Essen Station

From Discovery Wiki
Essen Station
Owner
Kruger Minerals
Location
D/E-3, New Berlin

CLASS: Abbey

GRAVITY: Partial

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 780

Essen Station is the headquarters and primary manufacturing facility for Kruger Minerals, a once proud company currently experiencing hard times. Wishing to exploit the vast gas resources of the Crow Nebula despite claims made to the territory by the Gas Miners Guild (GMG), Kruger was a primary supporter of the 80-Years War. After that conflict ended in disaster, Kruger's capital was exhausted and the company persecuted. Today Kruger is attempting to rebuild by allying itself with ALG Waste Disposal.

Bribes & Missions Offered

Bribes
Missions


Commodities

Imports
Commodity Price
Hessian Tears 105$
Rheinbier 21$
Titanium 26$
Zinc 43$
Copper 163$
Oxygen 4$
Water 4$
Diamonds 103$
Food Rations 28$
H-Fuel 106$
Consumer Goods 22$
Nanocapacitors 19$
Neon 31$
Synth Paste 7$
Helium 30$
Aluminium 105$
Industrial Materials 10$
Xenobiotic Filters 25$
HazMat Canisters 16$
Passengers (Rheinland) 228$
Exports
Commodity Price
Deployable Mining Container 50,000$
Robotics 8$
Crew 254$
Toxic Waste 4$
MOX 17$
Basic Alloy 7$
Mining Machinery 7$


Ships sold


Ship Class Price
Surveyor Heavy Fighter 5,408$
Ceres Armored Transport Gunboat 951,098$
Arrastra Super Heavy Fighter 45,002$


News

[832 AS] Battleship Strausberg lost in Dresden!

DRESDEN -- 832 AS -- A surprise assault has been conducted by the Military battlegroup spearheaded by Battleship Strausberg, which up until now safeguarded the Dresden's gate into New Berlin. The assault was primarily aimed at taking out the Leipzig Station, a former Daumann station that Red Hessian took a residence in after its abandonment in 818 AS.

While the battlegroup successfully managed to destroy both Leipzig Station, as well as Bundschuh controlled Bautzen Station, the assault ended in a catastrophic loss of the Battleship Strausberg, having been ambushed by a heavy Hessian battlegroup. While the Strausberg itself managed to successfully withdraw from the battle, its engines failed halfway towards the New Berlin Jump Gate, and the order was made to scuttle the ship to avoid it falling into the Hessian hands.

As a result, massive riots are taking place all around Rheinland, demanding Kaiser's resignation from his position due to his reckless actions making Rheinland even less safe than it already is. We have reached out to the Kaiser Cabinet, but were refused any comments at the time of publication.

[832 AS] Kaiser declares war on Red Hessians!

NEW BERLIN -- 832 AS -- Earlier today, the Kaiser announced in a surprise press release that the Rheinland has not been putting nearly enough focus on its internal issues as it should. The Red Hessians, in particular, have been a movement that spiraled out of control many years ago, and needs to be addressed by any means necessary. Kaiser's speech lasted a total of 10 minutes, and notable highlights included belittling of the movement origins, calling the Hessians "Liberty Rogue wannabe's wanting to paint themselves as victims", "skulking rats" and other expletives. The speech ended in a bold statement, claiming that in no more than five years, Hessians would be nothing more but a shameful note in Rheinland's history.

Shortly afterward, a bill mandating a 5%% increase in military spending was passed, along with some minor policies aimed at increased security in the core systems. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

[832 AS] Cardamine Withdrawal Epidemic!

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/747 AGS] Gate Corps Clash Over 'Blackout'!

ABBEVILLE -- 831 AS/747 AGS -- EFL's 'Resilience Taskforce' today reported its findings on The Blackout, claiming to have gathered forensic evidence that proved the cause as Ageira negligence. A spokesperson claimed that the destruction of the Dublin jump gate by Molly separatists had created a hyperspace feedback loop that was propagated and amplified through the Ageira gate network.

