BREAKING: MLMT Train Explosion; Casualties Estimated in the Hundreds is a The Caprican News article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Ianuarius 23, YR42.
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Tragedy hit Caprica City a little over an hour ago as an explosion on the MAGLEV has left hundreds dead and an unknown number of injured. Besides the passengers killed on the train, several more were killed when debris from the explosion plummeted to the streets below.
Fire and rescue units from throughout Caprica City responded to the scene, which stretched over half a click in the downtown section.
There is no indication yet as to what caused the explosion, though the Global Defense Department is currently investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
The names of the victims have yet to be revealed, as the GDD and the Caprica City Police Department are still gathering information.
Lead investigator Agent Jordan Duram of the GDD said, "If this was a deliberate attack, we will not rest until those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice."
May the gods bless us all during this trying time, and prayers go out to the brave men and women who are still at the scene, fighting the fires, caring for the wounded and trying to make sense of the senseless.
Updates to come....
(Photograph courtesy an anonymous reader of The Caprican)
BREAKING: Mayor, Justice Department Confirm Bombing as Act of Terrorism is a The Caprican News article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Februarius 5, YR42.
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It's only been two weeks since the seemingly senseless MAGLEV tragedy, but for many Capricans, it's seemed like a lifetime. And finally, the Mayor of Caprica City and the Global Defense Department have issued a long-overdue official statement regarding the bombing - and the information they've revealed makes the situation even more frightening and heartbreaking.
First, the Mayor confirms that the bombing was indeed an act of terrorism in his opening statement:
"In this senseless tragedy, it's important that you know that the government of Caprica takes matters of terrorism seriously and that this case will be pursued until justice is served."
The Mayor then introduced Special Agent Jordan Duram of the Global Defense Department. After expressing the Caprican government's deepest sympathy on behalf of the Prime Minister, Special Agent Duram went on to reveal the group behind the terrorist act: the Soldiers of the One (STO), an organization that "espouses a monotheistic religious philosophy, advocating the worship of a single, all-knowing, all-powerful God." The insignia of the Soldiers of the One is an infinity symbol.
Special Agent Duram also revealed that the STO has been dormant for the last ten years, and though the Global Defense still has a lot of evidence to go over, "Everything points to their involvement."
BREAKING: Amanda Graystone reveals family link to MAGLEV bombing is a The Caprican News article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Februarius 8, YR42.
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The story of MAGLEV Train #23 just gets weirder and weirder. Attendants of the Apollo Park memorial service were stunned when Amanda Graystone, wife of Graystone Industries CEO Daniel Graystone, broke down during an emotional speech and revealed her daughter, Zoe's, link to the Soldiers of the One and the attack that killed hundreds of Capricans. What motivated this revelation was unclear, but Dr. Graystone, a respected surgeon at Caprica General Hospital, was quickly whisked off stage and into a waiting car, leaving a puzzled, and increasingly angry, crowd with nothing but questions.
Full text of Dr. Graystone's shocking statement after the jump.
Here is a full transcript of the stunning statement by Dr. Amanda Graystone at the Apollo Park memorial service:
"My daughter had a whole life and a boyfriend that I knew nothing about. Beliefs that I don't understand at all. Looking back, I think that she only showed me what she wanted me to see. I just didn't know her.
You've all talked about how guilty you feel. It's our job; we create life, and then one day, we have to face who they are. What they become and what they do. My daughter, Zoe Graystone, died in the bombing of MAGLEV Train #23. But I think she may have caused it....My daughter was part o the Soldiers of the One. My daughter was a terrorist. I'm sorry."
No further statement has been issued by the Graystones or by the Global Defense Department, and attempts to contact members of the Graystone family have, so far, been unsuccessful. Stay tuned for more as we explore what must be a shocking turn of events for any Caprica City resident.
Poll: Are the Graystones Responsible for the MAGLEV Tragedy? is a The Caprican Opinion article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Februarius 11, YR42.
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With Amanda Graystone's recent revelation that her daughter, Zoe, was a member of the radical religious sect The Soldiers of the One, and that she may have been responsible for the bombing of MAGLEV Train #23, a harsh spotlight has been shining on Caprica City's most famous family. The citizenry is up in arms, Graystone Industries stock is plummeting, and while we can't confirm it, we've heard that a full government investigation is underway.
