| Battleship Zuschen | |
| Owner | |
| Red Hessians | |
| Location | |
| D/C-2, Omega-41 |
CLASS: Jormungand
CREW: CLASSIFIED
ARMAMENT: CLASSIFIED
Deployed in 826 AS, the Red Hessian Battleship Zuschen incorporates the latest advancements developed by Wolfsburg Shipyard. Its first assignment was the assault on Vierlande Prison alongside the Coalition and Unioners, indiscriminately freeing the thousands of inmates within. The Zuschen and Carrier Alvin Katz then turned on the Unioners, accusing them of collaborating with the Corsairs. The ensuing massacre saw the Unioners’ Vierlande force destroyed, and Hamburg's Wedel Station wrecked with no survivors.
The Zuschen later led the Hessian invasion of Cologne alongside the Battleship Kassel, exploiting the chaos of the Rheinland Civil War. It first destroyed Olpe Border Station before advancing to support the Kassel's attack on Saarbrucken and Tholey Station. The Hessians would hold the system until 828 AS, when the newly formed Federal Empire’s first act was to dispatch a Military expedition to expel the Hessians and reopen the Alsace Passage trade route. The Zuschen fled to avoid a direct fight against the Battleship Altenburg.
Following the Kassel's loss in 831 AS, the Zuschen was left as the sole operational Hessian battleship. The Corsairs launched their own invasion of southern Rheinland soon after, intent on breaking the Hessian backlines in Dresden. In 833 AS, the Zuschen launched the Hessian counter-attack in Omega-41. Its mission is to cut Corsair supply lines to Omega-5, in the hope of drawing away reinforcements from Dresden. Its mission has been complicated by frequent clashes with Wild vessels that have flooded into the system.
Bribes & Missions Offered
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Ships sold
| Ship | Class | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Loki Mk. II | Heavy Fighter | 19,358$ |
| Odin Mk. II | Very Heavy Fighter | 26,079$ |
| Thor Mk. II | Bomber | 72,776$ |
News
| [834 AS] New Brigades take the fight to the Corsairs |
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VOGTLAND -- 834 -- The Corsair attack in Dresden has been blunted and now the tide appears to be turning. They scurry and hide in the Schwefelnebel, only launching sorties to attack soft targets. They’re on the back foot, and the Zuschen’s raid on Corsair rear lines has successfully drawn off their reinforcements. It’s time we put these invaders to the sword: two Brigade groups are enveloping the Penitence’s suspected location. The newly reconstituted Fichtel Brigade will advance from the Bautzen direction using up-armored miners as a battering ram, while the Steiner Brigade enters the Schwefelnebel from the north. The Corsairs will be forced to flee before the Frankfurt Jump Hole is cut off, or commit to a decisive battle on our terms. |
| [834 AS] A bad breakup? |
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DARMSTADT -- 834 -- It appears the LWB and Farmers Alliance have gone their separate ways, on very bad terms. Witnesses report seeing fighting between LWB and FA squadrons, and the FA resultingly retreating from Rheinland space. The FA’s expansion into Rheinland alienated many of the LWB’s traditional allies, most notably the Red Hessians. The Hessians for their part appear to have moved quickly to fill the vacuum the Alliance left behind, approaching LWB commanders with offers of weapons and technical support in exchange for the LWB supplementing their supply lines in west Rheinland. LWB pilot Arthur Saebel noted, “we've done what's best for our people.“ |
| [832 AS] Bundschuh avenge Bautzen murders |
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NEW BERLIN -- 832 -- After the brutality of the Civil War, we embraced peace and -- despite severe misgivings -- the chance to steer the new state through political discourse. Despite this, promised democratic reforms failed to arrive, while officials turned a blind eye to violence inflicted on our candidates. The final straw came with the invasion of Dresden and the cold blooded murder of Bautzen Station’s crew by the Strausberg fleet. We have now ended the life of the treacherous Admiral Schmid, however it is clear that this state cannot be reasoned or cooperated with in good faith. The Federal Empire combines the worst impulses of the Republic with the incestuous corruption of the Old Empire. One solution remains: wipe it away and start anew. |
| [832 AS] Surprise assault on Leipzig! |
