The Lane Hackers | Manual

[The Lane Hackers]

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⚡ Liberty

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Inside the core systems of Liberty, the Lane Hacker operations and numbers are much smaller than in the Independent Worlds. This is primarily because of the large number of law enforcement agencies and bounty hunters. Inside Liberty, they operate from strategically important areas where they can easily strike civilian shipping and slip away, monitor Ageira Technologies' activities, or smuggle cardamine.

▸ Alberta

Airdrie Hideout was built to spy on Ageira Technologies. Located deep inside Cold Lake Nebula, the base was a home to a rather small but influential group of Lane Hackers, and because of the secrecy involved, all of them had standing orders not to return to Airdrie if pursued. The entire spectrum of activities onboard Airdrie was not known even among normal Hackers, however the best, latest and most secret Lane Hacker technologies were found on this base. Equipment and other items stolen during Lane Hacker operations were sent to Airdrie for reverse-engineering. Only trusted Lane Hackers know about Airdrie and it was known to consume more cardamine than all the other Lane Hacker bases combined. In some cases, Airdrie served as a retirement post for Lane Hackers. For unknown reasons, the initially discomforting nebula surrounding the base was viewed by some as a "warm blanket" after long stays. Lane Hackers purchased all of their basic supplies from the local Zoners of Freeport 14, and, in return, the Zoners received counterfeit software to distribute. The Lane Hackers paid the Zoners greatly in order to keep their activities and interactions secret, even if pursued. As a result of the Gallic invasion of Magellan system, several crucial assets of Mactan Base were moved to Airdrie which was severely expanded with new modules and a dry dock. In 827 A.S., the encroaching dark matter storm forced the decommissioning and relocation of the station's resources to a new outpost in Texas, but not without first interfering with the escape of Ageira from the system. ^{[Infocard §17.1, 462614, News report §2160533, Rumors §12.30, 17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 17.6, 17.7]}

Fort McMurray is a desolate Rogue outpost on the far side of Alberta inside Athabasca Asteroid Field. The Rogues of McMurray are supposedly responsible for destroying the Liberty Police outpost that operated inside the system, however there is a number of statements which question the official story. The Liberty Rogue operations in Alberta are also significantly limited and few. Dark matter from the storm that passed through the system in the past years can still be found in the western part of Athabasca and it is considered dangerous to travel there because of the very high radiation levels. The Lane Hackers maintain a permanent presence on McMurray, where they service the sensors of the Fort or install early warning systems. ^{[Rumors §17.8, 17.9, 17.10, 17.11, 17.12, 17.13, 17.14, 17.15, 17.16, 17.17, 17.18]}

Leduc Station is a highly secure and extremely advanced Ageira production plant inside the Cold Lake Nebula, and, officially, is the site where bio-neural processors are being manufactured. However, there are many inconsistencies which suggest that there is more at work there and this is also the reason that brought the Lane Hackers to Alberta; they have strict orders not to approach the station. Camrose Supply Depot was constructed in order to store the abnormally massive numbers of resources that Leduc constantly requires and reportedly can even offset the loss of the Rheinland market which happened because of the war. Resources are being transported to the Ageira station by Deep Space transports but strangely and inexplicably Leduc was constructed in a desolate system, very far away from the main trade paths. Some of these resources are extremely rare. According to statements, the nearby Planets Edmonton and Calgary seem to be special to scientists. Furthermore, there are no recreation rooms in Leduc and according to some, the Ageira employees who formerly worked in Leduc have developed erratic behavior. Radiological warnings can be found on the station even if Ageira does not officially do anything involving radioactivity. Furthermore, strange energy readings can also be detected near the station and unknown, non-standard vessels have been occassionally sighted entering the nebula with Ageira's knowledge and permission. Finally, despite the extremely advanced technologies being used on the station, Ageira allows scientists from all over Sirius to visit Leduc and study its advanced manufacturing process and quality control. ^{[Infocard §17.2, Rumors §17.19, 17.20, 17.21, 17.22, 17.23, 17.24, 17.25, 17.26, 17.27, 17.28, 17.29, 17.30, 17.31, 17.32, 17.33, 17.34, 17.35, 17.36, 17.37, 17.38]}

17. Alberta sources

Airdrie Hideout used to be a home to a small but influential group of Lane Hackers whose activities were shrouded in secrecy. Only the most trusted Lane Hackers knew the base's location, and most Lane Hackers visiting Alberta used the Rogue's Fort McMurray to resupply. Rumors about the station's purpose ranged from ordinary outpost to a top secret weapons laboratory, and every Hacker asked about the base had a different answer. There was only one generally well known fact about Airdrie: it's requisitions of Cardamine exceed that of every other Lane Hacker base combined.

This changed when the front of the Gallic war reached Magellan. With their home system being overrun by warring fleets, The Lane Hackers decided to evacuate their most crucial assets to their hideout in Alberta. Airdrie was severely expanded to accommodate new weaponry research modules and ship assembly units. Additionally, a dry dock has been erected to service larger vessels and streamline upgrades of existing fleet. With its expansion and quadrupled crew Airdrie Hideout became a Lane Hacker technological hub where most advanced weapons and ships were being researched and developed.

The dark matter storm that advanced on Alberta led to mass evacuation of the system, including of the Lane Hacker presence. Their evacuation was delayed slightly by the deconstruction of Airdrie Hideout; after investing resources into expanding the base during the Gallic invasion of the Barrier, they couldn't afford to abandon it entirely.

In utmost secrecy, they relocated the modules that once made up Airdrie Hideout into the Texas system, where it was reconstructed as Amarillo Base. The new base is considerably more compact than Airdrie was, as the formerly sprawling structure was broken down and repurposed to serve as additional protection against the intense radiation of the Grande Negra in addition to purpose-built shielding.

Though some even within the Lane Hackers questioned the wisdom of building a base in the deadliest cloud in Liberty, a small band of influential Hackers considered the risks worth the chance to dig through the wreckage of the Texas Disaster. Amarillo is run by a skeleton crew of ambitious Hackers, though no one knows what exactly they intend to use that wreckage for. Supply shipments for Amarillo carry medicine as if it were oxygen, desperately hoping to stave off radiation sickness long enough for the base's great experiment to bear fruit.

Leduc Station was constructed soon after Camrose Supply Depot. The facility is specially designed to protect the production process of Ageira's bio-neural processors, which uses a combination of biological and inorganic materials. All personnel and other objects entering the station are processed through a biological screening to prevent the introduction of microorganisms that might infect the production line, and the station's air and water purification systems are the most advanced in Sirius. Leduc Station does not maintain a large inventory of supplies or inventory, and relies on "just in time" supply shipments from Camrose Supply Depot.

