Gossip, Glowfruit, and Galactic News
Every world needs a place to hang. In the Squad 51 series, that place is the newshang.
What’s a newshang? Think a cozy blend of public library, neighborhood café, and community watering hole, plus better drinks and weird snacks. It’s the one place you’ll find pilots, data analysts, retired asteroid wranglers, and sleep-deprived botanists all in one room, sipping frothy drinks and arguing about what the great cosmic fart was really about.
The Vibe
No one rushes you out of a newshang. These are unhurried spaces where conversation flows, gossip simmers, and news (official and otherwise) filters through in waves. You’re welcome to sit for hours, scrolling galactic updates, people-watching, or recharging after a rough mission.
Some are built into old shuttles. Others sprawl across the lower levels of residential towers. The seating is comfy, the lighting soft, and if you’re lucky, someone’s installed a patio with a view.
Where News Meets Snacks
Newshangs act as community info centers, with walls of curated newsfeeds, public data terminals, and voice-prompt research booths. Need to check the latest shipping lane closures or fact-check a rumor about squid mold in Sector 9? You’ll do it here with a cup of Plasma Roast or a fizzy bubble to gnaw on in hand.
Vendors rent booths inside the hang, dishing out everything from spice crumbs to orbit noodles. There’s no standard menu. Every hang has its own flavor, and part of the fun is discovering what weird local brew or bite they’re serving today.
More Than a Café
The newshang isn’t just a place to refuel, it’s a cultural hub. Depending on where you go, you might stumble into:
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Open mic nights full of off-key jokes, gooey love songs, and awkward poetry
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Karaoke battles featuring planetary pop hits and ancient Earth ballads
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Game nights with logic dice tournaments and holo-chess duels
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Story time with an elder recounting tales of pre-warp planets
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Public knowledge nights, where locals debate news reports over mugs of starfoam wine
In the Squad 51 Universe
Squad 51 members often drop by the newshang across the avenue from DAT during downtime between calls. It’s where they grab a drink, catch a headline, or quietly eavesdrop on the buzz around town.
The newshang shows up in Space Trash, Space Hitched, and Space Weed for good reason. It’s not just part of the backdrop, it’s part of what makes the Space Squad 51 world feel familiar. Lived in. Like you could step right into the scene, grab a glowfruit slice, and strike up a conversation with anybody there.