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DRESDEN -- 832 AS -- Contrary to popular belief, the Military was actually preparing to conduct an assault on our positions in Dresden. An attack by a force led by Battleship Strausberg managed to blow up Bautzen that was in Bundschuh control, and proceeded to attack Leipzig. The defenders despite being outnumbered valiantly kept the enemy occupied while Battleship Kassel got into position to ambush and critically wound the Strausberg, forcing the enemy to withdraw, and eventually scuttle the vessel, becoming a monument to Hessian control over the system. Unfortunately, the Leipzig was beyond saving, but their sacrifice will not be forgotten. The loss of Strausberg caused riots sprung up all over Rheinland against Kaiser, demanding his resignation, which are further incited by numerous supporters to our cause. We expect a concentration of Military forces in the core systems, allowing us to pillage the border worlds all more easily as a result. |
| [832 AS] Kaiser declares war on Hessians! |
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NEW BERLIN -- 832 AS -- Yesterday, our beloved Kaiser declared war on us! In a public broadcast, we've been compared to Rogues, rats and several other things, but no actual plan of action against us or our assets was made. After declaring a massive 5%% increase in military spending and hurling a bunch of insults at us, we do not expect much to come out of this announcement, but as a precaution, command is issuing minor reinforcements of our most vulnerable asset: Leipzig Station. A number of fighter wings are being redeployed, including the Schalke Squadron, our latest addition to our forces, ready to show the Kaiser what they're made of! We expect it all to be a crude attempt at increasing popular opinion without actually doing anything, but report any unusual Military movements directly to your superiors. |
| [832 AS] War Returns to Omicron Theta! |
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FREEPORT 9 -- 832 AS -- Omicron Theta was the site of clashes between the Outcasts and Corsairs for many years, with the Zoners of Freeport 9 surviving in the middle of this uneasy equilibrium. Everything would change late last year when the Outcasts withdrew from the system, and the Corsairs boarded and occupied Freeport 9. Now, the Outcasts have returned in force and the fighting is fiercer than ever as they look to win back lost ground; early clashes saw the loss of the Corsair Battleship Fes and Outcast Destroyer Bella. The Outcasts have been open about their intent to destroy Freeport 9 so long as it remains in Corsair hands, to the dismay of the expelled Zoners who hope to regain the station through diplomatic means. The Core have also been spotted operating in the system, intervening to precisely strike valuable targets and seemingly prevent either side from gaining a decisive edge. Extreme caution is recommended when travelling through the region. |
| [832 AS] Cardamine Withdrawal Epidemic! |
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MANHATTAN -- 832 AS -- Reports of Cardamine withdrawal-related hospitalizations have surged to unprecedented levels, with a specific hospital on Planet Manhattan recording a staggering 450%% increase compared to the previous year. A growing number of addicts are seeking emergency medical care, apparently unable to obtain their regular dose of the highly addictive drug. Symptoms of withdrawal rapidly progress into severe sickness, pushing many of these individuals into critical condition. While this troubling trend is observed throughout the Sirius colonies, Liberty is bearing the brunt of the crisis among the four major Houses. Remarkably, even Rheinland, where historical data indicated low Cardamine consumption, has witnessed a notable rise in medical cases linked to the illicit narcotic. Experts postulate that the extensive black market responsible for Cardamine distribution might be facing a shortage, or worse, that Outcast factions deliberately curtail the supply to bolster demand. Regrettably, no law enforcement agency has been available for comment on these concerns. The long-standing debate over Cardamine's controversial nature, juxtaposing its euphoric and purported medicinal qualities with the genetic alterations it inflicts upon long-term users, continues to echo. A key point of contention revolves around the plight of innocent consumers caught in this crisis. Yet, according to independent polls, a substantial majority of our viewers maintains that the substance must remain banned. In response to this escalating crisis, Cryer Pharmaceuticals has announced a forthcoming press conference. During the event, the company intends to unveil plans for an expanded production of Stabiline, their touted "wonder drug". This announcement promises affordable access to Stabiline for all patients grappling with Cardamine withdrawal, sparking a remarkable 15%% surge in Cryer Pharmaceuticals' stock following the revelation. |