Ageira disputed this finding in their own press release, calling EFL 'fantasists' and countering that their own scientists had narrowed the cause to a rare 'hypernova' stellar event that originated outside the Sirius sector. Both corporations claim that network-wide hardware safeguards have been implemented that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Independent researchers have sharply criticized the corporate announcements, accusing both of self-interested misdirection.

Professor Sophia Nagel from Heisenberg Research Station called EFL's accusation 'incoherent' and the hypernova explanation 'nonsense' that did not explain the characteristics of the 'Blackout Pulse'. Despite multiple different Pulse recordings being widely disseminated across the neural net, public efforts have so far failed to triangulate its source.

[831 AS/747 AGS] 'Blackout' Causes Jump Network Fail

MANHATTAN -- 831 AS/747 AGS -- Two days ago Jump Gates failed simultaneously across Sirius, freezing commerce and neural net access across the sector. When the network resumed 31 hours later, restored communications broke the news of Bretonia's loss of the Dublin system. This twin shock has plunged the market into chaos, prompting fears of sector-wide economic recessions. Interspace estimates indicate that the stoppage alone caused billions of credits in losses. Gallia immediately accused Liberty of culpability for the outage, claiming the destruction of Dublin's jump gate instigated a cascading failure in faulty Ageira infrastructure. Ageira has sharply refuted the allegation, claiming such a systemic effect would be physically impossible. Independent researchers in Cologne and the Edge Worlds have also announced that a hyperspace pulse of unprecedented strength was detected moments before The Blackout, with data about 'The Pulse' being widely shared across the neural net in recent days. House authorities have remained tight lipped, refusing to comment on their own observatories' data.

[830 AS] Bessemer Struck by Corsair Raiders!

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

STUTTGART -- 828 AS -- The enemies of Synth Foods in the Houses of Rheinland and Kusari have always acted according to motivations that are near identical. Both wish to oust the corporation from Liberty from what they perceive as their land, and it seems the groups have decided to act in concert to do just that. Attacks against the food giant's vessels have multiplied and are now being launched on an interhouse scale, likely in retaliation to the fact that Synth Foods has begun to regain its lost share in Rheinland and is reinforcing roots in Kusari as well.

It remains to be seen how this united Farmers Alliance will impact affairs on the wider stage, with the security forces of both Houses already strained by their fair share of crime and dissidence.

[828 AS] Cologne Aftermath

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] Samura Debuts Next Generation Surveyor

NEW TOKYO -- 828 AS -- Samura Spokesperson Kenichiro Watanabe introduced a new line of Next-Gen Surveyors to the Consumer Utilities Convention Keynote Expo to thunderous applause: "The Surveyor is more than just a ship, it's a symbol of ingenuity and industrial development to all the Sirian Colonies. It's a pattern that dates back to our origins in the Sol system, and it's a pattern that will persist for many generations to come. Just as we have adapted to meet new challenges, so too must the Surveyor to meet emergent needs."

The Next-Gen Surveyor is slated to roll out multiple updates ranging from technological optimizations to upgraded armor and firepower capabilities. Many of the new modifications directly address a recent study by the Sirius International Institute of Statistics and Economics, citing up to 32 percent losses by BMM and Kruger Minerals to piracy and related factors.

The ship's expanded armour increased the ship's mass by almost 50 percent, which forced Samura's Surveyor team to completely overhaul the ship's power delivery system, powerplant, and hull. The new ship utilizes a power delivery system integrated into the super-alloy frame. The integrated frame was torture tested at the Aso High Altitude Proving Grounds, and sports certifications as best in class for maneuvering with a load under high Gs.

Though time will tell whether the upgrade will prove successful in addressing the increase of piracy, the stock market has greeted the welcome news with a 15 point general increase, and a relative high for Samura and mining sector stocks.

[828 AS] Hessians Flee Under Rheinlands Might!

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.


