VZSciFi Semi-Fictional Timeline

This is a semi-fictional timeline that was written as a series of news posts on the original VZSciFi website. They often retell actual events that happened in VZSciFi but with fictional embellishments. The original site and posts will be added in their original form at a later date. The year 3046 seems analogous to the year 2000, so April 25th 3046 actually means April 25th 2000.

3046

April

25th

Welcome to Space City!

Space City News welcomes newcomers to Orell and our solar system! We hope you enjoy your stay! Don't worry about what the locals think or say to you! Orell and the planets our world is linked to could do with a bit of livening up, and that feeling was born out in an Insta-Poll carried out when the dimensional barrier between your cyberworld and our existence was opened by T-Chell scientists experimenting with ancient Chi'kkren relics.

Space City News knows that you'll bring new perspectives and a healthy boost to our world's economy! And to make you more than welcome, we'll be laying on several events to keep you entertained, organised by our fine Welcome Party Guides and friends!

So what are you waiting for? Activate your LogIns and visit us today, along with several twenty-first century comics artists making their first temporal jump to our world!

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold, sponsored by Comics 2000 – the Orell System's greatest Comics Tribute Event!

27th

Victor Sanderson Fired!

Wednesday 26 April, Space City: Legendary Dropzone barman Victor Sanderson was sacked by his own son in a dramatic incident during last weekend's Comics2000 celebrations! Space City News can report that undercover Space City police operative Cuz discovered Sanderson senior selling rare Chi'kkren artefacts to gullible visitors to Orell's capital city!

Victor Sanderson Jr working at the DropZone bar

The artefacts -- drinks that would have turned the slimmest figure into a burgeoning mass of unappealing fat -- were confiscated by authorities and a devastated Sanderson Jnr. had no option but to dismiss his father from the bar job he has held for nearly 24 years.

"I can only guess he was overawed by our city's new visitors. The place has gotten downright busy, " commented the new 26 year-old bar manager. "It was like he went into culture shock from meeting so many new people, and started to do some crazy things." Sanderson Snr. has reportedly taken a long vacation to Charan on the advice of Archivist T'Chell.

"Give the guy a break!" wailed well-known bar crawler, Stig Redfin. "He was just doing his job, you know? "Sure, he ran things to the wire, but don't we all now and again." Asked by this newspaper if this was Redfin's defence for last year's release of Aquan Seepweed into Expressway One -- still running riot in some parts of the Aquan sub section -- Redfin disappeared into a crowd of VZoners celebrating their first visit to Space City.

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold -- sponsored by Sanderson's Brandy Snaps!

28th

Technos Dig Opening Date Nears

Friday 28 April, Technos: T'Chell archaeologists have been working through the night to open parts of the bio-organic planet Technos to the general public! The famous excavations, closed for many months due to concerns at the number of visitors getting lost on this strange planet, will hopefully be opened sometime today, Friday.

Technos

"There are certain issues outstanding," commented Archivist T'Chell, speaking exclusively to Space City News. "We had hoped to be able to open the Chaosium Depths, but the Bio-spiderz persist in creating problems with that. After we lost 12 RoboDrones, and Xenobiologist Ashe disappeared who knows where, we reluctantly closed off that section." However, the locales on offer include a stunning Chi'kkren Relic Room.

This is where visitors can purchase some exciting Chi'kkren relics; the Chi'kkren Trophy Room, where a T'Chell head scan has just appeared in the last few days; and the Black Hole Bar, a great place for a drink and a chance to chill out.

This Technos newsfeed was brought to you by Tania Rann -- sponsored by Gribbits Crisps

May

3rd

Luddites Crash System Teleports

Wednesday 3 May, Harvax: The T'Chell Matriarchs have declared holy war on the Luddite terrorists who hacked the system-wide teleport protocols enabling unauthorised access to Harvax yesterday. The illicit opening of the teleport system, allowing access to Harvax for the first time in 30 years to non residents other than military personnel, has sent shockwaves through both Ghoax and T'Chell community on the planet.

Sacred items, rare fauna and flora: nothing seemed safe from the Luddites who invaded the planet. Innocent travellers found themselves at the mercy of angry T'Chell warriors defending their world from unexpected and, for many, unintentional invasion.

"This intrusion is most unfortunate," commented Archivist Shiren of the T'Chell, whose envoy status on the Space City Council means he is one of the more high profile T'Chell off Harvax. "However, I am sure it will not deter the Matriarchs from the official re-opening of the planet. Diplomacy has prevailed -- though severely tested.