| [831 AS] Corsairs Pillage Freeport 9! |
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CORFU -- 831 AS -- The Corsair occupation of Freeport 9 has sent shockwaves through the Zoner community. The Corsairs had accused the station of allowing their enemies to launch raids into Omicron Gamma, with violent rhetoric escalating after the death of an Elder's son. As Crete demanded the Zoners of Theta turn over any Hunters aboard their stations and surrender docking control, the Freeport 9 administrators were confident that some kind of compromise could be found. A delegation from Gran Canaria was requested to assist with negotiations, due to the close ties between Zoner and Corsair communities on the planet. Tragically, the Corsairs interpreted this delay as refusal, and launched a surprise attack while the delegation was en-route. Many of Freeport 9's crew are now being held as hostages while the Corsairs pillage the station. An urgent conclave has been called on Gran Canaria to discuss the Zoner response, while militias on Pygar have taken up arms in case the violence spreads. |
| [831 AS] Jump Hole Upheaval Causes Chaos |
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HEISENBERG -- 831 AS -- Jump holes across Sirius have become increasingly volatile and chaotic over the last year, with Professor Sophia Nagel from the Heisenberg Research Station linking the unusual phenomena to the Pulse. The Pulse was an unprecedented blast of hyperspace energy that was detected immediately prior to last year's jump gate Blackout. Professor Nagel and her team are certain the Pulse originated from outside Sirius, but are otherwise no closer to identifying its source or mitigating a future Blackout event. "Following the Blackout, we began to see immediate signs of jump hole destabilization in multiple different regions, with many ultimately falling out of phase alignment altogether", she commented. The dramatic upending of Sirius' jump hole network has already prompted many groups to abandon stations and withdraw from systems that appear to risk being cut off. While months-long trips between the stars are possible thanks to the Liberty Engine and many centuries of innovation, few ships are designed or provisioned to make such arduous journeys. Those who were displaced by Sirius' redrawn map hope that system connections will return, while adventurers and explorers rush to discover new routes. |
| [830 AS] Tempers Flare over Pygar Colony! |
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PYGAR -- 830 AS -- The Zoners have seen many trials over recent years, with the Bretonian invasion of Gran Canaria being one among many. It was this occupation that forced many settlers off-world, with some braving the deadly storms of Pygar to eke out a difficult existence under the barren planet's surface. The arrival of Zoner colonists in Omicron Theta has not been met with warmth by all, however. The Corsairs see the Pygar colony as a direct competitor for the region's scarce resources, with Elder Garcia warning that there would be "dire consequences" should Freeport 9's biodomes reduce or divert their exports to Planet Crete. Whispers of alien ruins and Artifacts discovered below Pygar's surface may also antagonize the Corsairs, who rely on the Artifact trade as a source of wealth. The hardship of Pygar's extreme conditions and the uneasy relationship with the Corsairs has already led many colonists to consider a return to the now liberated Gran Canaria. |
| [830 AS] Bessemer Struck by Corsair Raiders! |
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MAINZ -- 830 AS -- An Ageira Technologies research vessel, the ATS Bessemer, has come under a Corsair attack during its final venture through the Munich Jump Gate. The Bessemer, dispatched on a joint expedition by Ageira and the University of Berlin, was en route from the Raubling junction to the Frankfurt gate when it was waylaid by Corsair raiders on the edge of the Schwarzwald cloud. The RPU Dohna, a police gunboat tasked with overseeing the gate during the expedition, was quick to respond, but not before the raiders dealt significant damage to the unprepared civilian vessel. Anonymous sources report that as many as five Ageira employees lost their lives in the attack. The incident came as a shock to the public and the law enforcement alike, as pirate activity was believed to have completely died out in the desolate Munich system. The frequency of strikes, from both Corsairs and domestic pirates, have steadily declined ever since the antimatter storm first ravaged the system. While the chaotic evacuation efforts from Nuremberg had initially caused a spike, as the system's