Book Read Free

The Slip: The Complete First Season

Page 22

by Herschel K. Stroganoff


  424 miners were evacuated from the K23 Kuiper mining platform following food shortages.

  The shortages are alleged to have resulted from Aghoro failing to deliver seeds and chickens earlier this year.

  Yao Hwei-ru said she was forced to suspend work on the platform after complaints from K23's management.

  She said: "Workers are currently being shipped to Mars where they will receive new assignments.

  "The Yao is disappointed that Aghoro missed K23 from its deliveries, yet still managed to invoice us for the goods."

  Rep Daan Bakker (Aghoro) said: "Aghoro is working to ensure this type of oversight does not happen again."

  Yao ships leave others behind

  Original published by Jovian Reporter, 04/01/6,530

  Ships capable of reaching speeds in excess of 50,000 kilometres per second have been unveiled by the Yao.

  Using their latest propulsion technology, the Yao say their ships can now travel three times faster than any vessel produced by Fune.

  Yao Chin said: "We are obviously very pleased with the research, but we are still nowhere near our target.

  "Our aim over the next two centuries is to produce ships capable of reaching half the speed of light.

  "This is still a long way from being realised, but we are confident in our research.

  "We hope that United Solar citizens will join is in supporting our ambitions for intergalactic travel."

  When pressed, Yao Chin would not give details of the new propulsion system.

  Kurosawa grows impatient over L6 repairs

  Originally published by Lunar Chronicle 12/05/6.541

  Lunar Vice Secretary Hayao Kurosawa has called on Bani to make repairs to Lunar's L6 elevator.

  During a United Solar Assembly meeting today, Vice Sect Kurosawa claimed that if Bani did not act soon, the platform would be beyond repair.

  He said: "L6 is vital for trade and transport links to the other provinces. Either we need Bani to make the necessary repairs or put a system in place where other groups can make the repairs."

  Affiliates criticised Vice Sect Kurosawa's words, claiming he was working against the best interests of the Union.

  Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) said: "The privileged position of Affiliates must be respected. How would it be if Boeki traders suddenly started farming, or Fune started dabbling in medical research?

  "Licenses must be respected."

  Rep Yao Chin (Yao) told the Assembly that she supported Vice Sect Kurosawa's proposals.

  She said: "With licenses come grave responsibility. There is no room for Affiliates to be complacent over their duties to the Union."

  Vice Sect Kurosawa's motion to allow the renegotiation of Affiliate and Monopoly licenses was blocked by 21 votes.

  Museum details Lunar's rich history

  Originally published by Lunar Chronicle, 12/02/6,322

  The Insularum Museum, Insularum 1, was declared open following a gala celebration attended by the Lunar elite.

  The museum's collection dates back to some of the earliest days of our history.

  Exhibits include: a display of archive materials donated by Bani outlining the original plans for capsule lines linking Insularum to Vaporum; a steel pole believed to be at least 5,000 years old; and ancient Martian pottery.

  During the ceremony hosted by Lunar Secretary Patapeta Petamine, Yao Huizhong unveiled the museum's central exhibit: a mining drone dating from more than 2,000 years ago.

  The drone, which stands ten metres in height, is said to be still in working order.

  Yao Huizhong said: "This piece represents an important artefact in our shared history - this was not only the first drone I ever designed, but it also the first drone to land on Pluto."

  The Insularum Museum will be open to citizens four days a week, with the other three days reserved for Affiliates.

  Pregnancy vote passes, but only just

  Originally published by Lunar Chronicle, 22/12/6,341

  United Solar has agreed to measures banning women from becoming pregnant in five provinces of the Union.

  Women living in the Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune provinces will now have to apply to United Solar if they wish to become pregnant.

  The laws are said to be necessary to stabilise the economy, reducing the need for women to be away from productive work.

  Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) said the measures would protect the health and safety of the Union.

  She said: "Many of the outlying orbiters are no place to raise a child. We feel it necessary that the environments of Lunar and Mars are the only places where children should be bore."

