.... And in the Sciences, today it was announced that meteorologists from both the Dorthal University of Sciences and the Clakor Center for Higher Learning have discovered what could be the beginnings of a medium sized ION storm in the Brak Sector. Since this event is such a rare occurrence the leading scientists from both universities are joining forces to study this event.

Today in Sports....

...... Two days ago we brought you news of the discovery of a potential ION storm in the Brak Sector. Today, we have an update. In a statement given by Mmbotu Alam, the Dorthal University of Sciences, DUS, and the Clakor Center for Higher Learning, CCHL, have both concluded that it is most certainly the beginnings of an ION storm, and it is most definitely developing rapidly.

Because of the rarity of this event scientists from all over the known galaxy are heading toward the Brak sector to aid in the study of this unique phenomena. The Anthos Republic Military has activated an old Bavos space station, and has allowed the collective scientists to use it as a base of operations while they are in the Bavos sector.

ION storms cause massive sensor fluctuations, as well as other abnormalities generally thought of as nuisances. How severe the interference from this ION storm will be is under heavy debate, it is one of the primary reasons the Dorthal Institute for Higher Technology is so interested in studying the storm. With a full spectrum analysis of how the storm grows, and evolves, they may be able to develop technology to counter the ill effects ION storms have on the holo-net and communications.

Full scale ION storms may last for centuries, becoming a permanent fixture in space, however, small to medium storms do not have nearly the lasting power. Seven have been documented as forming and shrinking rapidly in the last century. No one knows where these storms come from, perhaps that question will be solved here, in the Brak sector.

Reporting live from the Bavos station Impol, this is Micel Benet for ANN. Back to you Kent....

"Kent, we're reporting live here from the Impol, the space station the intergalactic team of scientists is staying on while studying the now famous ION storm that is developing here, in the Brak sector. Here with me is Dr. Marcus Beneel, from the Dorthal University of Sciences. In a moment he's going to tell you more about this ION storm, but right now ... if you could look behind me ... there we go ... take a look out of this viewport. This is a live view of the ION storm. As you can tell by the occasional crackle across our transmission band, the interference generated by this storm is building.

Now, Dr. Beneel, could you please explain why this storm is so ... special?"

"Not at all, Micel. Kent, what you are seeing right now is the mid stages of this ION storm. This storm is a little over two weeks old now, and is growing at an astonishing rate. From this point we estimate that it will continue to grow very rapidly, probably at a rate of two hundred kilometers per hour."

"Dr. Beneel, how large do you think this ION storm will get?"

"Right now, we frankly don't know. ION storms are so rare we're pretty much shooting from the hip here."


"Can any of the star systems in the Brak sector expect any problems?"

"Yes, we have notified the Jin, Pire and Perave systems in regards to the storm. Planets in those systems should expect communications jamming-like effects, difficulty with scanners, maybe even more if the storm gets much larger than our highest estimates."

"Thanks, Dr. Beneel. Back to you, Kent"

"... and now we go live to Micel Benet, aboard the Bavos space station Impol. Micel, what's new?"

"Well, Kent, just yesterday the Impol was moved a total distance of ... two million kilometers, as the effects of the ION storm are growing more and more powerful. I am currently in a small shuttle several light years away from the Impol, transmission quality is very poor for any kind of communication device that isn't hardwired directly into the Impol"

"So the storm is still growing?"

"Yes, Kent, it's growing faster than any of the original scientists suspected possible."

"When you say original scientists, you are of course referring to the four who discovered this storm, correct?"

"Almost, Kent. I'm referring to the original dozen who originally boarded the Impol to study the storm. Since the public announcement of the storm dozens of additional scientists have traveled here to participate in the research. We have representatives ... let me get my notes here ... we Deamuns, Bothans, members of Arkania, Tholatin, and Mon Cal. We even have some people from the Outer Rim, as well as some from Imperial space. This truly is a war-bridging event, as members of opposite sides of the War join together for the common good."

"Have any scientists made any break through developments, or are there otherwise some ideas forming as to how to use this research?"

"Kent, most of the scientists are simply bubbling over, the data coming from this ION storm is breakthrough in every way. I suspect we'll see some really incredible technologies come from this event."

"Aside from the typical ION storm effects, are you noticing any health problems for being exposed to such high doses of ION bombardment?"

"Kent, the medical team here is top notch, and the Impol has been treated with every known method to void the ION effects. However, suspicions that heavy ION bombardment doesn't effect humans has been confirmed, all the human scientists aboard, in fact, all but two of the people aboard the Impol are in normal health conditions."

"So, two scientists have reported in ill from the ION storm?"

"Only one scientist is ill, Clark. One of the Deamun scientists was stricken ill with spasm like effects. He was immediately shuttled away from the storm, and appears to be all right. The second illness was from a Bith scientist who had a hearing implant."

"Anything else happening, Kent?"

"The most notable advancement is the prediction that the effects of the ION storm may blanked the entire Brak sector, maybe even furthest. The scientist are still classifying this as a 'medium' storm, but the word medium now refers to the expected life cycle of the storm, not the size."

"Sorry to cut you off here, Micel, but we've got a break coming up. Next, on ANN -- The celebrity Bith band Tweeters have all been arrested for plagiarism. More, when we come back... "

"Once again we go live to Micel, aboard the Bavos station Impol, in the Brak sector. Micel, we've heard that amazing things are expected to be produced from the research this intergalactic group of scientists."

"I agree, Clark, I've seen some of the data these scientists are working on, and the ideas they're coming up with are fantastic, to say the least."

"The signal we're receiving from you is pretty scratchy, Micel, has the storm continued to grow?"

