| Freeport 1
|
- We tried to make this facility as independent as possible. We produce our own Food, and some Consumer Goods here. The Corsairs have need of these at their base Cadiz. Along with the basics, Corsairs will pay for any shipbuilding equipment such as Engine Components or Hull Plates.
- A couple of Gateway boys were minding their own business in our bar a few days ago when some Bowex chaps started talking some smack to them. Next thing you know a fight was going. I enjoy a good bar brawl and was knocking the teeth out of a BMMer when someone pulled a Daumann "crowd killer" and let loose in there. After that station security locked the whole place down.
- There are BMM representatives here who purchase goods for their base. With Nottingham just a short distance away, I imagine they'll be more and more soon enough. I don't mind them spending their money with us, but honestly I don't like having them here. Many of us left Bretonia to escape the BMM. They are awful to work for. I don't want to see a second Leeds on our doorstep.
- The trick to surviving out here in the Barrier is to have things that powerful groups want, while not annoying any of them too much. We trade with anyone who will leave us be. Strangely, it are the House governments who are most opposed to that. Figures, that the opression we sought to escape is again our biggest threat.
- Daumann and BMM hate each other. Did you know that? Aye, they are trying to establish colonial presence in this system so that they may eventually annex Omega-3. That contest is pretty much decided now that Bretonia is settling Nottingham, but I don't see Rheinland letting go of the Rugen installation any time soon. Mark my words, there'll be war in the Omegas again before I'm dead.
- Zoners hazard the Border Worlds because we don't want any governments telling us how to live. That's why Nottingham has been such a disaster - you can't trust Bretonia as far as you can throw them. We just wanted to be left alone, and now they're knocking the door down and bringing their bloody war with them.
- You are in some tough space, you know. Us Zoners have learned to handle ourselves. We don't go looking for fights, but we know where not to be when the shooting starts. I used to be a pilot in the BAF. That's right. But I gave it up when I realized there weren't a future in it for me but a gold watch or a space burial.
- It's important that we help other Zoner bases in the area get what they need to survive. The people at Freeport 5 need some of our Food Rations, Consumer Goods and Pharmaceuticals. We produce some of that here, the rest needs to be imported from Bretonia.
- I see quite a few Bounty Hunters arrive at this base. They get refueled, refitted, have a couple drinks at the bar, and take off. After that I don't usually see them again. This is rough space, and I imagine plenty of them get their ships blown open. But that's the life of a Hunter I suppose.
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| Cadiz Base
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- I do not believe it will be so, but I hope that the Corsairs lose this war. Then they will be forced to rely upon the Zoners for all of their goods. We will become rich selling the Corsairs supplies. Why, we might even smuggle their Artifacts for them and make millions.
- We supply this base with everything it needs. From basic supplies to Deuterium, Robotics, and Neon, you name it, we ship it here. We know it will all be used to fight the Hessians or rob Bretonians, but that is not our affair.
- This system is key to controlling the Border Worlds because it has so many Jump Holes. Most important to the Corsairs is the one leading into Bretonia. If the Hessians win the war, they will seal the Corsairs into the Edge Worlds.
- Omega-5 is the site of a full scale war between the Corsairs and Hessians. The two factions are vying for control of this critical Jump Hole crossroads in the Omega Sector. Within the area of the no-man's-land and the Hammen Hole are numerous dead ships from both sides. Most are picked clean, but there are some that may still yield some weapons.
- This base is a forward command for the Corsairs fighting the Hessians. It is a horrible struggle, with both sides losing many. I believe that the Corsairs will eventually win. They are the fiercest warriors I have ever seen, and are not afraid to die.
- As well as being the front in the Hessian war, this base also serves as a distribution center for all the goods that the Corsairs steal in Bretonia. I suppose that works perfectly because so many resources must be dedicated to fighting.
- The Corsair general who commands this base has lost all four of his children to the Hessians. His daughter was the finest pilot of the four; she perished but a month ago. General Rivera has a hatred of Hessians unmatched by any other.
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| Gas Miner Naha
|
- We pick up H-Fuel here to deliver to the Atka Research Station in Sigma-17. We then continue on to Freeport 9. It's mostly a freighter run - a sluggish transport in deep space is just begging to be seized by either the Outcasts or Corsairs. The GMG are much like us - wanderers of the stars, who no longer belong on the settled planets.
- We use the Jump Hole from Sigma-17 to access this system. It is in the southeast beyond some oxygen pockets, so you must be very careful. Corsairs use if frequently, so don't linger in the Hole area.
- You must be very careful of the Corsairs if you want to go further into the southern Sigma or Omicron Worlds. If you are not their friend, it is difficult to survive. The Bounty Hunters that prowl the Edge Worlds are brave souls indeed. Or just plain crazy ones, hard to tell sometimes.
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| Freeport 6
|
- The farther north you go in Sirius, the closer you get to the Outcasts' home systems. They don't tolerate many intruders, and we only operate this base in relative safety because we provide them with something. If you have nothing to offer them, they will kill you - no question.
