I take it then that the TAZ, a small subgroup of Zoners located in one system close to the Taus, has the power to decide the politics of all Freeports and other Zoners?
I'm afraid that the decision involved little knowledge about Zoner groups and their reaction in past incidents. Do you remember the last prominent drama with the [ZA]? Zoner indies were shot. Why? They carried Nomad remains. Pretty much the reason for the Order shooting a small amount of other Zoners as well. And also the reason why they shot the TAZ, although in their case it was only assumed that they carry Nomad material due to an effect on a ship, with no way for the Order to verify the contrary.
What all of these incidents have in common is that the majority of the Zoners distanced themselves from the conflict or declared the involved vessels as rogue ships. In the [ZA] conflict, some groups even started aggression against the accused ships. Is this the reaction of somebody who wants a conflict with the Order? Is this the reaction of somebody who wants to sacrifice the many to meet the needs of the few?
No, this is the reaction of a group that deems occasional losses like that acceptable to maintain peace and balance, especially for your own again.
Ideally, each Freeport would have its own reputation sheet, with different relations and alliances. If the Freeport 10 Zoners have a problem with the Corsairs, the Freeport 5 Zoners would not care at all, because the FP5 Zoners rely on good relations with the Corsairs, even if it means that you have to accept getting pirated or occasionally killed. And if the Baffin Zoners have a problem with the Order for whatever reason, then the Freeport 11 Zoners are not going to care because they already suffer high losses because of Nomads. They can not afford having another enemy in the region.
And if we don't start getting rid of this illogical precedent, then the Zoners around FP11 will soon be surrounded by hostile factions. Because really, it is doubtful that the Core is going to ignore indie Zoners farming and carrying Nomad remains without their consent.
