The Gallic War is over and the Insurgency defeated. Bounty Hunters got rid of the Liberty Rogues on Curaçao. The Xeno movement is focussing on the Ontario system, and reports about Lane Hacker activity are indicating an all-time low. For now, it would seem that Liberty is enjoying an age of blossoming peace and security.
However, is everything as it seems? Are we truly experiencing safe skies? The Manhattan Times reporter team Hermes took a closer look at the current situation in Liberty sovereign space, to find out how safe Liberty actually is right now.
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The heart of Liberty could almost not be more secure. The capital benefits from multiple installations all over the system with a strong military presence to quickly respond to any criminal activity from inside or outside. Fort Bush covers the area around the Baltimore Shipyards and the lanes to Pittsburgh and the Colorado gate, while Military Academy Westpoint acts as a bastion before the Badlands - the only region of the New York system that remains a challenge to police and navy forces.
Battleship Missouri safeguarding the Norfolk Shipyards
Guarded by the Missouri Battlegroup, the navy shipyards of Norfolk are currently celebrating a massively increased export of construction materials for space stations and larger vessels. While working on the construction of multiple new fleet assets itself, the Norfolk Shipyards are also housing the mothballed battleships Rio Grande and Minneapolis.
"We've had rather large funding cuts following the conclusion of the Gallic War and the destruction of the Insurgency," explained the radio operator of the Liberty logistics ship [LN]-LLS-Fort.Wayne during an interview. The act of "mothballing" space assets is generally used to minimize expenses by strongly limiting the activity of said assets. Crews get transfered to locations of higher priority, while a skeletal crew remains on site to both ensure maintenance and a very basic presence. These assets, however, can return to active duty in very short time.
The mothballed Minnesota (left) and Rio Grande (right)
Texas - Finally some peace
With the steady decline of criminal activity all over Liberty, Texas never felt this safe. Battleship Arkansas and her fleet are guaranteeing optimal traffic in Houston's orbit, making sure that both LPI prison stations operate without any incidents.
With the Insurgency no longer a threat, hostile activity from Bering is reportedly reduced. Freeport 2 was destroyed, no longer acting as pirate hotspot. The Unioners nesting in the depths of Bering's fragment field are still trying to recover from their losses during Liberty's campaign in Bering.
Battleship Arkansas securing Houston orbit
Colorado - Carrier Ohio
The situation in the Colorado system is still of two extremes. One one side, One Police Plaza in the high orbit of Planet Denver maintains a powerful presence, providing a large area of denial to pirates, smugglers and terrorists. Carrier Ohio, stationed at the jump gate to the Galileo system, ensures protection on the other side of the trade lane, as well as a fast response mobile platform in case of an attack from the Kusari border.
On the other hand, the Ageira Headquarters at Pueblo Station report frequent sightings of Xeno and Rogue elements from the surrounding asteroid fields. The climate after the radical assault of the Attica prison station remains unchanged: Colorado is still considered a hot system, with polls among shipping captains stating that the trade lane from the New York gate to Planet Denver is still managing to get their blood pumping.
Carrier Ohio guarding the gate to Galileo
Interview: LLS Fort Wayne
The three big fleet checkpoints of the Liberty Navy are protecting the New York system from internal threats, Texas from possible border conflicts with Rheinland or the unlawful elements in the Bering system, and Colorado from the ever questionable radical elements of Kusari. Especially the cowardly terrorist attack on Roppongi Station still leaves many security questions unanswered, and Interspace Commerce is still suffering from the loss of one of their most important investments in the Crow.
With these areas covered, most of Liberty's concerns appear to be under control. During our research for this article, we managed to get in touch with the radio operator of the Liberty Navy Logistics Ship "Fort Wayne", who kindly provided some insight in the current situation of the Liberty Navy. The Bison-class heavy transport was on the way to California during the interview.
[LN]-LLS-Fort.Wayne near the California jump gate
MT: "Sir, I have a question. You see, I used to work in the Ontario system, on Toronto Station. [...] The gate in California seems to be shut down. Is there any chance this is going to change in the near future?"
Fort Wayne RO: "It's restricted access currently, due to the heavy Xeno presence in the system. It will allow small ships to go through, but you're doing so at your own peril."
MT: "That does sound rather dangerous. Is the Liberty Navy planning to deal with these Xenos?"
Fort Wayne RO: "We were, but the LSF has taken local command over all forces in Ontario, so we've been told to wait on them to assess the situation. We've had rather large funding cuts following the conclusion of the Gallic War and the destruction of the Insurgency."
MT: "I was about to ask, what's the Navy doing lately, if Ontario is under LSF jurisdiction?"
