The Vagrant Raiders

[atlantis2112]

...Accessing Databanks...
Location: VCS-Metropolis Databank..
..Entry 0724.. Accessed
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

The year was 800. The sector was being ripped apart by the Nomad war; with the infested Rheinland fleet attacking the Sirius houses almost at random, the Sirius Sector was not a safe or desirable place to be. Only weathered smugglers still dared to commune through the warring houses.

John Petrucci was a part of a very rich and influential family on Malta, heavily involved in Cardamine trafficking. He looked up to his Uncle Jacobs, the captain of the Maltese smuggling vessel Saletune. While his father did not wish him to personally get involved with the Cardamine industry; he wished John to stay behind on Malta and help with the business aspect of the Cardamine trade. John, however, being of stubborn mind and even hardier heart, didn't listen, and hitched a ride on board to Cali Base, in Tau-23.

The Saletune was part of a larger smuggling convoy bound for Liberty. They were to deliver a large supply of Cardamine to Buffalo Base, in the New York system. In the smuggling convoy were ships of many shapes and sizes, including the Eclipse and the Downfall. The only other ship that he saw before boarding was the Eclipse. The convoy was prepared to take a new route that had not been fully explored. Jacobs had obtained a map from a Junker in the bar of Cali.

The convoy had set off. The Junker's directions were only a little off. As they entered the system he had scribbled on a piece of paper as "Cortez", their scanners picked up incoming contacts. Scans confirmed it was a wing of mercenaries, armed to the teeth. Included in the wing of mercenaries were two Ageira Havok Mk II bombers. The two Stiletto escorts that the convoy was flying with were picked off like flies, allowing the mercenaries to turn their attention to the convoy. They caused massive damage, blowing off the defense turrets, destroying the cargo components, and destroying the engines, crippling each ship. They made sure each ship was venting massive amounts of atmosphere, then left, leaving the smugglers to die a slow, painful death.

Hours passed, Jacobs, Petrucci and the crew were finding it harder and harder to breathe. When their oxygen supplies were next to nothing, the proximity alarms started to go off. It was a Liberty Siege Cruiser, the LNS-Agamemnon. The Agamemnon set power to its main cannon to finish off the helpless band of smugglers. The Captain of the Agamemnon, however, had an ego about the size of of a Rheinland Battleship, and began gloating. He explained to them that the Liberty Navy and several Libertonian Megacorps were participating in a collaborative effort to clamp down on the Cardamine trade. He explained that the Junker at Cali Base was paid a great sum of money for giving the smugglers the new route - which was indeed a trap. When the forward cannon was finally charged, the lights on the Cruiser dimmed, as all power was being diverted. Just as the Agamemnon was about to fire, it rocked with a massive explosion. Two more balls of light slammed into the Agamemnon, and the entire ship exploded in a blinding shower of fireworks against the blackness of space.

The smugglers had gotten lucky - when the mercenaries reported to the Agamemnon that the job was done, it broke away from its battlegroup to finish the job. The Hellfire Legion had intercepted the transmission from the mercenaries to the Cruiser, and acted quickly. The chance to take out a lone target of that size was too tempting to pass up. The Hellfire Legion towed the wrecks of the surviving ships to Vespucci. The crews of the smuggling vessels were treated well. They decided to work with the Hellfire Legion instead of heading straight back to Malta. In addition to retro-fitting their crippled transports with new engines and materials, they assisted the Hellfire Legion in many ways. The younger and the more daring members of the crew were taught piloting and combat techniques from the Legion while others helped build and repair ships as well as act as information gatherers. They were given ships by the Legion to assist with the acquisition of information and participations in military raids.

The smugglers were treated fairly by the Hellfire Legion. But they had to work for everything they were given. They realized at the rate they were progressing, they would never obtain the proper materials needed to repair their smuggling vessels, until two very interesting new people showed up on their doorstep. On board the San Raphael - a Liberty Gunboat that'd been salvaged and bound together by makeshift rods and components - Alexa and Dwight Novak managed to intercept and track down the smugglers. Shortly thereafter, the duo offered their expertise they'd acquired while working for Ageira in exchange for their own protection and survival. The addition of these two special people presented the smugglers with a new opportunity - the ability to manipulate the trade lane network.

