The idea of a Zoner Militia was first raised by a former Bretonian Armed Forces Admiral Sir Charles Pole back in 797 A.S. He had recently retired and adopted the Zoner way of life, he realized that Zoners could be exploited. Zoners had placed too much trust in other people. In 798 A.S., Sir
Charles Pole, with enough funding from his own bank and that of other wealthy Zoners, proceeded to convince Zoner leaders that Zoners would require security, as it was common to see a Zoner trader killed by a pirate because he/she did not have enough cash to pay the tax, or were simply unwilling. Zoner leaders reluctantly accepted Sir Poles plea, and he began a long process in training volunteers, with help from a legendary mercenary group back in those days, known as the Koensayr Guardsmen.
In the first few centuries after Sirius was settled by mankind, Koensayr was a large manufacturing firm devoted to producing high quality materials for star ship construction. The rise of piracy forced the company to form its own security division. As time ran its course the company slowly died off. The Guardsmen however persevered and became a small but highly successful and famous mercenary group. They eventually left house space and joined the Zoner movement in the edges. The entire group was hired by the new Zoner Fleet Admiral, Sir Charles Pole to train Zoner pilots in 798.
In 800 A.S. when Freeport 7 was destroyed the Guardsmen paid dearly. 90% of their force was aboard station when it went up along with the newly trained Zoner Fleet. All but one of their vessels were docked or moored to the station and thus lost. All that survived was a single Fearless destroyer, Arc Hammer, which was under manned. Sir Charles Pole, who survived the attack, lead the remaining Koensayr Guardsmen, and by random chance, they encountered the then unknown and mysterious Order. Seeking vengeance for the loss of their friends they aided the Order in its mission. At the Battle of Omicron Minor their vessel was severely damaged, retreating to Omicron Theta, the vessel was crippled and set adrift. The surviving crew put themselves into stasis hoping to be found.
In early 818 A.S. small group of Zoner vessels found the derelict Arc Hammer, after receiving some intel about its location. The stasis pods with surviving crew were transfered aboard to the other vessels and the Arc Hammer was stripped of anything important. The crew was revived aboard Freeport 9, present was a now retired BAF commodore named Francis West. Now face to face with men and women who gave so much of their life to protect what Zoners hold dear, he decided to help them reform the Koensayr Guardsmen. Charles' prediction that Zoners would be exploited became true when he found that the Queen Carinas Privateers had began hostilities against Zoners for providing humanitarian support to the Corsairs. Shorty after being revived Sir Charles Pole passed away, succoming to a virus his weakened body could not defend against. Francis West along with the eldest Koensayr Guardsmen, Lehon Kaine, began work on a new Zoner militia with the aims of defending the Zoner community. The Zoner Alliance hosted a security conference at Doc Holliday's Tombstone Estate on Gran Canaria and during this conference West and Kaine were given the blessing of the Alliance, sadly the Council of Zoners showed no signs of becoming as active as it once was and was thus absorbed into the Alliance. Now backed and funded by the Alliance the Zoner Defense Force began to assemble itself. Advice from leadership within the Alliance saw many of the initial plans for the ZDF change.
All shields, missiles, torpedoes, mines, and armor upgrades
Mini Razors and Supernova Antimatter Cannons
Structure of the Zoner Defense Force & Ranks
High Command
High Command will consists the current Admiral and three Commanders who have been assigned as Defense Chiefs. High Command will report directly to the Alliance Committee. High Command is headquartered on Gran Canaria while each Chief of Defense will select a suitable base of operations in his assigned area of operations. The ZDF is a militia sized organization, while it does use ranks and describers often found in full scale Naval and other military organizations it is not a full scale military.
Zoner Defense Force Navy
The ZDF Navy patrols the space and systems in which Zoner bases/planets or Freeports exist. Their main job is to enforce the No Fire Zone (NFZ) within 5K of every Freeport as well as escorting Zoner traders and civilians across Zoner territory. They are also ready to be deployed in Omicron Minor or Omicron Gamma if either of these systems are under attack by Nomad forces, and if they are given permission to do so by Order High Command or the Council of Elders, respectively.
Nomad Task Force
The Nomad Task Force (NTF) was created in order to counter the growing Nomad threat in the Omicrons and Omegas by assisting Order operations against Nomads in the area. The NTF also roots out Nomad infected individuals within the Zoner community and neutralizes them. Commander Lehon Kaine leads the NTF from the bridge of the Arc Hammer; he reports only to the Admiral. He works with the Order to coordinate the operations against Nomads together. The NTF is a small force almost all of which are Koensayr Guardsmen or their descendants. They are the only members of the Defense Force allowed to use Order tech. Only Lieutenants and above may serve in the NTF. (Pending actual RP with the Order.)
Ranks ~Admiral (Abbr. Adm)
The commander in chief of the ZDF. While he usually finds himself behind a mess of paperwork he hasnt forgotten where he came from. He personally handles the security of the Omega region.