- The IMG sells a lot of Niobium that they mine up in Tau-23 on this base. There is a demand for that metal in Liberty and Rheinland, so I suppose you could take it there if you're looking to trade with those Houses.
- The Bounty Hunters at this base are being paid by Kishiro, mostly in an effort to curb Outcast piracy. So far they are meeting with limited success. Other Bounty Hunters have been hired by Bretonian or Libertonian firms, and they have come up here tracking Outcasts back from House space. I wonder why Kishiro is so interested in paying Bounty Hunters to hit Outcast Cardamine shipments out by the Shinkaku field. I thought they usually don't help Samura out.
- One of many Bounty Hunters flying out of Freeport 6 in search of Outcasts, Ryan McKeen, was an incautious type who tended to exhibit more bravado than common sense. His ship, the Wolverine, is floating somewhere near Cali, a message left by the Outcasts to not get too close.
- This system is a crossroads between Kusari, Bretonia, and Gallia. All kinds of criminals and traders pass through, and we accept them all. Zoners do not care what your allegiance is. As long as you respect our ways, we will respect yours. Bretonia is a little harder to get to these days, but we still manage to find ways around the Gallic blockade.
- I make a run to Freeport 10 in Tau-37 every so often. I take Robotics, Hull Panels, and Polymers up there. I suppose you could do the same. That is, if the Outcasts will let you that far north. I'm not sure why Freeport 10 needs that many Robotics and Hull Panels, but it's not really my concern.
- I'd say that of all the bases in this system, Samura's base has to struggle the hardest to survive. Their base is too close to the Cardamine trade route, which makes Shinkaku the subject of Outcast aggression. Nago isn't exactly a safe place either, but they can receive help from Kusari a lot faster then Shinkaku.
- If you want to make money as a Zoner, you can take the long trip out towards Freeport 11. That base is all the way in Omicron Delta, clear on the other end of Sirius. Bring back Iridium for a substantial profit.
- Zoners basically want to get along with everybody. We try to produce various basic commodities at our bases that others will need. Food, Water, Oxygen, that kind of stuff. This way we can go where the governments aren't. We survive by trading with other independently minded factions, and otherwise mind our own business.
- Bases are always going to need basic supplies if they don't produce them themselves. They are lower-end commodities but can still earn you some money. Freeport 10 doesn't produce everything it needs. You can take Basic Alloys and Food there, but you will be passing by a lot of Outcasts who need those goods just as badly.
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| Freeport 10
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- I used to be a soldier in the Bretonia Armed Forces. I left Bretonia and came to this place where I make a difference and feel that I belong. When this base was first established I was one of the people defending the station from the Outcasts. Now that they don't attack us anymore, I help out in the biodome.
- We get almost all of our basic supplies from Freeport 6 in Tau-29. Most importantly, we receive Fertilizers for our biodome. In return we ship Freeport 6 Alien Organisms from the Omicrons and Niobium mined by the IMG in this system.
- We've had to hastily expand the station's hab blocks with whatever was available. It was costly, and in the chaos of refugees pouring in from Malta, we never fully finished construction. I worry for all those poor souls, but there's only so much we can do with the Outcasts now bearing down on us and threatening retaliation.
- People say that the drug runners have all them nice ships because of all the money the Cardamine brings them. I believe that's part of the reason, but they think differently than we do. An Outcast just seems to understand how a ship should look and run, like it's a part of him.
- The Zoners at this base tell me it used to be very dangerous to live here. The Outcasts would often attack them. Eventually, they realized that this base was an asset to them. After nearly a year of being damaged the station now is fully repaired, thanks to Deep Space Engineering and the Outcasts allowing them this far. Maskers come here to refuel and resupply on their way in and out of Malta.
- Some of them Outcast woman sure are fine to look at, but don't let them catch you giving them the eye. They are all killers, man and woman alike. I heard about one of their women killing a Corsair in a brawl on a Junker base somewhere.
- The most powerful guys in Outcast society are the plantation owners on Malta. They are the ones who run the Cardamine cartels. If you mess with one Outcast, you just picked a fight with the whole family. The two most powerful are the Benitez and Toruella cartels.
- I'm originally from Freeport 5. I made the mistake of falling in love with a Corsair woman. Once her father learned of our love he sent her away, and her brother is looking for me. If he finds me he'll kill me. That's why I came to this base. I knew if anyone could kill a Corsair it would be an Outcast. I crossed all of Sirius to hide here.
- As a Zoner we must accept all kinds, but those Outcasts give me the chills. A few months ago a Bounty Hunter flew in here, his ship torn to pieces. The Hunter was hurt pretty bad and wasn't going to live very long. The Outcasts were making bets on the other side of the bar on when he would die.
- The Administrator has put out the call for the militia to start mustering again. That means things are desperate, the last time we had to do this was all those years ago after initial contact with the Outcasts was made, and it was brutal. I hope it doesn't come to bloodshed again, but we can't just roll over and abandon our home.
