Lane Hackers (player faction)
- This is a player faction. For the affiliated NPC faction, see Lane Hackers
| Lane Hackers | |
 | |
| Origin |  Liberty
|
| Affiliation | Lane Hackers |
| Alignment | Unlawful |
| Profile | |
| Date of founding | unknown |
| Founder(s) | Moriarty |
| Current leader(s) | Nicole Hunter |
| Base of operations | Mactan Base, Magellan |
| Secondary Base | Leiden Base, Galileo |
| Identification | |
| Primary ID | Lane Hackers ID |
| IFF | Hacker Guard |
| Primary role | |
| Piracy | |
| Secondary role | |
| Naval Befuddlement | |
History
Lane Hackers are mostly composed of former Los Angeles Ageira Technologies employees who created the extremely complex scanning and database system known as USI (Universal Ship Identification). Departing the company rather acrimoniously in 750 AS, they have become a growing problem in the Independent Worlds.
The Lane Hackers in Magellan and Galileo share one common origin Ageira. The scandal that erupted within the company after the great Galileo bypass project, which resulted in the unnecessary construction of a hugely expensive set of Jump Gates and Trade Lanes, forced several executives and an elite development team out. This would become the second part of the core of the Lane Hackers, along with the original California scanner group that fled to Magellan. The investigation continues to this day, but has so far been unsuccessful in locating the Lane Hacker bases.
No Hacker has ever been captured, although various Rogues in the Independent Worlds have been caught possessing remarkably accurate information regarding upcoming high-value shipments. Security measures have been added to the software, but the Hackers remain one step ahead, leading Ageira security experts to believe that there are many sympathetic programmers still within the company, possibly being secretly paid off with the proceeds from the thefts. The Lane Hackers prefer to sell their information to others rather than do the dirty work themselves, although they sometimes swoop in and tractor in a cargo if it's particularly juicy. Fancying themselves as modern-day Robin-hoods, they avoid direct confrontation when possible, unless it is the henchmen of the despised IC and Ageira.
They like to frequent Freeport 4 and the Ames Research Station, as their asteroid bases within the clouds can become claustrophobic. Their Cardamine addiction forces the Hackers to trade drugs for Trade Lane info with the Outcasts at the Mactan base. Leiden is a key transfer point for smuggled goods between Kusari and Liberty, especially the Artifact trade, which the Hogosha dominate. A steady stream of Hogosha ships make the journey to the Galileo system. The Lane Hackers have also been spotted in Colorado, leading authorities to speculate that there may be multiple Jump Hole routes into that system from the Independent Worlds.
Goals
- The bankruptcy of the corrupt Ageira Technologies, the fraudulent Deep Space Engineering, the nefarious Interspace Commerce and the dissolute cartel known as Independent Neuralnet Division.
- Confiscation of all revenues illicitly purloined from the intellectual expertise of former, current, and future Ageira employees by Ageira Technologies with the collusion of Deep Space Engineering, Interspace Commerce, their corporate conspirators and associated hoodlums in Independent Neuralnet Division.
- Elimination of the hypocritical and puritanical social and legal restrictions on the use of the intellectual enhancer Cardamine.
- The eventual use of confiscated revenues to establish a new Research & Development technology firm to replace the nefarious Ageira Technologies. The firm will honor its employees, conduct fair and just business practices, and pursue technological innovations for the benefit of all mankind. The firm's first project will be the development of an inter-dimensional, quasi-molecular, table-top nomad-brain disgronifier suitable for purchase by every middle-class family in Sirius. Then families can sleep peacefully without worrying about whether there is a nomad under the bed or about to leap out of the dark closet at 2 am when you have to get up to go to the bathroom because you just had to drink that 26th Sidewinder Fang before you left your neighbor's groovy shindig.
Methods
- The interdiction and disruption of all commercial traffic in the colony of Liberty and its bordering systems in order to bankrupt Ageira Technologies, Deep Space Engineering, Interspace Commerce and Independent Neuralnet Division through disruption of their contractual obligations throughout Sirius.
- Harassment and, where necessary, termination of all so-called "legal authorities" under the corrupting influence of Ageira Technologies, Deep Space Engineering, Interspace Commerce and Independent Neuralnet Division.
- Infiltration of commercial interests by Lane Hackers at every level of planning, production, logistics, and security services to provide timely intelligence to the Lane Hacker Professorship and allied parties. Disruption of all broadcasts of the ancient Terran Techno-Operational Treatises known as "James Bond films". Confiscation of all known copies of these Treatises for Lane Hacker training purposes.
- Leveraging the Lane Hacker alliance with the Outcasts and Liberty Rogues to further insinuate the enlightenment of Cardamine into Liberty Society at every level.
- Embarrass, humiliate, harass, prank, infiltrate, disrupt, annoy, irritate, purify, cleanse, flail, disgronify, discombobulate, confuse, disconcert, fluster, rattle, encumber, thwart, obstruct, hinder, impede, interfere, and tickle Liberty Security Force and Liberty Navy at every turn to reward them for so masterfully and effectively shilling for Ageira Technologies, Deep Space Engineering and Interspace Commerce. This shall include but not be limited to sneaking Cardamine into the food supply at the LSF and Liberty Navy barracks and depositing yellow organic liquid supplements into their drinking water at every opportunity.
