Altona Station

CLASS: Cathedral

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 350

Originally built in 326 AS to handle all the goods flowing into Rheinland from Liberty and back, Altona Station has been an important base for Republican Shipping for centuries. Prior to the 80 year war, Liberty transports were required to transfer their cargo at Altona - usually Engine Components and Superconductors, and return with cargo bought at Altona - usually Copper, Silver or Cobalt. After the 80 year war this practise ended. Part of the Rheinland bailout deal was that Liberty shipping companies would have access to goods throughout Rheinland, bypassing Republican. Altona became obsolete overnight.

Since then, it has been converted in an orbital storage depot, but even in that role it is being passed over for storage facilities on Planet Hamburg - which are more secure from Unioner attacks. Altona faces an uncertain future as a result.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* Synth Foods, Inc.
* RGS Shipping
* Universal Shipping
* Rheinland Police
* Bounty Hunters Guild
* Orbital Spa and Cruise

## News

While this troubling trend is observed throughout the Sirius colonies, Liberty is bearing the brunt of the crisis among the four major Houses. Remarkably, even Rheinland, where historical data indicated low Cardamine consumption, has witnessed a notable rise in medical cases linked to the illicit narcotic. Experts postulate that the extensive black market responsible for Cardamine distribution might be facing a shortage, or worse, that Outcast factions deliberately curtail the supply to bolster demand. Regrettably, no law enforcement agency has been available for comment on these concerns.
The long-standing debate over Cardamine's controversial nature, juxtaposing its euphoric and purported medicinal qualities with the genetic alterations it inflicts upon long-term users, continues to echo. A key point of contention revolves around the plight of innocent consumers caught in this crisis. Yet, according to independent polls, a substantial majority of our viewers maintains that the substance must remain banned.
In response to this escalating crisis, Cryer Pharmaceuticals has announced a forthcoming press conference. During the event, the company intends to unveil plans for an expanded production of Stabiline, their touted "wonder drug". This announcement promises affordable access to Stabiline for all patients grappling with Cardamine withdrawal, sparking a remarkable 15%% surge in Cryer Pharmaceuticals' stock following the revelation.

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.

The incident came as a shock to the public and the law enforcement alike, as pirate activity was believed to have completely died out in the desolate Munich system. The frequency of strikes, from both Corsairs and domestic pirates, have steadily declined ever since the antimatter storm first ravaged the system. While the chaotic evacuation efforts from Nuremberg had initially caused a spike, as the system's population decayed to just skeleton crews and Junker scavengers, the criminal element became nearly absent. Some theorize that the Corsairs were there for the Bessemer specifically, intending for one last taunt at Rheinland's people. Thankfully, the Dohna and her crew were there to thwart their efforts.
The ATS Bessemer was dispatched into the Munich system in order to deploy a network of specially reinforced satellites, meant to monitor the advent of the antimatter storm's core. According to the University of Berlin, the core will wash over Munich around the end of this month, stripping away planetary atmospheres and most likely collapsing all remaining jumphole anomalies. The probes deployed by the Bessemer will provide the scientific community with first-hand data of the storm and its effects, transmitting it back to Berlin through a central relay nested within the safety of Raubling's hulk.
With the task complete, the Bessemer was meant to be the final ship to make the jump from Munich, with the Jump Gate being shut down later the same day. However, due to the damage sustained in the attack, the RPU Dohna did the honours instead, covering the Bessemer's departure to ensure its safe return.

Upon further investigation, the Navy has successfully identified the ordnance being transported as being sourced from Rheinland. Going as far as to state that they contained serial codes which correspond with weaponry used by Rheinland's own Military. Naturally given the circumstances around the discovery of these weapons and Liberty's history of hot and cold relations with the neighboring House, it is expected that this development will lead to further scrutiny when it comes to potentially suspicious activity.

Despite the success of the Military, it seems the Hessians flagship; Battleship Kassel, has managed to escape virtually unscathed. Rumors on Heisenberg Research Station speak of Hessian prisoners taken by Corsairs and Unioners alike. It's no secret there is a lot of bad blood between these groups and the Hessians and this reporter shudders to think of what fate awaits those poor deluded criminals.

The Siege of Saarbrucken is currently underway and it has been reported that the Red Hessians have begun evacuating from the area. It is speculated however that the Red Hessians intend to make the Rheinland military suffer for every meter they take.
The Rheinland Military has offered a reward for any Red Hessians that are caught fleeing from the siege. The military has also advised caution as they have reported several other pirate groups in the area, with some claiming these groups are striking out at the Hessians. This reporter cannot help but think this situation goes to show, that there is no honour among thieves.

## Rumors

* We must expend more money every year on the bounty and bribe fund to keep the peace in this system. It is frustrating to have so little support from the government in terms of security forces.

* Most of our traffic is northbound out of Altona. Copper and Cobalt are the chief metals being shipped into Liberty. Mining Machinery and High Temperature Alloys make up the remainder. Most of the ships unload in Houston, although some continue to New York or Colorado.

* Altona was once a bustling place, before the government allowed Liberty ships to bypass us and ship their goods directly to Berlin and Stuttgart after the Eighty Years War. Now it is probably just a matter of time before this outpost is closed and dismantled.

* Our close proximity to Hamburg and the Docking Ring provides a moderate level of security. Even so, the Unioners will try to steal supplies or attack us whenever they have the chance.

* There are few of the once numerous dock workers left at this station. Automated machinery and declining shipping traffic have both taken their toll. Sadly, many of them have turned to piracy as the solution to their problems.

* Hamburg has notified the managers that they will be shutting our station down within a year. Soon the 750 people on this station will be unemployed and join the legions of dispossessed Rheinland workers. No one knows when our misery will end.

* Republican should recognize the Unioners as a legitimate movement and agree to their terms. It would be better for all of Rheinland, especially the shipping business.

* Our main southbound cargo at Altona is Superalloys from Houston. The Oder Shipyard pays a premium price for their supply, the most expensive in the Sirius sector.

* Most of our ships just pass on through here now. Sometimes they do a crew or equipment change to upgrade for the Independent World crossings. Gets a lot easier once you're in Liberty. Nothing like Rheinland. We've got police and military everywhere you look.

* We bring in Superconductors from Houston, then turn back north with High Temperature Alloys. It's not a hugely profitable run, but you can make money. It's probably better if you went all the way to the source.

*NOTE: Page generated on the 28/10/2023 at 17:59:46 UTC*