Cruggson awakes from coma

Senator Cruggson is reported to have woken up from the coma he entered after he was seriously injured. He was only able to give SS and 6th Legion investigators a brief explanation of what happened to him and unfortunately he did not know who shot him.

An investigation at the park has similarly drawn a blank but the SS have rounded up local hoodlums and young males and are "robustly questioning" them now.

• The DDS have begun preparations for Ground Shock 2114, the first of 4 "mega-exercises" this year replacing the monthly exercise schedule of previous years. Ground Shock will include ground attack (though not strategic strike) and amphibious operations. The first Warrior 16A bomber is likely to take part in the exercise which begins in early March.

Dino View : The end of the democratic experiment?

Legate Dralson, ex-Dino Army and Security Council

The news that the next SS-Commander will be appointed by the Troika (Ronald, MBH and El Diablo) and not elected is the latest sign that Ronald's interest in democracy is waning.

The fact we have a formalised Troika now is another sign of this, Ronald and MBH have effectively neutered the power of the Consul who is but part of a group and not (at least officially) the head of state. Any plans for an elected Senate have also been quietly shelved.

Ronald was keen to democratise the Dino Republic to give the citizens a voice, unfortunately he does not seem that keen on listening to that voice and the Dinos have reverted back to their tradition of strong man rule. Not many will complain, the Dino democracy was young and of little interest to many who prefer the divine rule of Ronald and the intrigues of MBH to the dry world of politics.

Democracy is not dead though, it continues at lower levels but at the levels of government which call the shots its largely dead and buried. The Consul will remain an elected position but future Consuls may find what they can actually achieve once they have gained election rather limited.

Cruggson improves... slightly

Cruggson's condition has slightly improved overnight doctors say. The Senator is no longer thought to be in immediate danger though he remains in a coma and its not known yet if he will make a full recovery. The Dinos are still rocking after news of Cruggson's shooting. As one of the "Magic Circle" Cruggson is a legend to the Dinos and highly respected.

The hunt for Cruggson's shooter continues though the SS admit there are no leads. Why Cruggson was alone at night in a small park is currently unknown. The SS also said that the resignation of former commander Balgason was unrelated to the incident.

• In the light of the Cruggson shooting and the resignation of Balgason causing instability in the Dino Republic the DDS have decided it prudent to raise its alert status to AMBER.
• The new SS-Commander will be decided by the Troika (Ronald, MBH and El Diablo) and not be an election.

Cruggson shot!

Senator Cruggson is seriously ill after being found shot in a park on the outskirts of Dino-Town. He was found by an SS patrol after reports of gunshots. The Minister of Science, Technology & Research and one of the true legends of the Dinos was shot twice and had lost a lot of blood.

Speaking at Central Hospital in Dino-Town his fellow Senator Spikeson, the Dino Minister of Health and a noted surgeon, said that Cruggson would have died if he had not been found. "Even another twenty or thirty minutes might have been fatal." he said. Cruggson is said to be in a coma though is stable. Ronald has ordered the 6th Legion mobilised and the security level across the Dino Republic raised.

• Former SS-Commander Balgason has been accepted back to his old rank of SS-Tribune and will command SS armoured forces on Pulsin.

SS-Commander resigns

SS-Commander Balgason has shocked the SS and Dino establishment by resigning with immediate effect. The brutal SS chief did not give reasons for his resignation but said he wished to resume his previous rank of SS-Tribune and have a "quiet remote posting". It is speculated that Balgason, who was put in place by MBH, has fallen out of favour with the Chosen One.

Deputy SS-Commander Pircasa has taken over the reins temporarily. It is not known how Balgason's replacement will be chosen yet. The SS have experimented (or rather been forced to experiment by Ronald) in democracy to choose their leader but it is thought Ronald has given up on that after the SS chose figures such as Balgason whom Ronald had a low regard for.

Story #1996

Leaving The Ladder
Cruggson's spy hunt hits a snag (Point Blank P2)