Planet Sprague

DIAMETER: 7,053 km.

MASS: 10.98 x 10e23 kg.

TERRAIN: Desert.

TEMPERATURE: -71°C to 70°C

ESCAPE VELOCITY: 13.57 km/sec

Planet Sprague (referred to in Bretonia as Planet Nottingham) is an arid world that was marked for Bretonian exploitation as early as 663 AS. BMM orbital surveys initially indicated the presence valuable minerals, however early prospectors were stunned to discover that the detected "deposits" were actually ancient ruins. Cambridge xenoarchaeologists identified these as Dom'Kavash structures, constructed millennia before humanity's arrival in Sirius. Several key sites were destroyed during the Nomad war, along with the planet's docking ring.

In response to the impending loss of Leeds, Bretonia authorised the settlement of Nottingham in 818 AS. This was intended preserve as much of Leeds' war-critical heavy industry as possible, and rehouse refugees fleeing the warzone. Following the Glassing of Leeds, the colony must now permanently house a substantial population that is primarily concerned with mining, manufacturing and construction. Nottingham's hastily developed infrastructure has resulted in poor living standards, with many settlements comparable to previous slum zones on Planet Leeds.

While there is no shortage of employment to be found, BMM has been accused of corner cutting and unsafe practices in its management of the colony. Groups such as the Mollys have been quick to prey on these tensions, and frequently recruit from dissatisfied workers. The BPA have struggled to control criminal and radical activity on the colony, and have resorted to the enlistment of local militias to try and keep the peace.

The planet also hosts a considerable population of migrant labor, who are rotated continually from other planets within Bretonia. This population is heavily engaged in vital construction and mining projects on the surface to make the inhospitable planet worth living on long term. Transports carrying these laborors however come under attack frequently by Mollys preaching freedom, or slavers looking for produce.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* BMM
* Border World Exports
* Deep Space Engineering
* Universal Shipping
* Bounty Hunters Guild

* Bounty Hunters Guild

## News

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.

Royal military analysts predict that the Bretonian resistance will surrender as soon as they witness this weapon in use, but even if they do not, their neutralization will be ensured promptly.

"My faithful subjects! We have stood by long enough while the ravenous remnants of the Alliance feasted upon the lands they have eyed for themselves from long before the landing! We know what they did to assure themselves domination, we know that they led Coalition forces to our sleeper launch site so that they may escape like the rats that they are, and take the best of this region for themselves. All their actions must have consequences! Starting from today, they will be running once again. They will run, or they will be included into the rightful control of House Gallia! Hail the reconquest!"
The crowd gathered at Ile du Palais cheered throughout the speech. The first Royal Navy units are expected to reach and pacify Tau-23 within days, officially marking the first step on the road to victory.

The Council leaders claim that their goal is to change the government of Gallia and overthrow the monarchy, in addition to breaking the isolation of Gallia from the rest of Sirius worlds. According to our today's expert Robert Broussard, Doctor of Economy and senior consultant of Solar Engineering and Ile-de-France Shipping, the Council never had an intention to overthrow the New Paris monarchy. "Our information on the Council agenda is mainly based on their own public announcements and press releases. Yet, New Paris is so far from the Gallic Border Worlds that the Council will not be able to overtake the Core Worlds by force, even if all Border Worlds fall under their supreme rule," - Broussard says, - "On New Paris and other prominent worlds of Gallia, public support for the warlike actions of the Council is relatively low, and the Council is aware that the chances to inspire revolts in the heart of our nation are very slim."
Independent analysts estimate black market operations in Gallia rising by 150%% during the last 30 years. At the same time, frequency of pirate attacks had risen twice in the Core Worlds, and more than three times in the Border Worlds. This unprecedented wave of piracy occured mainly because of the demand for various smuggled goods that the Council generates, and because of the overall chaos caused by the war. Royal Police was caught unprepared by this new dangerous tendency, unable to defend corporate and civilian shipments. The pirate groups are expected to grow even larger now that the path to Sirius was breached by the Council in Languedoc. Being able to take advantage of this new development, pirate groups like the Unione Corse, Gallic Brigands, and Maquis now plan their expansion into Sirius, searching for new markets and recruiting more pilots.
The Council supports those pirate groups almost openly, in return for their help against the Royal Navy. Sporadic raids of Brigands and Maquis never cause significant losses, but play a crucial role in delaying Navy operations against the Council. Almost every asteroid field and nebula in Gallia is now swarmed with ships of various unlawful groups. It remains unknown for how much longer the Council resistance will continue, but it is already evident that there are forces within the Council and within the pirate groups interested in using the war as a source of income. For the Council leadership, political struggle and the well being of their own people appears to be less important than gaining personal wealth and power. This is the reason why the Council would never support any peace negotiation initiatives.

