The Zoners maintain a tenuous control over part of Sirius, drawing their power by playing the middleman in nearly every situation.
It is a role that will make others hate you, it is a role that will lead others to plot against you, and it is a highly unstable role, that unless well maintained, can quickly collapse within hours.
In summary, Zoners offer people a few that they rarely can have: An economic market with no strings attached and neutral territory to conduct negotiations.
From this, the Zoners do make quite a profit, much of which no doubt goes to Libertonian lobbyist groups, Rheinland Officials, Bretonian Nobles, and Kusarian Corporate Heads. Zoners offer pirates and unlawfuls something else. They provide a front for them to sell their goods, launder their stolen cash, and provide shelter for them as well.
The fact that the Zoners bridge the gap between lawful and unlawful gives them an advantage over groups such as the Junkers, who cater to the unlawfuls. This means that the Zoners can really meddle in House politics, and by playing various houses and unlawful groups at each other, such as refusing to give up harbored criminals due to the neutrality laws on the Freeports, and
This is how the Zoners achieve their influence and power, which they use to keep the governments around them from interfering and tampering with their freedoms and desires to live apart from the rest of society. Aside from that, the Zoners also like their current situation, and would like to maintain it as such.
Why LAWFULS Like/Tolerate Zoners
- Their Bases represent bastions of humanity in some of the most desolate areas of space. Remember that the scale of the FL universe is way off. Systems should feel like going through two Newcastles in reality. Having a lone Zoner base in that system can be a heartwarming sight.
- Their Bases represent the only neutral territory in the FL universe. There is no such thing as the "neutral" house in Discovery. Nations and leaders always want to keep a few neutral areas available. These neutral areas can serve for negotiations, escape havens, or places to hide something.
- Their bases represent a buffer between nations. It is hard enough to move a fleet from your nation, across another system, to another nation undetected. Moving this flotilla across neutral territory is going to be harder.
- Zoners serve as a front for goods. So, Republican hears that Gateway recently lost a shipment of goods to Hessians, eh? Why not check Freeport 1 and see if they can buy it off the Zoners and not have to go all the way to Bretonia. This is a small-scale effort, of course. Otherwise, trade houses would start to balk.
Why UNLAWFULS Like/Tolerate Zoners
- Zoners serve as a buyer. They don't ask questions, because they don't give a damn. Unlawfuls can dock on Zoner bases with tons of Gate/Lane parts, and the Zoners would happily sell the parts back to Ageira again for a profit.
- They offer shelter. Its hard to find a base that will offer protection to someone who just took out five trains and are being chased across the galaxy by the "Po-Po."
Zoners would never jeopardize their current station of relative power by militarizing and threatening the status quo. Acting as the middlemen between unlawfuls and lawfuls, any form of excessive buildup of military power is going to lead to unwanted attention and poor consequences. The Zoners gain their power not from threatening people, but by appeasing people.
As a final note, however, I would like to add this: Power Corrupts.
The Zoners came with an original plan to build a society throughout Sirius that would be a "city" upon a singular, unique hill in the vast plains of human society. Soon, however, the Zoners found themselves catering to a diverse group of individuals. From laundering money for criminals, acting as a front for pirates, and building bases as temporary shelters for criminals, lawfuls, and ragtag alike, the Zoners carved a slice of Sirius out for themselves.
I have no doubt that the Zoners have since strayed from their original goal. While their humble roots still remain the central pillar of their organization, the Zoners are most definitely not freedom-loving hippies, but power-brokers who buy the houses' and other political groups' acceptances in order to survive and function.
Quote:[7:42:05 PM][6:51:36 PM] Igor (Smokey): btw terry
[6:51:48 PM] Terrance Cooper: Ye?
[6:52:00 PM] Igor (Smokey): nothin
[6:52:03 PM] Igor (Smokey): just sayin btw
[6:52:05 PM] Terrance Cooper: <_<
Quote:Johnny_Haas: you shot anti criuse speed rockets!!!
Johnny_Haas: but why????