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With the final furious burst of corporate activity in the two systems, it is perhaps unsurprising that Liberty's criminals are seizing what may be their last opportunity to profit from the situation. The Rogues and Lane Hackers have stepped up their attacks across both systems. Local Xenos have waded into the carnage as an unaffiliated wildcard that is equally liable to fire upon pirate and law enforcement alike.

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I thought assignment to this base was some sort of punishment, but then I arrived and found out that the cardamine allotment is double that of any other Hacker base and costs the same! I've never felt so alive!

At first this nebula made me uneasy, now I feel naked anytime I fly in open space outside of it. There's something, I don't know, comforting about it. It's like being wrapped in a warm embrace, or getting a fresh cardamine ration after a long patrol.

I always said I wanted to retire to some little cantina in the middle of nowhere and just serve drinks and tell old Hacker stories. I just didn't think there was anywhere in Sirius as nowhere as this base. Be careful what you wish for.

Orders are that we are never to return to Airdrie if there is any chance of pursuit by hostiles. The Zoners on Freeport 14 are well paid to make sure we are accommodated if we need to be resupplied, even if the Navy is hot on our tail.

Zoners in Alberta and Yukon shouldn't be mistreated. So long as they are cooperative, they will have no trouble from us. It's a symbiotic relationship, really. We benefit from the use of Freeport 14, and they get to sell our software to help us undermine Ageira.

It was busy around here for a while, some bigshot Rogue bosses and even some Junker chick were visiting for a few weeks, but now it's gone quiet again. We're back to being that ball of rock stuck out in the arse end of nowhere. Even the Hackers visit us less.

Nothing makes me smile like the sight of a derelict LPI outpost. Those corrupt nitwits got just what they deserved from the Rogues!

The calamity at Red Deer Station is an unfortunate circumstance, and rest assured that the criminals responsible will be pried out of their hiding places and brought to justice. The Liberty Rogues have gone too far this time.

Red Deer suffered a catastrophic decompression from hostile laser fire, it's all in the official report. It's odd though, because I've never heard of a laser that could cut through our station's ablative armor plating like that. After all, why build an outpost if a fighter can carve it up like a chicken dinner? They must have just gotten lucky and happened to hit a defect in the station's construction.

Don't tell anyone you heard this from me, but I managed to read the preliminary report about the Red Deer disaster. There was laser damage found on the station's hull, but it was on the opposite side from where the hull rupture occurred. And the hull rupture was several meters across and centered on one of the station's main support beams. Decompression couldn't blow out that much of the hull, and certainly not right across a structural beam. But all of that was left out of the public report. There's something not right about that whole incident, and somebody doesn't want the public asking too many inconvenient questions.

I used to think that the LPI and Navy pilots could spin some tall tales, but these bounty hunters put them to shame. One of them claimed that he had singlehandedly destroyed five Rogue Werewolves with his Sea Serpent, all in the same ambush! I don't hear any of them bragging about any kills since they arrived in Alberta though.

I was a little worried about pirate activity in this system after Red Deer Station was destroyed, but so far I haven't seen any signs of Rogues. They must be laying low in fear of Navy retaliation.

I don't get it. Why did the Rogues risk bringing down the unholy wrath of the Liberty Navy on their filthy hides by blowing up Red Deer Station, but haven't made a move since? I feel like everybody in this system is just waiting for doom to strike, but nobody knows where it's going to come from next.

Have you been to Fort McMurray since the dark matter storm arrived? It's an exciting trip. Just make sure you don't leave the safety of the base's shadow, or you'll start feeling a tingle that has nothing to do with cardamine.

There's a Hacker knocking about somewhere, been looking at some of our sensor technology. I don't see why we need a Hacker to service it, we're plenty capable of doing it ourselves. I hate that sense of smug superiority they have, makes me want to smack them in the mouth. I know what would happen if I did that though. Boss would sling me out of the airlock.

I've been working on some of the early warning systems we installed here a few years back. These Rogues really need to learn how to handle this stuff. Trust me, it's like working with trained monkeys.

This is the most advanced production facility in Sirius. Everything is state of the art, from the life support systems to the assembly line.

This facility is so advanced, scientists from all over Sirius come here to study our manufacturing process and quality control. I worry that they'll copy it and help some other company compete against us, but the supervisors say there's no chance of that happening. Seems strange to me, though. Why build this station so far from anywhere and then open it up to so much attention?

I took a wrong turn the other night on the way back to my bunk when my shift ended and I ended up on the wrong deck. I had just figured it out and was turning around when some rude security guard came around the corner and started interrogating me like I was a criminal. I almost thought the guy was going to arrest me for getting lost. Some people never miss an opportunity to use their authority like a club I guess.

There's more going on this system than just the usual Ageira scheming. I can feel it closing around us like this nebula.

We have standing orders not to approach Leduc. We aren't supposed to get within 10 clicks of the station. Well, except in case of emergencies, whatever that means.

The amount of supplies we're bringing into Alberta is enough for an army. I can't imagine what they're going to build here that requires so much.

I've never seen such an inventory of supplies! And they keep ordering more and more. I hear that Camrose is bursting at the seams with supply containers, and they're even going to be setting up no-grav depots outside the station to keep bringing in more. I can't imagine that Ageira's production operation at Leduc could possibly need all of this. It's not my problem though, I'm just happy to get paid to transport something.

When the war with Rheinland started, all the talk was about how many of us were going to be out of work since trade with Rheinland was cut off. But then, just in the nick of time, this huge expansion project in Alberta started and we've been busier than anytime I can remember. I just hope it keeps up until the war is over.

The Rheinland war really cut into our profits, but opening Alberta is almost making up for it. That's pretty strange. How can one middle of nowhere system replace trade with an entire House? That company bulletin must have been stretching the truth.

It makes no sense for Ageira to build a production facility so way out in the middle of nowhere like this. Sure, their bioneural processors are supposed to be a technological leap past the competition, but what's the big deal about all the secrecy? Their lane and gate parts are secure and they're made in Colorado. Oh well, I'll take the extra pay and they can keep their hush-hush activities for all I care.

We have some major deals in the works with Ageira. Apparently they need a special new alloy for some top secret project they're working on in the Alberta system. I don't know the details yet, but they are very anxious to get us to guarantee delivery schedules. Don't they know there's a war on? ALG is also desperate to strengthen their iridium supply lines. The Omicrons are dangerous for shipping, but if anyone can do it, Bowex can do it better. The Corsairs love credits as much as anyone, you know. We just need to find the right pirate big shot to pay off.