## Rumors

* You wouldn't have thought that policing visitor visas and permits would be a huge deal, but illegal immigration is a problem the Crown is very wary of. Between you and me, I personally think that the government is worried about Rheinland claiming a serious stake in Omega 3 if they can settle their own citizens on Nottingham. That's really not a problem we want or need. It's bad enough having Rugen here.

* The pirates in this system have been drawn in like sharks to blood. We've run into trouble with Corsairs, Mollys, Gaians and the odd Hessian. They all want a piece of the pie, and there's only so much we can do to stop them. My constables receive constant complaints from Bowex, demanding more resources, more patrols. For the Police Authority, people come first. Refugee convoys get our attention first and foremost - we do what we can after that, but if the ships aren't there, they aren't there.

* One of the many tasks credited to constables these days is providing leadership for Civil Defence Initiative units. Our coppers are good lads and ladies and have experience in the line of fire. The CDI volunteers, not so much. Most of them have little to no combat experience, and are being thrown straight into the worst situations the Omegas can offer. A shocking number of them die in their first engagement. The best my staff can do is try to ensure as many survive as possible.

* I heard that one of the other colonies on the other side of the planet was destroyed recently. BMM housed the settlers near a rich mineral patch, knowing full well that they were living near a live volcano. Well, I hope they're happy with what happened. I wonder if you can make up the cost of a colony with 6 months of mining? Pff. I hope that one hurt their pocket.

* The Militia System was set up to assist the police maintaining order and distributing supplies across Sprague. Although I'm not sure what good it's actually doing. We just need more actual officers of the law here, not imitators.

* I think all this fear-mongering about Rheinland is ridiculous. Surely they're willing to stay on their half of the Omegas, and we'll stay on ours. All those tub-thumpers saying they hate us and are going to invade are just trying to stir up inter-house tension.

* Police manpower only stretches so far. In peace time, we'd patrol the safer stretches of Cambridge and Leeds and all of New London and Manchester. Cushy job - if you'd suggested we stick our necks out in Dublin and Omega 3, you'd have been laughed out of the office. How times change. The Armed Forces are kept busy defending the front lines, and we pick up the slack.

* We used to get a lot of our water from one of the few surface lakes, about 30 miles away. Then there was some kind of earthquake, and a couple of hundred people in the settlements around it dropped dead. The Cambridge types were calling it a limnic eruption. Awesome. They put a name to it. Now stop it happening again, right?

* I can't help but feel I'm protecting another corporate haven. Bowex and BMM have already applied for monopoly charters for Nottingham minerals and exports. BMM must have found something here to warrant that. Are the government really going to stand by and permit a second Leeds? The Gaians may be traitors, but they had a point. Besides, with security as it is, letting those corporations handle matters is setting this planet up for a fullscale riot, which would be well outside of our ability to handle right now.

* A lot of people were hoping there'd be a fresh start here on Nottingham, but nothing has really changed. All of us at the bottom of the pile are still the slag rats. BMM is still up to the same old - only they're further from New London and can get away with more now. The rich still get the cream of the planet while we toil for them. Some change, huh?

