Liner Samsara

From Discovery Wiki
Liner Samsara
Owner
Wild
Location
B-6, Sigma-19

CLASS: Pilgrim

GRAVITY: Unknown

DOCKING: Unknown

AMENITIES: Unknown

CREW: Unknown

The Liner Samsara bears many of the unique construction characteristics of the Pilgrim class smuggler Karnap. For decades, the Karnap was sighted plying trade across the backwaters of Rheinland, the Sigmas and Kusari. In 834 AS, the Karnap failed to arrive for a contracted delivery to Noshima Freeport. Many assume the vanished ship was caught up in the GMG's recent Sigma-13 security operation against the Junkers.

In reality, the Karnap was intercepted and boarded by the Kusari Office of Intelligence, who had been carrying out their own investigation into local smuggling rings and the trade of dangerous Xeno Relics. The Karnap was requisitioned by the Nomad-controlled special operations division based on Tohoku’s Arch, then expunged from all official records.

Now renamed the Samsara, the liner acts as a staging point for Wild raids across the Sigmas. These attacks often target Artifact smugglers, in a seeming mockery of the KOI’s official mission. Wild patrols have also prioritized waylaying excursion shuttles from the Luxury Liner Hawaii, in an effort to compromise wealthy and influential House civilians.

Bribes & Missions Offered

Bribes
Missions


Commodities

Imports
Commodity Price
Robotics 19$
Black Market Munitions 137$
Medical Equipment 67$
Detroit Light Arms 127$
Military Surplus 1,497$
Black Market Pharmaceuticals 164$
Hybrid Equipment 1,894$
Counterfeit Computerware 192$
Oxygen 5$
Water 5$
Food Rations 45$
Kyushu Rice 29$
MOX 50$
Basic Alloy 30$
Construction Machinery 34$
Pharmaceuticals 48$
Hull Panels 39$
Consumer Goods 38$
Artifacts 175$
Consumer Goods 166$
Daumann Side Arms 71$
Gallic Enfer Blasters 156$
Black Market Blasters 196$
Black Market Light Arms 181$
Kemwer Technologies 202$
Hangar Provisions 258$
Azurite Gas 136$
Xeno Relics 154$
Volgograd Ordinance 226$
APM Advanced Hardware 118$
Black Market Augments 85$
Synth Paste 36$
Munitions 36$
Xenobiotic Filters 52$
Passenger Cabin (Liberty) 48,857$
Passenger Cabin (Bretonia) 58,689$
Passenger Cabin (Kusari) 24,158$
Passenger Cabin (Rheinland) 29,102$
Passenger Cabin (Gallia) 59,209$
Passenger Cabin (Omega) 61,965$
Passengers (Omicrons) 52,841$
Iron 28$
Alien Organisms 16$
Hessian Tears 213$
Molybdenum 211$
Gold 258$
Wildcat Gold 277$
Silver 196$
Niobium 198$
Copper 266$
Diamonds 203$
H-Fuel 71$
Iridium 235$
Platinum 185$
Aluminium 165$
Exports
Commodity Price
Abductees 895$


Ships sold


Ship Class Price
Drone Freighter 20,266$
Wyrm Light Fighter 19,052$
Kusari Gunboat Gunboat 895,006$


News

[835 AS] Jump bridge a strategic innovation

BATTLESHIP SOMERSET -- 835 -- Admiral William Rowley, captain of the Battleship Somerset, has hailed the Kusari Jump Drive as “a new dawn for military doctrine”. The Armed Forces assault into Dublin used a networked pair of Jump Drives to bypass defensive minefields in the Achill Asteroid Field. “The widespread adoption of this technology will completely upend military thinking regarding fixed defenses,” Rowley noted. Military analysts in both Bretonia and Kusari have raised fears about implications for deescalation frameworks such as the Boorman Treaty, once knowledge of the technology and its capabilities becomes widespread.

[835 AS] Fate of the Kappa crossroads uncertain

LIVADIA -- Travellers of the remote Omicrons have gathered anxiously aboard Corfu Station and Freeport 11 while awaiting news from Omicron Kappa. The Core infamously seized control over Planet Gammu in 832 AS, displacing the intelligent machines residing there. Now, these AI have reclaimed their territory, ejecting Core vessels from the system. Rumors whisper of an abnormal Core battleship leading an AI swarm of unprecedented size. Many fear what this development means for the strategically vital crossroads, through which goods from Omicron Delta must travel. The Zoners of Livadia have attempted to contact the enigmatic Gammusians to confirm their intentions, but have received no response.