Can fly any naval vessel the ZDF has acquired. ~Commander (Abbr. Cmd)
Chosen from veteran ZDF that have proven their worth as leaders and soldiers, time and time again. Commanders act as advisers to the Admiral. They command all ZDF in their area of operations and report only to the Admiral. Commanders are usually assigned as Chiefs of Defense over the regions of the Taus, Omicrons, and Omegas, while Commander Kaine was been assigned to counter the Nomad threat via the Nomad Task Force.
Can fly any naval vessel the ZDF has acquired. Use of Hathor gunboat requires permission from the Admiral and Order HC. ~Captain (Abbr. Cpt)
Lieutenants that showed they were capable leaders. Usually found at the head of a wing of ZDF fighters.
Can fly any vessel the ZDF has acquired up to the Conference gunboat.
~Lieutenant (Abbr. Lt)
Men and women who stand out find themselves promoted to lieutenant. Persons of this rank show new recruits and ensigns the ropes and sometimes lead patrols themselves.
Restricted to the Eagle, Ravens Talon, Virage, Roc, or GMG bomber.
~Ensign (Abbr. En)
These are the men and women in the cockpit; the backbone of the ZDF.
Restricted to the Eagle, Virage, or Roc.
~Recruit (Abbr. Rt)
A recent volunteer who is undergoing training. Once the pilot completes the training sessions he is promoted to Ensign. Recruits that show more mechanical aptitude than combat skills are assigned to maintenance crews, to support the ZDF.
Restricted to Eagle, Virage, or Roc.
Zoner Defense Force Marine Corp
The ZDF Marines are the ground troops of the Zoner Defense Force. They patrol within Freeports and other Zoner bases and planets and maintain neutrality within Zoner territory. They are also trained in combat boarding techniques should there ever be the need to capture an enemy ship, or rescue hostages. They are small in numbers however they have access to the latest weapons available in Sirius.
~Captain (Abbr. Cpt)
Captains command one company of marines, around 100 men. Captains and their marine companies ensure safety aboard ZDF vessels and on Zoner stations/planets. Chain of command for a Marine captain depends on his assignment. Note: Captains are assigned to a capital ship, a station or planet. In the case of a Captain assigned to a station with a small population adjust your RP accordingly.
ZDF Diplomacy
Zoner Alliance and its members
These are the people we are entrusted to protect. They ensure we have food, water, and other supplies.
Allies
Order
GMG
TAZ
OSI
ZTC
Zoner Alliance
Independent Zoners
Friendly
None
Neutral
Everyone not above or below this!
Unfriendly
None
Hostile
Nomads (Keepers)
Wild (Das Wilde)
Area of Operations (ZOI)
Home Stations:
High Command: Gran Canaria
Omicron Division: Freeport 9
Tau Division: Freeport 10
Omega Division: Gran Canaria
Nomad Control Task Force: Freeport 11 (Pending work with the Order)
The ZDF will be present in any system that Zoners have a station in and by way of travel and escort roles may be present in other systems. No ZDF personnel are to enter any Home/Guard system other than Omicron-74, High Command will notify personnel of exceptions to this rule. Do not enter any Gallic system for any reason. If a Zoner travels there, he does so at his own risk.
Codes of Conduct
No violations of the Sirius Codex
No OOC/OORP chat in system or local chat. Period.
No powergaming or metgaming with information from your other characters.
Have fun.
RP. This isn't a suggestion its an order.
Roster
~Naval Ranks
Admiral
Andre Rentiera (Marcus Lindberg)
Commanders
Izii Helfari of the Omicrons (Lieutenant)
Matok of the Taus (Commander Matok)
Lehon Kaine of the Nomad Task Force (Kuthumii)
Captians
Vanessa Duke (Reisiger)
(name) (Marcus Lindberg)
Lieutenants
Ensigns
Recruits
Wernher von Anhalt (Penpen)
~Marine Ranks
Captain
Medals
Medals are given to ZDF marines and pilots, as well as Order pilots and Zoner civilians who display acts of valour and honour in battle. Individuals may be nominated by anyone. Evidence must be submitted to High Command so they can decide if the individual is worthy of the medal.
Cross of Chivalry
The highest achievable medal in the ZDF, the Cross of Chivalry is only achieved by those individuals who put their lives in the face of danger whilst being outnumbered AND outgunned to save a fellow Zoner, civilian, Order personnel, or other ZDF personnel successfully by his or herself.
Medal of Intrepidity
A respectable achievement within the ZDF, the Medal of Intrepidity can be achieved if the nominated individual/pilot manages to destroy a person considered an outlaw by the Zoner community or a Nomad in an engagement by his or herself whilst being outnumbered or outgunned.
Silver Star of Valiant Acts
An important achievement for any pilot in the ZDF, the Silver Star is awarded to any group of pilots who manage to uphold Zoner laws or face a Nomad assault whilst either being outnumbered or being outgunned in battle.
The Distinguished Merit Cross
The Distinguished Merit Cross is given to any individual within the ZDF who is an upholder of Zoner laws for a period of no less than three months.