- When we came here we had saved up enough money to build a biodome, which is what saved us all from the Outcasts. That and the fact that we mind our own business. I just wish that Bounty Hunters wouldn't land here, because it sets the maskers on edge. Freeport 10 has always has had a troublesome past, but since we started to trade with the Outcasts it has become much safer for all visitors.
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| Freeport 5
|
- The shipyard Tripoli requires many different Commodities to maintain production of our vessels and raiding crafts. We ship Polymers and Engine Components there from this base.
- We're nowhere near as appetizing as a target for the Corsairs as Freeport 9 with their biodomes, but the news certainly soured our relations with Leon. Our convoys have been running double-escort ever since, and we need to buy our food from Gran Canaria at a premium, same with Corfu and Pygar for that matter.
- We bring Artifacts to this base from Crete. It is not as lucrative a run as others, but the Zoners will find buyers for them. Either way we make our money.
- I've never been a fan of Corsairs but this is a new low they've got themselves on. At least the Pharmaceuticals keep flowing, convoys from Atka just stop at Corfu instead of the Freeport 9, and Corsairs won't be seeing any of that.
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| Freeport 9
|
- I was here in the bar when the Corsairs came. Went in guns blazing shooting everyone in a Bounty Hunter uniform, not caring if there were any innocents in the line of fire... I'm sorry, I need a drink.
- The biodomes we invested in here have paid off in spades. Everyone in this part of space comes here for Food, and we get the profits. Well, us and Synth Foods, of course. We ship Food to Atka in Sigma-17 and Freeport 5 in Omega-41.
- Our brothers in Freeport 5 send us Polymers, Fertilizers, and Consumer Goods. It's a Zoner's duty to help other Zoners where we can. This is a dangerous part of space; only by sticking together can we make it.
- If you've got any intel on the Corsair movements within the system, I've got a contact in the Core that would pay in gold for them. Let me know if you get a hold of anything. Do be discreet though, if our new hosts find out, we're both dead.
- Don't ask me where the Jump Hole is that leads to the Corsair homeworld. I've said too much already. The Corsairs would cut my throat if I dared to utter where the entrance to their system is. Just stay away from the Napo Cloud. I mean … it isn't in the Napo Cloud, it's ... I'm a dead man.
- I've heard the "New Management" is struggling to keep the Biodomes running properly due to a shortage of Fertilizers. What a shame... *smirks*
- We weren't killed when Corsairs took over, but we can't leave either. We're basically hostages here for what feels like years now. How much I'd give to see my family back on Gran Canaria…
- We ship the Alien Organisms found in this system to the Cryer base in Sigma-17. Cryer also needs our Polymers, and we return with Pharmaceuticals.
- We get many of our goods from the Junkers at Yanagi. Our boats haul Engine Components and Consumer Goods from there.
- The Artifacts that you can find in this system are not worth taking. We don't touch them; they are Corsair property. If you think differently, I recommend that you make sure you aren't behind on your policy payments to IC.
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| Corfu Base
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- Our brothers in Freeport 5 send us Polymers, Fertilizers, and Consumer Goods. It's a Zoner's duty to help other Zoners where we can. This is a dangerous part of space; only by sticking together can we make it.
- The biodomes we invested in here have paid off in spades. Everyone in this part of space comes here for Food, and we get the profits. Well, us and Synth Foods, of course. We ship Food to Atka in Sigma-17 and Freeport 5 in Omega-41.
- If you ask me, Freeport 9 had it coming for a long time. Honestly I'm surprised Corsairs took as long as they did to act. How can I say that? To me being a Zoner is about independence, spare me the 'solidarity' talk.
- My brother is a Corsair's hostage on Freeport 9, and he gets to send us a message once a week. Sadly, it all has to go through the Corsair network, so when he says he's fine, I can't help but wonder how true that is.
- Don't ask me where the Jump Hole is that leads to the Corsair homeworld. I've said too much already. The Corsairs would cut my throat if I dared to utter where the entrance to their system is. Just stay away from the Napo Cloud. I mean … it isn't in the Napo Cloud, it's ... I'm a dead man.
- The Artifacts that you can find in this system are not worth taking. We don't touch them; they are Corsair property. If you think differently, I recommend that you make sure you aren't behind on your policy payments to IC.
- We ship the Alien Organisms found in this system to the Cryer base in Sigma-17. Cryer also needs our Polymers, and we return with Pharmaceuticals.
- We get many of our goods from the Junkers at Yanagi. Our boats haul Engine Components and Consumer Goods from there.
- What are the idiots at Gran Canaria doing? We should have organized some sort of resistance, a fleet, ANYTHING! My kids are on that station and I don't even know if they're still alive!
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| Planet Gran Canaria
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- Most of the Bounty Hunters on and around Gran Canaria are paid for by independent contractors, whose identity we don't know. There are a large number of Corsairs and other people the House governments label as criminals that make their way here, so there is plenty of work for a Hunter here. But I guess it's not a very safe place for them out there, for every three Hunters that come this way, two are never heard from again.
