IC news for day 25 of month 8 to day 1 of month 11, year 254 After Landing.
Word goes ’round that Saira’s broken her foot. During her sick leave, Professor Gary is handling her responsibilities.
One of the gather stalls has been selling a new kind of pie, which has gained sudden popularity among the College students. A doughy crust is folded into a semi-circle, filled with tomato, peppers and other vegetables, slices of spicy sausage, and grated cheese, and the edges are sealed before baking. Whatever they were originally called, the stallholder has given in to popular pressure and is now advertising them as ‘Peacer pies.’
The Xanadu Gather has started, and lasts the whole of this month. The Drill Ground has reverted for the duration to its former role of Gather Ground, and it’s now been colonised by traders and crafters, as well as those selling beasts and produce. There seem to be fewer farmers bringing the year’s young livestock to sell this year, perhaps because of the number who have had to leave their land. Nevertheless, the auction ring is doing a good trade. The second wave of evacuations is due in the next few weeks, and many of those who are due to be evacuated are selling off the stock they can no longer keep. Prices are staying reasonable, perhaps because of the reduced number of regular sales – but what does this mean for future food supplies?
Meanwhile, the dragonriders are beginning to practise for the Spring Games, which take place next month at Ongola Weyr. Ongola are looking to reverse their poor showing last year, while last year’s winners, Maori, are hoping to retain the prime position.
The two new residential squares are nearing completion, and the date of an official naming ceremony will soon be announced. However, in a surprising development, the Town Council has announced that it is requesting bids from anyone who might wish either to buy one or both of the squares as a landlord, or to administer them on commission. The original plan had been for the Town to employ Stakeholder Preston’s former steward and staff to administer the properties. The reason for the change has not been made public, but there are rumours of accounting irregularities. Does this tie in with the other persistent rumour, that the new development in Connell Square is to be sold to the Weyr?
Meanwhile, the first of the second wave of evacuees have arrived. Learning the lessons from the arrival of the first wave, the Town Council and the Weyr (which is again providing some transport) have agreed that this second evacuation should be carried out in stages.
Day 22, Month 10, 254 A.L. The College Library was evacuated yesterday because of a fire in the computer room. Firefighters attended. The library is currently closed and none of the computer systems is in operation. A spokesman for the College has told the Steward’s Office that the fire was very small and there were no injuries. Technicians are working to restore the computer systems to operation, but they will remain out of service for the time being while the fault is investigated. It is not yet known whether there is any permanent damage to any parts of the system. Reports of an explosion have been denied, though “a loud pop” was admitted. The library is expected to reopen on day 24, after cleaning.
The library has reopened, but the computers are still down. Work on them continues, but the Head Informatician has been heard to mutter darkly about the state of the data banks.
