So I've been mulling this one over for a while now... and put a bunch of effort into giving it a believable premise and making it work within RP. As a project, it's a doozy... something that will necessitate admin/dev help and probably won't even be ready until .86 or the next big development in the Discovery storyline. But without further introduction, please meet my brainchild: The Sirius Transportation Authority
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Background:
The ((STA)) will act as the primary mass transit system within the colonies. Its role will be similar to that of Greyhound Bus, or the intercity rail networks of Europe. To successfully accomplish this, it must be an intergovernmental entity... regulated or at least funded by the colonies' version of the UN or some sort of FTA (some sort of international agreement for Sirius).
Key attitude of the whole idea: Think of the ((STA)) as a long-distance version of your metropolitan bus system. The drivers do their job and will not generally communicate with other drivers. The focus is on safety and efficiency, not politics and revenue.
To accomplish this:
And this is the difficult part -- the ((STA)) must not be under the influence or control of ANY major government or corporation. At first, The Zoners seemed like an obvious choice for affiliation and ID, but even they have political ties, and there are quite enough Zoner factions already. To make the ((STA)) entirely neutral, we would have to ask for either admin-granted Neutral IDs or a new type of ID that basically entailed the same proclamation of non-alliance and neutrality.
This, of course will not rule out pirate attacks -- that's far from the goal. No ((STA)) ship shall ever attack anything, for any reason, except in self-defense. (Which very likely will (and should!) occur)
Anyway:
Of course, the only cargo for such a faction would be people and their belongings. In-flight drinks and food are a must for long-distance travels, and the appropriate cargo must be carried by all captains.
Below is the research I've done on cargo possibilities and restrictions:
********** Cargoes: (cargo usage) [color=#33ff33]Primary Cargo:
Passengers (2x)
Refugees (2x)*
Prisoners (1x)*
Scientists (2x)
Spaceship Crew (1x)
Tourists (2x)
Vacationers (2x)
VIPs (5x)
[color=#666666]*with special RP only
Complimentary Cargo:
Oxygen
Food Rations - All passengers
Luxury Food - VIPs and Vacationers
Water - All passengers
Wine - VIPs and Vacationers
H-Fuel
Allowed Cargo:
Recovered lawful pilots Banned Cargo:
All other commodities
Criminals/pirate pilots
**********
Also, restrictions on ships are vastly important. It's extremely unbecoming of any respectable trader to pack human beings in the cargo bays of transports and trains! With that in mind, the approved ships for the ((STA)) thus far are:
Obviously, the Democritus yacht will be the mainstay and workhorse of the ((STA)), but the Civilian Freighter will see great intrahouse work -- especially with special chartered transports. The Enterprise shall be our flagship and will appear in special RP events and carefully planned out mass transit flights. Other ships are under consideration, but so far, these four seem to be the only viable people-movers in Sirius apart from slave and prison liners. (Armored transport works in this case, but does not fit the RP of a mass transit fleet.)
If you're still with me, thanks! Technology use should be pretty straightforward:
********** Weapons:
[color=#33ff33]Civilian
Zoner (with permissions)
**********
And finally, politics:
********** [color=#33ff33]All lawful factions neutral on paper and via in-game affiliation [color=#ff0000]All unlawful factions hostile on paper, but likely neutral in-game due to ID IFF Sub-politics:
RP agreements could be made with the following to move the following on a regular schedule, or restrict flights via their own needs [color=#ccccff](meaning, for example, agreeing with PanGal that ((STA)) is allowed to move Libertonian VIPs if we pay them 5% of the revenue, or picking up a contract with local police to remove apprehended prisoners at a subsidy):
[color=#33ff33]PanGal (VIPs)
House Navies and Police (Prisoners, Refugees)
C<span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%]orporations (Scientists, spaceship crews)
[color=#ff0000]Likely enemies will quickly include groups like Xenos, Hogosha, GRN... basically groups that detest house-to-house commerce.
**********
Why this isn't PanGal:
I am well aware of the PanGalactic Travel Company, and how the ((STA)) may seem to be in direct competition with that group. Here's a quick comparison:
A division of the Orbital Spa and Cruise corporation
Focus on travel, touring, and "seeing the stars"
Primarily deals with VIPs/tourists/vacationers in this respect
Not necessarily "trading" people for revenue
A neutral super-governmental organization without political ties
Focus on transportation of people from A to B
Deals with all manner of human cargo, with VIPs/tourists/etc types only under RP
Effectively "trading" people (demand = fares), using the revenue to operate
If there are any serious conflicts I missed, let's talk about it and hash it out.
Things that need to happen for this to work:
This is a big leap in terms of technical implementation AND for RP reasons. The need for a neutral ID / affiliation itself is a big thing to ask the admins... that isn't lost on me. If we can come up with an easy solution that doesn't require admin requests, please... I'm all ears.
In terms of RP, this will have to be introduced as the result of some sort of inter-Sirius treaty. My earlier comment about it not being ready until .86 was with this in mind... perhaps the creation of ((STA)) could be attached to a peace treaty or a free trade agreement.