We want to know what you think. Do the Graystones bear responsibility for the tragedy their daughter caused? Vote in the poll after the jump and make your voice heard.
Travel Agency Gets More Than It Bargained For After Group Marriage Wins Sweepstakes is a The Caprican Lifestyle article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Februarius 23, YR42.
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Chances are you know about the recent sweepstakes hosted by popular Caprica travel agency Colonial Express. You know, the one that promised to send the winner to any of the Twelve Colonies for one week, all expenses paid - travel, lodging, food, entertainment, you name it. The exact phrasing of the contest was as follows:
"Enter The 'Seven Days Off World' Sweepstakes For Your Chance to Win Seven Days Vacation on Any of the Twelve Colonies. Colonial Express Will Send One Lucky Family Off World For One Week, All Expenses Paid."
Well, Colonial Express will probably never use a term as vague as "Family" ever again. Because it isn't a lucky young couple that's going to live it up for a week, or even a family of four, as the travel agency was probably hoping.
The winner of the 'Seven Days Off World' Sweepstakes is the Mayburys of Caprica City, a group marriage consisting of seven wives, five husbands and nine children (ages 3 to 15). Oh, and a golden retriever named Buckingham.
"Honestly, the 'Seven Days' Sweepstakes doesn't quite have the budget to cover the travel expenses of 21 people," said Colonial Express CEO Mark Standriff on the day the winners were announced. "But we're legally bound by the language and the rules of the contest, so we'll stay true to our word. We wish the Mayburys a safe and happy journey!" Standriff resigned from his position the following morning.
The Mayburys will be spending a week on Picon - and yes, Buckingham will be joining them, too. "We've heard about the amazing summers on Picon," says Keira Maybury, 25, one of the seven Maybury wives. "We never thought we'd ever be able to afford all of us going together, but now's our chance!"
The legal team of Colonial Express is currently reworking the terminology of any future sweepstakes.
We all know Caprica City is the center of the known universe, but with that kind of profile comes a lot of confusion - after all, if you can find EVERYTHING here, how do you separate the great from the merely better-than-everywhere-else?
That's where we come in. We've scoured the city from top to bottom and brought you a look at some of the coolest spots, most interesting culture, and best deals in Caprica City. Trust us; terrorist attack or no, this is still the place to be.
Teen Fun Excitement! Get Your Butts to the Dance! is a The Caprican Entertainment article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Martius 14, YR42.
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OK, little dudes and dudettes, life isn't all about the V-Club and New Cap City. Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying that, either, but it's true. That stuff isn't real. It's true.
You gotta get out of your bedrooms and basements. You gotta unplug. You gotta live life, kiddies. I'm not gonna be like your parents and say that goes for all the time, or even most of the time. But sometimes. Yeah, sometimes, you need to venture out. Look each other in the eye. Touch and feel. Shake things up. For real.
All right, I told you scamps to get your damn butts to the dance last week and experience the Real World for a change. Now that that's out of the way, let's get back to New Cap, shall we?
No cheats or clues or nothing this week. I'm not going to hand you that kind of gold on a silver platter all the time, you know. When I'm in the right mood, and when I think you've been nice, that's when you get your candy. For now, I'm here to plug and pimp a little place you may've been to already. A little place called Mysteries. It's a cabaret club, baby, and it is sweet.
You walk in, you have to check your weapons at the door. No help for it. Or is there? Maybe I provided you a way around that in one of my earlier ramblings? You'll have to go back and check, won't you?
The emcee, Cerberus, is a trip, baby. He (she?) doesn't give a frak about nothing. And he will take you places. Expand your minds. Show you past the boundaries and gates and horizons. You think anything goes in New Cap? That does double at Mysteries.
Thing is, you could get yourself killed. There's challenges therein, baby. Riddles and questions, stuff where if you don't have the answer, your life is on the line. Cerberus could call your ass out. Don't try to hide in the shadows. If he wants you, he'll find you. It's all part of the game, baby.
Yeah. Serious Players Only. Bring your lady, bring your man, show up solo, whatever. But you want real cred in New Cap? Spend a night at Mysteries. And check your damn guns at the door.
Or not.