Planets Edmonton and Calgary sure seem to be special to these scientists. They don't seem to want to tell you much about why, though.

I had to wait three weeks for this leave opportunity to come over here from Leduc. The lack of recreation facilities in this system was cleverly left out of the promotional campaign Ageira ran to recruit volunteers for work here, but even this supply depot is an improvement over Leduc's night life.

I've had this funny feeling ever since I came on board this station but I can't figure out why. It's like everybody but me knows something big is going to happen. The other day I asked one of those scientists if he learned anything new on his trip to Leduc, and he got all flustered like I had asked him about some big secret or something. Then he went on and on about advanced assembly line manufacturing processes and technobabble that made no sense to me. Then he left in a hurry like he said too much. Now that I think about it, they all seem real skittish after a trip to Leduc. Maybe they figure Ageira is going to put them out of a job.

When we disembarked from the shuttle yesterday I overheard the pilot talking about strange energy readings that he noticed when we left Leduc. He said something like "not since the squirrel war" and he had a really frantic look on his face. I think he's been on one too many deep space runs. I hope they pension him off to Denver or somewhere, because I'm not too keen on riding a shuttle piloted by some old guy who starts having war flashbacks during docking maneuvers.

Don't get me wrong, the pay for working at Leduc is great and it's a dream job if you have the tech skills, but it's just so boring after hours. They built that station so secure that not even an amoeba can get aboard without alarms going off, but the architect didn't include a recreation room or even a single lounge anywhere! It's nothing but work rooms, cafeteria, docking bay, bunk rooms, and corridors. There's only so many corridors you can walk before you're reaching for the pills to knock yourself out for the night to avoid the boredom. A leave pass for Camrose is worth its weight in gold at Leduc.

Now that I think about it, when I was lost the other night I saw an emblem on a door that doesn't make any sense. It looked like a radiological warning, but that can't be right. We don't do anything on this station that involves radioactivity.

A friend of mine says he saw the strangest thing last week when he was leaving Leduc Station. Another transport was lining up to dock so he had to steer wide around it, taking him further out on the far side of Leduc than he had been before. He says for just a few seconds his scanners picked up all sorts of strange energy readings, but then they just vanished. He was pretty jumpy about it, but no matter what the shipyard's warranty says you can't trust these fancy optronics to never go haywire on you.

There is a LSF agent that's been skulking around the station lately. I was just about to turn a corner in the corridor when I overheard him say something about "dark matter influenced", but then he stopped talking as soon as he heard me. These spooks are worse than naval officers. If they aren't trying to pull rank, they're looking down their noses at you with that "need to know" look they teach them in spook school. They're always off "investigating" when things get hot, and the only intel you can get out of them is the same prattle you can get from the barkeep. I may have to pay the barkeep for it, but at least he doesn't read me the "don't even tell your sweetheart" lecture.

My patrol finally got a hostile contact today. It was at long distance so we couldn't identify the ship, but the IFF was definitely not on the registered list so it couldn't have been government, corporate, or civilian, and that only leaves the criminals. It was traveling from the vicinity of Planet Edmonton towards Cold Lake Nebula and we were on an intercept course with the star at our backs so the cosmic radiation was probably masking our energy profile from detection. We would have been able to identify it and engage about 3 klicks inside the nebula, but just as we were about to enter it we got a priority wave off transmission from Leduc. I can't believe it. First time we actually have a paycheck on the scope and those corporate security weasels decide to get stingy! And now we've been given standing orders not to enter the nebula at all! I sure hope they sent that to the pirates too.

▸ Cochrane Depot

Cochrane Depot is a Lane Hacker installation constructed in Ontario soon after Ageira Technologies and Deep Space Engineering moved into the system, mainly for the purpose of monitoring their activities. The base, which has not yet been discovered by the authorities, is located inside St. Lawrence Ice Field, where it provides quick access to nearby jump holes, allowing the Lane Hackers to not only operate easily in that system but also in California, Colorado and New York systems. ^{[Infocards §18.1, 18.4, 18.5, Rumors §18.6, 18.7, 18.8, 18.9]}

The Lane Hacker operations in Ontario are mainly targetting Hamilton Station, which, for unknown reasons, produced high emissions of radiation even though this Ageira installation simply serves as a storage depot and mining machinery manufacturing plant. Cochrane also monitors the transmissions sent from Hamilton. Platinum shipments leaving the safety of Toronto, and Ageira's robotic shipments for the mining operation, are regularly raided by the Lane Hackers on the trade lanes. Liberty Navy shipments from Fort Severn carrying military vehicles, firearms and munitions, are also targetted for their high value. In addition, Ageira convoys from Alberta loaded with bio-neural processors are being particularly targetted for their valuable cargo which the Lane Hackers use in ship construction. In fact, the demand is so high that this source for procuring processors is not enough and they hire Zoners from Freeport 14 to regularly ship them to Cochrane. ^{[Infocard §18.2, Rumors §18.8, 18.9, 18.10, 18.11, 18.12, 18.13, 18.14]}

Because of the large number of attacks from Liberty Rogues, Lane Hackers and the neighbouring Xenos of Dryden Base, the Liberty Navy was forced to reassign Battleship Ottawa in permanent orbit around Planet Huron, from California to Ontario. Patrols from Battleship Yukon also used to enter Ontario. This has impacted Xeno activity in the system, but the Lane Hackers frequently find ways to outsmart the Navy. Stolen cargo, such as platinum, is usually sold to the local Junkers of Thunder Bay, but high tech equipment is sent to Airdrie for reverse engineering. Outcasts maintain a permanent presence in the depot since they bring cardamine. Cochrane Hackers frequently visit Thunder Bay Depot to purchase all the basic supplies that their base requires and to obtain information from the underworld or simply to entertain themselves. Due to the Gallic threat, Battleship Ottawa was moved closer to California Jump Gate further weakening the overall security of the system. ^{[Infocards §18.3, 18.4, 19.6, Rumors §1.14, 1.18, 11.8, 11.9, 18.13, 18.14, 18.15, 18.16, 18.17, 18.18]}

18. Cochrane Depot sources

The Lane Hackers established themselves in Ontario shortly before Ageira and DSE initiated the constuction of Hamilton and the Jump Gate. It isn't clear what their motives are, but most people suspect they are merely trying to harass and disrupt the operations of Ageira in the system.