Acta non verba - Action without words
Award given to pilots for taking action immediately and decisively, usually entailing an engagement after attempting to negotiate with violators of Zoner laws and ethics.
Amicus humani generis - A friend of the human race
Award given to a pilot who has fulfilled their roles and duties in conjunction with The Order. This award is reserved to men and women of the Nomad Task force, and entails they have flown in combat at least one time and shown bravery by 1) being shot down or 2) not fleeing from combat against the enemies of mankind.
Sirius Service Medal
A pilot who has shown aptitude for his duties by patrolling each and every Zoner station, excluding those in Omega-74, and is recognized for his willingness to go extreme distances and lengths of time to prove his commitment to the defense of all Zoners, anywhere and everywhere.
Good Conduct Medal
A pilot who has accomplished three out of five tasks.
Escorted a Zoner trader or trader who has requested it.
Handled a volatile situation concerning NFZ procedure. With/Without violence.
Has assisted an ally of the Zoners without hesitation.
Has followed orders from an officer of the ZDF without question.
Has willingly participated with The Order on operations against the Nomad/Alien threat.
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded to pilots who have enforced NFZ laws or handled at least three (3) separate ZDF issues. This includes coordinated efforts with The Order, handling NFZ violations/reports, assisting ZDF pilots with the handling of their duties - usually via response to their call for help.
Omega Theater Medal
A pilot who has conducted his duties through every Zoner station in the Omega systems.
Omicron Theater Medal
A pilot who has conducted his duties through every Zoner station in the Omicron systems, including a routine patrol through Omicron-74.
Tau Theater Medal
A pilot who has conducted his duties through every Zoner station in the Tau systems.
Sigma Theater Medal
A pilot who has conducted his duties through the Zoner installations in Kepler and Yukon.
Momento Moruum - Remember the Dead
Awarded to those who have made an effort to visit the wreckage of the destroyed Zoner Freeport 7 and paid homage to the attacks made upon Corfu and Freeport 5.
Transport Service Medal
Escort at least five (5) separate traders on legal trade routes. The same trader may also be escorted five separate times, this means you follow the entire route.
Transport Escort Medal
Escort one (1) trader on a legal trade route, for the entire route.
NTF - Nomad Task Force Medal
Accepted into the Nomad Task Force, or labeled as an honorary member or reserve pilot.
Nomad Task Force Service Medal
A member of the Nomad Task Force who has flown in at least five (5) operations involving the Task Force in any way. Combat is not required.
Zoners Defense Medal
This award is given in two circumstances. A pilot proves themselves above and beyond the call of duty in any form or fashion, involving active combat or negotiations. This includes standing up for Zoners law in the face of imminent destruction or peril. This medal is also awarded to those
who have died in the line of duty in service to the Zoners Defense Force or the Zoners in general.
Zoners Defense Force Service Ribbon
Awarded to those who have been accepted into the ZDF.
Zoners Defense Force Duty Ribbon
Awarded to ZDF members who have performed at least three (3) flight patrols or transported three (3) groups of Freeport security marines to their destinations.
Zoners Defense Force Tour of Duty Medal
Medal awarded to ZDF members who have performed a total of fifteen (15) flight patrols or transported ten (10) groups of Freeport security marines to their destinations.
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Do you have Skype? If so, I need to talk to you about upcoming rumours and infocards for Gran Canaria. I've included references to a militia that tries to keep the peace planetside. This could add a lot more depth and detail to it.
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You may want to add one ship to the list, the Wasupu fighter, aka: Stringer. It is sold on Honshu and I've seen a couple of Zoners using it. As it is authorized for civilian use, I think it should be added.
Query, will we be seeing these ships in Gallia? The GRN's certainly done enough to draw the Zoners' ire by now, though most would be loathe to act even in the face of open aggression (or perhaps because of it).
There are a lot more ships you could add; if you're interested in a list, I'll slap one together, but I'm guessing you've picked what you did for coherence.
I would still suggest adding the Virage to the lowest rank, since it *is* explicitly said to be built by Zoners.
The key to a successful Zoner force is to play it small. Humble beginings.
I have seen quite a lot of Zoner military factions in the past try and fail because they wanted to be supercool, ultra badass, and everything that Zoners are not.
If you focus all of your attention on Freeport security, appreciate fighters above capital ships, and stick to defense before offense, you will make it farther than most.
One bit of criticism I have is with the naming convention for ships -- they are extremely convoluted for a video game. Keep it as simple as possible.
Quote:Note: Fighter craft designate their craft type in the name via the first 'x.' B = Bomber, V = VHF, H = HF, R = LF
Really, you don't need that. Particularly because it will make it easier for your enemies to determine your ship class during dogfights.
The "101st" at the end isn't needed either. Yes I understand it's cool but you want your call sign to be easy to read and when you have so much "stuff" in there, it's a little annoying. I remember that the Consortium got a lot of heat when we were inventing our naming structure (this was before I joined). I'm rather glad we use what we have today, because the "(]c[)" symbol is already difficult enough for some people to read/type.
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