And, oh yeah - Happy Hour is on Wednesdays. And Wednesdays only.
I can now truly say that I am a Man, for I have braved the River of Pain.
I have just returned from Sagittaron, and I bring with me a harrowing tale of survival, and a rite of passage. I have returned to Caprica, but I can never return to my old life. Things seem so petty and meaningless now - my apartment, my job at the sporting goods store, the woman to whom I've grown bored making love. All that lives in my heart, mind and soul now is the River.
Those who have braved the beautiful blue Acheron will tell you of its charms, of its viciousness, its merciless temper and its loving embrace. I set out with my raft, alone, determined to run its course as long as it would take me. It pushed me a long at first, curious and playful. Then it decided I wasn't worthy of riding its current without me giving something back, and it began to thrash me about, demanding I contribute something to the ways of Nature. I had nothing to give but fear. Finally, it capsized me, flinging me and my raft to the rocks - the ultimate rejection. "Go home, boy," said the River. "Nothing for you here. This is the Acheron. This is the River of Pain, and Pain frightens you. Go home."
I didn't go home. I got back in my raft and tried again. And again the River tossed and turned me, again it threw me to the rocks. And I tried again, and failed again. Finally, after more attempts than I can count, the River must've gotten bored with me. It once again carried me along - reluctantly, and not without the occasional attack - but it allowed me something resembling passage. I was bruised, battered and broken...but I was riding the River, perhaps because it sensed that I now knew Pain.
By the end of my journey, the River and I were lovers. I feel empty without Her.
That's all I can tell you of my experience. For those of you who feel you are up to the challenge, then go, as swiftly as you can. The rest of you can only hope you will one day find something else that will open your heart, mind and soul so wide.
Vergis Corporation Proposes New Energy Standards is a The Caprican News article written by Caleb Barlow. It was printed in Aprilis 20, YR42.
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Tomas Vergis continues to position himself as Caprica's new White Knight.
The head of the Vergis Corporation and the number-one rival of Daniel Graystone was known for being relatively press-shy until a few weeks ago when he made an unexpected appearance on Back Talk with Baxter Sarno, where the handsome and charming Tauron made the announcement that he would be applying for his Caprican citizenship. He was also seen a few times in public with Graystone himself, which prompted speculation that Vergis might be making an offer to buy the Caprican Buccaneers from the financially struggling CEO.
Now, Vergis is trying to one-up Graystone's recent announcement that he would no longer be receiving profit from Holoband licensing (the main cause of Graystone's current economic woes). Vergis has announced that his company will be applying new self-developed energy standards to all Vergis Corporation properties, including all offices, labs, parking garages - even Vergis' multiple private homes in Caprica City.
The process, called VergisVolt, is described as being "70% more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly" than the standards currently in place at Vergis Corporation - and at Graystone Industries, for that matter.
"We here at Vergis Corporation are dedicated to the preservation of all of our great city's resources," said Vergis himself at a recent press conference. "As Capricans, it is not only our economic duty, but our moral one as well."
Very clever, too, Vergis referring to himself as a "Caprican."
Can you hear it? The spring of the ballistae. The carom of balls off of court walls. The whistle of the Regis robbing the Buccaneers of another Cinq. That's right, the CPL season is right around the corner, and we here at The Caprican are ready to get our Pyramid on. We're not saying we're going Scorpian on you, but if you cut us, do we not bleed C-Bucs blue?
Still, even we can't help but wonder if the home team can snatch glory from the jaws of mediocrity this year. Excuses will be in short supply if they don't. Owner Daniel Graystone is only one of the wealthiest men in the Colonies, so it's not like the boys will be knitting their uniforms together during intervicus (sic). What's more, the man is a bona fide Pyramid fanatic, so we can't imagine he'll be stingy with the purse strings when it comes time to shell out for top talent. The C-Bucs have one of the highest payrolls in the league, which makes their recent inability to bring home the Challis all the more frustrating.
More CPL after the jump.
So, who stands between the citizens of Caprica City and their championship destiny? Well, there are the usual suspects. Virgon United is always a threat, not that their "fans" can ever look up from their rounds to notice. Aerilon's grain-fed bruisers (not to mention a crowd that borders on homicidal when drink is involved) make the Threshers a formidable foe for our boys. And, who knows? Maybe the Scorpians' fanaticism for the game will translate into a miracle run at the Cup for one of their four squads. Nahhh, forget that one; if desire could change reality, EVERYONE would be Caprican.
