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Argon, local Centaur, offered a ride on his Equine back as a prize during the SED Anniversary party. Steve, local Squirrel, won the prize, and gave it to Tarka, local Otter. Tarka was quite thrilled with his winnings and this week, called upon Argon to redeem it. Tarka has a history of 'leaking' when on Argon's back, but a promise is a promise and Argon redeemed Tarka's prize this week in the Rose Garden. Tarquol, local Investigative Reporter tells the story,

Argon once again made the terrible mistake of letting Tarka ride on his back. This terrible mistake always seems to end with Argon needing a bath as Tarka seems to be very anxious to ride on Argon’s back, but ends up becoming afraid and letting go while on board. As always, it ended the same way yet again. At the end of the ride, Argon found a scared little Otter and a stain, both on his nice white Equine coat! How did this start though, what is the history between Argon and Tarka?

The story starts many years ago in the dark prehistory of SpinDizzy, back when outlaws ruled and Austin was an evil coati bent on ruling the world! Not the lovable buffoon that presently runs this muck today.

Argon was letting people ride on his back in that way back day when innocent little Tarka wanted to share in the fun and games. So Argon pulled the otter up onto his back and gave him a ride. After the ride, Argon settled down in the Rose Garden, with Tarka still aboard, and started to chat. Then the boo boo happened and Tarka the innocent and sweet otter had an accident right on Argon's back. Argon didn't notice for a while but when he did he then threw the helpless little otter into the pond!

So that is how it all started. Today Argon the rather thick headed centaur has allowed Tarka the innocent and sweet loveable otter to ride on his back a total of four times. Each time the poor scared of heights otter has leaked down Argon's back.

So this reporter asks how many times Argon will allow the poor, innocent, and very loveable otter to ride on his back before he wises up?

No one knows!

All hail Tarquol!

Investigative Reporter

I got to chatting with Rona, local Cetan, the other night in the Rose Garden, and I thought she would make a good interview subject for the paper.