[835 AS] Tribunal punishes negligent officers

NEW TOKYO -- 835 -- Multiple KNF officers have been relieved of duty with immediate effect by a military tribunal. The board, appointed by Shogun Ikeda Yamato, was investigating the conduct of unspecified military operations. The panel dismissed several admirals and many senior commanders for “dereliction of duty” during these classified missions. The findings were privately met with shock by many Naval servicemen, who note the purges have installed replacements affiliated with the KOI’s Lord Tazuka. Anonymous sources have also expressed confusion regarding purges of the Nagasaki fleet, which is not believed to have participated in the relevant operations.

[835 AS] Delta under siege as Zeta falls

ZETA -- Following recent clashes in Omicron Zeta, both the Core and Order were left bloodied and reeling. This appears to have been the opportunity the Nomads were waiting for, as a tide of alien vessels poured from the Pohnpei Nebula. Given the scale of the threat bearing down, both groups abandoned their outposts and retreated. Many were killed fighting to buy time for evacuation efforts, with the withdrawal largely succeeding thanks to the support of a rescue flotilla from Freeport 11. The Zoners came to the aid of both parties, arguing that the Nomad threat eclipsed any human dispute. Nomad ships have now begun to pour into Omicron Delta, intensifying raids on human stations.

[835 AS] Punitive Omicron expedition fails

ICHIGAYA DRYDOCK -- 835 -- The expedition into Omicron Mu, intended to root out Order terrorists, has failed -- achieving only limited objectives. Disastrously, the Battleship Hakodate has been lost following the intervention of Blood Dragon bombers, critically compromising Kusari’s Omicron defensive screen. Disproportionate casualties were inflicted on terrorist forces, however key shipyard facilities were only minimally damaged. KOI commanders have blamed the failure on “disgraceful” KNF combat performance, while the KNF assert the true fault lies with “profound” KOI intelligence lapses that failed to anticipate the scale of resistance. The Shogun has convened a military tribunal to investigate.

[835 AS] KOI warn of imminent Order threat

BATTLESHIP HAKODATE -- 835 -- KOI intelligence indicates that Order and Blood Dragon terrorists are preparing for a third strike against Kusari positions in Tohoku. Their previous assault aimed to disrupt experimental work at the Ichigaya Drydocks, with indications that the next will be an attempt to “finish the job”. Following a persuasive briefing by Chochinbi operatives, Lord Tazuka has authorised a punitive expedition into Omicron Mu, executed by the Battleship Hakodate. Intelligence from the Omicrons indicates that the Core is preparing for their own assault against Order positions -- KOI officers agree timing our own strike to align ensures the greatest chance of success.

[835 AS] Niyodo secrets lost

KEPLER -- 835 -- While planning for the Niyodo’s retrieval was underway, a passive guard probe returned to Sirius and broadcast an alert of approaching Liberty forces. The Battlecruiser Misawa generated an emergency breach to Yomi, dispatching the Chochinbi, and other on-hand KOI elements. The Liberty group was intercepted while retreating from the Niyodo, carrying a salvaged component aboard a Heavy Lifter. Available forces pursued the retreating convoy, which blindly exited through a Jump Hole leading to Kepler. Surviving units were forced to retreat from the resulting combat. We must assume the Niyodo’s drive core has fallen into foreign hands.

[834 AS] Ichigaya test-firing delayed by raid

ICHIGAYA DRYDOCK -- A significant intrusion by Blood Dragon and Order terrorists has resulted in damage to the Ichigaya Drydock facility. While the severity of this damage was limited thanks to the rapid and overwhelming response by KNF and KOI elements, test-firings of the Ichigaya laser chamber have been temporarily suspended while repairs and inspections are carried out. Lord Protector Tazuka has ordered an immediate redoubling of patrols into Kurosawa Dust Cloud and bolstered support for the Hakodate Taskforce as a warranty against treacherous future raids. Continued deployments of Relay Conduits will resume shortly.

[832 AS] On the Nose

NEW TOKYO -- 832 AS -- Multiple tips from unknown sources have aided, upon investigation, in exposing the abuse of Cardamine between numerous members of the Kusari Keiretsu. Intense work hours have pushed both the youths and the senior citizens towards the consumption of the drug, which is more readily available than ever before, partially due to the foreigner presence upon Roppongi Station.

