The Yafornis News

Live from the Shadow City Communications sky-ship, above the construction site of Dome One: the Yafornis Info-Update.

Dria Malkees; Live from Dome One

Coming up in the next two decimers: The ShadowPets Federation opens its doors; there are more protests against expansion of space travel; and The Church Of Reignstorm - what's it all about?

But first: The City Renovation Authority announced this morning that the primary construction of Dome One, Yafornis's new centre for space operations, research and training, has been completed ahead of schedule. The "bare bones" of this structure, out in the desert several miles from the city, have been constructed using the new "builder" technology, an innovative offshoot of techniques employed in the development and manufacture of ShadowPets.

"Builders" are microscopic "machines", synthetic creatures designed to absorb sunlight and "digest" sand, converting it into a crystal-composite material from which buildings can be "grown", according to the design programmed into the Builders. These buildings can absorb light and energy from the sun, which can be tapped into to power heating, lights and all manners of other devices, and they even produce "roots" which can penetrate the ground beneath the building, and access underground water sources, that can then be processed, using the captured sunlight, to provide fresh, clean water for drinking, cooking and bathing.

There have been some reservations concerning the use of Builders - some are afraid that they might malfunction, and consume the entire planet - but the Special Projects Authority has assured the public that Builders have been thoroughly tested outside Yafornis's environmental envelope, and there have been no instances of them acting beyond their built-in instructions. If necessary, Builders can be, quote, "unerringly neutralised" by a specific form of radiation, harmless to all other life-forms.

The Renovation Authority is prepared to submit the Builders programme to a full public consultation process, and is quite willing to address all public concerns. They have invited all citizens to come and visit the Dome One site, and until public confidence is assured, they have unilaterally suspended preparations for the construction of two other Domes - one for the proposed Visitor Centre, and one planned as a new central facility for ShadowPet regulation, training and development, the proposed base for the newly-instituted ShadowPets Federation - more on that news item later.

The news about Dome One has generally been welcomed, but it has been greeted with dismay by members of the movement known as "Closed Sky", who have been calling for an end to space operations. In response, Barram Semra, the Chief Director of Extraplanetary Operations, has restated his commitment to safe and sensible space exploration, given our inexperience in the field. We'll have more on Closed Sky later in the broadcast.

ShadowPets Federation To Organise Official Competitions

It's almost impossible to turn a corner in Shadow City and not be reminded of the growing popularity of the ShadowPets phenomenon. Well, after several highly successful competitions organised and run by ShadowPet owners, such as the Aeriane races over Centre-Town, and the Grantorla rock-pushing display out at the site of Dome One, it's been decided to establish an official body to handle such contests, and establish rules and guidelines to ensure not just fair play, but also guarantee public safety.

The ShadowPet Federation is expected to be formed from a mixture of owners, the imagineers responsible for the ShadowPets' creation, and members of City security and law-enforcement - a combination of individuals many will admit would have previously been unthinkable. An official temporary base of operations opened today at Northwest Unity Square, and all are invited, fans or otherwise, to offer their views or learn more about the rapidly-expanding world of ShadowPets.

A larger complex is, as mentioned earlier, under consideration, with construction projected to begin once "Builder" technology has received full public backing.

Protests Increase Over Expansion Of Space Operations

Marun Kobrea - Space Operations Correspondent

Meanwhile, there are continuing protests against the expansion of space exploration from the group calling itself "Closed Sky". Last night, there was a disturbance in The Street Of Spirits, as members of the crew of Skylance-X, recently returned from deep space, were approached and apparently threatened by members of the protest movement, but violence was averted thanks to the presence of members of Lady Talona's taskforce, the Wraiths, and a large number of supporters of our space-faring heroes.

Following the incident, the mysterious leader of Closed Sky, known only as "Cloud", made a public statement on the Shadow City Free Access channel, denouncing any use of violence in pursuit of their cause:

"It is not - it has never been - our goal to undo the technological advances our City currently enjoys. We simply feel that with such wonders, there must come wisdom. For all our power, we are few; for all our devices, we are limited in experience; for all our dreams, there are just as many nightmares, and we may not be ready for them."

Chief Director Semra has again stated that while he feels the concerns of Closed Sky may be misconceived, he is more than willing to meet with the protestors and discuss the matter of space-travel advancement. We also invited Closed Sky to join us here on the sky-cruiser this evening, but sadly, they declined our offer.

Our doors, and our ears, remain open.

Special Report - The Church Of Reignstorm

Dria Malkees; Live from Dome One

On the flipside of our last story, a special report: whilst some in The City are plainly anxious about encountering beings from other worlds, others seem particularly eager to experience such encounters - and some are even saying that they've already done so, right here on Yafornis. They've now formed a group calling itself "The Church Of Reignstorm", and Saijeb Delhu went to meet them...