Career advancement
Lane Hackers advance in rank by making contributions to the achievement of the Lane Hackers' goals and correctly following the Lane Hackers' methods and operational guidelines. These contributions are measured by contribution of credits to the Lane Hacker Research & Development fund, successful completion of assignments, creation of unique plans to achieve the Lane Hackers' goals, assassination of corporate villains and their police or navy flunkies and active participation in Lane Hacker operations.
All captured pilots should be surrendered to designated interrogation vessels or to a Lane Hacker Professor. Contact a Lane Hacker with the security codes to the interrogation vessels in order to arrange the surrender of captured pilots. Records of your accumulated contributions of pilots and credits will be kept and will be used to determine your career advancement.
Lane Hackers are completely prohibited from accepting transfers of credits from their non-Hacker relatives throughout Sirius. The Lane Hackers prosper due to the productivity of its members, thus all Lane Hackers are expected to make financial contributions to The Lane Hackers on an ongoing basis above and beyond the requirements necessary for career advancement. Failure to follow Lane Hacker Protocols may subject pilots to demotion or expulsion.
Initiates are young Lane Hackers or recently enlightened and converted former citizens of Liberty who were found worthy of undergoing special Lane Hacker training in advanced hacking and extortion protocols, as well as superior operational techniques, including subterfuge and electronic warfare. Initiates are allowed to pilot freighters and light fighters. In order to prove themselves, Initiates should focus their efforts on becoming proficient in Lane Hacker extortion techniques, efficient teamwork, tactical combat and fulfill following promotion criteria within month from their acceptance into the faction:
- Identity: Maintain a Lane Hacker pilot and one unit of Cardamine on your ship at all times. If your ship is destroyed in combat, replacement uniform and Cardamine will be provided from the interrogation vessels or Cochrane Depot.
- Reputation: Hack your ship's transponder to squawk Lane Hacker Guard IFF and maintain green reputation with Liberty Rogues, Liberty Rogue Guard, Outcasts, Mollys and Junkers. Submit proof to the Lane Hackers. You may consult The Lane Hacker Technical Manual for instructions how to efficiently hack your transponder.
- Persistence: Complete at least 5 hours of service in good standing and submit proof to the Lane Hackers. Do not leave zone of active operations.
- Aptitude: Demonstrate mastery of the general operational tactics and special tactical maneuvers contained in The Lane Hacker Technical Manual during examination performed by a Deceiver or higher ranked member.
- Cautiousness: Perform intelligence gathering operation in accordance to guidelines contained in the Lane Hacker Technical Manual. Submit a report including relevant visual footage directly to the Lane Hackers. High quality reports containing intelligence of significant value will be also sent the Lane Hacker Internal Comms and rewarded with 5 000 000 SC.
- Determination: Perform extortion of three commercial transports of any affiliation using a light fighter or freighter either alone or in cooperation with other Lane Hackers. Submit a report including relevant visual footage directly to the Lane Hacker Internal Comms.
- Relentlessness (optional): Capture 50 hostile pilots and secure their relocation to one of the interrogation vessels docked at various facilities. Contact a Deceiver or higher ranked member to arrange the prisoner transfer. Submit proof to the Lane Hackers.
- Personality (optional): Develop your hacking skills by infiltrating the personnel database of the company that previously employed you to retrieve your dossier. Submit results to The Lane Hackers. Consult The Lane Hacker Dossiers for reference.
Initiates who are promoted to Interruptor will receive funds to purchase a fighter of their choice and upgrade their equipment. Initiates who complete all optional requirements will receive an Armor Upgrade Mark VIII.
Interruptors are Lane Hackers who through their performance during initiation period have proven to be proficient in standard operational, hacking and extortion protocols. Interruptors are allowed to pilot transports and fighters of any weight class. Interruptors should further refine their skills of interception, interdiction and extortion of commercial traffic, and focus on the development of their Cardamine-enhanced Lane Hacker persona. Interruptors advance to Deceivers by fulfilling following promotion criteria:
- Relentlessness: Capture 50 hostile pilots and secure their relocation to one of the interrogation vessels docked at various facilities. Contact a Deceiver or higher ranked member to arrange the prisoner transfer. Submit proof to the Lane Hackers.
- Personality: Develop your hacking skills by infiltrating the personnel database of the company that previously employed you to retrieve your dossier. Submit results to The Lane Hackers. Consult The Lane Hacker Dossiers for reference.
- Command: Lead a successful lockdown operation while commanding a wing of at least three vessels. Consult The Lane Hacker Technical Manual for tactical guidelines.
- Manipulation: Demonstrate the correct use of mania-interrogation and harassment methods towards corporate, police or navy villains. Submit log of the interrogation to the Lane Hackers Internal Comms. Consult Internal Comms for excellent examples of mania-interrogations.
