By: Daiyu Tang
Hey dears, I’m getting better at this. We’re only 15 days into March by the time I get round to giving you the best of February. I know, I know. It’s better than not doing these right; you clearly told me you value having Observer goodness concentrated into the ‘key’ articles, but as ever I encourage you to browse our site, which you can do my month or year to see everything.
Anyway, “Daiyu, give us the juicy stuff!!” Yes, yes. As a reminder, here is the January 2026 review and the 2025 year in review as well.
Here’s how it works: I select my top three articles for February and give you a brief synopsis of them, along with the link to them so you can either read them if you missed them, OR can refresh yourself if you wish.
Despite February being a short month the Observer really spoiled you with over 30 articles, and as I write this we’re into March and we’ve had some good ones there as well.
There Was This Riot…
The Hathian Police Department (‘HPD’) were in the firing line (of water cannons) and vicious comments (“Koh likes it in the ass”) when protestors with legitimate issues with the department mixed with agitators and gang members in a cocktail that was as usual for Hathian, deadly. Speaking of cocktails, the HPD Captain Heckles had to ‘stop drop and roll’ when he was set on fire by one protestor. Hathian has not learned. Individual officers can be made accountable, slowly and by procedure and pressure, but protesting the whole department at once is always, at least in this reporter’s view, destined to lead to mass casualties… There are better ways to effect HPD change.
There Was a Kidnapping
HPD Officer Carter was returned to the ‘safe’ clutches of the HPD after apparently being kidnapped by the Laveau gang known as the Salopri. While I know above that individual officers can be made accountable, this was not what I had in mind. The torture and kidnapping of anyone, even a rapist, leads to a spiral of violence. Getting him jailed or kicked from the force would be a far more effective way of changing the spirit of Hathian, than further abuse; because that has consequences as Lt. Vanora found out. Other consequences are likely to spiral outwards from this and prices paid may not be fair.
The Hopper PD Arrived on Scene
The Hopper PD (not to be confused with the Hathian PD) arrived on scene with an interview from the hospital bed of Karigan. Here to help others, (apparently) the combination of Josie, Karigan and Hades seemed to this reporter, to be a rather unlikely combination of ‘help‘ especially when combined with Ain and the other Hoppers who were often action over words.
Still, the Observer got into the scene with a series of commissioned cartoons exploring the new rival to the Hathian PD. You can read the series part 1 of the series and part 2 is here (at the bottom), while part 3 is here and part four here.
That concludes the news round-up for February! As always, catch a reporter from the Observer (or we visit as required) to give us your stories, tips or other information! You can find our profiles here. They’re uhh, still a little out of date, again. But I’ll get to it soon! We’re also really short of reporters currently, so you know. I’m a good boss. Promise. Might not get you the most $, but I can get you the most interesting day that doesn’t (usually) involve you directly being the victim! Fun Times. Apply in the Office.
((Promotion of the Observer and CD happens off-sim as well, so if you can help out feel free to link to your other SL friends. Spread the word, the active stories and see if we can’t generate new role-players or encourage others to return!))