Residing on the outskirts of Lawrence Ice Field, the Hamilton Station houses production and storage facilities for Ageira Technologies. Hamilton was constructed as a supply depot for Ageira and DSE while the construction of the Jump Gate and Trade Lane was ongoing. Ageira has not yet sold the station, leading some to speculate that the company is expecting to build additional Lanes or even another Gate in Ontario in the near future. It is currently producing Mining Machinery for the automated mines on Huron.

Built in 806 A.S. the Battleship Ottawa served its formative years patrolling the remote regions of the California system, a task that was little more than a token gesture from the Liberty Navy to aid ongoing anti-smuggler efforts.

When the opening of Ontario in 809 A.S. saw the fledgling system become a piracy hotspot the Ottawa was pulled from its solitary posting and assigned guard duty, protecting civilians from frequent attacks by the Rogues, Lane Hackers and Xenos who had established themselves throughout the system. The Ottawa maintained this position for nearly two decades until the Gallic Royal Navy destroyed San Diego Border Station in the California system during 823 A.S..

The incursion, though quickly expunged, sent shockwaves throughout Liberty resulting in renewed focus in defense from the Gallic threat and shortening the response times of adjacent forces. This has led the Ottawa to be placed on high alert and repositioned closer to the California gate, leaving the Ontario tradelanes once again at the mercy of pirates.

A dense field of ice asteroids in the Ontario system. Significant presence of Lane Hackers might indicate that there is a Hacker base located within the field.

Torbay was a Lane Hacker Dagger that split with its patrol for unknown reasons and encountered a group of Liberty Navy fighters on its way back to Cochrane. The Dagger attempted to escape, but pilot was killed by enemy fire, and the ship was left behind somewhere in the St. Lawrence Ice Field.

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Not many people know about this base, mostly Lane Hacker allies and occasional smugglers supplying it. It gives us quick access to the California and Colorado systems when there is a special shipment to be ambushed by surprise.

There's not as much traffic here as in Magellan, but Ontario is very conveniently placed. From Cochrane we can hit California, New York, and Colorado. I wonder how much time it will take for the Navy to figure out we have a base here.

The base was primarily built to monitor Ageira operations in this system, we frequently catch their shipments of Robotics on lane to Toronto station, in this system and we monitor their transmissions from Hamilton base.

The real reason we're here is Hamilton. There is something strange going on there, much more than the so-called "mining operations". Our recon wings have detected high emission of radiations all around the station. Strange, I tell you.

There is a lot of military material passing through Ontario. Guns, munitions, and of course, Military Vehicles. All these shipments are heavily escorted, but the price for these on the black market is so high that it's worth the risk, tenfold.

This is the place where we make most of our Bio-Neural Processors. We hit Ageira's high-tech computing systems, bring them here in transports and adjust them to our needs. When you think about it, most of our ships are built thanks to these. Funny, isn't it?

This is a great stop when we're moving from Alberta to California, and we often drop of Bioneural Processors here to the Lane Hackers. I don't understand what they do do with them, but they pay a nice amount of credits for them.

We do quite well raiding the convoys that stop at Hamilton and Toronto. We unload the Platinum to the Junkers, but the high tech material we send to Airdrie for research and reverse engineering.

Cochrane has been used for hitting convoys shipping Military Vehicles from Fort Severn. We were causing so much trouble the Liberty Navy dispatched the Battleship Ottawa to protect the convoys. But we still find a way to intercept traffic.

This system is going to hell. First the Junkers moved in, followed by the Hackers. Then the Xenos showed up. Soon there won't be so much as an asteroid that isn't corrupted by Liberty's ruling hooligans!

Battleship Ottawa is a joke. It never leaves Huron's orbit, so all we have to do to hit Navy shipments is to wait for the Ottawa to be behind Huron. With the planet on their way, undocking fighter wings have to travel all around it. It takes so much time that we're already docked by the time they leave orbit.

We do a small amount of business with the Lane Hackers hiding in the St. Lawrence Ice Field. Most of what we sell them comes from Rochester, and most of the goods we fence for them go to Rochester as well since there isn't much market for them out here, except for the small amount we ship to the Rogues and Zoners in Alberta.

There is a Junker base located in this system, some of our pilots visit it frequently to gather useful rumors from the underground world and to relax in various entertainment rooms.

▸ Amarillo Base

Amarillo Base was constructed during the dark matter storm in Alberta from the technologies and minds of Airdrie Hideout. The Lane Hackers had sought to expand operations West, and the necessary replacement of Airdrie presented an opportunity. The strong presence of Junkers and Liberty Rogues in Texas had precluded the necessity of an outpost, and the proximity of the Hellfire Legion presented a disincentive. With the absorption of the Legion into the Liberty Insurgency under Battlegroup Harmony, and rebuilt relationships with the Büro Der Marineintelligenz and the Die Weiße Rose of the Bundschuh, the establishment of a garrison became practical.

From Amarillo Base, agents of the Hackers are now able to conduct operations into Bering, Hudson, Puerto Rico, and Rheinland at large. The base still operates on the strict protocols of secrecy practiced at Airdrie Hideout, in no small part because many of them are the same staff. Indeed, the placement of the base in the Grande Negra in Texas has meant that extremely little is known about the base, even within the Lane Hackers.

While construction was stymied by environmental difficulties and operational security requirements, ongoing persistent work by the Inner Circle has reduced the radiation surrounding the base to more practical, and far less immediately deadly levels. What radiation persists, alongside warning markers for the same, provide a plentiful discouragement for any curious or explorative eyes. Little traffic around the station, and a more covert, intelligence-focused operation also lend to the base going unnoticed. Future works by the Inner Circle will seek to restore the base to a comparably comfortable size as Airdrie Hideout, and render the base accessible to vessels larger than snubcraft, which to now has presented an extreme logistical challenge for supplies and large technologies.^{[Infocard §462614]}

Amarillo Base sources

The dark matter storm that advanced on Alberta led to mass evacuation of the system, including of the Lane Hacker presence. Their evacuation was delayed slightly by the deconstruction of Airdrie Hideout; after investing resources into expanding the base during the Gallic invasion of the Barrier, they couldn't afford to abandon it entirely.

In utmost secrecy, they relocated the modules that once made up Airdrie Hideout into the Texas system, where it was reconstructed as Amarillo Base. The new base is considerably more compact than Airdrie was, as the formerly sprawling structure was broken down and repurposed to serve as additional protection against the intense radiation of the Grande Negra in addition to purpose-built shielding.