Saijeb Delhu - The Church Of Reignstorm; Street of The Faraway Chant

It may not seem like much, but for one particular group of Shadowfolk, this back-street building represents a whole new world, an entirely new universal view-point. For the last few moon-dances, people have been coming here to hear the words of Tiadri Sulkeem - the girl who dreams about off-worlders.

Tiadri Sulkeem - "The Heart That Hears"; The Church Of Reignstorm

I don't think of them as "off-worlders". I prefer to view them as neighbours who just happened to live so far away, you can't see them.

Saijeb Delhu

I see behind you the banner you say you've painted from memories of your contact with this being, Reignstorm. I'm not wanting to sound as though I'm judging without knowing, but... the horns, the dragon's face - given our troubles with the Dracbrood...?

Tiadri Sulkeem

With the Dracbrood, you see flesh and bone, and there can be no doubt. This... this is but an image, a metal mask...

Saijeb Delhu

Some would say a mask is almost as bad...

Tiadri Sulkeem

Not when you've touched what's behind the mask. I have, and that's why I feel I can share what I've experienced. Who are we to say that all dragons are evil? On other worlds, they may be sacred - and let's not forget that one of the very first "off-worlders" to come to Yafornis was a three-headed dragon - and she helped to defeat the Dracbrood.

Saijeb Delhu

You're one of the few people in The City who hasn't undergone the standard testing for special abilities - are you perhaps afraid that knowing more about yourself, and whatever powers you might have, will damage your connection with Reignstorm?

Tiadri Sulkeem

No - I just prefer not to be reduced to a number on a computer. I value who and what I am - what I know I am - far more than any prize I might have one chance in seven thousand years of winning.

Saijeb Delhu

I didn't mean to sound dismissive of your experiences, but what if this "contact" is merely a dream, dreamt, for example, by someone else in The City...?

Tiadri Sulkeem

I would know. Reignstorm isn't one of us - that much I know for certain. I understand how some might think - I appreciate the concerns of Closed Sky, for example - but you must understand that I would never do anything to put The City - my City - in danger, nor would I expose others to such danger by having them come here to share with me.

Saijeb Delhu

I see. In closing, what would be the key message you would hope visitors would take away from your Church?

Tiadri Sulkeem

"You are not alone", definitely. The rest? That all depends how open-minded you're willing to be. I'm sure everyone would learn something of value.

Saijeb Delhu

Tiadri Sulkeem, thank you.

Official sources are reluctant to comment, saying that even if Tiadri Sulkeem is picking up on "leaky dreams", or is imagining the whole thing, she still has the right to be heard, and be listened to. At present, no-one has been able to find any threat to The City in the teachings of The Church Of Reignstorm - but what of the future? I'm reminded of that old saying "The future is the only place we all reach at the same time" - perhaps, for the followers of Reignstorm, that's no longer true.

And now, back to the studio.

Dria Malkees

And talking of prizes, it's time for the latest quarter-dance draw, for all those who've volunteered for special abilities analysis. All your registration codes have been submitted to the draw, as a gesture of thanks for your contribution to our understanding of the gifts we all received.

The central data-core is ready, so let's randomise those numbers, and see who's been lucky this quarter! Remember the prizes are: the ShadowPet of your choice; a permanent one-level upgrade of your personal purchase pool, or the trip of a lifetime on board one of the Skylance Shuttles as it circles the world!.

And the numbers are... zero, eight, five, four, nine, zero! Congratulations to our lucky winner, who's being notified of their win, as I speak, through the City-Net.

And finally, the weather update. Maintenance is being carried out on climate towers four and five over the next two days, which means the City could be in for some sand-storm activity, but hopefully not enough to spoil tonight or tomorrow for anyone.

Weather Control informs us that a bank of rain is due to reach the City before the quarter-dance is over, and that rain will be allowed past the central barrier - so be warned; you may just get wet!

That's all from us, high above Dome One. May we wish you all a good night - and remember, Talona is watching over you.

Posted at 00:10 on 17.12.2007


~ o O o ~


Previously...
Mane-of-Night And The Watcher From Beyond - Chapter 1 - 21.06.2009
Mane-of-Night And The Dark Child's Descent - Chapter 14 - 17.05.2009
Mane-of-Night And The Dark Child's Descent - Chapter 13 - 15.05.2009
Mane-of-Night And The Dark Child's Descent - Chapter 12 - 13.05.2009
Mane-of-Night And The Dark Child's Descent - Chapter 11 - 11.05.2009