- The amount of traffic we receive has increased over the last few years. There is a large demand for Pineal Amulets, which come from the "Goddess Geode" in Baffin. Those who bring them usually take back shipments of Deuterium. Perhaps they use it to fuel the Shasta Skyhook?
- Border World Exports has stepped up it's shipments to and from Gran Canaria over the past years. Usually they head for the Bretonian refugee camps here on Big Can. I guess people are getting desperate out in Leeds if they pay Bowex enough to cross both the Mollies in Dublin and the usual Corsair ambush in this system.
- Yes, this sector is more dangerous then many others. A potential powderkeg, situated between Bretonia and the southern Omega Borderworlds. Many ships cross through here though. Bretonians, Bountyhunters, Freelancers, but also Corsairs, Mollies and Hessians. As long as people refrain from shooting each other around our bases, we'll welcome anyone on Gran Canaria though. Our taverns and shops are open to all.
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| Planet Pygar
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- What is a Zoner? Everyone will give you a different answer, it seems, but I think the core of what we are is summed up best by one word: Independent. We don't need corporate overlords or parliaments to dictate how we are to enjoy our lives. When I first set foot on Gran Canaria, I couldn't believe how beautiful, how untouched it was. Now it's full of these tin soldiers and their Armed Forces banner. It made me so angry seeing them defile our home like that, but they are stronger. I think many of those who came here felt the same. This might not be as open and we might never see sunlight down here, but it is ours. See that Corsair over there? I hope he knows that he and his ilk better not provoke us.
- Honestly, I didn't want to come here. My wife, though. She's been absolutely incensed about what Bretonia did to our home on Gran Canaria. Can't really blame her. Tensions are pretty high. We never had that many strangers come to us and I fear that some of us Zoners aren't as open-minded when it comes to outsiders as we'd like to portray ourselves. Oh well, want a drink? Sorry if some of the others you've met have been a little terse.
- This place is enormous. We're sending out scouting parties into the tunnels daily and we still haven't found where they end. Been with them a couple times. Gotta tell you, when you're used to living, you know, not underground, you tend to get a little claustrophobic, even if the ceiling is often a hundred meters above you at least.
- Have you talked to the others so far? Beautiful, isn't it? Looking at the geological formations, this city is likely older than any other site of alien ruins we have found so far in Sirius. Most of the damage done to it is due to erosion, but even so, it is remarkably well preserved. It is truly a marvel of engineering. I wish I could've seen it when it was still intact. We found traces of color pigments on some of the ruins, so most of this might have actually been colorful. What I am really looking forward to is taking a look of some of the ruins that have inscriptions. If we can decipher the language, we might learn a lot of the culture that lived here.
- Out in the caves, the most creepy thing is that the slightest sounds can sometimes travel through quite a distance in these tunnels. Scared me to death when another search party was just talking and the walls warped the sounds. So far, most of what we've found is just caves, or overgrown with geology. And here I'd thought we could get rich quick with some artifacts.
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| Ames Research Station
|
- The Samura armored transport Nikko Maru was carrying Luxury Goods from Manhattan to New Tokyo when it was caught in the Dark Matter Storm of 784. It lies somewhere in the Matsuo Cloud along the abandoned Trade Lane.
- The Trade Lane path through the sister system of Kepler, Galileo, was constructed mainly as an insurance policy in case the Kepler Trade Lane was ever severed, something that Liberty and Kusari could not allow to happen. Guess they were right to build it, huh?
- The criminals in the area use our base as a supply point. Lane Hackers and Xenos come here to buy various supplies.
- The Kamakura Maru, a Samura transport carrying a cargo of Niobium, was caught in the Dark Matter Storm of 784. The storm destroyed the old Trade Lane route through the eastern part of the system. The ship is believed to lie somewhere in the Matsuo Cloud.
- We make supply runs to Deshima for essential Commodities such as Oxygen, Water, Consumer Goods, and Food.
- We sell the Xenos the supplies they need. They're different from us -- that's certain -- but we try and get along with everybody. They've been making trouble for Kusari shipping, and I've heard that the Kusari military has been vaporizing them here and there. But they keep coming and getting their supplies.
- Lane Hackers partly owe their origin to the Ames Research studies, which predicted that a huge storm would disrupt the system in 780. On the advice of Ageira technicians, Liberty financed a costly alternative Trade Lane through Galileo. When the storm didn't materialize, Ageira tried to redeem itself by ruthlessly ousting an elite development team and several executives, who re-emerged as the core of the northern Lane Hackers.
- Beware of the dark matter clouds. They have radiation and hide criminals. The Matsuo Cloud is named after the original Kusari explorer of this area, long before Jump Gates and Trade Lanes.
- We knew we were taking a risk by sticking with our station even in the thick of the storm, but it seems to have paid off. Our biggest concern was that the lull of traffic would make surviving out here tough, but the new dark and eerie form that the system has taken makes it appealing to tourists and explorers. The odd commercial ship will also chance it to save time wasted on the bypass, but they don't always make it.
- We call the tunnel that's formed around the lanes here the murky road, should be obvious why.