Today, under the banner of the Vagrant Raiders, they freely smuggle cardamine between Malta and Liberty, and also ship materials for themselves or the Outcasts with their smuggling fleet. The Liberty Gunboat that the Novaks arrived on contributed greatly to the smuggling fleet; it provided the scrap metal and certain engine components for their smuggling transports. Now that the Vagrant Raiders have been able to scrounge up credits from the Cardamine smuggling "Hazard-payments", they are able to purchase ships from Hellfire and Lane Hacker bases in addition to assisting with construction. They also use those materials and components for outfitting their own ships, as well as the Legions'. They are very strong believers in the Orange Dream, and will escort anyone bound to or from Malta with goods that interest them or their allies. Their numbers have been bolstered by people from all over Sirius: residents of Malta or Outcast stations, disgruntled Ageira employees, drifting Freelancers, and many others. Among them, the Novak twins still operate, and help to manage the Raiders on a daily basis.

..Entry 0725..
"Goals:"
Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

• [font=franklin gothic medium]
  
• To bring in as much Cardamine to Liberty as possible, whether delivering supplies to our allies, rejuvenating our own supplies, or dropping off "love" packages to Liberty controlled planets.
  
  
• To assist our homeland, Malta, by bringing human cargo to tend the Cardamine fields, as well as engine components and raw materials to add to their industrial might.
  
  
• To aid our allies in any way possible - whether it be information, force, supplies, or humanitarian aid.
  
  
• To assist other Cardamine or Slaver vessels going to or from Malta against those who would disrupt their routes.
  
  
• To assist the Hellfire Legion in military operations. We do not want to overthrow the government, but weakening the Navy will allow us to bring more Cardamine into Liberty and operate more freely.
  
  
• To interfere with the trade network of ships passing through Liberty, especially with imports of materials used in Ship and Industry design.
  
  
• To prevent a Rheinland incursion into Liberty. Such would cause the destruction of many if not all of our plans.
  

..Entry 0726..
"General Information"
[color=#33CC00]Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

[color=orange]Faction Tag: VR-
Ranks: Designated by letters at the end of the name.
Example of tagged name: VR-John.Petrucci[OL].
IFF/ID: Lane Hackers.

[font=lucida console]..Entry 0727..
"Weaponry/Equipment"
Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

Lane Hacker weaponry: Without limitations.
Civillian weaponry: Without limitations.
Codename weaponry: With permission from the Overlord
Outcast Weaponry:: Wrym Type 2s with permission, Kraken Type 2s with permission and at 'Raider' or above ranks, Inferno Pulse Cannons obtained from the VR armoury and with permission.
Other weaponry: Prohibited.
Missiles: Maximum of two per fighter/bomber class ship.
Torpedos/Super Nova Antimatter Cannon: Without restrictions.

..Entry 0728..
"Ranks"
Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

Depending on rank, Vagrant Raiders are permitted to use ships that have been manufactured on Lane Hacker or Hellfire bases. Exceptions can be made with prior consent from all parties involved.
Having a large smuggling vessel requires a rank higher than Bandit.

Bandit - [Ba] An "itty bitty" as Taskmaster Alexa would put it, these pilots are newly recruited, and have yet to prove their worth among the Raiders. They are provided a small ship to perform escort duties, and have the option of getting themselves a small freighter to spead the Orange Dream. They are the 'grunts' of the Vagrant Raiders, often called to the front lines to do the more gritty work such as basic escort duties and scouting. Bandits are often rowdy and sometimes space-happy, as they have not been conditioned to the Vagrant way of life. Very little trust is placed in the Bandits.

Deviant - [De] Deviants are a bit more experienced in the ways of being a Raider. Their combat skills are more attuned, as is their efficiency at hacking into the lane network. They are a step above the Bandits, so they will not be called upon as "cannon fodder" so much as to "stand in front of the Taskmasters". They are permitted to use more ships than the common bandit, and as such have more responsibilities, including leading small flights of bandits, and teaching bandits in the ways of combat.

Raider - [Ra] These pilots are officially a part of the "crew". They've flown under the wings of the higher-ups, and have displayed prowess in combat and character. They are entrusted to pilot even more ships than Deviants.re considered "the normals"

Maurauder - [Ma] Marauders have gone above and beyond their call of duty, and are called upon foremost by the Leaders. They are the shining example of what it means to be a Raider. They have mastered the art of hacking into any kind of communications network as well as the trade lane network.

