Challenge 70, TNE, and what the heck is around core

I've long been a "lurker" of the TML, but in the past while I was
looming at Challenge #70 and was a bit intrigued by the articles
therein.  Although I had not been a fan of the changes to the
"official" Traveller Universe, I did find that Travellers News Service
with the gibberish pretty cute.  I wonder if there is some kind of virus
induced pattern to the garbled feed.

Although I agree with the opinion that the destruction of the Imperium
by means of this virus was a bit lame, after recently reading through
survival margin, I'm willing to give the new setting a chance.

The view that the New Era reflects the pessimism of the 90s is an
interesting point.  It seems that most of GDWs  games are going
down that dark road.. dark conspiracy, twilight and now even traveller.
Ah well.. maybe it's appropriate that the games people play reflect the
trends in society.

I'm curious what the rationale is for everyone (e.g. Zhos, hivers, etc)
adopting the same transponder technology over such a relatively short
period of time.

My biggest pondering though is saved for the big black sphere around
core/capital.  Is there anything in Survival Margin or the New Era rules that
suggests what happened here?  Or when it happened?  Perhaps I've missed
something.  Or more probably, it's a supplement down the road.

- - Ron Dawson

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