"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.

"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.

Hunter of the Golden Flame -

"Volpes Auria Flamma"
fractal flame & digital painting by Mick Mather

LAST WORLD, The Solstice Hunt - The magnificent "Golden Fox", found only on Last World, will soon begin one of the most curious and amazing feats of the animal kingdom. Each year the Solstice Flare of a near plasma cluster, particularly brilliant at this time, sets in motion a pack-merge by these beautiful animals. As can be seen in this artists' rendition of one of the rare observances of such a merge, the concentric activity of the pack clustering is quite like a dance. Aside from being an interactive hunt the merge also serves the important function of inter-pack mating that assists in keeping the breed strong and pure. The Ministry of Tourism in partnership with The Federated Wildlife Service severely limits access to those areas of Last World where this activity is prevalent. For a vacation in a Federated Parks Service setting that you won't soon forget, don't delay in contacting your local office of tourism.

Emergence From the Birth Chamber -

"Hyper Cooling View"
fractal flame & digital drawing by Mick Mather

STAR CHAMBER: QUADRANT SIX, Outer Dust Rings - The most recent gas bubble to emerge from the cluster of birth chambers in Quadrant Six shows signs of becoming a planet. The gas bubble that was ejected suddenly and quickly from one of the unstable canals is currently undergoing hyper cooling. In addition, post genesis ion streams driven by magnetically charged winds of super heated gas seem to be providing the required ingredients for this recipe of planet building. While it's too soon to know whether the newborn will remain on the current path to planet status, study teams are busily recording every facet of the post-delivery process. It may be decades before probes can be sent and perhaps a generation before manned research teams will be able to stand on the surface. If your adolescent scientist is showing any early interest in this phenomenon, be aware that the Ministry of Science & Future Technology is planning experiential learning programs in partnership with the Ministry of Education and The Ground Zero Geological Foundation. Contact any of these partner organizations for enrollment details today.

Redhead Tern Festival in 101st Year -

"Migration"

digital collage by Mary Stebbins Taitt

NWY, Lake of Shadows - Migration on the sylvan shores of the Lake of Shadows, just outside the City of Syracusica, is in full swing. Flocks of the rare Redhead Tern (named for a similar bird common to Terra) rest on the lake before their seasonal move south. The terns of New World York are much larger than those found on Terra and are capable of catching and eating some of our largest fish. The 101st Annual Redhead Tern Festival, opening soon at The Park of Shadows, enters the final planning stage by the Syracusica Department of Community Development in collaboration with The Ministry of Tourism. Competition anglers, game cuisine lovers and throngs of grass roots festival goers are looking forward to another opportunity to partake of New World Carp and the giant New World Pike. Skewered on imported mesquite stakes these traditional fish are cooked over a rocketcar flame, a new technique that produces perfectly cooked fish in 15 seconds! Our keystone festival attraction, the Tern-Feeding Contest, is an extreme sport only for our bravest, most dexterous young men enrolled in the Rite-of-Passage Program. More than a recommendation as in previous years, all spectators not watching from the observation cages must wear special gloves as fingers can quickly disappear. There will be live music, a display of tern art, tern poetry, a tern-feather-boa beauty contest and a tern look-alike contest. Contact your tourism agent today and take advantage of Early Bird Booking Rates.

Ex Patriot Terran Artist to Appear -

"A Square Peg and A Round Hole #21"
digital painting by Mick Mather

DERBY, Commondale Gallery of Art - In a few short weeks the unveiling of a new digital painting by the ex patriot Terran artist, Michael Warren, will take place in Commondale, Bards Wood, Derby. This new work is part painting and part installation where a special curved screen has been installed in the Main Gallery of the Commondale Gallery of Art. This unique construct will allow the viewer to walk into and become a part of the artwork - including the opportunity to make your way to the wormhole and disappear through the portal. Those who take advantage of this interactive aspect of the display will emerge into the Ballard Room of the gallery where 20 monotypes - created by the artist over a decade ago - will be on display. Access to The Robert Gate in Oopsville will be dedicated to patrons of this exhibition during the opening and this connection through space and time is intended to mimic that Jump Gate experience. Early registration for this event is already brisk. Contact your tourism agent now!

Sport-A-Bout Transport Service -

"Two Seat Bug"
digital collage by Mick Mather

DERBY, Derby Historical Society - The Ad Club of Derby recently presented the Ministry of Transportation with a series of old advertising posters. The half dozen posters are of historic note for their prominent display of "The Bug", a 2-seat, mini airbus designed and manufactured by Sport-A-Bout, aimed at, and popularized by, the youth culture of the day. Also of prominent note and historic value is the appearance of the young Princess of Derby in each of the adverts. After the advent of the gates and jump ports, such transportation vehicles became needless in most urban areas and have been relegated to the province of collectors and enthusiasts of motive power. Transport Clubs in The Rural Counties still use all manner of vehicles and The Bug remains one of the most popular. While transportation industry manufacturing was greatly reduced, it is still a thriving industry today. Most Derby Day Trip tour operators include a visit to The Transport Museum where this poster set will become a permanent display. Call your tourism agent today!