"Yes, Clark, it has continued to grow. In fact, it's also beginning to show signs of containing a black hole in the center. In any case, hyperspace travel around the storm is severely restricted, forcing me to transmit from a position fairly close to the station. It too us eight hours to sublight out to this distance, yet we're still receiving interference."

"Tell me, what's the most interesting thing to happen aboard the Impol so far?"

"Well, Clark, I would have to say that the theoretical wave simulations being produced by the team from Clakor is incredible, it may revolutionize the way communications are handled. The scientists from Deamo and Hapes have also teamed up with the group from Dorthal. Although they've not revealed anything, they're visible excited. So much so that four scientists, one from Dorthal and Deamo, and two from Hapes, are planning on leaving tomorrow and heading toward Dorthal to do some research out of the influence from the storm."

"Amazing. How about the health conditions of the Deamun that were sick before?"

"No additional problems have been spotted, Clark, the Deamun sent a message from his home planet saying that he was doing fine, once out of the Storms influence. An additional scientist replaced him a few days ago. I would also like to say that ... .... ... se of even... ...s ... ... thi.. ... been a .... ... ..... .... ... ... ..... ... . . .... . "

"I'm sorry, but it appears we're loosing you, Micel."

"... My Go... ... station unde.... a...ck.. .... ....."

"We're loosing you, Micel. We'll try get the signal back, gentlebeings, during these messages...."

A dozen more missile trails betrayed the position of the deadly warheads, and a dozen more explosions erupted on the Bavos space station Impol. The Bavos station fought back bravely, but it was no match for an enemy it could neither see, nor detect.

Then, it was done. No more missile trails visible, no more alarms screeching to declare an imminent hit.



Red lights flashed inside the Impol on most levels, the sirens had long been muted. Decks four through ten on the starboard side reported massive hull breeches, several dozen people had been blown into the vacuum of space and dozens more were calling in with broken eardrums.

"Dear God, have these people no shame?" said the acting captain of the Impol, Leucha Meu. She continued to scan the damages listing, each entry sounding like a gunshot to her head.

"Terrorists seek gain through terror and fear, Captain," replied her first officer. He continued with his report. "Anthos Military has sent several cruisers to act as an escort, no word yet from anyone else. Micel, the reporter for ANN, got the whole thing on tape. He was out transmitting live to ANN when it occurred."

"Terrorist attacks on ANN, live. I don't believe they could have pulled it at a better time," said Leucha bitterly.

"Agreed," said Michael. "Decks four through ten are now completely quarantined save for the engineering team. We should have magnetic screen closure at all breeches within the hour."

"Who? Who would do this."

Both were silent as the names of several now prominent governments went through their minds. Neither dared say whom they suspected.

Sovereignty Condems Attack on Space Station Impol!
Vice-President Marth Meer issues a statement today on Varonat
By: Kim Jordak
Sovereignty News Service

Vice-President Marth Meer today issued a statement condeming the attack on the space station Impol today. The Vice-President was in Varonat City at the opening of a monument to commemorate the "Varan Rebellion". In statements to reporters the Vice-President appeared to be very worried about the fate of the scientists and the station saying:

"The men and women aboard that station represented some of the greatest minds in science. They are currently engaged in amazing ground-breaking work concerning the origins of the universe and it's a severe crime against all beings in the galaxy."

The Vice-President went on to call on the Anthos Republic to eradicate terrorism throughout the sector. In other news Giles Far has been elected as Proconsul of...

<span style="font-family:helvetica; color:white;font-size:x-large;">Dameo Mourns</span>
<span style="font-family:helvetica; color:white;font-size:medium;">Cardnals Response</span>
<span style="font-family:helvetica; color:white;font-size:small;">Dameun Inrtern</span>

"Today we mourn the loss of those scientists that have lost corperal form this day. Whilst they live on in synapse form we can only hope they choose to enlighten us once more with another incarnation of their prescence. Whilst it is true no real life was lost on behalf of our team, the loss of corpreal form can be just as disconcerning, as well as disturbing.

"In the anals of scientific development there have been many hallmarks of dissent among the under educated and the blatently ignorant. Progress comes at a loss, always, but sometimes those losses are greater than we can possibly anticipate. Typically in the progress of a civilization or species these fall behinds are left to their old ways only to be passed on to the next generation and their acceptance of ideals, or in extreme cases are seperated from the whole like a cancer to society.

"Todays galaxy is riddled with cancer, and the galaxy at hand suffers from it. We peoples; of different creeds, nations, religons and beliefs can not and must not stand for this type of defacement of common good any longer. We must take out these cancerous growths with surgeon like perscion, this disease to civilized man should not be allowed to grow and prosper, but be striken down before its time.

"We, the people of Dameo, under our Lord Taj, implore any who can understand this plea. Let not the wrongs of yesterday be repeated. Let not the terror of the past resurface, hold dear what the galaxy can do together. We are its people and we can make things good."

Combined Clans Decry Attack
Supreme Councilor calls attacks "an affront to galactic unity"

In a statment released today by the Bothan Government, the Combined Clans denounced the "dastardly" attacks on the Bavos Station Impol and expressed their condolences to all of the familes involved. The council of clans also suggested that "the quest for scientific truth should not yeild to terror" and offered to provide a new station to continue the research started by the previous teams.

Meanwhile, Supreme Councilor Amaer Kre Fey issued his own statment, saying about the scientists:

"Their drive to learn about the unvierse in which we live, devoid of political disagreements or factional disputes was quite amazing. To have their potential cut short, but such a cowardly act, not only is it despecibile, it is an affront to galactic unity, which is in such short supply today...... "

The Councilor went on to give his personal condolences to the familes of those who list their lives. A memorial service for all those who lost their lives will be held in 3 days at the Combined Clans Building on Bothawui, followed by a private service for the families of the Bothan scientists who perished.

-BHN

Size 4 bold will do for large fonts.