Though some even within the Lane Hackers questioned the wisdom of building a base in the deadliest cloud in Liberty, a small band of influential Hackers considered the risks worth the chance to dig through the wreckage of the Texas Disaster. Amarillo is run by a skeleton crew of ambitious Hackers, though no one knows what exactly they intend to use that wreckage for. Supply shipments for Amarillo carry medicine as if it were oxygen, desperately hoping to stave off radiation sickness long enough for the base's great experiment to bear fruit.

▸ Other Operations

Lane Hacker operations extend to other systems in Liberty, but California and Colorado seem to gather the highest activity among those. In sharp contrast, based on the lack of any sources about Lane Hacker activity in southern Liberty systems such as Texas, Bering and Hudson, we can safely assume that Lane Hacker operations there are very infrequent. ^{[Rumors §19.13, 19.14]}

Located for decades in orbit of Planet Los Angeles, the Liberty Navy in California operated out of Battleship Yukon. Despite being scheduled for decomissioning, the dreadnought had remained in service in an effort to decrease the criminal activity in the system; however, it has had little success. Due to the Gallic threat it was recently moved to the neighboring Cortez system and Battleship Alma was reassigned in California. Liberty Rogues, Lane Hackers and Outcasts mainly operate in California, while the Xeno activity is rather weak. Lane Hackers also maintain a permanent presence in Alcatraz Depot where they trade valuable information for goods, and smuggle cardamine. San Diego Border Station, the Liberty Police's base of operations in western California, protected the jump gate leading to Magellan. Tahoe Ice Cloud seems to gather the highest criminal activity in the system. The western side of the trade lane between Los Angeles and San Diego are under Liberty Navy's responsibility and the eastern part under Liberty Police's responsibility. It is also reported that the attrition rate of the law enforcement is significantly high. ^{[News report §3.2, Infocards §18.3, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, Rumors §10.12, 10.15, 13.9, 18.6, 18.7, 19.15, 19.16, 19.17, 19.18, 19.19, 19.20, 19.21, 19.22, 19.23, 19.24, 19.25]}

Operations in Colorado are mostly based out of Alamosa Asteroid Field as this is where the jump hole to Galileo is located. The jump gate to Galileo is close and sometimes they operate against targets approaching the gate. Cochrane Hackers also frequently enter and operate in the system by using the jump hole from Ontario. A favourite target in Colorado is Pueblo Station which is regularly attacked in an effort to disrupt its normal activities. In addition, they send enigmatic transmissions on the system-wide frequency. Operations in New York system are much less frequent, and are mostly based out of Cochrane Depot. Rogues are known to move light arms from Rochester to Leiden and return back with artifacts. In 814 A.S., the Lane Hackers conducted an audacious raid against Norfolk Shipyard, however further details are not known. In addition, there are reports about Lane Hacker operations in Pennsylvania and Kansas systems. ^{[News reports §10.1, 11.2, 19.1, 19.2 Infocards §5.4, 19.7, 19.9, 19.10, 19.11, 19.12, Rumors §10.6, 10.16, 10.17, 18.6, 18.7, 19.26, 19.27, 19.28, 19.29, 19.30]}

19. Other Operation sources

DENVER -- LPI investigators are puzzled today as they wrestle with the third encrypted message that has been intercepted in as many weeks. The transmissions are coming from multiple locations within the northern Colorado asteroid fields. Frustrated by the LPI's failure to make headway in the investigation, Ageira has loaned their top encryption specialists to aid the police effort. One source theorized that the transmissions are using a modified Ageira encryption algorithm, which suggests Lane Hacker involvement.

MONTEZUMA -- The intelligence purchased from Lane Hackers has more than paid for itself within the past several months in Cortez. Looted Luxury Good shipments from New York have been earning the majority of the money at the base. Once the cargo is acquired, Rogue smugglers make their way back to New York, where the goods are fenced to the Junkers at excellent prices. Unfortunately, this lucrative cycle may be nearing its end, since the Luxury Goods shipments are entering the system with more and more escorts. Soon they will not be worth the price paid in pilots and ships.

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Perhaps the most recognizable Rogue base of all (for scoundrels and rapscallions, anyway), Alcatraz has become a welcoming beacon and a safe haven for all the flotsam and jetsam Liberty has to offer. One of the few Liberty Rogue bases within Liberty proper (most criminals tend to live at the fringes of society in more than one sense), Alcatraz was originally constructed in 515 A.S. as a waystation and resting place for Californian pirates and drug runners headed into New York, as well as a remarkably secure place of refuge for those attempting to evade the long arm of the law. Housed within a hollowed-out ice asteroid deep in the notorious Californian Whitney field (the LPI harbours a whole range of superstitions about the cloud, since pirates that manage to enter even the outskirts of Whitney almost always manage to slip away), Alcatraz had always maintained a colourful assortment of patrons and population. The lively if somewhat chilly bar pours a mind-boggling assortment of Liberty's best drinks, and the local bartender is rumoured to be one of Sirius' most well-informed, and for the right price, he can put in a good word for even the most despised foe with Liberty's criminal triad.

Said triad is well-represented here, with Outcast Cardamine smugglers bringing in the orange drug, Lane Hackers bartering information for goods, and even the occasional Junker looking to pick up or drop off a load of cargo. The omnipresent Liberty Rogues that run the show here maintain a solid background core, keeping a watchful eye over proceedings and moving quickly to quell any potential fights before they start - unless it is them starting it.

Alcatraz might be best compared to an unlawful Freeport of sorts, since if you're not a Xeno, you're welcome here to drink, deal or simply kick back after a long, hard day of busting Universal Shipping open. Be warned though, the no-blaster rule is strictly enforced.

Commissioned in 739 A.S., the Battleship Yukon has patrolled the California system for over eighty years. It was originally scheduled to be decommissioned in 805 A.S. had it not been for a successful campaign by the residents of Los Angeles that resulted in the Yukon being sent for a complete overhaul, extending its operational lifespan until 825 A.S..

The Battleship has been an integral part of the Liberty Navy's efforts to keep the Lane Hackers and Liberty Rogues under some semblance of control within the system, with limited successes to date. Previously, patrols would start out at the Yukon’s former position close to Los Angeles before heading into Magellan, Cortez, and occasionally Ontario, to assist traders and put down unruly pirates from the independent systems.

Due to increased Gallic activity within the Manchester and Magellan systems, the Yukon has been stationed outside of California for the first time. Near the independent world of Curacao, it serves as a patrol point and major command center for the combined forces of the treaty allies of the region, while retaining a vigilant watch over Bretonia’s key arterial trade route.