Argon asks, "First of all, Rona, how did you find your way to SpinDizzy?"
Rona says, "I woke up on the beach of Whiterock island one day, not too long ago. I don't really remember what happened right before that, but my sister says it was probably some sort of spaceship accident."
Argon asks, "Where did you live before coming here?"
Rona says, "The planet Glimmersea."
Argon asks, "It apparently was technologically advanced, if you had spaceflight."
Rona nods. "All of Unionspace is like that. We've had spaceflight for some time."
Argon asks, "Were you born a Cetan, or were you changed into one?"
Rona says, "Oh, I was born one. Cetans have been an independent race for about a thousand years now."
Argon asks, "And before 1000 years ago..?"
Rona says, "Well, I just know what I've read about that time. The first Cetans were created on Earth to colonize the first extrasolar colony, which was a mostly water world around a star that was then called Alpha Centauri. It's called Oceania now, and is more or less the Cetan homeworld, even though we've spread quite a bit from there."
Argon asks, "So Cetans then have ancestors going back to Earth? That's where I'm from."
Rona nods. "And they're still Cetans on Earth. But it's been several centuries since anyone from Unionspace has been to Earth, at least of their own free will. Unionspace has been at war with the various fragments of Earth's government for a very long time."
Argon asks, "Any idea what the date is where you are from?"
Rona nods. "It's 401, Union Date. That's...like 3000-something by the old Earth calendar, I think."
Argon nods, "Sounds about right. 1000 years in my future."
Argon asks, "So Cetans were 'made' as space colonists?"
Rona nods. "Originally - but that was long ago."
Argon asks, "You look sort of like a cross between a Mermaid and a Human. You have a Dolphin like tail and Human legs. Able to travel on both land and in the water. Which do you prefer?"
Rona says, "I like to swim a lot, but I still like the land. I suppose it's a hard choice, really, but since most of my life is still spent on land, I prefer to walk."
Argon nods, "Well, most readers already know about Humans, so I'd like to ask about your aquatic aspects if I may. For instance, when swimming, how long can you hold your breath?
Rona says, "Only about ten minutes. If I trained a bit, I could get it up to twenty, which is about the maximum for most Cetans."
Argon asks, "How deep can you dive? And do you get the bends if you come up too fast?"
Rona says, "I'm not sure what the record is for Cetans, but it's significantly deeper than humans since we've got most of the advantages of dolphins. We don't get the bends, generally."
Argon asks, "Your face, lovely as it is, has Dolphin like features. Heh, sort of Dolphin-like but not like a Dolphin. Do you consider yourself more Human, or Dolphin, or just Cetan?"
Rona says, "I'm a Cetan. We don't consider ourselves half-anything or necessary like anything, though I'd definitely say we have more of a kinship with dolphins than humans."
Argon asks, "After coming to SpinDizzy, you've seen a lot of folks who you might not have seen before, some with different forms and abilities than others. What do you like best about being a Cetan?"
Rona says, "I like the fact that we're equally at home on land and in the water."
Argon asks, "And what do you find you like the least, or find most inconvenient about it?"
Rona says, "Sometimes people think we're related to fish, which I find distasteful, and have to explain now and then that we're not fish, but mammals."
Argon nods, "Well, (Ahem!) that's obvious."
Rona chuckles a bit and nods.
Argon asks, "You seem fairly young, I'd say about 16 in Human years. Do Cetans have long lifespans?"
Rona says, "Naturally we live just about as long as a human would, but because of the medical sciences available to us back where I'm from, everyone can expect to live much longer."
Argon asks, "What else is different in your time, say compared to 1000 years ago?"
Rona says, "People in general aren't any different, on balance. Even with all technology and the drastic changes they've wrought upon society, earth-based civilization continues the way it always has."
Argon asks, "Well, do you at least have flying cars, and robot maids?"
Rona says, "On Glimmersea we just drove amphibious hovercraft, which didn't really fly, but it could dive and float on the surface of the water. But in some of the bigger urban centers on the more populated planets, yeah, they've got flying vehicles. You don't really see many robots outside of the military or manufacturing, though some people can afford expensive synthetic personal servants. Most of those don't look like robots, though."
Argon asks, "Glimmersea was settled, as you said. And you've mentioned Unionspace. Is that sort of like a Federation of Planets or something?"
Rona says, "Well, it's a coalition of the planets settled when the first settlers fled the Sol system once war broke out between Earth and the colonies, about four hundred years ago. It's mostly there for trade and external security. Nothing like the old idea of a nation state. The individual planets are left to decide most of their own laws."
Argon asks, "So what happened to Earth?"
Rona says, "It's still there. The first war resulted in Earth losing spaceflight capabilities for some time, but after a century or so they got themselves back together and the various nations began launching ships to reclaim the system, and to take back the colonies."
Argon asks, "So can these spaceships travel faster than light?"
Rona says, "Yes, significantly faster."
Argon asks, "Clarisa (Another local Cetan) is your sister, right?"
Rona nods and smiles. "Yep."
Argon asks, "She's a scout or something for Unionspace isn't she?"
Rona says, "She was in the Union Explorer Corps, yeah."
Argon asks, "And you weren't?"
Rona says, "No, I'm not old enough to sign up for the military, yet."
Argon asks, "How come you were in a Spaceship with her then?"
Rona says, "I wasn't. I got here almost two years after she did."
Argon asks, "So what were you doing on a spaceship at all?"
Rona shakes her head. "I don't really remember. I can't think of why I would be leaving Glimmersea. Most people don't travel in space all that often unless they've got good reason to."
Argon asks, "Hmm, was the spaceship filled with water?"
Rona says, "No, only dolphins travel like that. Our ships are just like most others."
Argon smiles, "Yeah, as I said that I remembered you saying you prefered it on land." Argon asks, "Tell me, where you're from, Glimmersea, do they have Centaurs and talking Minkies and Raccoons and Dragons and Wizards and such?"
Rona says, "Well - some folks get themselves surgically altered to appear however they like, so I've seen some really strange things before I got here. But no 'wizards' that I've ever heard of."
Argon asks, "Oh, really? People can become, well, 'Furry'? Like a Bear or a big Raccoon?"
Rona says, "Not...exactly. But I suppose if someone had the cash and the wherewithal to do it, they could look however they wanted."
Argon asks, "I seem to be from about 1000 years in your past. There are some other folks from the future and past, and different 'realities' here. There are talking Raccoons and Centaurs and , heh, 'Mermaids'. What do you think it is that brings all these folks together on SpinDizzy?"
Rona shakes her head. "I dunno, but my sisters theory is that it's some kind of hiccup in space-time that stretches out in weird directions and grabs bits and pieces of people and things from various times and places."
Argon asks, "Is there anything else you think our readers would like to know about you?"
Rona says, "I always enjoy meeting new people and making friends, so hopefully I'll get a chance to meet some of the people here I haven't met yet."
Argon says, "Well, thanks for chatting with me, Rona. You're quite interesting, and I imagine you'll have some folks asking for more details about your life on Glimmersea."
Rona smiles. "Thank you, too, Argon. I enjoyed talking with you."

