LINE NOISE
News from Chez Diesel
5 February, 1989


OBITUARY (FLOGGING A DEAD HORSE)

The death has occurred of Pegasus, reputed to be the meanest son-of-a-bitch in the 
entire galaxy.

During his brief but active life in Fed Data Space, Pegasus captured the hearts of 
many. His playful antics - persuading Commanders to drop the Tdx, directing them into 
Transuranics, luring them into the maze and leaving them there, and other such jolly 
japes - endeared him to all who knew him.

There were those who called him violent, homicidal, sneaky, unbalanced and not to be 
trusted. But then all great heroes have their detractors, jealous of the success and fame 
they cannot attain themselves.

Those of us who were honoured to be his friend saw him in a different light. We knew 
him as kind, considerate, gentle, loving and caring, a truly saintly soul who did his 
utmost to help and befriend those who needed him. Even when he blew people out of 
the sky, he always said 'Sorry!'

The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery. It is apparent that he 
was finding life increasingly intolerable, due to the constant harass- ment of the gutter-
press. Sources close to the great horse report that he had become strained, tense and 
nervous when in public, flinching at the sight of cameras, and attacking people carrying 
tape-measures for no obvious reason.

Finally the pressure and stress grew too much for this noble beast to bear. He 
announced, at a shock press conference, his decision to end his life. He allowed 
himself a brief period to put his affairs in order, intending to exit in a spectacular 
manner, with the support and comfort of his loving friends and close colleagues.

But such was his despair that, finally, he could hang on no longer. The culmination of 
this great life was watched only by Journeyperson Xaviour. His last words are reputed 
to have been 'I suppose I ought to say something profound at this point.'

He leaves no surviving relatives (or none that will admit to any kinship) but his will 
provides explicit details of the disposal of his estate.

His spybeam he leaves to Sevrina, in the hope that it will improve her chances in the 
hunt for GroundHogs to keep Bruce well-fed.

His Level 6 computer goes to Omi (let's face it, the Junior needs all the help he can get 
in fights!)

His Turbo-charged lasers go to Pugwash. There is some speculation as to whether the 
Sexiest JP will attempt to take over Pegasus' duties. Time will tell!

His ship itself, the mighty Spellsinger, will be placed in permanent Mars orbit as a 
momument to his prowess.

The remainder of his estate is left to the Winged Horse Drinking Society on Sirius IV.

His carcass he was kind enough to leave to me (I'll be introducing a new range of 
pizzas in the near future.)

Pugwash is named as the executor of the will, and will ensure that his good name is not 
besmirched by those who would blacken his reputation. She will be keeping a particular 
watch on journals such as TWF, which specialise in printing vile scandals about the 
dead, who can no longer defend themselves.

A quiet funeral was held last night in Chez Diesel (Pastaficio Branch), and a collection 
for the Pegasus Memorial Fund raised 37 groats, 2 buttons, a bent Algarian Centime, 
and a sweetie wrapper.

He will be greatly missed.