No matter which way you slice it, we're in for a roller coaster season of high-octane Pyramid, and with a man as successful as Daniel Graystone at the helm, we can't help but feel the C-Bucs have a fighting shot.
Be sure to bookmark The Caprican for the latest from the CPL.
You may have noticed that we at The Caprican have ourselves a bit of a Pyramid problem. The problem is that live and die with every pass, shot and cinq executed by our beloved C-Bucs. We understand, however, that not everyone is that fired up, which is why we're offering this video promo straight from the bowels of Atlas Arena. It was recorded and sent in by a dedicated reader of The Caprican who shares our wish that everyone be as excited for Pyramid as we are - let's face it, fans, the boys and girls in blue need as much help as we can give them.
Daniel Graystone has certainly had better days. He's lost his daughter, he's losing his position of power in Caprican commerce, and now I fear he may also lose his childhood dream, too.
Everyone knows about the handful of Buccaneers who have been requesting they be transferred to a different Pyramid team in light of the possibility that Graystone's late daughter Zoe was involved in the MAGLEV bombing. From this unfortunate business comes speculation that Graystone might do well to "distance" himself from the C-Bucs.
It goes deeper than just low morale among the ranks, though. Graystone distancing himself from the C-Bucs might very well ultimately be a practical business decision. Graystone Industries, like its CEO, has seen better days, as its stock keeps dropping like there's no tomorrow. Graystone might need to completely and officially "distance" himself from the C-Bucs to pay the bills.
So who would buy the C-Bucs, if Graystone ends up needing to sell the team? Here are a few possible candidates:
Tom Vergis of Vergis Industries
Of course. He can afford it, and he'd love to stick it to Graystone. Owning the C-Bucs has been Graystone's fantasy since he was a kid. Wouldn't Vergis love to take something like that away from his number-one competitor? Of course he would. If nothing else, it's good business.
Jack Mendelson of Bright Ideas, Inc.
Jack tried to buy all three Canceron teams once upon a time, and they only reason it didn't happen is because his lawyer got arrested for being with a prostitute and wasn't at the meeting to sign the dotted line (because he was in jail). Ol' Jack really wants to own a Pyramid team. If he hears the C-Bucs are up for grabs, he may very well grab.
Megan Granger of Tomorrow is Today
Megan surprised everyone last year when she inherited the company from dear old dad and ended up being a lot more savvy, smart and downright ruthless CEO than the old man ever dreamed he'd be himself. It doesn't hurt that she rocks that cleavage at every board meeting - if Megan wanted to own the C-Bucs, we doubt the players - or every male fan - would complain.
Tammy Lawns, Actress
She's sleeping with C-Bucs superstar Jimmy 'The Vox' Cox, and she's got more money than the gods, so why not show her man who's really wearing the pants in this relationship by buying his team? Hey, it could happen. She can afford it, believe me.
We're not saying Caprica is the center of the universe "cosmologically" speaking; that question is still in doubt. But let's face it: Caprica is the epicenter of the 12 Colonies. And Caprica City is the center of Caprican life. What does this mean for you, our lucky reader? You are at the center of the center of the center.
And since things move at the speed of light in our city by the sea, blink and you'll miss something. That's where The Caprican comes in. We're your one-stop source for all that's happening in the Colonies' sophisticated metropolis, from the latest Pyramid scores to who's on Sarno. Stay tuned!
Greetings, loyal Caprican readers! As some of you may have noticed, things have gotten a little stagnant here at the Caprican HQ. We wish we could say that it was just because we're lazy, but the truth is that certain interests in the higher echelons of Caprica City society took some issue with a few of the things we'd published in the past few months. We won't go into the gory details, but we were unfortunately forced to cease and desist while the guys with the briefcases sorted things out.
The good news, friends, is that the voice of Caprica City cannot be silenced! We've received word that the red tape is beginning to clear, and so we'll be returning to action in the very near future, once again bringing you the news and information you need to know about life in the crown jewel of the Colonies. Thanks for hanging in with us through this difficult time, and stay tuned for more!