Taskmaster - [TM] (Leadership Rank) (2/2) The Taskmaster position is reserved for special individuals whom the Overlord looks at with favour and trust. Their responsibilities include diplomacy, leading taskgroups, and acting as group leader in absence of the Overlord or Warlord. Currently, the position is occupied by the two Novak twins, Dwight Novak and Alexa Novak.

Warlord - [WL] (Leadership Rank)(1/2) The Warlord is in a position of authority. The Warlord has permission to overrule the Taskmasters, but plays more of an adviser role to the Overlord. The Warlord position is the only position other than the Overlord himself that allows a Vagrant Raider to command a capital-class vessel. The current overlord is Jordan Rudess.

High Overlord - [OL] (Leadership Rank) The High Overlord is the leader of the Vagrant Raiders. He deals with the management of the Raiders such as assigning ships and weapons. He also gives combat-orders, and can only be overruled in a combat situation by a Hellfire operative who is running point on the mission. The Overlord also acts as the diplomatic front of the Raiders, often putting himself into risky situations to sign deals or engage in other negotiations. The current High Overlord is John Petrucci, the founder of the Vagrant Raiders.

[font=lucida console]..Entry 0729..
"Specialty Positions"
[color=#33CC00]Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

Head of Intelligence [i]The current Head of Intelligence is Alexa Novak. The Head of Intelligence is responsible for certain diplomatic concerns, mainly concering those of intelligence. The Head of Intellgience uses VR's Prison Ship, the VCS-Eternity as a mobile base of operations, using it as a launching platform for reconnaissance probes, as well as the more obvious function - a holding area for prisoners with intelligence deemed important.

[font=lucida console]..Entry 0730..
"Shiplist"
[color=#33CC00]Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:
[color=#40FFFF]Encryption: Symbols indicate what rank is required to own vessel.

Displaying Code:

High Overlord, Warlord. ( Ω )
Taskmaster. ( Π )
Marauders ( Ξ )
Raiders ( Σ )
Deviants ( Δ )
Bandits

Freighters/Transports
Dromedary
Bactrian ( Δ )
Pirate Transport ( Σ )
Border Worlds Transport ( Σ )
Pirate Train ( Σ )

Fighters/Bombers
Lane Hacker "Falchion"
Lane Hacker "Bayonet"
Border Worlds "Scimitar" ( Δ )
Border Worlds "Sabre" ( Δ )
Lane Hacker "Broadsword" ( Δ )
Border Worlds "Switchblade" ( Δ )

Larger Vessels
Lane Hacker Gunship ( Ξ )
Prison Liner ( Π )

Special Ships

Vagrant Raiders' AI Squadron

The Vagrant Raiders' AI squadron are experimental prototypes that have been developed using stolen plans, former Ageria employees' expertise, and ship chassis from the Hellfire Legion.

Each AI is capable of acting on its own. Protocol suggests that a non-AI human is accompanying the AI at all times, in case of glitches in the technology.

All AI have a Raider mainly responsible for it. When the VCS-Metropolis' main dishes are position correctly, one can take direct control over one of the AI bombers via neural interface.

All AI ships take the form of Lane Hacker Broadsword class bombers, and are outfitted for "assault". Their main mandate is to escort the Metropolis, and participate in difficult tasks that can be unsuitable for a normal human to consider.

VR-VCS-Metropolis ( Ω )

The flagship of the Raiders. The Metropolis acts as the main base of the Raiders, supplying ammunition, repairs, safe bunks, and a hideout for Raiders and guests who require it.

Captain: High Overlord John Petrucci
Weapons/Navigation: Minor Overlord James LaBrie
Crew compliment: ~500
Area of Operation: Based in Magellan. Used for protection of Vespucci, and the extraction of trapped Raider personnel in emergency situations in neighboring systems.

VR-VCS-Eternity ( Π )

The diplomatic flagship of the Raiders. Serves as the intelligence headquarters for Taskmaster Alexa Novak, as well as supplying holding cells for captured personnel. The ship was constructed at Siracusa Shipyard, Omicron Eta. It got off to a rocky start when LaBrie overworked the slaves involved in the construction of the vessel, and the hull integrity started to fail. Taskmaster Alexa began to evacuate the crew, when out of the blue, three "Nomad" ships appeared and "blessed" the ship. The ship's hull integrity was restored to 100%, and after beating back a Corsair incursion, began to slowly make its way to the Raiders' home.

