"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.

Derby Historical Society -

"Star Baby Plasma Units - Maximum Postcard"
digital collage & artistamp design by Mick Mather

DERBY, The Derby Historical Society - The recent discovery of historic, private papers belonging to Princess Odelia of Derby uncovered a sought after 'maximum postcard'. Considered a rarity by philatelists and deltiologists as well as military historians, this pristine piece will be transported by The Kings Guard to an honored place in the Exhibition Display of the Tanak Wars. It is believed to be addressed to Princess Odelia in the hand of the legendary mercenary soldier known as The Sloganeer. There is no message on the back and no cancellation of the postage stamp, giving rise to the theory that this is but one of many postcards purchased and addressed but never sent. Only one other card of this type attributed to the mercenary exists and remains in the estate of Robert Robert Robert. The famed pilot, navigator and personal friend of The Sloganeer was a philatelist - known across two parsecs for his assortment of acquisitions - and that tattered, blood-stained collectible resides in his personal collection. Managed by the Robert Estate Trust, negotiations to exhibit the war torn postcard alongside the one shown here are underway. A ceremonial service on the anniversary of the armistice of that terrible conflict is expected to occur.

The Crossing -

"The Crossing"
mixed media collage by Art Nahpro

VETERAN'S HOME, Tanak - An old footlocker at The Veteran's Home of Painted Post, Tanak, gave up it's treasure at the recent "Alignment of the Twelve Festival". This old artwork was purchased by the infamous mercenary soldier, The Sloganeer, who carried it with him into scores of campaigns, battles and skirmishes while fighting to keep Tanak and her Indigenous People free. It has been told that the dream described in the poem was an allegory for his own recurring nightmare of sorts. In the end, "beguiled" he most surely was, having been smitten by the Beautiful Princess of Derby - with whom he had a life long love affair although they never married. Between them, each departure for the next field of battle was referenced as "The Crossing". In her memoirs, The Princess relates that each parting was sealed with a kiss and a whisper into his deaf ear, "Return to your Lonesome Princess".

*(First - my sincere thanks to Paul Jackson, Keith Bates & Art Nahpro for permission to use the image seen in this post - further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, historic documents, arts & culture, myth & legend, etc. is requested - please leave additions in the comment box)