"Unfortunate? It's a kragging squee!" screamed an enraged Ghoax when relayed Shiren's comments. "These off-worlders sweep in here without so much as a by your leave and steal everything -- it's no wonder we haven't let them set foot in the place for so many years."

Despite Ghoax protests, many of them involving heavy weapons, the T'Chell fully expect Harvax Immigration to be open by 13 May. "They'll have everything nailed down by then," smirked resident Dropzone barfly Stig Redfin during a voxpops walk through earlier today.

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold -- sponsored by Stig Redfin's Space City Tours!

5th

Sacred Grove Speeds Harvax Opening

Monday 8 May, Space City: The T'Chell Matriarchs have agreed to open Harvax to visitors after Space City Council agreed to construct a 'Sacred Grove' area in the Expressway subsection between the T'Chell home planet and Orell. "The T'Chell feel this will prepare visitors for their immersion into Harvaxian culture," commented Council member Tania Ash.

"Yeah, and if that doesn't work the Ghoax will bite their legs off," laughed Dyson engineer expert, Mr. Templeton.

There had been concerns that the opening of Harvax to explorers and tourists would be delayed beyond next weekend as a result of Luddite hacking of teleport protocols last week, causing mayhem on Harvax. Several sacred relics remain unaccounted for after explorers accessed the planet in error.

Tour Permit Agreed
Stig Redfin, well-known barfly on both Orell and Technos, has been given a limited permit to run tours of Space City and beyond by the Tourism Council. Despite his rough manner Redfin is an accomplished tour guide and his weekly excursions are being laid on for new visitors to Orell from Vzones.

Silicone Lifeforms Donate Lava Pool
Three intrepid silicone lifeforms from a star system in the Ungaran Sector have donated a working lava pool as a rest stop decoration near Vulka Immigration.

Decked in protective armour to prevent erosion, the Ungaran visitors assured Space City Council the lava pool would become a major tourist attraction.

"We'll see how it goes," commented Councillor Arno Ghelflin. "If the temperature levels in the sub section get too high we may just have to move this gift for the comfort of our humanoid tourists."

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold -- sponsored by Stig Redfin's Space City Tours!

11th

Harvax Immigration Controls Lifted!

Thursday 11 May, Space City: Space City Council confirmed to day that immigration controls to the planet Harvax could be lifted sometime soon, announced Council member Tania Ash. In the run up to the opening diplomatic negotiations conducted via Archivist Shiren nearly foundered after Luddite sabotage resulted in the theft of sacred items from the planet. "We have ways of recovering them," Shiren muttered darkly, believed to be a hint that the T'Chell have access to Chi'kkren technology still undiscovered by Human scientists.

Tours Go Ahead
Thursday 11 May, Space City: Stig Redfin's tours begin today. The well-known barfly on both Orell and Technos, has been given a limited permit to run tours of Space City and beyond by the Tourism Council. Despite his rough manner Redfin is an accomplished tour guide and his weekly excursions are being laid on for new visitors to Orell from Vzones.

Archie the Android

Visitors ponder Archie's Quest
Meet Archie the Android -- a mech life form in serious need of a lube job, you'd think, judging by the way he's been seen apparently begging in the Expressways and Space City. But Archie isn't begging for himself -- he's on a quest to help others! Simply touch him on the shoulder and you'll soon find out which charity the android is asking you to help. In just the past week he has suggested March for Dimes, Breath for Life, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Red Cross.

Despite his good intent, Archie's demeanor and trance-like state has bemused many who've come across him. "He would scare me to death if he got up and moved," said one tourist from the Vzones dimension. Said Guide Moon Dancer: "I think he is on another plane."

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold -- sponsored by Stig Redfin's Space City Tours!

12th

Harvax: Military Chiefs Delay Opening

Harvax

Friday 12 May, Space City: First it was the T'Chell who foundered the opening of Harvax to visitors, now it's the Humans -- the Human Military that is. "The T'Chell may be as friendly as pie, but we still haven't had any assurances that the Ghoax are going to be when we open the gates," snapped Space Commander Mackie.

A veteran of three campaigns against Ghoax uprisings on Harvax in the last two years, Mackie urged Space City Council to hold off the eagerly-anticipated beginning to a new era in relations between Human culture and a deadly alien one. For once, Space City Council listened to their most decorated commander but on condition that the delay be short. Observers predict immigrations controls could now be lifted as early as noon on Tuesday.