Captain: Taskmaster Alexa Novak
Weapons/Navigation:
Crew compliment: ~150
Areas of Operation: Based in Magellan. Used for diplomatic missions where required.

Nebula ( Π )

The Nebula was originally a civilian transport. It was seized in a raid, however its captain resisted, and the engines were blown off. The ship was towed to the Metropolis for repairs, but Overlord Petrucci, unwilling to expend more resources decided to leave the ship in its present state. It was towed and attached to Mactan base, where it serves as the weapons depot for the Raiders.

Captain: NONE
Weapons/Navigation: Minor Overlord James LaBrie
Crew Compliment: NONE.
Areas of Operation: Mactan Base.

Select here for further details on the NEBULA OPERATION.

VR-VCS-Cassus.Belli ( Ω )

The newest vessel to join the Raider fleet. Recently purchased off the Hellfire Legion. As it stands, the Raiders alone do not have the means to repair this vessel for combat duties.

Captain: NONE ASSIGNED
Weapons/Navigation: NONE ASSIGNED
Crew Compliment: Skeleton crew of ~50
Areas of Operation: Berthed in a shipyard of CENSORED

[font=lucida console]..Entry 0731..
"Roster"
Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:
[font=arial]
VR-John.Petrucci[OL] - High Overlord
VR-Jordan.Rudess[WL] - Warlord
VR-Dwight.Novak[TM] - Taskmaster
VR-Alexa.Novak[TM] - Taskmaster - Lead Intel Officer
VR-Xavier.Fierceshot[Ma] - Maurader
VR-Doc.Hoff[Ma] - Maurader
VR-David.Hailstrom[De] - Deviant
VR-Chris.Fallas[De] - Deviant
VR-Jada.Zachary[De] - Deviant
VR-Abacus.Ibanez[Ba] - Bandit
VR-Michael.Rondx[Ba] - Bandit
VR-Morgan.Carter[Ba] - Bandit
VR-Kaeldos.Omega[Ba] - Bandit
VR-Azriel.Dukai[Ba] - Bandit
VR-Aaron.Nixton[Ba] - Bandit

Grounded:

VR-George.Lopez[Ba] - Bandit

Unaccounted for:

VR-Jimmy.Engvall[Ra] - Raider:

[font=lucida console]..Entry 0732..
"Diplomacy"
[color=#33CC00]Accessed.
REQUEST COMPLETED. DISPLAYING:

[color=#00FF00]Allies (Go out of your way to assist/escort)

• Hellfire Legion / [HF]
  
• The Lane Hackers
  
• 101st Outcast Guard / [101st]
  
• Shadow Outcast Brigade/ {SOB}
  
• Mirage Squadron / Mirage|
  

Friendly (Assist/Escort if requested)

• Liberty Rogues / LR-
  
• Reapers of Sirius / [RoS]
  
• Slavers Union / {SU}
  
• Other Outcast Forces
  
• Cardamine Traffickers
  

Off-Limits List (No Piracy)

• Independent Miners' Guild/ IMG|
  
• Omicron Supply Industries/ OSI
  

Unknown

• Nomads/Keepers - Keep your distance. Fully-morphed nomads are to be left alone. "Young" Nomads are to be given a 5K berth.
  
• Wilde/Iseijin - Proceed with extreme caution.
  
• Gaians / [NLH] (Nature's Last Hope) - We have had little contact. Proceed with caution.
  
• Red Hessians / [RHA]
  
• Bundschuh / VF)
  
• Landwirtrechtbewegung / LWB|
  
• Sirius Colaition Revolutionary Army / SCRA| - No contact. Proceed with caution.
  
• Phantoms - Proceed with extreme caution.
  

Neutral

• Temporary Autonomous Zoners / [TAZ]
  
• Other Zoners
  
• The Junkers Congress / .:j:.
  
• The Order / Order|
  
• The Molly Republic / [MR]
  
• Everyone else.
  