population decayed to just skeleton crews and Junker scavengers, the criminal element became nearly absent. Some theorize that the Corsairs were there for the Bessemer specifically, intending for one last taunt at Rheinland's people. Thankfully, the Dohna and her crew were there to thwart their efforts. The ATS Bessemer was dispatched into the Munich system in order to deploy a network of specially reinforced satellites, meant to monitor the advent of the antimatter storm's core. According to the University of Berlin, the core will wash over Munich around the end of this month, stripping away planetary atmospheres and most likely collapsing all remaining jumphole anomalies. The probes deployed by the Bessemer will provide the scientific community with first-hand data of the storm and its effects, transmitting it back to Berlin through a central relay nested within the safety of Raubling's hulk. With the task complete, the Bessemer was meant to be the final ship to make the jump from Munich, with the Jump Gate being shut down later the same day. However, due to the damage sustained in the attack, the RPU Dohna did the honours instead, covering the Bessemer's departure to ensure its safe return. |
| [828 AS] Birds of a Feather |
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STUTTGART -- 828 AS -- Many ex-LWB remnants took up the Imperial cause during the Civil War, hoping for a government that would expel Synth Foods from Rheinland. They were left feeling betrayed and enraged when these promises were abandoned. Lacking funding and resources, the fighters looked abroad to find support. An unexpected benefactor was found in Kusari’s Farmers Alliance, who fight a near identical battle against the Liberty corporation. The Alliance has provided leadership, funding and resources to relaunch anti-Synth operations in Rheinland as a wing of their own organization. It remains to be seen how this united Farmers Alliance will impact affairs on the wider stage, with the security forces of both Rheinland and Kusari already strained by internal conflict and crime. |
| [828 AS] Cologne Aftermath |
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COLOGNE – 828 AS – The siege of Planet Saarbrucken proved that the reunited might of Rheinland is a force to be reckoned with; the Hessians have largely vacated the system. In preparation for the assault, the miners turned pirate had weaponized the nearby Tholey Station to slow down the advance of the military. In order to bring a swift end to the fighting with minimal casualties the commanding officer ordered the station be neutralized rather than boarded, resulting in its destruction. Despite the success of the Military, it seems the Hessians flagship; Battleship Kassel, has managed to escape virtually unscathed. Rumors on Heisenberg Research Station speak of Hessian prisoners taken by Corsairs and Unioners alike. It's no secret there is a lot of bad blood between these groups and the Hessians and this reporter shudders to think of what fate awaits those poor deluded criminals. |
| [828 AS] Hessians Flee Under Rheinlands Might! |
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COLOGNE – 828 AS – Under pressure from both the emperor and elected officials for a quick and decisive resolution to the ongoing Cologne crisis, the Rheinland Ministerium of Defence ordered the Altenburg battlegroup to advance onto the Red Hessian position at Planet Saarbrucken. The Red Hessians recently received additional reinforcements as it became clear the former miners planned to dig-in and would need to be uprooted from their position. The Siege of Saarbrucken is currently underway and it has been reported that the Red Hessians have begun evacuating from the area. It is speculated however that the Red Hessians intend to make the Rheinland military suffer for every meter they take. The Rheinland Military has offered a reward for any Red Hessians that are caught fleeing from the siege. The military has also advised caution as they have reported several other pirate groups in the area, with some claiming these groups are striking out at the Hessians. This reporter cannot help but think this situation goes to show, that there is no honour among thieves. |
| [733 AGS] The Way into Gallia is Open! |