Johnny_Haas: ??
Johnny_Haas: why you shoot criuse speed rockets?
Now, for my cascade failure of the Zoner Military:
Note: I'm assuming they have a huge fleet. A fleet comparable to a house, with at least a dozen Juggernaughts.
This fleet, to be any help at all, has to be spread out. Just to fend off pirates and criminals and maniacs. Freeport one, Freeport 2, Freeport (uhm, whatever, I think there are about 7 of them.) And planet Gran Canaria. Now, assume they've a rather large portion of their fleet near Freeport 11, because of the Corsairs and the Nomads. A smaller bit near freeport 9, and an even smaller one up by the Outcast freeport (10, I think?) Then there's the fleet for Gran Carnina. We'll assume, for the purposes of this scenario, that its the corsairs who make the first move.
The corsairs bring a huge fleet through the JH into Theta. They're probably losing ground in eta because of this move. If the entire juggernaught fleet is there, we'll say that the corsairs lose, horribly. But, then...Word gets out. Fast. The Outcasts, for the first time, feel lucky, because they know where the Juggernaughts are. They take the fleets who were pressing the corsairs in Eta, and ram them into tau 37. Freeport 10 is captured. The zoners have lost a station, and a large portion of their fleet. The corsairs are licking their wounds. Rhienland thinks it could rejouvanate the economy if it could just add two more internal markets..Freeport 2 and...(7? the one in omega 7, anyway) But they can't take both. They send diplomats to Liberty, Kusari, and to Bretonia. The agreement is simple. Rhienland gets the omegas, Liberty gets freeport 2, and the surrounding systems, bering and hudson Kusari gets freeport 6(though, honestly, the empire might not care, and try for Harris while bretonia trys for GC). Bretonia, Bretonia gets 49. Each station, and GC, are suddenly facing the military might of three or Four Houses. They can beat, or draw, one house. If they can make it, I suspect they'd pull the fleet back to GC. So, maybe, they keep that. They've now a much smaller, but more concentrated fleet, and a planet. Two freeports. And are an entirely known quantity.
Notice how I said economies removed from the houses? What do you propose would happen to the illegitimate business of the outer rim systems, as well as the black markets of the inner systems should they lose their places of operation? Or far worse, those who negotiate the tenuous deals that form said markets?
It wouldn't be a permanent change, but it would throw a wrench into the shady dealings of Sirius, atleast as I see it.
' Wrote:I see that you're speaking to me again, Blunt.
Notice how I said economies removed from the houses? What do you propose would happen to the illegitimate business of the outer rim systems, as well as the black markets of the inner systems should they lose their places of operation? Or far worse, those who negotiate the tenuous deals that form said markets?
It wouldn't be a permanent change, but it would throw a wrench into the shady dealings of Sirius, atleast as I see it.
There is still the Junkers, the Hogosha, Cryer Pharmaceuticals, Orbital Spa and Cruise, Independent Miners Guild, Gas Miners Guild, Interspace Commerce, even Kishiro Technologies, Samura Industries and possibly others that could quite easily deal with criminals.
Also, who did the Corsairs, Outcasts et cetera deal with before the Zoners existed? Freeport 1 is 77 years old. The others are newer.
Hell, outside Planet Kurile, Corsairs and Samura don't auto-shoot each other.
Besides, these external economies are less important than the House economies...
Oh, and good example, Unseelie. Assuming maximum power on their part is good, when saying they can't effectiely defend, because they don't have that much power. Not enough resources and manpower. Scan the Freeports, they give populations.
<strike>Okay first off I have to say that pretty much everyone so far is 90-100% right on the RP side of Zoners.
With that said *takes a deep breath* the reality of (the games is) most "zoners" are hard core power trading rich Ferengi's who can afford a Juggernaught or two.
I know, I know, the Council of Zoners is an exception to this, for they truely role play, BUT.. I am willing to bet a large majority of them can afford a Juggernaught or Fearless Destroyer. So if they (the players) were ever allowed to assemble a fleet to defend Omega-49 from an invading fleet of (players) from another faction, the battle would be epic, but also in the favor of the Zoners. I believe this so much, that I'm willing to place 100mil on a total Zoner victory.
