"Odelia's Fan"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

OUTER DUST RINGS, Quadrant 7 - A remnant of the black hole currently occupying Quadrant 1 is adding another mystery to the growing number of visible events throughout the system. A spokesperson for The Ministry of Science & Future Technology has gone on record to report that sanctioned study teams are relatively certain that they're seeing a graviton attached to a superstring. Once the black hole began breaking apart, fundamental forces in each sector began behaving radically, in this display, for example, with an emission of light particles dubbed "Odelia's Fan" (after The Princess of Derby). The space around the graviton is extremely bent and another theory is that we're witnessing the creation of a new continuum portal that, if true, is suspected to reach farther into the known universe than any other previously discovered port. As with the Quadrant 1 activity, only authorized scientific teams are allowed in the area but satellite transmission of approved visuals - as seen here - are now available via EyeSpy Satellite feed. Since grid time is expensive, the Ministry of Education will purchase block feeds and make them available to appropriate study groups. Contact MoE for complete details.

High Flying Sport -

"Surf Shakers"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

LAST WORLD, Thermosphere - In an effort to rehabilitate Last World's atmosphere, the Ministry of Science & Future Technology has purchased a modernized fleet of high-flying processors that are expected to boost and enhance the output of ground-based units. The ships are huge, kilometer-size behemoths that circle the planet, skimming along - or, as the pilots call it, surfing the thermosphere. Each is equipped with a number of atmospheric seeding devices as well as a particle accelerator configured to accomplish such tasks as super heating water, breaking up ice sheets and raking permafrost layers known to contain bacteria and other organisms that assist in speeding up the process of planet warming and atmosphere stabilization. This shake & bake approach to creating livable environments for future colonists is standard technology fare, but the addition of the Surf Shaker high-fly unit is quite a new wrinkle. In this artist rendition, a pair of processors can be seen as they go about their important work in tandem. Since pilot rotation is heavy during this phase of planetary rehab, opportunities for young men and women seeking work after graduation are above average for qualified individuals. The Ministry of Education has implemented an internship program for seniors and graduate level students who are encouraged to apply. What's in your future?

Theorists Laboratory -

"A Black Hole Losing Gravity"
digitally manipulated fractal flame by Mick Mather

OUTER DUST RINGS, Quadrant 1 - The Ministry of Science & Future Technology has released the unsettling news that a black hole has apparently been captured by the Outer Dust Rings System. A research station, established at the fringe of Quadrant 1 to study an unknown and puzzling event, has now confirmed that a black hole in the throes of rapid entropic convulsion is the cause. Until now, it was always assumed that a black hole would continue to capture and devour anything in its path through eternity. This is no longer thought to be the case and it's clear that this stellar destroyer is losing gravity at an exponential rate. While no member of the research team is willing to offer a theory as regards what the end result of this strange occurrence will be, it is quite clear that the information being gathered will effectively change current paradigms relating to quantum mechanics of black holes. Currently, only authorized scientific teams are permitted in the quadrant but fly-by tours may be forthcoming.

Island Building -

"The Land, Separated from the Sea"

digitally manipulated fractal flame by Mick Mather

WATERWORLD, N20º49'.E140º12' - Volcanic activity in the North Western Oceanic Quadrant has been explosively dramatic since the Alignment of the 12 this year. Another close encounter with Tanak - the closest in over 100 years - will afford visitors the unique opportunity to see that planet, at dusk and at dawn, as though it were sitting upon the surface of the ocean. In preparation for the month-long duration of this phenomenon the Ministry of Science & Future Technology is already building a floating city for tourism and settlement initiatives. Views similar to what you see here will be common during the 120 days of alignment with peak tour booking and lodging expected during the prime Tanak encounter. Contact your Tourism Agent today!

Topographic Zoning -

"Reclamation Zone I"
digitally manipulated fractal flame & digital drawing by Mick Mather

TRACKS, Edge of the Sea of Dust - Geoformers have begun reclaiming large tracts of the wastelands north of the Sea of Dust. From a distance, the gridded locations of future reservoirs, reflecting pools and building foundations appear as a series of dots and dashes. These depressions not only resemble an ancient communication code, they are in fact based on that old code. One that tells the story of how the built environment to come is to be zoned, developed and marked for purposes of site design, satellite mapping and wayfinding that will eventually include visual signage, maps and municipal information directories. While there is a program for advanced study level students of geoforming, other disciplines - communication design, environmental foundation gridding, architectural community design as well as infrastructure development & management - will find the Work Studies Program to be an experiential addition to contemporary curricula and theory. Contact The Ministry of Education today for your information brochure and application.

Mercenary Monument Design Competition -

"Mercenary Monument"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

DERBY, Oopsville - The Ministry of Defense has recently announced a design competition to erect a memorial to the thousands of mercenary soldiers who fought and died in the 100 Years Civil War throughout the Outer Dust Rings. Seen here is one of the early designs submitted by the ex patriot Terran artist, Michael Warren, himself a Mercenary Soldier attached to the legendary Point Squad Alpha led by the equally legendary battlefield commander, The Sloganeer. The monument proposed by Warren is a holographic image of a series of posts where actual signatures of the soldiers have been scanned and morphed into a common typeface. The site of these memorial posts are most impressive at night but shimmer and shine even in full sunlight. While this is only the first of many expected designs, it's the only proposal we have for illustration purposes to date. For a copy of the Request for Proposals and submission guidelines, please contact Ministry of Defense office closest to you.

"The Ribs of the Sea of Dust"
digitally manipulated fractal flame collage by Mick Mather

TRACKS, The Ribs - The Ministry of Science & Future Technology will be offering another series of digs for students interested in archaeology. This collaboration with the Ministry of Education will study the plate tectonics and inter-plate, oceanic volcanic activity that gave rise to this planet's name. The ribbed patterns of magma seen from space make the planet appear to be covered in a variety of track-like patterns. Similar activity is occurring on all of the planets with deep oceans and plate activity, especially Waterworld. Tracks itself is an elder sister and was once completely covered with water as well. The dig team process has a relatively simple application but competition for available slots is stiff. Contact either Ministry today for complete details.