Should Traders in RP, use Jump Holes?

[Baltar]

I think if the route can be done using lanes, then they shouldn't use jump holes.

If the route has to use a known jump hole or two, like the Texas-Minnesota one, then it should be ok to use them. My trader supplies the front lines of the Rheinland/Liberty war, which requires me to use jump holes to get to the BS Concord in New Hampshire.

Ah ... then we should hear less complaints from traders about pirates who haunt you on your runs that take you away from the trade lanes. You leave the beaten path ... you have no excuse nor complaint. If you are a Liberty trader ... best not be using Rheinland trade lanes ... they have different codes ... as do their jump gates. I'd expect them to be locked down to non-Rheinlanders.

My position on Jumpholes as natural objects: Insane.

Sure, phase alignment. There was a question about one or two holes. We've no idea how long a hole is phase aligned for. Perhaps a couple years at a time? Maybe this would explain them being moved around systems, for example?

I imagine, and I've no backing for this beyond the ridiculousness of the assumption of so many systems with natural wormholes, that the Jump hole network are a D'K construct. You think this is ridiculous, of course, as they had a gate system, and instructions for building such things in valhalla, but I deal with this idea by assuming that gates are a low tech or brute force substitute for holes, vinel records for cds. The supergate? Super is a key word there. Easier to build a huge low tech object to cover the great distance than the more elegant stellar needlepoint of the jumphole network.

Jump Holes may be unregulated, uncontrolled, but I imagine they're much better built, and more secure, when they're not shifting their alignment (and probably include safety measures there, as well, like, for example, failing to work when they don't work) than the crude subsitutes used by humanity, and now the nomads.

Lets also keep in mind that MOST jump holes lead you to close proximity with the unlawful elements of Sirius. So a trader using a jump hole puts his life into his own hands ... and the mercy of the pirate he encounters.

Speaking as a House corporation trader, I'm not going to NOT use jumpholes. They save time, and House corporations already get shafted enough.

Then the house corporate trader cannot complain when he's pirated ... and the police, navy, etc should look at said trader and say, "We told you to keep to the lanes ... but no ... you wouldn't listen. We don't have the resources to patrol EVERYWHERE. Stick to the lanes and we'll keep you safe. But if you leave them ... you're on your own."

Actually, There are systems that traders need to use to get to systems they are allowed to use. For Example, Minnesota and the KOF.

I would think that there would be SOME jump holes that corporations would OK for use, but a blanket OK on all of them seems a little far fetched.

Now I am going to respectfully disagree with the statement about the LPI traders. Lets look at the last word in LPI, Incorporated. A corporation. A corporation that also has manufacturing wing that the inhabitants of Huntsville and the Sugarland provide as labor. So why can't the LPI have its own trading wing? Supplies need to be taken from base to base, equipment shuffled around. It's not so far fetched.

As for the cops in liberty being supported by taxes, we aren't. The LPI is a corporation paid by the Liberty government to provide a police force.

In reality, the LPI has no set funding mechanism. I wished the LPI had a set amount of credits given to it every month to sustain it, but is doesn't. The credits needed to run the LPI come from it's members, and any
fines that are collected go to the LPI. I personally have donated in excess of 400 million and added a few ships out of my own pocket. Others have done the same.

Edit: From the LPI ID itself:

* Can trade and escort traders

Ah ... have you read the Pirate ID? The Pirate ID also says that he can trade. So ... when you encounter a pirate with cargo ... are you gonna leave him alone or open fire?

Glad you found your loophole ... Its SOOO fun to see a transport sporting a Trader ID and Liberty Police IFF flying about far from home (Sigma 13, etc). And to find an LPI ID on a transport? Check it again ... what ships does the LPI ID permit you to fly? Are there cargo space limitations on that ID?

See that 'Inc.' bit right there, that bit in the bold? That means 'Incorporated'. I suggest you get a dictionary.

Traders use jumpholes at their own risk. Coincidentally, in most cases they're less risky than tradelanes.

Yes ... found that loophole around police being traders ... congratulations ... now I know how serious you are about role play.

In role play ... you'd EXPECT traders to be in more danger when they leave the trade lanes. Just like in role play ...you'd EXPECT the lawful navy and police to be stronger than pirates. Make up your mind man ... are we gonna role play or are you just looking for whatever gives you the advantage?

Pirates are stronger when the trader leaves the trade lanes ... lawfuls are stronger when they are closer to the trade lanes where lawfuls can respond quickly.