Harvax

Mackie denied there was any other motive behind the continuing delays, refusing to be drawn on allegations by Luddite sympathisers that the military needed more time to seal off areas featuring recently-discovered Chi'kkren technology. Indeed, the Luddites have further claimed that all Ghoax have withdrawn from Chaross, the only city visitors will be permitted access to, in order to defend these ancient secrets, which they see as sacred relics.

Baines disease outbreak: epidemic spreads
Aquan colonists are still being denied any emigration permits from their homeworld as the Baines Disease epidemic has now spread to all five undersea colonies. The disease causes abnormal skin discolouration and an obsessional disorder for thumping repetitive noise, believed to be caused by Aquan krietworms penetrating sufferers inner ear while sleeping.

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold -- sponsored by Frenks' Gribbit Sandwiches!

17th

Harvax opens on schedule despite Ghoax protests

The T'Chell Debating Arena on Harvax

17 May 3046, Chaross, Harvax: They came, they saw, they bought -- and this time with the blessing of the T'Chell Matriarchs.

Thousands of visitors poured into the city of Chaross yesterday as the dominant race on the planet, the T'Chell, finally lifted immigration controls.

Despite fears of a Ghoax uprising, the presence of a formidable military force under the direction of Space Commander Mackie outside the city appears to have disuaded this violent people to remain in their jungle hideaways. According to Mackie, this is in effect the strongest protest the Ghoax could make against the new arrivals, effectively denying their existence to their kind.

This form of protest rather than anything more unsettling came as some relief to all, particularly Aquan visitors after stories circulated that Ghoax were fond of drinking the undersea reptiles fresh blood. The story was later ascribed to a 'joke' told by Archivist Shiren. "He should get out more," snapped tour guide (and Aquan) Stig Redfin, "That kind of thing just isn't funny."

One puzzle on the first day of this new era in inter-planetary relations was the sudden disappearance of an artefact being sold in the T'Chell Market. According to some visitors this "Lost Stone" suddenly vanished from the stalls, prompting speculation that this was an example of T'Chell majick. However, Space City police are believed to be working with the T'Chell authorities after reports that a well-known smuggler, Grigor of the Ukrann, had been seen trying to sell a consignment of "Lost Stones" on Charan. The Lost Stones could be some form of device enabling access to Chi'kkren technology. More news as we get it!

This newsfeed was brought to you by Arko Grimfold --sponsored by Frenks' Gribbit Sandwiches!

June

3rd

Transwarp technology nets first guests!

Human author Steve Conley

Space City, 3 June 3046: T'Chell scientists have perfected adaptations of Chi'kkren 'timetrawl' technology, it was announced today. The technology, discovered in the bowels of Technos, means that Space City residents and visitors will be able to meet some of the greatest science fiction creators of the twenty-first century. The Timetrawl Project's first capture is expected to be comics creator Steve Conley on Thursday 8 June.

Utilising Chi'kkren advanced technology, T'Chell scientists will literally pull Conley, creator of the Astounding Space Thrills comic online strip and subsequent comic book, from his home in the ancient United States and into the Space City conference room. Temporal field technology should enable an appearance of "at least an hour", before energy demands are exceeded and Conley is snapped back to his own time frame. "Hopefully all of him, both ways," muttered temporal engineer Isaac Allison.

The T'Chell are delighted with results of their project so far, claiming to have already brought even twentieth century personalities into our time zone, including Elvis Presley. However, no Human scientist was on hand to witness this earlier experiment, or verify claims by Aquan Stig Redfin to have seen Presley in Expressway One late last week.

Seepweed spreads
Expressway engineers are frantically trying to combat a renewed spread of seepweeed in Expressway One's Aquan sub-section, which is affecting some visitors' enjoyment of their passage to Technos via this longer Expressway to the Orell system's outermost planet. "Every time we get rid of it in one sub-section it just pops up somewhere else," commented Engineer Barcas. "It's like it knows we're coming at it with weedkiller, and hides."

This newsfeed was brought to you by Akro Grimfold, sponsored by Gribbit Dipsticks -- the tastiest snack in the five planets!

5th

Astounding Space Thrills! - Temporal visitor to release souvenir badge

Temporal engineer Mr. Templeton wearing the commemorative badge

Space City, Monday 5 June 3046: As excitement builds in Space City over the fast-approaching apperance of comics creator Steve Conley this Thursday (8 June), news has reached us that the event will be marked by the release of a special commemorative badge.

Space City visitors and colonists will be able to buy the badge (pictured here worn by temporal engineer Mr. Templeton) after the special creator event, which sees the trans-temporal appearance of Conley in the Space City Conference Room.

His appearance has been made possible thanks to T'Chell scientists' success with adapting Chi'kkren 'timetrawl' technology.

