Guard Systems

[carlabrams]

I have a little problem with Guard systems. Specifically, I have a little problem with the fact that they exist, and seem to exist for no purpose other than to have a place to stick high-grade equipment and to let factions build a bunch of stuff which only they ever get to see/use, some of which doesn't make any sense at all from a wider RP perspective. They generally serve no purpose within the RP of Discovery, though there are a few exceptions (Omicron-74 for example, though why the Zoners would build a Freeport right next to another Freeport makes little sense to me).

Generally speaking, the Guard systems are 'owned' by a player faction, who are generally the only people who get to use the system. Even indies of the same faction often aren't particularly welcome, though they're allowed in to buy equipment because the rules say it must be so. ...

I propose that Guard systems actually get integrated into the Discovery universe, as opposed to existing as their own separate little islands of 'reality'.

Omega-56, home of the Bounty Hunters Guild.

It's our Guard system. We RP that our top-secret research facility is there. We RP that our guild headquarters are located there.

We put in Alabama Shipyard, which is the ONLY place that the BHG Destroyer, Battlecruiser, and Battleship can be purchased. Capetown is now the only place that the Gunship and Gunboat can be purchased - and you darned well better not just be neutral to us to get into the system, because it IS our system. (In other words, buy the right ID and we're happy. Don't have it and you're an expanding ball of gas.)

Now - we're secretive, clanish, and paranoid. Are you saying that you want a free and open pathway through our system? Why? What purpose, other than to give smugglers another road through?

What would you want us to do to 'integrate' into the Universe? Put a Corsair base in there as well, and all sit around and sing Kum-ba-ya?

Yeah, this pretty much qualifies as a FAIL, basically.

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Sentient Machine Alliance