- The Kobe Maru was making its weekly Artifact run across the Shikoku system when it was ambushed by the Blood Dragons. The ship is presumed destroyed, and its whereabouts are unknown, although it's been rumored to be drifting somewhere in the Shiun Cloud.
- A Universal large transport named the McKinley was caught in the Dark Matter Storm of 784, which destroyed the old Trade Lane through the eastern part of the system. It was carrying a load of Superconductors.
- Langley Research Station was established by Ageira in 550 to study the Kuryo Anomaly in preparation for the construction of Trade Lanes by Deep Space Engineering. Jump Gates couldn't bypass this system because of the danger in traversing the dark matter clouds of the Anomaly -- a lesson painfully learned in the Texas Incident. Langley was destroyed during the Dark Matter Storm of 784. Its remnants still lie somewhere inside Kuryo Cloud.
- Explorers and salvagers are a common sight here nowadays. They don't always stay around long and some of them don't even come back at all, no idea what it is they're looking for. Maybe they want to see if this storm dragged anything in with it? More likely they're just insane.
- The Bounty Hunters here are a rough lot. I heard them joking about how they killed a group of Xenos in the Denko Cloud a few days ago. It sounds like Bounty Hunters really enjoy doing their job; it's just frightening how much they enjoy it.
- The Zoners occupied the research station soon after it was opened and eventually took over its operation when the research phase was complete. It's a difficult place, as the clouds are constantly on the move and could someday engulf the Freeport.
- Xenos won't mess with Liberty too much. They are more concerned with foreigners coming into Liberty space, so that's who they tend to attack. They've been squeezed hard in Colorado, which explains why they've set up a base here in Kepler.
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| Deshima Station
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- We don't have a lot of enemies in Libertonian space, but we don't have any friends here. My ship got attacked by some crazy women calling themselves the Golden Chrysanthemums. They freaked me out, talking about how I was a male oppressor and such. Hey, the Zoners don't oppress anybody.
- Ames, our base in Kepler, is currently weathering the dark matter storm. IThey could always use more supplies but few people are crazy enough to attempt, let alone survive the trip.
- I know our buddies in Freeport 6 need Commodities from this base. I'm glad that Kishiro makes the run. If Zoners had to do it, then there'd be a lot more of us getting all corpsed up.
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| Philadelphia Station
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- Say, Zoners are leaving Pensylvania, are they not? Anyone got some details about that? Yes? No? Maybe? Should I start packing? I don't think so.
- I'm not drunk enough yet to start blabbering. Here's a thought: Buy me another round!
- Did you know that the hull plating on those Zoner Whales is brittle as chalk? Not common knowledge that! Some Rogue told me that it takes less than a Vengeance 1st generation to punch a clean hole into those. Makes you wonder why they even bother to attach them. Someone probably got rich producing that crap.
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| Bethlehem Station
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- Being in the middle of everything and yet so insignificant among Zoners, Bethlehem developed its own profile. It's not as respected, successful, or perhaps even powerful as the reputations of other Zoner bases in Sirius. Behind this insignificance we're trying to hide our knowledge of the transactions happening in Pennsylvania. Beside Allentown or Milford Base there's also Niverton, where you can pick up the unlucky to haul them by a shortcut through Texas, Bering and Rheinland straight to the criminals of the Upper Omicrons. Sure, you might like the profits, but remember who we are: Free People. Don't be surprised to meet a Zoner in Pennsylvania who is openly naming you vermin when you are heading to the Maltese Nation.
- I should really get paid for my information services. Sitting here means that a lot of folks are coming around asking questions about Zoners. Oh yeah, all of them want to change. It's so fascinating to become a free person, a Zoner. You're so much more free then. Just leave the Libertonian misery, all the oppression and patronizing from their military junta. Guess what? Are you sure you can bear the misery of freedom?
- Some are calling themselves even Brothers and Sisters. Others are making their vows to fight and die for each other. And others are again building commercial networks spanning the whole of Sirius. Being a Zoner is more about doing whatever the hell you want then anything else. That's why the house governments don't really like us I guess.
- Too many people think that Zoners are submissive mollycoddles. You shouldn't believe that public perception. It's our mask of indifference that needs to be maintained, since most of the conflicts out there are not worth the time to even track them. It's always the same: some stupid tyrant is trying to make his megalomaniacal dreams come true. It's so - usual. So why should any reasonable person ever care about a casual noise here and there? We're observing it, we're nodding it away, and we just do our own thing.
- Viewing the universe with Zoner eyes is overwhelmingly exciting. You can travel anywhere just because you're a Zoner. You can discover secrets only a few Sirians know about, or you can satisfy your natural curiosity by just talking with people, and by being there, in the proper place when things are going to develop and evolve. Of course, being a Zoner also means you're out there pretty much on your own, so it helps to carry a big gun - preferably more.
- I took a vacation on Gran Canaria last month. Over-rated, if you ask me. Corsairs and Bretonians all over the place. Anytime I managed to find a Zoner, it was like meeting a long lost relative instead of a stranger. The immigration controls on that planet need a major overhaul. I can't wait to go back as soon as my restraining order expires!