* BMM security teams have had to chase off a few groups of squatters who were surveying their mining grounds without visas. They claimed to be Zoners, but the broad Rheinland accent tells me they're probably Daumann scouts. It makes me uncomfortable knowing that they're here. If they stir things up into a conflict with Rheinland, we're right on the front lines again.

* It's going to take us years to get the colony here fully populated. A good majority of Leeds' population was evacuated, but they're scattered across refugee camps in New London, Cambridge, Liberty and Rheinland. The logistics of moving everyone back are immense.

* When my CDI wing was mustered we had one BPA wing leader, two corporate escorts, and the rest green recruits straight from the Cambridge. I'm ex-Armed Forces and too old to re-enlist in the regulars. One of the greens was tagged by Mollys in the Keswick Ice Field on the first day. Lost another two to Corsairs over the next couple of weeks. The corps were from Gateway and Bowex - both died because they were squabbling instead of fighting. Grapevine has it they blew eachother to bits. Now we're out here in the wilderness. Five survivors.

* The corporate security lads aren't too bad. A few of them have signed up with the CDI on a part-time basis, but most are still tied to the pay cheque of whichever corporation they're working for at the time. That can complicate matters for us due to clashing priorities. We're here to protect and serve, while their area patrols are guided by corporate policies.

* The CDI has been drawing recruits directly from Sprauge - a lot of the men and women who volunteer think it'll get them off planet again. A notable few are doing it for patriotic reasons and want to protect their new home. We need the ships and the manpower more than anything, so quality has gone through the floor. The BPA won't ever drop the facade of incorruptibility, so that falls to us. We're the sump that collects the refuse they don't want.

* The funds for colonisation are coming from a mixed bag of sources. Bowex and BMM have copped some of the responsibility, which they're groaning and griping about. The Crown has chipped in with what they can spare, which isn't as much as what we need. Last but not least is Interspace Commerce, who've financed a good chunk of the effort for reasons of their own. I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but I suspect that one in particular has fangs.

* The Rheinlanders moving one of their battleships into Omega 7 is worrying. They say it's there to protect civilians from the Hessians and the Corsairs, but it's blatantly obvious that it's a reaction to our operations here. Militarising the buffer zones between our Houses brings back nasty memories of our not too distant past. Not that the Boorman Treaty is worth a Kusari ceasefire any more.

* When I got home yesterday, my flat had flooded. Our hab block was built into a preliminary mine shaft that BMM had sunk and abandoned, but it doesn't seem to have been sealed properly. I'm trying to get compensation from the colonial board, but the interview officer won't even see me for an appointment.

* Bretonia Police Authority
Inspector Chloe Dunn

* Life is pretty tough here. The facilities are basic and strained under the pressure of millions of Refugees being shipped in - I would say we're reaching a crisis point, but the standard of living is still better than what they were used to on Planet Leeds. BMM treated their workforce like cattle. Here they're, well, still cattle, but with a better welfare charity looking after them.

* Want to know something sad? On my residential level, there's blackouts every day. I'm usually in the dark for ten or twelve hours a week. Annoying on the surface, but damn dangerous if the air filters die on us half a mile below. The power never dies in the factories or the spaceport. Funny that.

* There's talk about the government reclassfying this system from the Omega sector to Bretonia. I guess that'd put it in the same bracket as Dublin - a chartered colony on the fringe of the core space. If London tried to press for a full claim, it'd probably rile Rheinland up more than they are already, so I can't see the suggestion going through Parliament.

* It's no secret that Rheinland is unhappy about us being here. The fact that they've stationed a battleship in Omega 7 just underlines that. A decade ago, that would have been more than enough reason to declare war for tearing up the Boorman Treaty. Today, it's a fact of life. Crazy.

* There is a growing criminal element among the refugee camps. Ran by a man named 'Kelly'. We are trying to root the group out. But with the lack of manpower it's impossible.

* This planet was colonized to house Refugees from Planet Leeds. The Crown got as many people out as possible in the years leading up to the invasion. A lot of people went to holding camps on Cambridge and New London. The process of getting them all to Nottingham is ongoing. I hate to think of how many people were left behind for the Gauls.