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REUNION -- 733 AGS, 817 AS -- The Council is proud to announce that the mine fields that have concealed the existence of Gallia from the rest of the Sirius population have been breached in Orkney and Omicron Tau. This achievement has cost us decades of bloody war with Gallic government forces who rejected the rights of the Gallic nation to re-unite with the rest of humanity that escaped Sol more than eight hundred years ago. We will welcome any ships willing to explore Gallic space and establish relations with local factions. In exchange for the passage, we ask for guarantees of neutrality towards the Council, its military and civilian personnel. We also warn that any capital ship fleets or other large military detachments will be denied passage, by force if necessary. Our goal is to prevent the war, not to encourage attacks of other Houses who might consider Gallia its enemy. Gallia is no one's enemy, and our task is to prove it. We hope that after our actions in the Gallic Border Worlds the King of Gallia will demonstrate responsibility and discretion by establishing diplomatic relations with all four Houses and by canceling plans of Sirius-wide aggression. However, even if the relations will be established, we, the Council, will still remain sworn enemies of the Crown, and the Second Gallic War will continue. Our current goal is to hold the passage in Languedoc open for everyone for as long as possible. However, the Royal Navy has assembled an overwhelming fleet in Languedoc that will soon head towards Languedoc. Our casualties has been very high during the recent years of fighting in this system, and odds to win the battles that will follow are very low. Languedoc detachments of the Council, and all civilians willing to escape the prosecution by Gallic government, will have to seek refuge in the Sirius Border Worlds. We are already looking for possible locations where we can build our bases and defensive installations. We are also aware that Sirius space has its own unlawful factions, much like Gallic Brigands and Unione Corse in Gallia. Since our situation is complicated right now, we might seek help of those factions in order to survive and prevent unnecessary casualties. But we also realize that our equipment, ships and weaponry contain Gallic technologies that many Sirius parties are willing to appropriate. We are not trading or exchanging any of our military technologies. If any attempts to capture or attack Council personnel and ships occur, we reserve the right to retaliate with deadly force. |
| [822 AS] Freital lost to solar storms |
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FREITAL BASE -- 822 -- Omega-11's star has continued to grow more and more violent - we have lost almost a dozen ships trying to cross the system in recent weeks. Of even greater concern, the vicious solar storms have begun to impact local Jump Holes. The connection to Omega-5 recently fell out of phase alignment for nearly 16 hours, while the Dresden Jump Hole also shows signs of instability. Daumann has already fled, abandoning Solaris Station and ending local Diamond mining. As a result, commanders have issued the order to withdraw until conditions improve. Our supply chains between Dresden and Omega-5 are being urgently rerouted to compensate. |
| [821 AS] Zwickau opens new front in Dresden |
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ZWICKAU DEPOT -- 821 -- In partnership with Red Hessian allies, the Bundschuh movement has established Zwickau Depot in Dresden’s Schwefelnebel. It is strategically located to strike Military reinforcements traveling between the New Berlin minefield and Bautzen Station, allowing us to maintain pressure on the Rheinland occupiers. Zwickau is also ideally placed to distribute locally harvested resources to revolutionary causes throughout Rheinland. We also hope to convince the Hessians to allow us to facilitate mineral sales to our contacts in the Sigmas for fundraising purposes. Through the Bundschuh’s efforts, Dresden shall soon be the first truly free system in Rheinland, and the seed from which a new Popular Revolution can bloom. |
| [818 AS] Dresden capture proceeding smoothly |
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VOGTLAND -- 818 -- Years of careful planning and preparation have borne fruit with the conquest of Dresden. A lightning strike on Pirna found the RFP unprepared and quickly eliminated. This cleared the main body of our attack force to isolate and board Leipzig. Daumann appears to have known which way the wind was blowing, as the station had already been stripped of any reasonably portable plant machinery. The corporate lapdogs of the Rheinland Military have dug in around Bautzen Station and laid a defensive minefield around the New Berlin Jump Gate. It is only a matter of time until Kruger’s will breaks and they too abandon Bautzen. Then Rheinland will have nothing to fight for, and will withdraw the Altenburg -- the system and its remaining wealth will be ours. |
Rumors
| Red Hessians |
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NOTE: Page generated on the 15/12/2024 at 15:50:59 UTC