Fort Wayne RO: "Mostly keeping an eye on the northern border with Kusari at current. Though we've also been keeping an eye on the Rheinlanders. "
MT: "Is there anything to be worried about regarding Kusari or Rheinland?"
Fort Wayne RO: "Rheinland is mostly quiet, but there's been a fair bit of activity in Galileo lately."
MT: "I've seen the infrastructure in Cortez and Coronado has gotten improved with trade lanes. Does the Navy operate now in Coronado, too?"
Fort Wayne RO: "We were until a couple of months ago, the Predisent ordered us to pull back from there, and let the Crayterians handle things. We do have forces available to move and assist them if needed, but Coronado is fairly quiet."
MT: "That's cool. More infrastructure in the Independent Worlds!"
Fort Wayne RO: "The resources available are, according to the corpos, rather valuable. I've heard Ageira is planning on making a big push to further extendd the lanes to Yuma. Should be happening in the next few months."
MT: "Is the Navy still patrolling Cortez and Magellan or is that no longer necessary?"
Fort Wayne RO: "We run patrols out there, yes, but things have mostly quieted down. Anyway, if that's all, I do need to be on my way."
MT: "Sure. Thank you for your time, Fort Wayne!"
LPERY Abey Ale - Better than Liberty Ale, because we were drunk when we made it
Independent Worlds
Magellan, Cortez, Vespucci, Coronado, Inverness. Liberty, Crayter and Bretonia surround this cluster of systems with unique properties.
As explained in the interview with the Fort Wayne, the threat level of these systems has significantly dropped. The Cordova Shipping Platform in Magellan surprised investors with an economic success and an almost suspiciously low piracy log, while the Cortez system massively benefits from the new lane connection to the Coronado system. Curaçao has never been this secure - not only has the Rogue presence on the OS&C planet perished at the hands of a coordinated strike of the local patrons of the Bounty Hunters Guild, but the new infrastructure allows not only Liberty Navy and Bretonia's Armed Forces to quickly respond to criminal activity, but now also the Crayter Military. This extraordinarily powerful trinity of space superiority promises save transits between the two great houses and the Crayter Republic. Orbtical Spa & Cruise certainly profits from this: The high society of all three powers invests into new projects planetside and in space.
However, there is a little caveat to keep in mind.
California - First drought, now heat
California's trade lane network is quite unpopular among corporate shipping pilots. The connections around Planet Mojave suffer from frequent disruptions from Liberty Rogues. The Liberty Navy reacted to this by moving Battlecruiser Yellowstone away from the Ontario gate to Mojave, providing a level of security that was highly requested, especially by Synth Foods. Riverside Station itself enjoys the protection of Battleship Concord as well as the LPI forces stationed on Planet Los Angeles.
However, especially lately, with the provocative marketing campaign strategy of sending high volume jingles on local public frequencies to draw attention - both positive and negative - an alarming amount of property damage on the vessels in question was reported. Despite these setbacks, the price of Synth Food's shares is steadily increasing.
Battlecruiser Yellowstone at the infamous Mojave Crossing
Our reporter began the interview with the radio operator of the LLS Fort Wayne with an interesting question: What is the future of the Ontario gate? The Xeno movement appears to have amassed enough power to make Liberty rethink the approach on Ontario. The lane network connection from California to Ontario along with the two jump gates connecting the systems was a huge gamble for all investing parties - and sadly, this gamble seems to have been a loss. Not only was the Alberta system with its rich minerals lost to the dark matter storm surrounding Liberty; now Ontario itself is in a position so questionable, it is unclear as to whether Liberty will actually attempt to reclaim the system.
Right now, the trade lane from Mojave to the Ontario gate is shut down and not maintained. Asteroids of the Sierra Ice Field have penetrated the corridor, guaranteeing that any daredevil forcing the trade lane sequence activation will most likely find themselves catapulted at high speed into massive rock and ice.
The jump gate to Ontario is, as explained by the Fort Wayne radio operator during the interview, still active, however not servicing transport vessels. This limitation is enforced by armed platforms next to the gate as well as the gate control itself. Small vessels like our ship, the Hermes, are still permitted to enter the Ontario system. Under the protection of the Liberty Security Forces gunboat LSF Underdog, our reporters moved to the contested system, only to be met with an incredible sight.
Upon entering the Ontario system, we got welcomed by the LSF Battlecruiser Lehigh and warned to stay no longer than necessary in the system. Right next to the California jump gate, we also found a DSE carrier of the Bustard-class, the DSV Robert Peary, along with her multitude of repair vessels. Our escort, the LSF gunboat Underdog explained that the system is overrun by Xeno elements - among others.
