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Psychiatric Cases on the Rise

Lord only knows where she got the knife, she didn’t have one on her when she came in. Before security could even get near her, she stabbed herself in the eye right to the hilt and kept stabbing over and over again. We got her restrained and medicated… I’ll never forget it, I’ve seen psyc cases before but nothing like that. Just stabbing her own eye over and over again.

Mental health officials in the city of Chicago have been plagued lately by a striking rise in hospitalizations and reported suicides. Officials decline to comment on possible causes. First responders have also reported a notable spike in near-suicides and others in severe mental distress. The similarities in cases is causing serious concern among the cities hospitals and other care facilities.

Two local hospitals have issued similar reports stating that patients have a unique chemical imbalance related to a lack of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. REM sleep is necessary for the psychological well being of everyone, without it a person becomes unable to perform simple tasks and can become paranoid and even violent. While it is unclear at this time what might cause such a spike in this rare mental breakdown there has been talk of it being related to some kind of new drug. Police have only commented that should a new drug surface which threatens the public health they would release a statement. They declined to directly comment on the potential existence of such a drug saying that comments on ongoing investigations are against policy.

The public faith in law enforcement and the Mayor’s ability to handle a new crisis has been hindered by the recent killings which are still largely unexplained in the surround areas around Chicago. Accusations that city officials only care if the affluent neighborhoods are effective have been met with stark denials. Mental health officials have noted that cases of mental distress to tend to fall along socio-economic lines but that will not hinder their research into possible causes for this latest outbreak in mental health cases.

Symptoms of this potentially new condition progress rapidly; irritability, inability to concentrate, trouble remembering, and insomnia seem to be among the initial symptoms. Hospital officials cannot give an exact timeline but they have stated one the initial symptoms set in the progression quickly escalates into paranoid and violent behavior eventually culminating in thought of suicide. While no names of victims have been released at this time one hospital official who spoke to us on condition of anonymity for fear of losing their job stated:

You don’t want to see how this happens. I was present when one of these patients went south. She was holding on, upset, having hallucinations, and paranoid but holding on with the hope she was in a safe place, you know? We had her comfortable but within minutes of falling asleep she had leaped out of bed, torn the IV needs from her arm, and was threatening nurses with a knife. Lord only knows where she got the knife, she didn’t have one on her when she came in. Before security could even get near her, she stabbed herself in the eye right to the hilt and kept stabbing over and over again. We got her restrained and medicated… I’ll never forget it, I’ve seen psyc cases before but nothing like that. Just stabbing her own eye over and over again.

Anonymous Source

Horrific stories like these have started to surface, yet officials are baffled. What could be causing such a thing?

Call for Players to Multiple Plots

I’ve been rumbling about starting a number of plots lately. Here are the plots I’m currently working on. Players should DM me if they are interested.

Blazing Umbra

The first upcoming plot here is From All to None, where a group of Temporal Operatives is disavowed and has been framed by an outside party. The group must then endeavor to clear their names before the Solas Tempus authorities find them.

We’ve got positions open for the Temporal Operatives as well as their ships MSAI. The plot is going to begin where they must convince their ships MSAI to help them rather than take over the ship and turn them in. Please DM me if anyone is interested.

The second upcoming plot for Blazing Umbra is the Exploring a Derelict plot. This plot is exactly what it says on the tin, a derelict vessel of some fame for vanishing without a trace is discovered. The players receive a vague threat and go aboard to find out what happened to the ghost ship. Once there they find out too much information and must figure out how to get off the ship and away from it with their lives. Please DM me if anyone is interested.

Angelic Sins

The main upcoming plot here is the Mysterious Door appearing in Chicago. The group of players will become involved in a fable-like scenario where one or all of the players tries to open the door and incurs the wrath of what lies beyond it. The entity will then come out of the door to take back with it the person(s) who tries to open the door or it will kill the loved ones of the person(s) as payment for being disturbed.