- Reliability: Complete standard mission assignment. Consult The Lane Hacker Mission Archives for current assignments and upload mission logs there. Completion of one phase of a mission or a mission of higher difficulty also fulfills this criterion.
- Vigilance: Perform extortion of three commercial transports of affiliated with Ageira Technologies, Deep Space Engineering or Interspace Commerce using a fighter, freighter or transport either alone or in cooperation with other Lane Hackers. Submit a report including relevant visual footage directly to the Lane Hacker Internal Comms.
- Contribution: Achieve a total lifetime contribution to the Lane Hacker Research & Development fund of 5 million credits. Submit proof of a transfer to LH~R&D to the Lane Hackers.
Deceivers are Lane Hackers who have mastered operational, hacking and extortion techniques and have enough skills to operate independently. Deceivers are allowed to pilot bombers, are given standard access to Lane Hacker resources and can lead operations within Bretonia region. Deceivers should focus on their overall contribution to Lane Hacker goals and methods. Creativity and brainstorming is highly encouraged. Deceivers advance to Infiltrators by fulfilling following criteria:
- Contribution: Achieve a total lifetime contribution to the Lane Hacker Research & Development fund of 25 million credits. Submit proof of a transfer to LH~R&D to the Lane Hackers.
- Creativity: Brainstorm and write a mission for contribution to the mission requirements for Interruptors. Follow the format of existing missions. Missions should at least in a general way contribute to Lane Hacker goals. Missions that may be divided into multiple phases are preferred. Follow this procedure for mission creation. First write a brief description of the mission concept and consult it with a Lane Hacker Professor for approval. Once approved, create the full mission briefing in imitation of existing missions and submit it to the Lane Hackers.
- Mentorship: Have personally conducted the training and examination of at least one Initiate.
- Resourcefullness: Complete advanced mission assignment. Consult The Lane Hacker Mission Archives for current assignments and upload mission logs there. Completion of one phase of a mission or a mission of higher difficulty also fulfills this criterion.
- Initiative: Successfully intercept and interdict one transport belonging to primary branch of Ageira Technologies, Deep Space Engineering, Interspace Commerce or Independent Neuralnet Division. Submit a report including relevant visual footage directly to the Lane Hacker Internal Comms.
- Proficiency: Participation in the assassination of one corporate villain or one of their military hoodlums in the furtherance of Lane Hacker goals and methods. It is not necessary for you to make the kill shot, you must only be fully committed to the battle. Submit a report including relevant visual footage directly to the Lane Hacker Internal Comms.
- Conviction: Demonstrate mastery of The Lane Hackers' Goals, Methods, Operational Guidelines and The Lane Hacker Technical Manual through both verbal testing and flight demonstration for a Lane Hacker Professor.
Infiltrators are the most experienced and resourceful Lane Hackers in the organization. Through the course of their career they have become masters of subterfuge and infiltration. Infiltrators are allowed to take command of gunboats, can utilize coded transponders, are given highest level access to Lane Hacker resources and can lead operations within Kusari region. Infiltrators advance to Provocateurs by fulfilling criteria listed below. Full details of criteria are only available by a special request. These details must not be discussed with anyone other than Professors.
- Longevity: Must have completed two months of duties as a Lane Hacker. This will be dated from your first contact. When you are ready to begin attempting the rest of the criteria, submit a request to the Professorship.
- Virtuosity
- Deadliness
- Leadership
- Studiousness
- Dastardliness
- Ingeniousness
Document all of your antics in fulfilling these criteria and post them in the Lane Hacker Internal Comms as they are achieved. Do not connect your activities to the completion of Provocateur requirements publicly, simply report them as ordinary activities. Be sure to notify the Professorship.
Provocateurs are the most elite Lane Hackers demonstrating abilities and skills above and beyond of what is expected of the typical member. Provocateur is not a rank, it is an honorary title indicating the completion of exceptional challenges in the Lane Hacker's career. Provocateurs are extremely talented individuals excelling in every aspect of the Lane Hacker profession. Being masters at combat and survival, they plan, prepare and execute most daring operations against enemies of the Lane Hackers. Provocateurs are allowed to command ship of any class.
Professors are the masterminds behind every operation carried out by the Lane Hackers. Known for their exceptional intelligence and strategic thinking, Lane Hacker Professors tend to calculate their wily stratagems ten steps ahead and hide plans within plans within plans. Promotion to Professor is only available when there is a vacancy. All Infiltrators and Provocateurs interested in the promotion will be required to compete for the job through a competition constructed by the sitting Professors. Traditionally, it is a special mission assignment.
Diplomacy
Identification
On joining the Hacker ranks, members dispose of their former identities and adopt aliases. These aliases are primarily the names of prominent antagonists taken from the "James Bond Documentary Series" of ancient Earth.
Lane Hackers identification tags:
- Lane Hackers: LH~
- Assassins: LH~A~
Lane Hackers carry Lane Hacker IDs and squawk either Lane Hacker or Lane Hacker Guard IFFs.