Construction Vessel Robert Peary (right) and a concerningly huge beam emitted from Planet Sudbury (left), visible from all over the system
Visible from the California gate is an enormous purple beam of unknown origin, firing out into empty space. Understandably so, our first questions to our LSF escort was about it. What is it? Who did that? Why? The answer to these questions was always the same: Classified. This intimidating sight peaked our curiosity, however Battlecruiser Lehigh and the Underdog advised us not to approach the area, as the emitted radiationappears to be of unknown origin, meaning the consequences of exposure could be lethal.
Seeing as the same radiation was also messing with our footage, we took the hint and returned to the California system. From there, our reporters launched a neural net investigation to find clues on Planet Sudbury's extraordinary anomaly.
The Technocracy of Auxo
It is only natural to assume that the Liberty Security Forces attempts to limit the exposure of this gigantic anomaly to the public until more information on it are available - despite the extreme size of this anomaly, which would seem to be the reason as to why there is no full lockdown on it. An anomaly of these proportions is impossible to keep secret, especially when it comes to a system said to be overrun by criminals and other undesirables.
One of these groups is the Technocracy of Auxo. The dubious faction only recently published a legislative document, a law codex for their claimed territories. (Neural Net Link ➞)
This document reveals plenty of critical and concerning information about the faction. Some bits are self explanatory, others are more subtle in nature. Manhattan Times analytic expert Michael Valentine elaborates on the most important details about the technocracy.
The Technocracy lays claim to four systems close to Liberty
"The public claim on the Ontario system is reason for concern. Quite obviously, this adds even more friction to the region. The technocracy appears to have found access to the system, and is either related to the anomaly of Planet Sudbury or interested in it. The document they published reveals quite a lot of insight in their diplomatic relationships with other factions and the houses, but most importantly, it quite blatantly lists every location of importance to them, with horrifying implications.
Zones of special law enforcement of the technocracy
"This particular section of their codex confirms the existence of a base of operations of the technocracy in the Inverness system, called Valravn Citadel. It also specifies a jump hole connection from Inverness to the Ontario system, indicates an interest of the technocracy in the recently bombarded Planet Veracruz as well as the possession of a carrier type vessel in the Omega region.
More interesting is the section 2.6.3, which defines anomalous threats and alien elements - which the technocracy classifies as no-fly zones. Planet Sudbury is listed here, along with the East Avlemore Nebula in Inverness. The Barrier nebula dividing Liberty and Bretonia consists mostly of ice and related elements, and the Inverness system is in the middle of it. It is thus questionable as to why the technocracy would claim the system and erect a space station in it. Nobody constructs a space station near a threat. Following this line of logic, one can deduce that the East Avlemore Nebula in the Inverness system must be containing something of value, to justify the construction of a base in the same system. 2.6.3 specifically mentions alien elements and refers to these zones as quarantine zones, where trespassers will be destroyed.
Additional indicators can be taken from the listing of diplomatic relationships, as well as from an exceptionally particular wording in section 2.4."
Infectees, and suspected infectees will be turned away
"How awfully nice of them.
The existence of alien races is no secret anymore. I remember coming home from school when President Jacobi issued a law on the general prohibition of alien artifacts in Liberty in 799 A.S. - and it is no secret that LPI is still busy intercepting artifact smugglers to this day. The technocracy codex says in section 4.1 that individuals shall not be prosecuted on the basis of species. Apparently, this is the justification to kindly let "Infectees" do whatever they want - as long as it doesn't happen in technocracy space. On the other hand, the economic regulations crack down hard on alien materials. It is an interesting inconsistency with subtle implications. I certainly recommend staying away from the technocracy and their space."
The technocracy's interest in Planet Sudbury could be another indicator for alien activity on Planet Sudbury. To some, this may be obvious, as the footage of this gargantuan beam firing from Sudbury seems everything but natural or of human origin. And yet, mankind developed technologies like jump gates, cloaking devices and weapons with enough power to render an entire planet uninhabitable. Further investigations are required to find out what Liberty is facing in the Ontario system. One thing is certain: The eyes of many are fixed on the events unfolding around Sudbury, and we eagerly await a public statement of the Liberty Security Force or the Liberty Government. An event of these proportions demands clarification.
Conclusion
LPI and the Liberty Navy fleets seem to be handling the security of Liberty's systems quite well as of late. Every system has at least one capital ship and escorting fleet ready to react to any threats, and with the defeat of the Insurgency and the end of the Gallic War, the military can enjoy a period of limited peace. Without any major conflict, the Liberty Navy may be able to focus on retaking lost territory like Ontario, and drive out criminal elements like the Xenos, the technocracy and the Rogues.
LIMINAL RUN - with George Flounder, Cathryn Pants and Gilderoy Shaprini
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