The R2 Factory -

"Power Core Upgrade at the R2 Factory"
digital collage by Mick Mather

OOPSVILLE, DERBY, Ministry of Science & Future Technology - A recent advance by teams of engineers and AI developers at Netsky is expected to improve the intelligence capacity of machines to previously unimagined levels. The new power core hardware is assembled from millions of clusters of nanotech appliances capable of progressive, intuitive and creative thinking. Apparently, the AI code writers plugged a desktop model into the wrong power outlet where a surge resulted in the creation of magnetic fields that quickly became intertwined with - and took control of - the linear thinking loops. Soon, the model was creatively thinking and learning on it's own as evidenced by work output that was clearly defining, refining and recreating the field to achieve faster and better results as well as making innovations on the programmed linear task loops. The power core installations for factory line R2 units will begin soon and the Ministry of Tourism has already partnered with Netsky and their Public Relations department to promote factory tours. Contact your local agent for details!

Shield of Babbasoon -

"Shield of Babbasoon"
digital collage by Mick Mather

MINISTRY of ANCIENT ANTIQUITIES, Jericho - The archaeological digs near the old Mud City ruins have given up at least one valuable secret. While there are a handful of examples of the Ancient Shield of Babbasoon, this is the first shield ever discovered that is made from wood. Most are carved assemblages of animal bone taken from the now extinct babbaso. The animal is similar to the Terran baboon with sub-specie markers related to other Terran animals such as the African feral cat and the meerkat. It is known that indigenous peoples of Jericho had a detrimental reliance on wood for every aspect of daily life and the planet has been devoid of any meaningful mature growth for centuries. Hence, the only ceremonial shields that remain are of bone since the wood was either used, in desperation, for fuel or through natural decomposition. Dig teams are rotated on a regular basis due to the harshness of Jericho's climate and volunteers are always welcome. If you have an interest in anthropology and archaeology, now would be a good time to contact your tourist agent for a vacation you won't soon forget!

The Federation Building -

"Outer Dust Rings Federation Building"
digital collage by Mick Mather

NWY, The Federation Building - The recently completed facade for the Federation Building was delivered to New World York and the City of Syracusica ahead of schedule by the ex patriot Terran artist, Michael Warren. An installation team, the rehabilitation construction gang, the Minister of Historic Preservation and the Mayor of Syracusica will gather at the construction site for the "Ceremonial Driving of the Golden Rivets" that will mark the official completion of the project. A tour of the Federation Assembly Hall for the delegates and staff of each of the 12 Outer Dust Ring planets represented will commence immediately following the Gateway Ribbon Cutting. As the delegates take their seats and begin their governance activities, the general public will be admitted to the Citizens Gallery located in the Horseshoe Mezzanine above the hallowed hall. If you're looking for an historic event to kick off your travel and leisure plans this season, this is the opportunity of a lifetime! Designated tourism agents are standing by to assist you.

Seeding the Sectors -

"Thread the Needle"
digital drawing & collage by Mick Mather

SYSTEM EDGE, K-Line - The Ministry of Science & Future Technology will be sending a study group to K-Line later this year. This is the furthest afield of the 12 official worlds that comprise the Outer Dust Rings as well as it's most inhospitable. Except for the fact that the largest jump gate ever discovered is located here, it is unlikely that K-Line would ever have qualified for the atmosphere processors that now make it habitable. Most of the activity at this planet-size gate is little more than dust and particle streamers, the odd space rock, comets, asteroids and - once upon a time - Waterworld came through this portal. There has been a particular spike of electromagnetic measurements in the sector and it is hypothesized that another event is to be expected soon. An artists rendition of the gate, nicknamed Thread the Needle, shows what scientists believe to be a typical flight path and what the magnetic array surrounding the port during an event might look like. Only scientific excursions are currently allowed to K-Line but if enough interest can be generated, tourist class transport seats may become available at the time of real activity in the sector.