* It's hard for people to run fair businesses here. If you looks like you could bother any of BMM or Bowex's interests, they'll refuse to work with you. On a planet like this, you're straight out of luck if the near-exclusive shipping contractor won't touch you. You either end up paying fees to both of them and become a 'subsidary', or you get edged out and marginalised.

* It's funny. They are going after Kelly like he's some sort of hardened criminal. All he is doing is maintaining the order the Police don't. Even the Militia are realising that.

* If I can, I'll try and get one of the overnight convoy departures after a delivery here. The loose wires hanging from the ceiling and shabby state of the staff quarters leave a lot to be desired. I'd rather have a good night's sleep on Cambridge or get tagged by Corsairs trying. I've heard Refugee housing is even worse than ours, poor blighters.

* Bowex's Royal Charters and trade monopolies were recently revealed to be a double edged sword. The Queen herself decided that Refugee evacuation efforts were to be given a maximum priority before Leeds fell. The government forced us to shift a good portion of our luxury commodity trade fleets to the task, putting a huge dent in our profit margins. We've had to make several humiliating concessions to our rivals in order to refill our coffers.

* Gateway Shipping has proven to be even more of an irritant than Bowex ever envisioned. The war has wreaked havok with our finances. One ill conceived method for restoring them was to place the blueprints for the Bretonian transport line on the open market. Gateway and the damnable IMG closed the transaction and now have production rights on Aland Shipyard! What on earth were the directors thinking?

* BMM has excavated trace amounts of Cobalt already but hopes to make further gains. Scans are showing up rich mineral strata further below the surface. Once we crack those open, it's easy credits. In the mean time, the surface crews are still constructing processing facilities and smelters. The usual Cambridge crowd are screaming about ecological damage, but that's so short sighted. Don't they want Bretonia to survive the war?

* This planet is riddled with alien ruins - they must be millions of years old. One of our drilling teams burst in through the roof of a small alien chamber a short while ago. I've heard the BPA got straight in there and locked everything down, but not before a few discrete items were stowed away in pockets. If you knew who to ask for, you might be able to pick up a "collectors item" to remember your stay by.

* We had one of our tunnel shafts collapse a little while ago. The roof came down on the mining equipment we had there. It'll be more expensive to dig it out than to bring in new gear, so we're leaving it where it is and dropping a new shaft somewhere else. At least the corpses are already buried, so the families don't have to worry about that.

* None of the people I've seen here seem very happy. Mind you, I don't suppose I would be, either. They're ripped from their homes on Leeds at the say-so of BMM and the Crown and sent to New London. Then the government approves Nottingham for settlement and they're uprooted again and moved down here. Then there's the squalor. I've seen the inside of their flats here, and it ain't pretty.

* Have you seen Rhodes, the Interspace rep for this area? What kind of halfwit wears shades indoors? Doesn't help that he's about as abrasive as sandpaper in a birthing canal. You'd think Interspace would have worked out why his deals keep collapsing by now. Perhaps that's why they've marooned him on Nottingham.

* Building the docking ring here gave me horrrible visions of the Tau-53 re-allignment job in Hokkadio. I've really got to stop taking these crappy assignments - I'm going to end up blown to bits if I keep it up. The only real motivator is the ludicrous pay cheque. Say what you like about my bosses, but they really do know how to negotiate a contract.

* You want easy money? Drop a line to a 'Guild recruiter and go hunt down some Mollys. With the way BMM managed the big pull out on Leeds, they got one hell of a manpower boom. Not that most any of the slag rats they picked up know how to fly properly - they're just as bad as them CDI jokes on the other side of the law.

* You can make a fair living by hunting the perps with warrants out on them down in the slums. The more levels down into the baserock you go, the rougher things get. After a while, it gets deep enough that the BPA stop patrolling, and we take over. If the vic comes in with a few snapped bones, who's to care? We solved the situation and returned law and order.

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:45 UTC*