The Pennsylvania Liberation Front

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The Pennsylvania Liberation Front

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I. Overview

The Pennsylvania Liberation Front (PLF) is an extremist Zoner movement that has the primary goal of eradicating Liberty presence in Pennsylvania by force. They operate in and around Pennsylvania, performing precise strikes on targets of opportunity. With no certain space-borne base of operations, the cells of the PLF use Zoner and sympathizer bases to rearm and resupply. The members of the Front generally do not attack civilian targets, but some cells do not take pity against foreign civilian targets such as corporations. Nevertheless, "avoidable" civilian casualties is frowned upon by most if not all.

II. Origin

The movement was born during Operation Pesticide, which consisted of a military take over of planet Erie. Seeing their rights violated, Zoner militias quickly formed to resist the occupation. One of the first groups was called Freedom Fighters, which evolved into the Pennsylvania Liberation Front after volunteers from all around Sirius joined to defend their common ideals. Unfortunately for the Zoner population of Pennsylvania, the resistance ultimately failed on defeating the invading Liberty forces and was forced into a retreat and regroup. After Operation Pesticide was declared complete by the Liberty Government, the cells resorted to guerrilla warfare in space and on planet side Erie, a campaign that lasts to present day.

Bathed in Zoner blood shed in the occupation, the flag of the Front shows the Pennsylvania system. The stars represent Zoner centers - with Erie, the brightest star - in the middle. The smaller stars represent Bethlehem and Philadelphia.

III. The members of the PLF

They are comprised of mercenaries, combat veterans, and regulars of the multiple Zoner defense fleets. Its members are relatively well trained and versed in warfare, but some gaps in the military are plugged with volunteers. Secrecy and anonymity is almost cultural, and they refer to each other via codenames and callsigns. Everything happening within the PLF is strictly need-to-know.

IV. Tactics

The arsenal of the Front is modern but lacking in numbers. Cell leaders employ lethal Q-ships in wolf packs to attack shipping convoys and capital ships, while guerrillas on the ground orchestrate attacks against military and governamental infrastructure in Erie's countryside. Such attacks sometimes result in civilian casualties, mostly middle-class Liberty civilians seeking new opportunities.

As guerrillas, the multiple cells that compose the Front's sword arm hide in Erie's breathtaking mountain ranges and woods, using old military depots, bunkers and other installations as hideouts and HQs. With deep knowledge of Erie's geography, they effectively hide themselves from Liberty's sophisticated satellite network. Outside their semi-permanent bases, they blend in with the civilian populace, gathering support, fomenting unrest and planning their next explosive attack.

V. Relations

"Suspicion and mistrust" define the Front's foreign policy. Most of its members are hardcore nationalists, and look down upon anyone that isn't a Zoner, including Zoners that "betrayed" their ideals by conforming to the new government or by dealing with Liberty. Resourceful cell leaders and lieutenants employ the help of Liberty's enemies. Not because they're friendly to their cause, but because they have an enemy in common. Despite this common ground, most members still view outsiders with suspicion and unfriendliness.

“

Perhaps we should've never let the insurgents in...

”

VI. Goals

"Death before submission" is a common motto among the members of the Front. Their primary goals involve the liberation of Erie and consequently the Pennsylvania system as a whole. If listed, those goals would be:

• Eradicate Liberty presence and influence in the Pennsylvania system.
  
• International recognition of Pennsylvania as a fully independent world.
  
• Establish a hardline Zoners-First government.
  

With their secondary goals being:

• Appropriation of all Liberty assets in Pennsylvania, such as Philadelphia station, the lane network, and the jump gate.
  
• Deportation of all traitors of the cause, Liberty migrants, and unaligned foreigners.
  
• Create the Zoner Sovereign Army to deter any future hostile incursions and protect the Zoner populace.