Commissioned in 814 A.S, Battleship Alma's first posting was in the Hudson system, where it's battlegroup was expected to play a pivotal role in the war against Rheinland. However, as hostilities seemed to concentrate mainly along the New Hampshire-Bremen Corridor, Alma's battlegroup saw relatively light action as it held position over Planet Atka, guarding the terraforming operation there.

Upon the cessation of hostilities between Rheinland and Liberty, the Alma was redeployed to the Texas gate in Hudson system acting in the role of commerce protection. In accordance, its battlegroup strength was reduced to picket levels with many units being redirected towards the new front developing in California.

In response to the increased Gallic activity with Cortez and Magellan, the Alma has been reassigned to the California system to act as both support for the forward Yukon battlegroup and as a safeguard against Gallic incursions. Returned to full strength, Alma currently reinforces the system from its position in close orbit around California Minor.

San Diego Border Station monitors the Magellan Jump Gate to stem the rise of criminal activity throughout the area, particularly that of Lane Hackers, Rogues, and Outcasts. The facility is entirely owned and operated by Liberty Police, Inc. (LPI) and its support staff.

The Battleship Missouri is the flagship of the Liberty Navy. Commissioned in 799 A.S., the Missouri has state-of-the-art weaponry and is constructed around a unique triple-hulled design that incorporates integrated armour plating. The armour plating is specially manufactured in the Norfolk Shipyards for the Liberty Navy using a classified, proprietary process.

The Missouri has seen action in a number of conflicts, including a brief battle near the Zone 21 minefield during a skirmish with Order forces in early 801 A.S., and more recently in the audacious Lane Hacker led raid on Norfolk Shipyard in 814 A.S. Admiral Wendi White is in command, and has been the commander of the Missouri since its commission to active service.

A nebula of ice crystals. Two Trade Lanes pass through the cloud, but the presence of the San Diego Border Station and frequent Navy patrols discourage attacks. Rogues, Lane Hackers, and Outcasts are the most commonly spotted criminals. Willard Research Station is located deep within the Tahoe cloud, but the exact nature of its research is classified by the Liberty Navy.

A large rock asteroid field. Initial surveys indicated no ore or other resources worth mining. Alamosa is a favorite refuge of Rogues and Lane Hackers attempting to escape capture by the Liberty Navy.

Lynch is a Barracuda-type heavy fighter that once belonged to a well-known Bounty Hunter, David Brenson. Lane Hackers somehow found out who was Brenson's next target, and sent a large squad to overtake him and his teammate in Pennsylvania. Though outnumbered and outgunned, Brenson managed to destroy all of his attacker's ships, but his ship was damaged beyond repair and is still trapped somewhere in the Driftwood Asteroid Field. Brenson's body was never found.

This Dromedary-class freighter once belonged to an independent space explorer. In the Kansas system, he was unlucky enough to stumle upon a Lane Hacker patrol. After refusing to give out the cargo, the pirates disabled the ship's engines, boarded the ship, and took all goods their ships were able to carry.

The Lane Hacker who once owned this craft was clearly a skilled and wealthy pilot: not many Hackers ever get a chance to pilot a Sabre. However, in the vasts of Kansas system combat skills matter less than a properly maintained engine fueling system. Attracted by strange emissions from the Tuttle Creek Nebula, the pilot had just enough fuel to approach the source of this emission, hoping that there is a base or a ship where he might get help. He never knew what the true source was.

---

There are many Silver and Diamond shipments in this system that the Lane Hackers give us information on -- well, perhaps "give" isn't the right word. The Lane Hackers are eager to trade their information for access to our black market contacts.

Finally a familiar run again. Albeit with a slightly changed starting point. Delivering Beryllium to Liberty was one of the runs I was often assigned to before the Tau war. Good folk, down in Liberty. Well, except the Xenos of course. And the Rogues. And Lane Hackers. But otherwise, good folk! Always kind enough to set me up with a load of Light Arms or Superconductors to bring back to Bretonia.

This academy is near the California Jump Gate. California is a favorite hangout for the Lane Hackers. Lane Hackers were former Ageira employees who turned to crime. They’re smarter than most of the criminals you’ll go up against.

I heard that you have to fly to the California system. It’s really easy to get there and it’s not very far. Take the Trade Lane from Manhattan to West Point, and from there to the California Gate. After that, fly to Mojave and take the Trade Lane directly to California Minor. The only thing that you need to be careful about is the Lane Hackers, since they’ve been very active lately and it’s quite possible you could be attacked.

I'm getting bored around here. Same old stuff with the Rogues and Hackers. I want to get out to the Border Worlds. The Corsairs and Red Hessians are supposed to be nasty in the Omega systems.

California is Rogue central. We got 'em in all the asteroid fields. No Xenos, though. Never been any mining or manufacturing workers in this system.

Fastest way to some quick bounties? Head straight for the Trade Lane to the Magellan Gate, around the middle of the Tahoe Cloud. You'll get some strikes pretty fast in that area.

This is a good spot for hunting Hackers and Outcasts, probably the best in Liberty space. They all collect in the Tahoe Cloud to the west of the Lane. Happy hunting!

Next week they're transferring me to the Los Angeles-San Diego Trade Lane patrol through the Tahoe. You're liable to run into Rogues, Lane Hackers, even Outcasts. It's an assignment for gung ho young 'uns straight out of the academy, or bored vets about to join the Bounty Hunters. I'm neither.

The military handles most of the tough Lane Hacker and Outcast areas of the western Tahoe Cloud. They don't want us interferin', they say. Just a bunch of privileged, arrogant hotheads in my opinion.

We handle the west side of the Trade Lane to the Magellan Gate, LPI, the east. In my opinion, we should handle everything in there. They wouldn't know what to do with a Lane Hacker or an Outcast if they caught one.

I'm just countin' the days. I got thirty-two left before I go back to a life. The attrition rate here is real bad. So far, twenty guys this month got vaporized by Outcasts, Hackers, or Rogues. That's some bad odds. I need to look for a new line of work if I make it through this.

They set up this border station to keep a watch on the Magellan Gate, since it's so isolated from everything else in the system. Then some genius planetside decided that we needed to do patrols into the Tahoe Cloud.

Xenos do a lot of their pirating in Colorado. You’ll find Lane Hackers there, too. Going north into Shikoku and beyond, you will run into the Kusari criminals such as the Golden Chrysanthemums, Blood Dragons, and Hogosha.

We patrol the Trade Lanes in the eastern half of the system; the navy boys the west side. Mostly Xenos in their part of the system. We get more Rogues on this side. Also get a few Lane Hackers in the Alamosa Field.