Unfriendly (Pirate/intercept. Punish lack of cooperation)

• Interspace Commerce / [IND]
  
• Ageira Technologies
  
• Deep Space Engineering / DSE)
  
• Synth Foods, Inc. / Synth.Foods
  
• Cryer Pharmaceuticals / Cryer|
  
• Bretonian Armed Forces / BAF
  
• Bretonian Police Authority / BPA)
  
• Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing / BMM-
  
• Border World Exports / Bowex|
  
• Gateway Shipping / Gateway)
  
• Planetform, Inc.
  
• Kusari Naval Forces / KNF
  
• Kusari State Police / KSP
  
• Kishiro Technologies / Kishiro|
  
• Samura Industries / Samura|
  
• ALG Waste Disposal / [ALG]-
  
• Republican Shipping / RepEx-
  
• Daumann Heavy Construction
  
• Kruger Minerals
  
• Unioners / AU| (Alster Union)
  
• Colonial Remenant / =CR=
  

Hostile (Considered a threat. Terminate or Flee, depending on circumstance)

• Liberty Navy/[LN]
  
• Liberty Security Force / =LSF=
  
• Liberty Police Incorperated / LPI
  
• Rheinland Military / [RM]
  
• Rheinland Federal Police / RFP|
  
• Bounty Hunters Guild / BHG
  
• Xenos/XA
  
• Omega Pirates Guild / [OPG]
  
• The Brotherhood / [TBH]
  
• Corsair Benitez Family - Benitez
  
• Other Corsairs
  
• Zoners Abolishing Slavery / ZAS~
  

~~

The sum of 500 million credits can be found on:

VR-VTS-Saletune

If there are any complications with the funds please send me a PM.

[OutlawBullet]

No mistakes that I could find.

Nice to see this finally become a reality. I give you all the credit;)

Nice work!

[Patrician]

Long overdue. You guys have it together more than a few official factions. Pre-Congrats.

[Dieter Schprokets]

Long overdue. You guys have it together more than a few official factions. Pre-Congrats.

That sums it up.

and I will now take your 500 mill.

---

[Red_Bull]

Best of wishes VR, well organized group.:)

---

[darthbeck]

My only gripe with the VR, is that you act like outcasts, and would be more suited with OC IFF's/ID's in my opinion.

nothing you have written here suggests why you would be lane hackers, except that the hellfire legion helped you, and you want to help them.

personaly, i'd rather you switched iff/ID's because i feel it would reflect better on who you are.

but of course, besides that, i have nothing but support for your faction.

Good luck.

---

<span style="font-family:Century Gothic">Violence is Golden</span>

[Death.RunningVerminator]

My only gripe with the VR, is that you act like outcasts, and would be more suited with OC IFF's/ID's in my opinion.

nothing you have written here suggests why you would be lane hackers, except that the hellfire legion helped you, and you want to help them.

personaly, i'd rather you switched iff/ID's because i feel it would reflect better on who you are.

but of course, besides that, i have nothing but support for your faction.

Good luck.

Agreed.

Be a little more like hackers and you guys will be even better.

Hope it works out for ya!:D

[atlantis2112]

Be a little more like hackers and you guys will be even better.

Well just so you know.. we hack lanes, and junk. We've got quite a few Ageira employees with us, so we can do that sort of stuff. Just ask the Hellfire Legion, travelling with the VR is a lot faster than cruising alone :)

[Death.RunningVerminator]

Well just so you know.. we hack lanes, and junk. We've got quite a few Ageira employees with us, so we can do that sort of stuff. Just ask the Hellfire Legion, travelling with the VR is a lot faster than cruising alone :)

No need to prove me wrong mate:)

Hack lanes? Well... almost every pirate... hacks.. lanes. heheh.

And making friends with the HF is a hard thing to do. Even if you are a hacker.

Although one question, most of the time when my outcast is in trouble, the VR feels like... not... helping. Uh. Aren't they supposed to help an ally? Cause usually the response i get is, "Sorry. I can't."

[atlantis2112]

Although one question, most of the time when my outcast is in trouble, the VR feels like... not... helping. Uh. Aren't they supposed to help an ally? Cause usually the response i get is, "Sorry. I can't."

Got any context screens? Might help me out a bit:P

Remember that most of the time if we are flying by quickly, we might be en route to something else. I had to do that recently, a cardamine smuggler was in trouble and I was running to help him.