Now that I've got that off my chest (and a ton of holes from being shot), the true Zoners have evolved a great deal since the original game, to the point that we have some being involved with the politics of house systems. I doubt the creators of this game would ever dream that there would be a Zoners Against Slavery [ZAS] for it shows some zoners willing to make an ethical and politcal stand against the moral views of other factions. Also take a minute to ponder on other major zoner factions, such as TAZ and WDR, who has done more to influence the Zoner faction (or is it Zoner Nation? Empire? Society?) than ever possible in the past. The path these brave men & women take is still a unknown future, but the feats they have done has made the galaxy take notice of the "rumors" about them.
So regardless of the past "news" of four juggernaughts to defend the Zoner bases and planet, the true strength and direction of the Zoners is far more powerful and calculating then any one person or government can ever grasp. As wise as the Council is, only through many days of sorting reports of Zoner activities, will they may stumble across an accurate view of the "Big Picture".</strike>
This is about the NPCs, who don't powertrade, though. Also, you can't simply BUY a battleship in RP, not as a fringe group like this. Sure, countries sell arms, but not to groups that are known to arm criminals that attack them.
Blunt: Canaria isnt only source of H-fuel... we have nice relationships with GMG which is biggest mining company in Sirius and defeated Rheinlnad in war. Yes Canaria is important for Kusari but not that much, first you must attack GMG but ouch that can hurt. And one more thing... Im sure Kusari have resources of H-fuel stored somewhere and it is enough for 1 strike against Bretonia. Also IMG is our good firend too.
If Canaria is that much important as you say you can be sure that strike come if you attack that planet and you will be surounded by Kusari, Corsairs, Hessians, Zoners and Galia. Your only hope will be Outcasts in that moment but I think it is not big problem for IMG in Taus and GMG in Sigmas hold them away from kusari for a while... You are loosing war and if someone powerfull like Liberty didnt help you hmm you cant risk that much.
To be sure, the KNF High Command might not go out of their way to protect the Zoners - but they could certainly support the GMG who are clear Zoner allies (just as Kusari supported the GMG when they fought Rhineland).
I could see the Order coming to help - as they are also clear allies of the Zoners, and by doing so will deal damage to Liberty's only House ally in Sirius...
As for other factions joining in, well that depends on how many favours the Zoner Council can call in. Other factions might come to help - or come to pick over the carcass once the fighting is over!
' Wrote:Also, who did the Corsairs, Outcasts et cetera deal with before the Zoners existed? Freeport 1 is 77 years old. The others are newer.
Well, until the 6th century AS, the Corsairs didn't trade, hell, untill 450 AS, they hadn't even interacted with the rest of the population of Sirius.
There's a reason these factions are pirates: they can't get all the supplies they need via trading, and their homes are not rich in resources with which to trade (at least legally). Save from basics like food&water, all you can buy on Crete or Malta is Artifacts or Cardamine.
I don't think freeports are the be-all and end-all of OC/Sair existance, but I think it makes it a lot easier for both these factions, cutting down on the amount of piracy and risk they have to put themselves through.
' Wrote:To be sure, the KNF High Command might not go out of their way to protect the Zoners - but they could certainly support the GMG who are clear Zoner allies (just as Kusari supported the GMG when they fought Rhineland).
I could see the Order coming to help - as they are also clear allies of the Zoners, and by doing so will deal damage to Liberty's only House ally in Sirius...
As for other factions joining in, well that depends on how many favours the Zoner Council can call in. Other factions might come to help - or come to pick over the carcass once the fighting is over!
The infocard on Gran Canaria suggests that Bretonia would invade given a chance due to potential resources, hence the Corsairs. I'm of the opinion that there is plenty of motivation and plenty of chance.
The GMG and Order wouldn't come to help, it's too far, among various other reasons.