There's a couple of Holes into this system. Us Bounty Hunters aren't supposed to tell anyone about them, but you look okay to me. The first one is in the northern end of the Alamosa Field; it goes to Galileo. There's another one into Kepler from the Copperton Field. The Xenos use that one a lot.

We run two patrols into the fields from the Rio Grande. One goes into the Copperton Field, the other into the Alamosa. Usually the bad guys hightail it out of there when we show up, but not always. I killed me twelve Rogues and twenty Xenos so far since being posted up here -- no Lane Hackers yet, though. They don't stick around as much as the others.

Rochester has plenty of Side Arms to sell, so we pick them up and run them here. The Side Arms we bring in usually head on over to Leiden, where we trade the Lane Hackers for cash or info on ship cargoes headed through the system.

---

⚡ Foreign Houses

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▸ Bretonia

By using the jump hole to the west of Mactan Base, the Lane Hackers can access and operate in Manchester system though they usually stay inside the protection of North Sheffield Ice Field. Mostly, they target shipments carrying valuable cargo, such as gold. ^{[News report §20.1, Infocards §20.3, 20.4, 20.5, Rumors §20.6, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 20.10, 20.11, 20.12, 20.18]}

The Bretonia Police patrols the trade lanes and the perimeters of the ice field by using the two border stations as their bases of operations. The Armed Forces are assigned patrols in the much less safe Independent Worlds. The Bounty Hunters Guild is also a frequent sight in the system as it administers Sheffield Station. The Lane Hackers active operations in Bretonian space also extend into the Leeds system which is accessed from the jump hole in Magellan. ^{[Infocards §20.2, 20.3, 20.4, Rumors §20.10, 20.11, 20.12, 20.13, 20.14, 20.15, 20.16, 20.17, 20.18, 20.19, 20.20, 20.21, 22.25]}

20. Bretonia sources

KINGSTON -- Two days ago the Lane Hackers seized a Bowex Gold shipment headed for Liberty space and disappeared before authorities could get to them. The Hackers are known for their advanced technology that allows them to strike with stunning accuracy at the most valuable ship convoys. This attack was no different. IC is posting mammoth rewards for the live capture of any Lane Hacker, and many Bounty Hunters are getting ready to try and collect. As of yet the well financed pirate organization has been too slippery to let one of its own be captured alive.

---

Sheffield Station houses many of the off-shift prison, manufacturing, and mining personnel who work in facilities scattered throughout the Manchester system. A large number of guilds and shipping companies have regional headquarters on Sheffield, including Bowex and Gateway Shipping. But the Bounty Hunters Guild more or less administrates the station, and its members keep the BPA Newgate prison filled to capacity.

Liverpool Border Station is the command center for the Bretonia Police Authority in the Manchester System and is tasked with suppressing the smugglers, pirates, and Lane Hackers who use the local ice fields for cover.

Kingston Border Station is operated by the Bretonia Police Authority as a base for interdicting smugglers, pirates, and Lane Hackers operating in the Manchester system.

A large field of ice asteroids. The North Sheffield Field has been a favorite haunt of Lane Hackers who find it a convenient location to lurk prior to attacking any of the several nearby Trade Lanes.

---

Us here at Holmirth are really getting tired of the Lane Hackers. I was -THIS- close to catching a Planetform ship, when all of a sudden a group of hackers show up!

I wish I knew how the Outcasts and Lane Hackers are getting into this system. They don't come through the Jump Gates, that's for certain, unless it's some kind of crazy Lane Hacker technology we don't know about. They're probably using a few Jump Holes, which we haven't yet located.

There's a Jump Hole into Manchester just to the west of this base. Our raiders often pop through and hang out in the North Sheffield Field, waiting for an unsuspecting Bowex Gold shipment on the Trade Lanes. It's easy to intercept them when you know when they're coming.

Lane Hackers do a lot of raiding in this system. They know when the Gold shipments are going to come through, and yellow metal is one of their favorite finds.

There are two Jump Holes in this system. The Hole to Leeds is in the Birmingham Ice Field; the Hole to Magellan is in the southern part of the Sheffield North Ice Field.

This base's location between the two major ice fields in this system leaves us with plenty of options. All kinds of scumbag criminals come into this system. You name it, we got it: Mollys, Gaians, Outcasts, and even Lane Hackers. Most of the action takes place north of the Trade Lanes, except the occasional Molly raid on the Newgate.

Our patrol areas focus on the Sheffield North Ice Field and the Birmingham Ice Field. In any one of those areas you will encounter several criminal groups that populate this system, including Mollys, Gaians, Lane Hackers, and Outcasts.

This base was built here to protect damaged ships arriving from the Border Worlds and to patrol the Trade Lanes between the Gate and Sheffield. More recently, Armed Forces have started to use it to patrol from here to Freeport 4. We see ships in all kinds of conditions. Once a ship that was on fire arrived with no engines. The pilot brought it in using inertia from the Jump Gate. Bloody good feat of flying that was. We had to use a few service pods to bring it to the station.

I'm glad that we don't have to patrol into the Independent Worlds. I hear Magellan is a dangerous place. Luckily, that's assigned to the Armed Forces and Liberty Navy. From the condition of some of the ships that arrive, I'd say they are understaffed.

The demand here for H-Fuel is pretty high since patrols are constantly launching from this base. Police patrols run along the lanes and perimiter of the asteroid fields, and military patrols head into Cortez, as far as Curacao. Those patrols keep us covered as best as they can, so we try to make sure they're well supplied.

This station was constructed to protect the convoys traveling through the system from the Independent Worlds. The Jump Gate just beyond this station leads to Cortez, which is dangerous space for anyone. Luckily, Cortez is outside of our jurisdiction - it's up to the Liberty Navy and Armed Forces to keep the lanes clear there.

I ship Food and Consumer Goods to this base from Kensington. It's a living, and you only have to jump from one system away. Mollys can be quite a problem on occasion, so be careful if you try it. But it is a hell of a lot safer than crossing the Independent Worlds.

I usually don't bother with the prison convoys. The Police Authority usually escorts those themselves, so there's nothing in it for me. They'll claim any pirate kills as their own, which means I don't get paid. It's easier to nab a few Gaians near Birmingham, or a few Hackers coming from Magellan. If you bag both groups on the same trip, you get payment from both Liberty and Bretonia.

I was patrolling the Sheffield North a few weeks ago when I stumbled across three Lane Hackers. They were caught by surprise, too busy waiting on a Gold shipment that was coming by. I bagged one of them before they knew what hit 'em. The other two punched it for the Jump Hole to Magellan and escaped. That's how they work, those Hackers. They know when the good shipments are coming. So you know when to expect them to lay in wait.