  Yao members called for an amendment to Rep Tomas proposals, suggesting that some of Venus's orbiters were suitable for the raising of children.

  Rep Hast Adamine (N4) said the measures were bad for non-terrestrial provinces.

  He said: "Once again, Lunar is making life impossible for the rest of us."

  The motion was passed by four votes.

  Eight linked to child smuggling

  Originally published by Lunar Chronicle, 12/02/6,343

  Child traffickers operating in the Jovian regions have been detained by United Solar officials following an investigation by the Judiciary.

  Investigator Tshilidzi Dumi found evidence suggesting children were being trafficked from birth from platforms around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter to be sold on Mars and Lunar.

  The group, originally believed to be working with the Purdah, were found to be an independent group involved in racketeering and slavery.

  Five men and three women are awaiting charges and are currently being held by the Judiciary.

  Investigator Dumi said the arrests were an important step in the Union's security.

  Lunar Secretary Takeshi Ozu said: "These arrests are testament to the reach of the Judiciary.

  "We believe that this trade helps fund criminal activities conducted by the Purdah.

  "This disgraceful trade has no place in our Union."

  The Secretary added there were a number of children seeking adoption with the Judiciary Orphanage and urged citizens to consider adopting a child through official channels.

  If you know of anyone who has adopted an illegal child, please report them to a United Solar officer.

  Ozu to be executed for Yao assassinations

  Originally published by Lunar Enquirer, 29/07/6,544

  Former Lunar Secretary Takeshi Ozu was sentenced to death for multiple charges including twenty-three counts of murder following a short trial before the Judiciary.

  Presiding Judge Akash Tagore called no witnesses to the trial, basing his conclusions on evidence gathered by Investigator Tshilidzi Dumi.

  Mister Ozu denied his involvement in the assassinations of twenty-three members of the Yao family, telling the court that "a great miscarriage of justice is taking place."

  He said: "You have made your conclusions that I am responsible for this foul crime, but I maintain my innocence and fear that the killer is still at large."

  Judge Tagore levelled further charges of abuse of office, assault, corruption, harassment and ten million counts of reckless endangerment.

  Judge Tagore said: "The facts of this case are not in doubt. Takeshi Ozu has acted in such ways that have endangered every life in this Union.

  "Your crimes and actions are beyond the comprehension of all reasonable citizens, which is why it will be necessary to deliver the highest sentence it is in our power to give.

  "You will be executed by asphyxiation without cleansing."

  Judge Tagore announced that charges of treason levelled by the former Secretary were invalid, stating that former Vice Secretary Hayao Kurosawa and his widow Natsuki Kurosawa would have their charges quashed.

  He added that Madam Kurosawa would be compensated financially for the false conviction and subsequent execution of Mister Kurosawa - the sum was not disclosed in court.

  Lunar Chronicle reporter Akira Yamamoto was relea
sed from the Judiciary without charge following her unlawful arrest on the orders of Mister Ozu.

  Charges levelled against Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) of corruption were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

  Following the trial, acting Lunar Secretary Barton Joster said he respected the court's decision.

  He said: "We're unclear as to what the next steps will be - we are disappointed at the charges levelled against Takeshi Ozu, but I feel it necessary to back the decision of the Judiciary."

  Mister Ozu's execution will take place tomorrow at 12:00 (IST).

  Thanks for reading

  If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a positive review, telling a friend, or setting massive billboards in your local area to help spread the word.

  If you haven’t read them already, you might enjoy my comedic sci-fi stories, The Herc Braveman Adventures... but most likely, you’ll find them offensive.

  The best place to get in touch is either through Facebook (www.facebook.com/hkstroganoff) or through Twitter @hkstroganoff. Like, share, retweet, set up your own fan groups, build statues in my honour, and nominate me for next year’s Hugo Award (I’m talking to you, Sad Puppies).

  If I make enough money with my books, I might pay someone to build me a website, but until then it’s just the social media.

  - H.

 

 

 


‹ Prev