Second TimeTrawl Experiment Imminent
In a separate announcement, T'Chell scientists have successfully calculated the transference algorithm to bring author Yvonne Navarro to Space City on Thursday 15 June.

The event will coincide with the 1046th anniversary of the release of her work That's Not My Name, the latest in a series of successful original novels from the author in addition to her still popular novelisations of the near-legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series.

Asked why the time trawl technology hasn't yet scooped Buffy from Earth's 21st century, T'Chell scientists said they still doubted the famous vampire slayer was ever a real person.

T'Chell Palace: Opening Imminent
Aware of continued demand from vistors to be able to view the T'Chell Palace on Harvax and purchase its famed ceremonial shields, the T'Chell Matriarchs have said that openings will take place "very soon". "Keep visiting," said Sheera, Matriarch of the Lesser T'Chell.

"What, and put up with more of those bad jokes?" squealed Stig Redfin on hearing this news. His comments are perhaps unfair since Space City tourists have been able to access the Palace as part of his weekly tours, although, as yet, they have not been able to purchase any items.

This newsfeed was brought to you by Akro Grimfold, sponsored by Gribbit Burgers -- the yummiest snack for carnivores in the five planets!

13th

Event Success Spurs further guest visits!

A scene from the Steve Conley event

Space City, Tuesday 13 June 3046: T'Chell time trawl scientists are enthused by the successful scooping of comics creator Steve Conley last week. The online strip author delighted crowds of Space City residents with stories of how his comic strip, Astounding Space Thrills, came about and the ensuing discussion on the future of comics. Steve revealed he got a lot of ideas while drinking coffee early in the morning and at one point even produced a coffee machine to prove it!

A transcript of the event has been posted.

This week's event features author Yvonne Navarro, writer of several original novels and licensed works including adaptations of the Species films and Buffy: The Willow Files, released recently.

Guest events are still being planned for the rest of the year: call back for news!

T'Chell Palace Opens
The T'Chell Matriarchs have opened their palace on Harvax, enabling the purchase of some stunning war shields to complement the Ghoax spear already on sale in the T'Chell market on the jungle planet.

Teleport Problems Continue
Temporal engineers are trying to ascertain the cause of recent teleport problems to the system's planets and come up with a more stable solution to continuing access problems. "Luddite damage to the system has caused software glitches across the whole Expressways network," announced Engineer Vorin.

The latest casualties of the ongoing teleport problems were Councillor Mann and Envoy Ash, highly respected members of the Space City administration. The pair were on their way to the Freganian System when a teleport glitch hurled them into oblivion. Engineers are doubtful they can be recovered.

In a separate incident, Engineer Barcas, who had been assigned duties clearing seepweed from the Aquan sub section of the Expressways, has been reported missing after a surprise gribbit migration buried his team for over four hours.

This newsfeed was brought to you by Akro Grimfold, sponsored by Gribbit Burgers -- the yummiest snack for carnivores in the five planets!

16th

Googahs Liberated!

Space City, Friday 16 June 3046: Kymerian diplomats successfully negotiated with the T'Chell for the release of their captive Googah late last week.

The Googah, who had been placed in telepath harness and forced to tell terrible jokes to vsiting tourists on Harvax, are now safely on their way back to their native home on Kymer. The Googah were replaced by volunteers from a more mercenary species, who are being paid 500T a month to tell even worse jokes than the traumatised Googah. It is believed that with the increased traffic to the now opened palace, their more impressive stature will better serve to keep order and discipline among the offworld visitors.

Googah Newsfeed Report by: Caretaker Cuz (Ambassador/Hostage Negotiator)

Links: Information on Harvax

21st

Mary Gentle TimeTrawl test goes awry!

Space City, 22 June 3046: T'Chell scientists admitted yesterday that early tests to pull author Mary Gentle from the 21st century, in preparation for next week's event, had mis-fired. Their scoop brought a Terran Kune Kune pig into the Space City Conference Centre, where it worried a lurking polymorph, diguised as a chair, for a few minutes. The pig was safely returned to its correct time period.

"We can only assume Mary Gentle was in close proximity to the animal," explained Temporal Engineer Anders. "This temporal science thing is highly dangerous!" protested Luddites terrorists on hering the news, beaming their complaint from somewhere on the planet Charan. "They should leave the 21st century where it is. Before you know it, they will be bringing the infamous crisp stealer and master thief Gary Lineker here, and what influence will that have on our offspring? It will be a disaster for modern morality!"

Links: Mary Gentle Transcript