those beings that we came to 
know as the Qliphoth."

The private sector has also jumped on the Psionics bandwagon with many
new think tanks funded by large corporations, as well as some independant
institutes, like PSI-node which is headed by Dr. NicTic who is reknowned
for personally heading the UDA Paraphysics Response Group responsible for
the Qliphothic defeat.

"We have always known the Ethereal was much like a universe created from
the racial memories of everyone in the galaxy. The old models of soul and
being were very relevant to this model," said Dr. NicTic. "Now, with this
fresh start, we've been able to harness that excess biochemical energy in
a new and exciting fashion."

Modern theories on Psionics are still many, and all extremely complex. Most
paraphysicists at the ground-breaking conference seemed to agree that some 
variety of Quantuum Mechanical explanation would hopefully be found within 
only a couple of years. "At the moment we're mainly considering the idea 
that one can manipulate another persons brain via microtubial quantuum 
process," Dr. NicTic said. "Because all brains essentially contain aspects 
which are the same across every race - it is much like tugging on the
invisible ties which link all atoms and particles in the universe to each
other."

"What we do know at this time is that Psionics now works from multiple
viewpoints," Elethaniel Laurenthess explained when asked about the
progress that the conference was making. "Some mystical thought processes
are still capable of producing the same results as the new paraphysics 
trained Psionicists. Meditation can be achieved through understanding of
being at one with the universe or through trying to conserve biochemical
energy. Both paths require comprehensive training to make effective."

As well as hosting play to a bundle of new theories, the conference hosted
no less than 36 quasi-government entities all with a vested interest in
national security issues relating to the sudden shift in Psionic abilities.
Currently there have been no criminal acts involving the newly discovered
Psi Skills, but many sociologic analysts expect the first cases to show up
any time now. One government official who refused to go on record offered
this, "We would hope that the new technology in development would be used
to benefit all races, but there is always one bad apple in the bunch. We
would be remiss in our duties if we didn't prepare for this eventuality."

                                        -Q. Y. Qyennev



Inside Fashion
==============

All the Rage!
-------------

Pointyology, Pointy for dangerous... Ology for science! ERP, or as the
smarties call it, the Einstein-Rosen-Podolsky dagger, is now officially ALL
THE RAGE! How does it work? We don't know! What is the underlying
science of it all? We couldn't tell you! Does it look good on you? Oh...
hell... yes! Crazy waves of probable science disrupt the itty bits of
stuff that make up the known universe! Wow! Only one item embodies the
laws of quantum trigonometry (or something) in such a chic metal casing.

We took the time to speak with Vasix of Constantine Industries about the
ERP. After carefully reviewing the jumble of notes we took on an Eebies
napkin during the interview, we decided that it was all too much to be
worth trying to understand. So, instead we will concentrate on describing
the incredibly sleek lines of the dagger! As long as you are careful to
avoid nicking yourself on the invisible blade, one of these babies hanging
from your belt marks you as a top-of-the-line fashion follower, with a
smart look to boot! In a side note, the ERP has become the signature item
for that most cliquish of groups, the fashion-conscious neutral Stone
Dragon Cultists. Our contact in the Drauynshar, who wishes to remain
anonymous, assures us that this dagger is, and will remain, the premier
weapon of choice!

For the guys in the white hats (but only after Easter fellas!), all the
rage this season is the ultra-trendy medieval look epitomized by the Shield
of Galahad. Oozing purity and nobility of purpose, the bold red-on-white
design of the shield carried by King Arthur's most chaste knight is sure to
compliment the outfit of any hero worth his salt. We intercepted two UDA
cadets with this latest accessory of choice. "I love the extra damage and
hit points! It makes me feel like a real warrior!" raved one. The second
confided to us that Queen Guinevere herself winked at him slyly when he
strode through her chambers in the Camelot simulation. "I think it was a
combination of my natural good looks and the impressive new shield I was
carrying," he added helpfully. Whilst we are unable to comment on his
personal appearance, we can verify that the Shield of Galahad was indeed a
striking addition to his wardrobe. The Shield of Galahad is a timeless
classic that has swung back into the limelight of popular acclaim. All you
role-playing simulation runners out there can cease feeling nerdy for
wearing heavy armor, as for the time being you are in line with the latest
fashion! Tres Galant!

Finally, there's Pirate chic! The return of the rum cocktail! Since the
heinous theft of supplies from RDO, the pirates lead by the crafty
mastermind Captain Deguigne have been the talk of the quadrant. Even though
the furor has died down, talk of the exploits of these space-faring crooks
is a regular feature of cadet life. A lesser known fact is that Deguigne's
pirates are *the* most sartorially emulated pack of banditos this side of
the Galactic center! A quick survey of UDA cadets indicate that pirate chic
is now most definitely...All the rage! Most pirates are ill-shaven,
swarthy and terminally poorly dressed. Not so the Deguigne pirates. Not a
man among them can be found without a modicum of self-respect, a fact
substantiated by their self-appointed uniform, the Formal Smuggler's
Tuxedo! The animal-patterned tie and vest echo the latest catwalk trend to
a tee, and together with a roguish bandolier and some tailored slacks, the
resulting tuxedo can turn even the homeliest adventurer into something fit
to grace the cover of a fashion magazine. Although one can spend anything
from a handful of credits to a life's savings on pirate chic from designer
stores, the impact of authentic Deguigne items is utterly unmistakable.
Having obtained a full tuxedo shows not only that you are fashion-savvy,
but also that you are a space-pirate worthy of the honor of wearing that
"All the Rage" uniform.

                                        -Felix & Jellyfish
  Fashion Star


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Editorial Staff
Editor:   	 Infoteq
Publishers:      Infoteq, Trillian, Dranor
Reporters:       Lazarus 23, Q. Y. Qyennev
Guest Reporters: Smilodon & Thorne, Felix & Jellyfish

Please direct all comments to Stargazr@dracon.net
If you wish to become a part of the Stargazer staff, please send email to
Stargazr@dracon.net with the subject:  Stargazer staff application.
Please include a sample of writing over 100 words in length.
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