I may be a Bretonian Bounty Hunter, but I've been making a lot of good money from a Liberty company. Ageira is paying me big bucks to dust any Lane Hackers that I catch in this system. Bowex and BMM pick up the tab for any Mollys that cross my path.

Look, every bobby knows that Gaians smell like week old socks, never trust a Mollys' golden grin because his mate is sneaking up behind you with a laserdrill, and you can't turn your back on your meal while there's a Corsair in the room. But what's with those Lane Hackers? We busted up some piracy they were doing on the lane to Planet Leeds a few days ago, and I got called names with so many syllables I thought those Hackers must have been having seizures. Maybe it was cardamine withdrawal or something.

▸ Kusari

Shikoku system in Kusari is an active area of operations for the Lane Hackers of Leiden Base. By using the nearby jump hole, they can enter Shikoku and usually attack the traffic that passes through the Keiun Cloud. However, convoys consider Kusari space much safer than the Independent Worlds. Lane Hackers are frequent visitors to Morioka Base belonging to the Golden Chrysanthemums which supports the cardamine smuggling operations. They also provide protection to all Sisters who travel to Leiden Base. ^{[Infocards §21.1, 21.4, Rumors §7.1, 7.2, 19.26, 21.5, 21.6, 21.7, 21.8, 21.9, 21.10, 21.11, 21.12]}

Even though Kusari is still much safer than the Independent Worlds, Kusarians are discontent that Liberty's criminals have spread into their core systems and are trying to contain it by posting large bounties for Lane Hackers and Liberty Rogues. The Bounty Hunters Guild is particularly active in this system and their Hunters are quite effective against criminals since they know Shikoku's jump hole network. Deshima Station serves as their headquarters in Kusari. Battleship Myoko is also assigned to the area by the Kusari Naval Forces in order to reduce the criminal activity in the system and also serves as the base of operations for the patrols heading to the Independent Worlds. All captured foreign criminals are being transferred to the nearby Fuchu Prison, where they spend their sentence mining hydrocarbons or working in Planet Junyo's fishing platforms. The prison is administrated by the Kusari State Police and some of them are discontent with the efficiency of the Naval Forces. ^{[Infocards §21.2, 21.3, Rumors §7.1, 21.7, 21.8, 21.9, 21.10, 21.11, 21.12, 21.13, 21.14, 21.15, 22.25]}

21. Kusari sources

Constructed in late 815 A.S., Morioka is a small depot constructed by the Golden Chrysanthemums in the southern part of the Shikoku system. Hidden by the Keiun nebula, it is mainly used by Cardamine smugglers. The Liberty Rogues and the occasional Lane Hacker visits the station for this purpose. Blood Dragons looking to make repairs also visit, but they rarely stay longer then needed.

One of the first ships constructed for the Kusari Navy by Samura, the Battleship Myoko is the most venerable of those military ships still in service. The Myoko was scheduled for decommissioning in 806 AS, but as tensions with Bretonia rose, Kusari opted to instead refit the ship and keep her in service. It is currently deployed in the Shikoku system to help stem the growing tide of piracy from the Independent Worlds, and serves as a base for Kusari Naval Forces patrols in Shikoku, Galileo and Kepler.

Originally located in the New Tokyo system, Fuchu Prison was moved to the Shikoku system in 600 AS to handle the burgeoning foreign criminal element that was plaguing the area. While nearly 70% of the prisoners are from outside of Kusari space, the remaining 30% are almost exclusively members of a radical, political terrorist group called the Blood Dragons. "Rehabilitation through work" is a core principal of the Fuchu Prison mandate, and inmates are routinely deployed to mine Hydrocarbon and work the Junyo fishing platforms.

The Keiun ("Beautiful") Cloud lives up to its name, and were it not for the presence of pirates, would probably be a major Kusari tourist attraction. Unfortunately, its proximity to the Jump Gates leading to Galileo and Kepler make it ideal cover for Independent World pirates wishing to interdict traffic to and from Deshima Station.

---

This system is a crossroads of Kusari and Liberty shipping. Consequently, we get a lot of Liberty criminals here. There are Rogues and Lane hackers as well as our own Blood Dragons, Golden Chrysanthemums, Farmers Alliance, and Hogosha.

The Golden C. usually attack from the Keiun. The bold Blood Dragons will attack from anywhere. Most of the other criminals fly within the clouds to hide themselves, yet the Dragons will cross in open space, daring anyone to give chase, even the military.

Battleship Myoko was sent here to secure the Jump Gates and stop the flood of Gaijin criminals currently pouring in from the Border Worlds. I am glad they are here, but sadly they are not enough. If they did a better job, we wouldn't have half of this facility filled with foreigners.

I fly a patrol into the Keiun to hunt down Gaijin pirates. They are mostly coming in from that area. I also escort convoys from the Border Worlds. Often times the ships have been so beaten up out there that to be attacked here in Shikoku almost ensures their death.

We get attacked on the way down from Shikoku by Lane Hackers and Rogues, and both ways by Xenos. Kusari space is certainly much safer than this. We don't have crime problems like this. I wish Liberty would clean up the Independent Worlds, since the criminals come from here.

Strange that Samura never pays to have Farmers Alliance activity popped in this area. They seem most concerned with Lane Hackers and Rogues that enter the system and loiter near the Keiun. They use the Jump Hole from Galileo.

In the east of this system between the Kuryo and Matsuo Clouds, you can find a Jump Hole leading to Galileo -- and Hacker territory.

To be a decent Bounty Hunter you have to know the Jump Hole networks that span all of Sirius. There are two Jump Holes in this system. The one leading to Kyushu is in the Saiun on the northern end of the system. In the south you will find a Hole to Galileo tucked into the Keiun.

The Blood Dragons are fierce opponents, and the police require our help to fight them off. Bounty Hunters are also successful at dealing with them, and I know that Samura has hired many of these mercenaries to deal with the problem. Deshima is home to the Bounty Hunters Guild in Kusari. No where else will you find their bases operating in this part of space.

Our patrols enter in the Border Worlds in an attempt to stem piracy in this system and in nearby areas. If we can reduce the number of criminals in Kepler and Galileo, we will reduce the criminals in Shikoku.

There is a Liberty Rogue here who always claims to be a Lane Hacker. He has been here three years, and every day he offers me more money to let him escape. I think yesterday he offered me enough to buy my own planet, the poor fool. I know he has no money. Even if he were a Lane Hacker I would not take his money; we aren't the LPI.

...part.four.concluded...accessing.part.five...