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Joined: Aug 2007
Staff roles: Story Dev Economy Dev
Aftermath
The long-term effects of the Maltese Slave Revolt are still being felt. While the the first harvests from rebuilt plantations are beginning to stabilise supply, the drug's atrophied distribution network remains a noticeable bottleneck in the colonies. The Revolt and the sharp fall in Cardamine availability led to much infighting and hoarding among dealers, with many of those dysfunctions and shattered relationships remaining apparent to this day. Similarly, the extended withdrawal of Outcast ships to Malta left the Orange Road unguarded, and their enemies emboldened.
The enormous market incentive offered by Liberty's Junkers spawned an influx of smugglers willing to chance the run's hazards for immense personal gain. All along the Orange Road, these ships would be targeted ruthlessly by Corse raiders, Crayter patrols, Hogosha enforcers and even independent pirates who have lost their fear of Outcast reprisals. Even so, the flood of vessels threatened to overload even Liberty's well funded security channels. The Republic did not sit idly by however, with a joint special operation immediately being launched by the LSF, LN and LPI.
Clever shippers still found their way through the tight net, but as the dust settled the Junkers and the Outcasts were both alarmed. They had fallen short of their target for shipped product by more than 5%. What was intended to demonstrate the resurgent might of the now outward-looking Outcast cartels instead raised difficult questions.
Had the distribution network failed? Would bloody examples need to be made to instil discipline? Had their enemies been allowed to grow unchecked for too long? Where would forces need to be focused to ensure a favourable status quo returned? As the Outcasts grappled with these concerns, other rivals smell blood in the water. The Corse in particular see a crack in the Outcasts' previous market dominance, and a disgruntled network of distributors that could potentially be turned to other pursuits... like Nox.
While Cardamine dealers in Liberty still struggle with shortages, the Orange Gold Madness has allowed them to largely balance out the supply issues with their stocks on hand. Despite this, prices remain sky-high, with some major dealers facing significant shortages. Those unlucky addicts at the bottom of the list face an unpleasant death from withdrawals; there have been reports of riots and disturbances related to the shortage on Houston and deprived areas of Denver.
1) Bad.Moon.Rising: Smuggler's POB - a derelict asteroid base; it is not invulnerable, can be upgraded but does not consume upkeep supplies (like a Core 5).
2) Wayward.Wanderer: Unique Smuggler ID + SPRINGROSE + ROSEGUARD
3) Galway: Unique Smuggler ID + SPRINGROSE
4) 0xSurveyor: Unique Smuggler ID
5) Premium.Schaumkraut: Unique Smuggler ID
6) Forum title "Cardamine Consigliere" for anyone who shipped over 20,000 units.
7) Forum title "Malta's Bane" for anyone who can provide evidence of a smuggler kill or cargo interdiction.
8) In-game news articles to be added to reflect various faction perspectives on the outcome.
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