Rumors

Kruger Minerals
  • Our operations in Dresden and Omega-7 have been plagued by the Red Hessians in recent times. We never mistreated our workers as Daumann has. Yet many of our laid-off workers that joined the Hessians soon felt that way. We are always in the shadow of Daumann -- paying for their mistakes, or watching them profit from ours.


  • Kruger could once compete with Daumann, but they are now much larger and more diversified. We still hold a commanding lead in Mining Machinery, and hold key deposits of Diamonds and Silver. But that is not enough. Kruger Minerals will eventually be crushed by the Daumann goliath if radical steps are not taken soon.


  • Our H-Fuel-extraction operation in Mannheim is totally dependent on government subsidies for its survival. It has not been profitable since the end of the war, 120 years ago. Once Berlin can no longer support it, the last vestige of that sad chapter in Rheinland history will be gone.


  • Kruger has seen better days. We've been forced to lay off many of our workers in recent times. Our company incurred vast debts at the beginning of the Eighty-Years War when we lost more than half our mining fleet to the GMG. We've never recovered from that dark period.


  • Secret negotiations are underway between ALG and Kruger. ALG would like to merge our companies into one giant corporation that can build all types of machinery and Engine Components to finally truly compete with Daumann's Ring. It is a tempting offer, but there are complications. The membership of the IMG, one of ALG's partners, views us with suspicion. Many of them are former Kruger employees.


  • Daumann lies at the heart of Rheinland's problems. They have paid for many a Rheinland government functionary's palatial residence in the countryside of Stuttgart over the centuries. At the same time, their merciless treatment of workers in Leipzig led directly to the Popular Revolution and all the unrest that followed. You can thank them for the rise of the Red Hessians.


  • Kruger's management felt that we had no choice but to expand into the Crow Nebula. Daumann had blocked our expansion plans in Dresden, and Berlin was exhausted. We felt that there was enough gas for everyone in Sigma-13, but that viewpoint was obviously not shared by the GMG.


  • This has been Kruger's headquarters since early in the second century. We are a proud family company that helped build the industrial might of Rheinland. Kruger still produces the finest Mining Machinery in the Sirius sector, utilizing our cheap supply of Diamonds from the Dresden system.


  • The Aachenfeld was Kruger's primary mining area for centuries. When it was exhausted, we were forced to expand our exploration efforts into Omega-7. We have a profitable Silver mine in operation there now. We also own a synthetic H-Fuel-extraction facility in the Frankfurt system.


Gateway Shipping
  • My ship is picking up a load of Mining Machinery to take out to the IMG operation in Omega-7. We were just over at Dortmund across the way, dropping off some copper from Freistadt.


  • There are a lot of people at Gateway who aren't sure we should get so close to the Rheinlanders. We were doing fine with the IMG before ALG came along. Now they want to buy Kruger, which will result in a massive corporation like Daumann or Republican. We're being straight-armed by ALG into accepting their proposal, with little or no say in the matter.


  • Gateway does not often deal with Kruger. But that could change soon. They say that ALG will soon acquire the remnants of this once-proud company for next to nothing. Can't say it surprises me; Kruger's been on the ropes for decades.


RGS Shipping
  • One day soon we will no longer stop here. Rumor has it that the ALG/Gateway alliance is gaining a new member. That would be a sad end to the proud family company of Kruger, last of the old "Mittlestand."


  • We must contend with many pirates on our journey to Liberty. The Unioners await our ships in Hamburg and Bering. If we take the alternative route through Hudson, we often encounter Xenos. I'm not sure which are worse. Both groups represent the dregs of humanity.


  • We supply this operation with Optical Chips from Houston. I guess they use them in their Mining Machinery-manufacturing process for control devices. On the return trip to Liberty, we haul the Mining Machinery needed by the Dallas Debris Field prison crews and the Pittsburgh Boron-extraction operation.


NOTE: Page generated on the 17/11/2023 at 17:48:45 UTC