Stairway To Heaven -

"Bold Moon Ascending the Stairway"
digital collage by Mick Mather

FOREVERLAND, The Stairway to Heaven - Recent acquisitions by the Outer Dust Rings Art Museum - currently on view in the contemporary wing - include this piece by the expatriate Terran artist, Michael Warren. There has been much interest in the worm hole gates - known as jump ports - over the centuries since their discovery. This rendition of the jump port nearest Foreverland shows one of its moons as it crosses in front of the stair-like structure. Myth and legend have long since referred to this portal as the Stairway to Heaven, because, as it is written, the other end of this particular worm hole lies in deep space where Heaven itself is believed to be located. When the first astronomers discovered the unique physical structure of The Stairway some weight of truth was quickly applied to what had heretofore been relegated to the status of faith-enhanced remote viewing, traditional fables and superstition. The Museum is located in Oopsville, Derby and their hours run 24 hours a day Tuesday thru Saturday - closing at midnight thru to midnight Monday.

Clouds of Plenty -

"Harvest Aurora on Derby"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

DERBY, The Harvest Festival - Once again, as Waterworld draws closer to Derby, you can expect to view spectacular displays in the sky during The Harvest Festival. Every three years this close proximity of two extraordinary worlds initiates a game of hide and seek with a light show! Collisions between atmospheric gases and showers of electrons and protons guided by their intersecting magnetic fields set the skies aglow. As can be seen in this artists rendition of one spectacular auroral formation documented by the Ministry of Science & Future Technology a trip to Derby will be especially rewarding this year. For family fun and an educational package available nowhere else, now is the time to plan your festival vacation.

Star Cradle Transit -

"In Transit"
digital collage by Mick Mather

original layer image by Emmi Pulkki

DERBY, Ministry of Tourism - A partnership with The Outer Dust Rings Science Foundation posts dozens of school age youth to the annual "Transit Camp" held each year during The Alignment of the 12 Festival. The illustration shown here was provided by the Digital Image Club whose beautifully prepared souvenir booklet sports this image of the planet Tracks as it majestically transits the Star Cradle. This hot spot of gas, dust, plasma and ionized particles that birthed our planetary system billions of trillions of years ago is, according to the Ministry of Science & Future Technology, soon to produce a new gas giant. Soon, in astronomical terms, may not mean within our lifetime but this photograph clearly shows the magnetic field signature of the expected new planet. Students and their families are encouraged to apply now for the limited slots in this year's Transit Camp when Waterworld is expected to cross in front of the Star Cradle while exhibiting whorls and streamers of water vapor, magnetic storms and other physical anomalies that have been under investigation for a thousand years.

(Further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, historic documents, arts & culture, myth & legend, etc. is requested - please scroll to the bottom of this page for details and contact info)

ODR Wire Service Special Report -

"Crossing the Line"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

LTK, Great Northern Oil Fields, ODR NEWSWIRE - Initial reports that invaders have once again taken control of the oil fields on LTK now appear to be false. A magnetic anomaly triggered a ghost image of a past event that witnesses said appeared to be another invasion. According to Caitlin O'Leary, a Great Northern Oil customer service representative, "a host of armed foot soldiers charged straight for us through a reddish, lined and mottled haze". The actual attack that is said to have ignited the 100 Years Civil War occurred at those specific coordinates. "We turned en masse and headed for the armory," another witness said, "and we were relieved to hear that it was nothing more than a rogue ion stream combined with an extremely potent magnetic spike that caused the mirage". This sort of apparition is quite common among the Sand Mountains at Oopsville on Derby but quite rare on LTK. This false alarm, while frightening, served as a warning to ever maintain vigilance, even during days as peaceful as these.

(Further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, historic documents, arts & culture, myth & legend, etc. is requested - please scroll to the bottom of this page for details and contact info)

Susu Islands -

"Susu Islands"
montage and digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather
(original photograph - top - by SusuPetal)

NEW WORLD YORK, Susu Islands - The Outer Dust Rings Federated Postal Service in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism has announced plans for a joint release of a philatelic passport. This first-in-a-series of mini-stamp collector albums - as part of the "Your Paradise" campaign - will feature The Susu Islands of New World York. Famous for it's tropical atmosphere, miles of sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, this out-of-the-way island paradise is perfect for swimming, diving, boating or casual beach combing. Each page of your personal passport will have a place for local postage stamps and will be annotated with the official mark of the local tourist authority. 12 different postal commemoratives and official rubber stamp imprints will be available at specified locations - such as "Sunset Bay" (shown). The close proximity of each individual island and the availability of every form of transport in this group makes for an ideal family vacation. Send your request for further information and your FREE collector album today. Let your adventure begin!

(My sincere thanks to SusuPetal for permission to use and manipulate her photograph - the top image seen in this post - further information, star maps, system maps, jump gate locations, historic documents, arts & culture, myth & legend, etc. is requested - please scroll to the bottom of this page for details and contact info)