However, with the recent Farmers Alliance bombing on Roppongi seemingly linked to the sudden increase in Cardamine use among Kusari's businessmen, New Tokyo's residents have expressed sympathy towards the perpetrators, speculating that the Alliance's blatant admission to such a vicious act is not to be taken as a boast or a threat, but as a sign that they will not allow their friends and families to be preyed upon by the greed of corporations that, "do not belong anywhere near our home", said Katsuyori Ichihara, Samura Industries financial consultant, and survivor of the Roppongi attack. "I don't blame them", Mr. Ichihara continued, "that vile drug destroys families."

Due to recent events, Samura Industries has taken it upon itself to act as a substitute for Interspace Commerce within the insurance market and many citizens have already expressed gratitude to Samura and their willingness to provide more financially preferable contracts than what the old management offered.

[831 AS] Gate corps clash over 'Blackout'!

ABBEVILLE -- 831 AS -- EFL's 'Resilience Taskforce' today reported its findings on The Blackout, claiming to have gathered forensic evidence that proved the cause as Ageira negligence. A spokesperson claimed that the destruction of the Dublin Jump Gate by Molly separatists had created a hyperspace feedback loop that was propagated and amplified through the Ageira gate network.

Ageira disputed this finding in their own press release, calling EFL 'fantasists' and countering that their own scientists had narrowed the cause to a rare 'hypernova' stellar event that originated outside the Sirius sector. Both corporations claim that network-wide hardware safeguards have been implemented that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Independent researchers have sharply criticized the corporate announcements, accusing both of self-interested misdirection.

Professor Sophia Nagel from Heisenberg Research Station called EFL's accusation 'incoherent' and the hypernova explanation 'nonsense' that did not explain the characteristics of the 'Blackout Pulse'. Despite multiple different Pulse recordings being widely disseminated across the neural net, public efforts have so far failed to triangulate its source.

[831 AS] Pulse phenomenon linked to Blackout

AMES RESEARCH STATION -- 831 -- Independent researchers have announced that a hyperspace pulse of unprecedented strength was detected moments before The Blackout, destroying many of the sector’s most sensitive and finely tuned observatories. Surviving data about 'The Pulse' has been widely shared across the neural net in recent days, prompting mass speculation. Professor Katsuma Oster of Ames Research Station described the signal as “astounding”. “These readings are unprecedented, as if reality itself were struck like a gong.” House authorities have remained tight lipped, refusing to share their own observatories' data.

[831 AS] 'Blackout' causes jump network failure

MANHATTAN -- 831 AS -- Two days ago Jump Gates failed simultaneously across Sirius, freezing commerce and neural net access across the sector. When communications resumed 31 hours later, the news broke of Bretonia's loss of the Dublin system. This twin shock has plunged markets into chaos, prompting fears of sector-wide economic recessions. Interspace estimates that the stoppage alone caused billions of credits in losses. Gallia immediately accused Liberty of causing the outage, claiming the destruction of Dublin's Jump Gate instigated a cascading failure in faulty Ageira infrastructure. Ageira has sharply refuted the allegation, claiming such a systemic effect would be physically impossible.


Rumors

Wild
  • Test Subject 04227986 escaped from her containment area a few nights ago. She managed to kill several guards between the subject area and the communications center. Once inside the communications area she continued her slaughter. She wasn't discovered for twelve minutes. We were able to recapture her alive, though she injured three more of us in the process. I'm told her wounds have already healed. Remarkable regenerative capabilities, which might be another Cardamine side effect.


  • This is some dangerous space you are in. It's good to have friends in places like this. If you ever need to head into Omicron Theta, the Zoners have a base where you can land and resupply. I hope you get along okay with the Corsairs. If not, it could be a one-way trip.


  • The Robert Fitzgerald was attacked by Outcasts shortly after it left Kurile with a load of Alien Organisms. A distress signal was picked up by the Atka base, but by the time fighters could scramble, distressed ship had vanished into the mists of the Kunashir Cloud. As far as we can tell, it never came out.


  • Sometimes the Outcasts and Corsairs will run into each other. When that happens you better watch out because it is going to get bloody. It's impressive to watch two skilled opponents fight each other to the death. It occurs occasionally in this system - more often in Sigma 19. Probably happens in Sigma-13 too, but you don't see much there.