My personal idea was to have Liberty and Rheinland lift the embargo on human cargo and non-military goods or materials due to the crippling effect on both economies. This would be a good opportunity for something like this to be created (in this case, with the purpose to prevent national corporations from being trusted in enemy space... etc). <-- that's my quick-thinking take... anything can, of course, happen.
And the most important thing needed for this to work: players!! Would you be interested in joining a faction like this? Would you join if x or y changed? Let me know your thoughts!
Final random thoughts:
First off, THANK YOU for keeping it with me on this long post. If ((STA)) works or not, this took a lot of time and I really appreciate the support, positive or negative.
Anywho, random time:
((STA)) might not employ escorts (as a transit corp. would not either), but perhaps employ the current system's navy and police forces as temporary escorts. They could be paid as a residual effect of revenue (RP'd as part of the treaty's fund). This would be a good way for lawfuls to earn some dough for once, and if the escorts are only through one system at a time, won't have political implications.
Unlawfuls, please don't think I'm asking for neutrality in order to not get pirated. Please! Attack the hell out of ((STA))! Just don't take it lightly... an attack on civilian transports IRL is a huge deal and should be dealt with as a low, cowardlike terrorist attack. Still, groups like Xenos or other terrorists may find this just the opportunity to make a statement!
Like I sort of mentioned before, think of the ((STA)) as a combination between Greyhound Bus lines, InterEuropean train lines, Metropolitan transit systems, and charter airliners. Captains will not have opinions to share / political convictions. Sure, they will talk to their neighbors in space, but likely won't have much to argue a pirate with other than "Don't shoot!! They're just people!!"
The RP possibilities are great. Please let me know if you have any ideas... I have dozens, but I've taken enough of your time already. THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALL.
I like it. The Slavers Union will definitely be interested in this organization.
As for ID and IFF issues, my suggestion would be to go with no IFF or a Zoner IFF and an Independent Trader ID. This should cover all of your ships except the Enterprise, which is essentially an OSC-only ship anyways. For that ship, just put in an SRP or just fly OSC colors for the time being.
I strongly recommend adding the Armored Transport, as in vanilla it was used by police factions to shuttle VIPs from place to place and overall looks like a passenger transport more than a bulk cargo transport. I know you said it doesn't fit the RP perfectly, but frankly with the gigantic price gap you're dealing with, wedging a few transports into the middle that fit the basic concept while missing some of the finer details may be necessary.
The Geisha could be considered. Kusari civilian, but you may be able to work something out with Bretonia since it's a non-combat vessel. This is mostly because of the aforementioned price gap issues.
The X-Shuttle mentions being able to provide living space for a "family or a decent science team", so it should work - it's also quite generic, and less hideous than the Civilian Freighter.
ID/IFF: I would recommend Freelancer IFF/Independent Trader ID. I strongly doubt you'll get anything Neutral, and as you said Zoner has its own associated politics. Freelancer IFF is as neutral as you'll get. OS&C would be an option, but again, that has its own political issues - mostly due to certain hostilities (Gaians) that don't seem to fit STA.
Other: You might want to consider employing a small number of Arrows or Griffins as escort scouts. "Safety and efficiency" doesn't tend to include getting robbed, after all. An Earth transit corporation wouldn't employ escorts because you don't have the constant threat of mugging on the streets of Washington, DC that you have on the trade lanes of California.
(Edit: I know now that you commented on escorts, didn't see that the first time.)
' Wrote:I strongly recommend adding the Armored Transport, as in vanilla it was used by police factions to shuttle VIPs from place to place and overall looks like a passenger transport more than a bulk cargo transport. I know you said it doesn't fit the RP perfectly, but frankly with the gigantic price gap you're dealing with, wedging a few transports into the middle that fit the basic concept while missing some of the finer details may be necessary.
You might be right on this one... the price gap is pretty terrible.
With any luck, .86 might see a few new people movers *hint wink hint wink* or something more specialized just for ((STA)) even! *busts out a benjamin*.
' Wrote:Other: You might want to consider employing a small number of Arrows or Griffins as escort scouts. "Safety and efficiency" doesn't tend to include getting robbed, after all. An Earth transit corporation wouldn't employ escorts because you don't have the constant threat of mugging on the streets of Washington, DC that you have on the trade lanes of California.
(Edit: I know now that you commented on escorts, didn't see that the first time.)
And on this one, you're again right. I'm just holding out that an arrangement like I said in the random section with house lawfuls can be worked out. Otherwise, I do like the thought of officially deploying Arrows to fly wing.
I'd have to agree with the Armored Transport idea. Recently tested it with a friend and it's a pretty good "freighter" type ship for passengers. Also, it's not bad on the eyes like before the smaller transport turrets were implemented.
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."
Very interesting Idea which gives a chance for good RP. Faction for all those who play for fun not for credits. Damn If I had more time I would happily chase you guys with my old Slaver char. But I bet there will be others who will do this for me.
Anyway fine idea, hope to see you in Gallia but no there is no trade route to there.
Kudos for ya.