- Among all the spies you may usually find on a Zoner Base the Gallians are the most enduring and cunning. Usually we're quite open to any kind of relations, with a comfortable attitude for all the petitioners to our intelligence services, but Gallic intelligence services are a completely different matter: we don't like them, but we still don't know how many Zoners are working for them. So take care who you're trusting when trying to open secret channels.
- I left my home, my fat children and my cheating wife. Heh, I still love to imagine her fury when she had found out that our account was swept clean for my Dromedary. A cousin of mine introduced me to the Zoners, and what can I say? They're cool. Just cool. They won't ask too many questions. They won't interfere with your business unless you're too daring and endangering their own existence, and sometimes, especially in the Edge Worlds, they will take a bullet for you. Sounds amazing? Well, it is.
- Have you been to Freeport 9? I hear it's beautiful! The nebulae are supposed to be the most romantic sight you'll ever see. And I hear there's all sorts of people at that Freeport. Folks from all over Sirius! Isn't that exciting?!
- You know what Bethlehem means, buddy? Yeah, it's a place of birth, so you might want to be reborn as a Zoner. Look around the bar, and you'll see plenty of Zoners here. This base is the best place to get in touch with us, and the place where you can achieve a record enabling you to travel almost wherever you like. Welcome to your adventures, but don't dare to cry if you're caught in one of the endless wars in the Border Worlds, or at the Edge. Take a drink, and return to your cozy place in Liberty where you've started to dream of a silly future.
- It's only about the credits with you, isn't it? All right, I'll tell you how to earn them. Fill up with Neon on the spacepad, then haul it somewhere. Where? Just about anywhere. Freeports, planets, research stations, shipping depots, they all pay top rates for the stuff.
- The Zoners are supposed to be a young movement, but if you're honest you've read about free spirited adventurers in the Sirian Histopedia. Who do you think these men and women were? Simple adventurers? Or would you rather like to believe that all the Zoners are just jumping on the weak promise of making their fortunes by adventure?
- Do you really believe that all of these corporate pilots docking at Bethlehem are just having a short break from their travels? Such naivete would be heartbreaking. The truth is that most of them cannot wait for the moment they enter New York again where the corrupted authorities are going to pamper them like babies, but they're docking here to find intermediaries who have established contacts with the black market. You know, in every cargo hold there's always some far away corner where you can store special commodities that might boost your poor corporate income.
- Zoners are quite different, depending on their surroundings. The Zoners here are pretty much conforming to Libertonian points of view. Except for their willingness to swallow everything the Navy demands from their submissive civilians of course. But messing around with the Navy leads to disaster, we know that, so everybody here is trying to conceal personal relations to the less appreciated groups in Liberty, although not a few of us are objecting to the Liberty Government or their oppressive Laws. It's called a democracy, but in fact it is nothing but a military dictatorship.
- You've docked here, and now you're thinking you've found the Zoners, aren't you? Here's good and bad news. The good is that you've found some Zoners indeed. The bad news is that you've only found some Zoners. The larger Zoner communities exist outside of House space, in the Borderworlds and Edge Worlds. Each Zoner base has its own feel and culture, influenced by the region and people going there. So out here, you've found mostly Zoners who have roots in Liberty, but got fed up with the corporations running our lives. Unlike the Xenos, we don't like to fight. We just move and give those corporations the finger. Literally sometimes.
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| Planet Erie
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- Keep your head down, LPI's everywhere nowadays and looking for anyone even remotely suspicious to fill out their quotas. They're calling it the renaissance of the prison industry, hell of a thing.
- This planet used to feel like an escape from how rigid life in Liberty feels, but now we're all caught up in civil unrest, and there's a warship in orbit. Where did it all go wrong?
- Erie is a large Neon exporter - it has a number of commercial applications that have made it valuable. It is most commonly used in cryogenics and refrigeration since Nitrogen and Helium are rather more expensive to mine, and it is also used in constructing laser weaponry and some lights. Of course, since the annexation, most of the Zoner plants were "sold" to Liberty corporations or closed down over "regulatory violations".
- Liberty was always going to occupy this planet. All this talk about peaceful coexistence is crap, the Houses don't like competition in close proximity. As far as straws go, we drew the shortest one possible by deciding to settle down here. I wish I had somewhere else to go.
- You can get a good price for Gaian Wildlife here, if you happen to be over in Bretonia and are thinking of shipping something back. Of course, the Bretonian and Liberty governments generally consider those live animals from planet Gaia in the Edinburgh system to be illegal, so watch yourself if you choose to transport them. Still, think of the money.
- I've lived on Erie all my life, right here in the planetary capital city of Lake City. My parents were advocates of the Zoner way of life, and helped settle this planet when I was only 5 years old. There used to be quite a few virulent microorganisms on Erie, but they can only be transmitted by insect bites. Thankfully, all of the insect carriers were eliminated during the initial settlement, so you don't need to worry about getting any shots during your stay.