  • The Outcasts have been exposed to Cardamine for centuries. They are the key to understanding how the drug affects human beings. If we could understand that better, we could make a less dangerous Cardamine that wouldn't interfere with worker productivity. We could then legally distribute it to the Sirius population. Problem is, the Outcasts know that would put them out of business. The Cardamine trade is their means of survival in more than one way. That is why they are hitting this base so hard.


  • During the Freeport 7 attack, a brief communication was received on Freeport 9 from a Bounty Hunter named Jim Adams. He had managed to make it into the Kunashir Cloud, but still had hostiles in hot pursuit. Most people figure he was trying to make it to the Jump Hole to Omicron Theta. He never made it here.


  • We bring these guys Alien Organisms from Freeport 9 in Omicron Theta. We also bring them other basic supplies. When I head back to "the Nine" I'm usually hauling Pharmaceuticals bound for Crete. That's why the Corsairs don't kick them out of here tomorrow. That, and they see that the Outcasts have it in for these guys.


  • Cardamine affects human beings in many ways. Aside from the narcotic powers of the drug, we believe that it also has anti-aging benefits. We are trying to develop a product that would increase the human lifespan two-fold. If we could do that, Cryer would multiply its profits overnight. A longevity drug has been a human dream since before our ancestors fled Sol. And we're on the verge of cracking it, I just know it.


  • The Corsairs do not attack us very often, but the Outcasts are always running raids against this base. They seem determined to destroy us, which is very disconcerting. I am just a biochemist; I don't want to be caught in the middle of a war. If it weren't for the fact that exobiochemistry in practise is only done at a very select few locations in Sirius, I'd not have come here.


  • We often buy Organisms that the Zoners collect. They find them in Omicron Theta, and Omicron Beta. Most of them are the standard types, but you never know when a new strain will come along. Theta and Beta are controlled by the Corsairs and Outcasts respectively, so there's no way we'll be able to go there ourselves.


  • I was able to capture an Outcast in Omicron Beta a few months ago. First, I disabled his ship and hit it with an electro-pulse to knock out the people inside. It's an old Bounty Hunter weapon that's available to Guild members only - kind of an EMP on steroids. I'm told it zaps both computers and nerves. Once he was unconscious I suited up and went space walking. Nastiest bit was figuring out how that breathing gear of theirs could be pried from the cockpit. Those sniffers don't survive long without their portable cloud.


  • This place kind of freaks me out. I'm looking forward to getting out of this test tube. You wouldn't believe me, but I could have sworn I've heard screaming here late at night. Don't tell the scientists I told you that, it wouldn't be good for business. Still, are these eggheads testing on humans now? Can they even do that?


  • Cryer established this base here in Sigma-17 because of its close proximity to planet Kurile and the Alien Organisms found there, which are the subject of our research. We know that there is a link between the Alien Organisms and Cardamine, because they both affect RNA and DNA molecules in the same way. Most likely the Cardamine plants were mutated when Alien Organisms came in contact with them - a process similar to what happens when Cardamine comes in contact with human DNA.


  • We employ a lot of Bounty Hunters at and around this base to protect our interests here. Some months ago we hired the very best to do a special job for us. We needed live Outcasts as test subjects to run experiments on. We have to do distasteful things at times to provide the people of Sirius with the finest in medical research. The Bounty Hunters don't much care, they prefer to kill their targets outright rather then do live captures, but a healthy dose of credits will sway their minds. That's mercenaries for you.


  • This system is the border between the Sigma region and the deep Omicrons. Compared to the Omicrons, this is still civilised space. All you find out there are Hispanics, Zoners and worse. Us Hunters sometimes go there "on business", especially when there's bounties on specific Outcast or Corsair targets, but that's no cakewalk.


  • Alien Organisms are flown here by our pilots from Kurile, since we are always in need of more test subjects. It is usually an easy flight unless you are unlucky enough to stumble across the Outcasts or Corsairs in this system. The Corsairs will usually try to take valuable cargo if you have it. The Outcasts will kill you outright.


  • The test subject who escaped from her cell several nights ago has been haunting my dreams. She slaughtered everyone that he came across, and when they dragged her back to her cell she was laughing and screaming the most horrible things, over and over she cried; "Santiago is coming!" Our communications officer tells us that the chance any messages she sent got through were very slim, but I still can't help worrying about who Santiago is.