This one will be a bit difficult for me to write but I’m looking forward to it. Rather than focused on combat, it will be focused on the chase itself. Some goal will be given that needs to be accomplished while protecting loved ones to appease the entity. Please DM me if you’re interested.

Recommending Reconnaissance Romulan Forces on the Move

Long range sensors have indicated that Romulan forces are moving into an previously unexplored region of space. It is unknown at this time why the task force is on the move. Command is recommending a reconnaissance mission be organized to track the group and investigate possible reasons for the fleet movements.

It is believed the task force consists of 2 Romulan Warbirds and 6 frigates with as many smaller vessels. The vessels were tracked heading out of Romulan space 3 days ago where the group cloaked shortly after passing through the edge of Cardiassian space, the group remained visible through that space passing through the tachyon detection network on the opposite side of Cardassian territory before cloaking.

Projected course puts the group heading out into unexplored space. Command recommends a scout mission be organized to track the group from the point they left Cardassian Space and attempt to locate them undetected.

Trello Boards

In an effort to keep things organized and try to not drop plots and forget to RP out storylines. I am going to try to put all major plots (and hopefully most minor ones as well) onto our new Trello boards. I’m not sure yet how this is going to work in practice, but I’m hoping it’ll work well.

As such, here are the public links to the boards. Trello doesn’t have a way for me to just use an invite link to let people be added, which is probably a good thing. Instead I have to actually add people. If anyone would like access to create/edit/modify Trello cards just let me know.

I’m going to do my best to also put past plots, outlines, and ideas onto it as well so that we can try to revive things and maybe resurrect some old plots.

Proceed with Required Refits

All Solas Tempus vessels should report to their designated repair and refit facilities for required sensor array refits to install the VAM Enhanced Sensor Pallets. All facilities will immediately begin upgrades to installed sensor systems as well as upgrading all fighters and auxiliary crafts.

In addition to sensor upgrades, vessels will receive upgrades to the Mark 1S Active Repair System which will also be augmented be Astromech Droids to improve internal repair effectiveness.

Contractors are encouraged to receive the upgrades and are eligible to receive access to a fully functional HAL Computer Hub for vessels receiving the upgrade. A minimal HAL installation is required for effective sensor operations but not for repair system upgrades. Contractors should contact their military liason or direct superior for further information.

Shooting on Nimbus

“This latest attack will not stand, we will locate and prosecute the people responsible for the attack to the fullest extent of the law.” — Admiral Lance Thomas

On the 18th security officers collected several assailants at Finnegan’s Tavern on Nimbus Station. One of first splicers was attacked by an unknown number of assailants during the evening of the 18th. Security responded but not before the injured officer was shot in the stomach at close range by a phaser blast. The site is frequented by many of the military personnel on the station and is run by Captain Lee Finnegan.

Solas Tempus has not released details of the incident nor the name of the person attacked, only that he was retired and worked in the hospital. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the unnamed victim was one of the team which helped in the recovery efforts of Admiral Lance Thomas after his return from capture. Given recent events, we reached out to Admiral Thomas for comment.

We have always taken the security of our officers, crew, and civilian residents seriously. It it deeply troubling when a man who did not wish to come here, who was forced here by the Splice phenomena that pervades this system, turned his life to service of the people who welcomed him among them is attacked without provocation. It is even further troubling to know this person was retired and had devoted his remaining years to the medical profession, healing the sick and wounded. Such a person should, at the very least, not have to concern himself with being shot and potentially killed by attackers after surviving numerous military campaigns bravely both in his native universe and here in ours.

It is truly inspiring to see someone who is so devoted to the service of others. Retiring from military service only to go into the medical profession. Especially when this man could have rested on his laurels and no more would have been expected of him. Such a person deserves our respect and gratitude.

This latest attack will not stand, we will locate and prosecute the people responsible for the attack to the fullest extent of the law.

Admiral Lance Thomas

When asked for further details on the attack Admiral Thomas reiterated that he could not comment further on an ongoing investigation, being handled internally by the Solas Tempus security forces rather than civilian agencies.