- Liberty was always going to occupy this planet. All this talk about peaceful coexistence is crap, the Houses don't like competition in close proximity. As far as straws go, we drew the shortest one possible by deciding to settle down here. I wish I had somewhere else to go.
- You know ... why do missiles explode after a while? Must have been a genius applying such a trigger. Or some poor soul who has a stray missile rain down on his home...
- This planet used to feel like an escape from how rigid life in Liberty feels, but now we're all caught up in civil unrest, and there's a warship in orbit. Where did it all go wrong?
- Looking for jump holes? Hmm, I can tell you where one is. Look on your Nav map. You'll find the Texas jump hole to the far south of this planet, even further south than the suns in this system. Be careful though, I hear there's a Xeno base out that way.
- Ack... I should really move to Gran Canaria. Two suns, white beaches, naked companions and fresh drinks. It is also the only place you can see a Corsair playing with a beach ball wearing nothing but a pair of short pants.
- Cattle ranches are big business on Erie, although in the southern hemisphere there is quite a considerable amount of atmospheric mining for Neon. There's a lot of Neon gas in the atmosphere, and it's extremely useful for various commercial applications, so the scientists and bigwigs tell me. I don't care really, so long as they leave me and my cattle alone.
- I was born on Los Angeles, but I grew sick of the endless smell of Synth Crop on the wind. I'm telling you now, it's disgusting. Then again, maybe you like Synth Paste? You look the type. In any case, I eventually got tired of living in the corporate state that is Liberty and decided to head out and live on Freeport 2 for a while, before being asked by a few friends to come here. It's not a bad place, but not where I envisioned ending up. Still, it is better than Los Angeles.
- Keep your head down, LPI's everywhere nowadays and looking for anyone even remotely suspicious to fill out their quotas. They're calling it the renaissance of the prison industry, hell of a thing.
- There was a battle in early 767 AS, right here in Lake City, which is the capital city of planet Erie as I'm sure you youngsters know already. We Zoners may be pacifistic and we try to keep a neutral stance, but we still get attacked, so we always have armed security for our protection. Anyway, these pirates attacked us and they'd landed their own forces to take control of the planet. Thing is, we don't like thuggish upstarts trying to take our homes away from us, and we gave 'em hell. Unfortunately, there were more of 'em than there were of us and if it weren't for the Liberty Navy intervening, Erie'd probably be a pirate stronghold by now. Of course, I doubt Liberty saved us out of the goodness of their hearts, as they themselves moved into the system a year later, but we still owe them our lives, so I guess we've got to thank them Libertonians for something.
- I would give my left arm for a fresh orange juice! We can travel the stars and colonize hundreds of worlds, but what for? We eat Synth Paste and drink recycled water. Say, have you ever encountered a transport hauling the famous Liberty Ale?
- I'm in charge of one of the heavy transports that make the run from here to Corfu carrying supplies of Neon gas for the researchers there. I'm not sure why they need so much of the gas. Maybe they're doing some kind of cryogenic research there... It is a long run and quite dangerous in places, especially in the Omegas, but it is worth it once you get there. I will soon have earned enough to retire.
- I know of a jump hole to the California system, in the far west of the system in relation to your nav map display. I hear either the Rogues or the Junkers have a base somewhere out that way too, but I wouldn't put too much stock in rumours. Never been out that way myself, I tend to stick to the trade lane network wherever I can, it is much safer.
- I work in the Neon mining industry in the south, and it pays well enough. While Neon isn't flammable or particularly toxic, the gas requires an extensive cooling plant in order to seperate it from the atmosphere. When the coolers fail, the gases boil quickly and the tanks can explode. Ruptures in the tanks can also snapfreeze anyone standing close by in case of a spill. Not a very nice way to go...
- Aside from the Neon industry, most of Erie is rural, or even still wilderness. The colonies on this planet are still quite young, it'll take ages to settle the entire planet. That suits us Zoners fine, it'll mean it's a generation or two yet before this planet becomes so crowded that the Zoner way of life becomes impossible here.
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| Harrisburg Station
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- A wise old Zoner prophet used to frequently say, 'And sometimes, it just rains avocados.'
- I like my ale. If you get drunk enough the world ceases to be so dreary. The stars look a little brighter with each sip.
- Just yesterday I saw this Rogue pilot. I think his name is Kenneth or something. Bloody amazing pilot, I tell you. Until he smacked cockpit-first into a warning buoy. Bloody amazing explosion, I tell you.
- Have you heard of that Zoner transport that got lost in California? I bet it was a pirate ambush! Its more and more dangerous even in the core systems.
- One old Zoner I used to know would often say everything was just 'Shiney'.
- Ahh, Harrisburg. You know, rumor has it this place radiates some kind of strange energy that impairs mental function. They call it... Harris Syndrome or something.
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| Planet Hamburg
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- It feels strange to stand here in this city. The Zoners do not have a planet that we can call home. We are accustomed to the low-gravity environments of our Freeports. We only visit House systems like Hamburg if we must procure supplies that are not sold by passing ships.