What does the tall, dark, and mysterious have to do with the short, brown, and evil? Just about everything say locals when it comes to the recent sighting of Morticon's newest warship, the SED blimp.

Since its first appearance over the Rose Garden, the blimp has been attracting a steadily growing crowd of seagulls, flocking nearby in the hope to discover if the blimp contains an anticipated treasure hold of fish heads.

Not so say some skeptics, "If it goes away and does not come back, this means it is not tasty fish!" claims local seagull Boki. He further adds, "The tasty fish are for Boki!" When asked on the possibility that the blimp may contain a mess instead of fish, Boki commented, "You should not say that Boki is messy! It is the other gull!" The other gull was not available for comment.

Treasure, fish heads, or mess, the SED Blimp has been hovering over the Isle of No One for more than a week now, and it is quite unlikely anything fresh will turn up when the mystery of its contents has finally been solved. Look out below, Spindizzians!

Every other week, I will be calling attention to the new members of our community. (Editor's Note; ...with the permission of each of the new folks featured, of course. Folks who don't want to be featured in this series, will of course, have that wish fufilled.) This is not to embarrass them, but rather I do it in the hopes that it will encourage everyone to give them a special welcome and friendship.

The following members are new to our community as of a week or two ago at most. Please give them a warm welcome and offer assistance if needed. Who knows, you might even make a new friend or two!

• Rhino
• Kai

This week, BarterGarter asked, "Which would you say might make the shortest books in the history of literature, if specific SpinDizzy characters were writing each one?"

• Furi says, "Furi's Guide to Manners and Etiquette."
• Gilead chirps, "Recipes for Fish, by Gilead."
• Butterfluff says, "Butterfluff's Guide to Profanity."
• Cye says, "Me, cause there no paper or pen's big enought to write on."
• Argon says, "Argon's Guide to Life As a Horse."
• Mavra says, "Argon would simultaneously write the shortest book, but have the longest title, describing the 'Argonization' of what the book is about."
• Fenris growls, "Kai:Descriptions of himself, abridged."
• BarterGarter hisses, "Advanced Course To Kickboxing, by BarterGarter."
• Carlos says, "Things I hate about SpinDizzy, by Carlos."
• Alderem pages, "Chocolates I did not eat, by Alderem."
• PatchO'Black mews, "'My Successful Plans' by Morticon."
• Ba'ar grins at Barter "no problem, How about Morticon writing a book on how to be a good and upright citizen."
• Kinsor skriters, "Oh, that would be Criatura Castle's book... of course. It would probably be written in some sort of chemical trace. :}"

This week we had two surveys, Gina Doberman asked,"Which furry artist do you feel can do the best job of capturing your characters proper appearence?"

• Ba'ar -- Dutch did a credible job I think.
• Gilead -- Not Doug Winger. Hmmm, I'll have to think about that...
• Mouser -- I'd say Chris 'Kelvin The Lion' Farrington. I think I'd look good as an extra in 'Macropod Madness'.
• Gina_Doberman -- Michelle Light. I have big eyes, so her style would work well.
• Nikon -- The only one thats come close is Ryngs Raccoon.
• Dripdry -- Michael Higgs, because he's good at drawing taurs.
• Gen -- I'd have to say my answer for the survey would have to be, 'Uhhhhh....'
• Cye -- Oh good grief!. I barely even look at furry art!. X.X
• BarterGarter -- Chuck Jones!
• Butterfluff -- Michael Whelan!
• Rown -- I think Chris Sawyer or Megan Giles could do the very best. Of course, Alpha Centauress already did capture me most excellently!

Despire wearing their best Dick Tracy faces, Argon and Nikon fall for the SED's phony ``Oscar Walk of Fame'' trick.

Submitting a story or artwork for @Action News is easy! Just send it to newspaper@spindizzy.org or qmail or page Argon about it.
@Action News is published weekly on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Sunday. Most any type of story or article will be accepted. Generally, we'd prefer things that aren't out and out lies or flames about other folks, and have a basis in the reality of SpinDizzy. Things that occur in public areas are fair game. The things reported don't have to have actually happened, (any more than anything that happens here does) but make sure you don't overstep the social boundaries and rules of interaction that we have. These are pretty broad guidelines, but we expect good sense to apply.

Thanks! Argon, Editor @Action News