Within hours of our speaking with Admiral Thomas an unnamed source at Serenity Station indicated to reporters that an increase in the number of patrols was being organized. In addition, another source at the Umbral Shipyards indicated that many of their support craft which had yet to be assigned were in the process of being refit with more advanced sensor arrays. A second source at the shipyards confirmed this and also confirms that orders have been issued to upgrade the sensor arrays of existing vessels, fighters, shuttles, and all other starship and auxiliary craft in the region. It is unclear the reasons for such upgrades or orders, though it could indicate that the organization is actively searching for something which requires new hardware capabilities.

Is the surge in activity in the system related to the recent attack? The timing seems to indicate that it could be, but Solas Tempus denies that new ordered have been given, insisting that any upgrades taking place are part of the normally scheduled routine maintenance. If it is related, one has to wonder what Solas Tempus is searching for.

Drem Confusco Missing in Action

Captain Drem Confoscho has been officially reported as missing. At this time anyone with information on her potential whereabouts is asked to come forward and contact Solas Tempus immediately or the office for the Department of Protection and Investigation immediately.

The wife of the former head of Solas Tempus has been declared missing in action. While little is known about the circumstances of her disappearance, Captain Drem Confoscho has been officially reported as missing. At this time anyone with information on her potential whereabouts is asked to come forward and contact Solas Tempus immediately or the office for the Department of Protection and Investigation immediately. While Admiral Lance Thomas has not been available for comment the head of Solas Tempus, Admiral Sal D’Amico was available for comment earlier today.

We are very concerned about the recent disappearance of one of our own. Captain Confoscho was a cherished member of our organization and we ask that anyone with any information please come forward either through my office or the DPI. She was last seen at 3:50am local time on route to Trocara in the Markab System approximately 57 light years from here. There was no distress call, at 3:22am we received the last automated telemetry from her vessel, the Ghost Quartz. Next telemetry from an unmanned sensor station operated by Starfleet Command picked up the vessel near the edge of its sensor range, the station tracks the vessel until it disappears from sensors at exactly 3:50am local time while still within sensor range.

Admiral Sal D’Amico

Further details have not been provided to the press, though records indicate this was a routine trip to Trocara where her and Admiral Thomas share a home. The registered flight plan lists the trip as personal, further, records indicate Captain Confusco was granted a weeks leave shortly before departing.

Rumors have circulated for months that there was tension between Admiral Thomas and Captain Confusco following his capture and rescue where he was believed to be dead. It is not known at this time if Admiral Thomas was aware of the trip to Trocara or not but the Solas Tempus public relations office has confirmed that he is assisting with the investigation.

Fund Molten Aether

I am never one to enjoy the act of asking others for money so I will keep this short and to the point. Running this server and its associated parts costs me time and in some cases money. The web server along costs the bulk of my out-of-pocket expenses but I do think it has become an essential part of what we do. A place to keep all of our content is very important to me.

I would like to ask that anyone who feels they can consider becoming a patron via our Patreon Page. Even a small regular donation would do wonders for us and my ability to keep everything running. As things pick up I hope to be able to invest more time and energy into making content here. I also would like to start making short videos on YouTube about writing and role playing. Some of these may become content only for patrons but that has yet to be decided.

In the end, I would like to clear about $40 a month or so which would cover my web server costs for the forum, wiki, and wordpress. We have specialized patron roles, which is not much of a thank you but it is a start. Should we get enough patrons I will look into what else those people would like me to do to add value to their generosity.

To everyone, thank you.

URL Update

In the long process that has been moving to the moltenaether.com domain name, the URL’s for all blazingumbra.com will now automatically redirect to the corresponding page on the new domain. All BU links will work exactly as are for a good long while. Eventually we will be moving entirely to the moltenaether.com domain but probably not until 2021 at the earliest. Users may need to log in again to the Wiki or WordPress as the cookies are no longer valid with the new domain.

If anyone gets any redirect errors (most common is likely to be too many redirects) I encourage users to wipe their cache and refresh. If the error still occurs, let me know what page was being accessed so I can do testing and resolve the issue.