- The Zoners' philosophy is to not antagonize anyone. We wish to coexist in peace with all factions in the Sirius sector, whether they are criminal or government. Zoners who cannot abide by this code are asked to leave. They often become Bounty Hunters. So we have a special relationship with the Guild.
- You should visit our Freeport in Bering. Be careful of the Unioners, though. They often prey on shipping in the southern end of our system. There are no military patrols along the Lanes until you reach Freeport 2.
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| Heisenberg Research Station
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- I generally run simple supplies to this station, like water and food rations. They don't have any biodomes here, so they can't grow their own food, so it's good business. Not to mention the conversation is always engaging.
- This station is almost like a Zoner freeport, and yet so much different. We Zoners are forced to deal with Corsairs, who don't respect anyone. We enforce our no fire zones using whatever ships that are around the aggravated freeport at that time. Over here though there is no need for a "no fire zone". The Hessians and the Unioners seem to accept that this is a civilian station, and rarely cause any trouble. The few Bounty Hunters that stop by generally follow suit. If only it was as easy in Omicron Theta...
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| Freeport 11
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- It probably is public knowledge by now that the base ownerships here can change faster than rumours travel - an almost impossible accomplishment, I might add - and that the Order now conquers a Core base in the asteroid field and the Core conquers the former Corsair base in the orbit of Nauru. The conflict can get our trade flourishing by supplying both sides with ammunition or other goods in secret. As long as we do not publically align ourselves with either faction or cause either faction trouble, we can cut ourselves a good deal out of their homocides. Bad for them, good for us. A Zoner's best weapon is his brain. Sadly, words do not help you that much against the Nomads out there. My friends on the station have evacuated long ago, but I refuse to give my business up. We are extremely safe in this Freeport, despite everything they say. The only thing that never goes away is the feeling of being watched.
- Y'know, I can't say I'm too concerned about the whole Theta situation. It'll wash over soon enough. It's not like the Corsairs would be able to threaten us here in Delta, with Core HQ in the system. We're just fine over here. They are however, no longer welcome here as a result.
- Got some spicy information for you: There are rumors about alien ruins uncovered in Omicron Pi! Apparently the stuff you can get there is different from your typical Artifacts in the circulation. Supposedly, some of them are even active, which got all sorts of people interested. Problem is: the jump hole leading there is highly unstable and nothing bigger than a freighter can squeeze through, and the system itself is extremely dangerous. Me? I'm fine listening to the stories, thank you.
- We've recently increased the prices on goods sold to the Core. They don't really have alternatives, so we get to give them a taste of their own corporate greed. Offsets us quite well on the loss of Corsair customers.
- The political situation has changed recently. The Nomads are applying more and more pressure to this system. But what actually worries me the most is the 'little' war going on between the Order and the Core. Neither side wants to acknowledge the superiority of one another and both seek to think that only their way is the correct one. Eventually, they'll see where this leads them. But not without any collateral damage to the innocent population publically aligning with neither faction. I am going to dislike it if the Core tries to further impose their own regulations upon us. The Order often is not any better, but they atleast pack their threat in neat wording. Either way is not what I sought for when I left the houses. What worries me the most actually is the fact that either faction could seek a central staging point in this battleground - which Freeport 11 would be ideal for, especially if the Nomads keep increasing their pressure. I do consider looking for a different home, as I keep losing shipment after shipment. The Core and Order claim to be our protectors, but neither of them is fit for the job if they keep fighting each other. It would be a different matter if the Zoners could defend themselves, but we have to rely on winning the favour of our neighbors, simple as that.
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| Dabadoru Station
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- The Core is an indirect enemy of Zoners such as me. They are bent on bringing regulation to our home in total freedom, despite us leaving the houses for their rules in the first place. We do not want their laws, taxes and oppression. Many of us will not admit it and none of us could actually do something about it. The Core is an organised military and the Zoners are not even united by definition.
- You probably ask yourself what a Zoner is doing on this installation. I am here to ensure these guys have everything they need to make a stand against Core and the Nomads. I am not afraid of those freaks as The Order is happy to keep them off our backs while we ship needed goods through the Omicrons. It has been like that ever since Zoners moved into deeper edge worlds and I like it that way. Besides, every home is better than the Freeport, whose supply runs keep getting hit. Most of our supplies have to come through Omicron Rho and then smuggled to Dabadoru. Some of my men have already been caught, and the Core does not go lightly on those that seek to supply the Order.
- The Order has been here way before us. As we set up our shop in the deeper Omicrons, they only had few minor regulations to which I would happily oblige if it kept the peace. As long we followed very few and simple directions we were left to pursue almost any goals a Zoner could have. Many if not all of the later restrictions are things I do not want to have anything in common with to begin with. I do not need volatile Nomad technology to be happy, they can take it all. With all the ships I lose to these aliens, I am happy to have as little to do with them as possible. I know that a minority would like to think of us Zoners as strong entity that can stand their ground against everything around the different homes that different Zoners built. I only wish that their death makes others realise how dependent we are on the neutrality with our neighbors. Freeport 11 would definitely cease to exist if we have more enemies than the Nomads to worry about.
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