Wuppertal Refinery

CLASS: Faymann

GRAVITY: Partial

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 630

Wuppertal Refinery is a chemical plant focused on waste processing and nuclear fuel refinement and serving as a strategic waystation on the route between Rheinland and Gallia.

Originally established in 804 AS, during Kruger's financial downturn, it was funded by ALG but operated by both corporations to exploit the resource rich debris orbiting planet Steinfurt. This marked an important step in the companies' cooperation, with the aim of contesting Daumann's monopolistic position in much of Rheinland's industry. However, with Kruger and Daumann becoming closer in the twenties, the partnership became strained and ALG eventually took over sole management of the plant.

Wuppertal's remote location in the underdeveloped Cologne system meant that it was not an immediate target for the monarchists when the Rheinland Civil War broke out in 827, but this remoteness was also exploited by the Red Hessians, who launched a successful offensive across the system.

Wuppertal was evacuated without a struggle, but was heavily damaged by an as of yet unexplained act of sabotage, possibly by anti-Hessian employees trying to prevent the capture of the valuable fuel plant.

During the Hessian occupation of the system, the station was taken over by a group of Junkers, though the Hessians permitted a small number of ALG specialists to remain to ensure safety of the potentially dangerous nuclear refinement process.

With the end of the war and the unified Rheinland state's offensive into the system, the Junkers were expelled and repair work commenced, which concluded in early 829.

## Bribes & Missions Offered

* Rheinland Police
* ALG Waste Disposal
* EFL Oil and Machinery

* Rheinland Police

## 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.

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.

"In the glorious spirit of reunification, we - the people of Rheinland - are reclaiming what we neglected the most in the midst of our civil war - Cologne. With the help of our brothers and sisters who are united under one banner once again, together, we will re-establish and stabilise our trade flow with Gallia by decisively expelling the Red Hessian occupation."
The initiative to re-secure Cologne is the first decisive action of the new constitutional monarchy, and the Rheinland government's debut to the interstellar community. The Gallic Union lauded Rheinland's reclamation of Cologne to re-establish a secure trade artery between the two recently war-torn nations. In response to the news, Rheinland and Gallic exchanges saw a growing increase in the demand for ore and other raw materials, indicating consumer optimism in the re-establishment of trade. Furthermore, the Gallic Navy have deployed a battlegroup to Zurich as a blockade and possibly pincer against the Red Hessians.
Rumours are abound concerning the degree of entrenchment the Hessians have accomplished in Cologne during their year-long period of occupation. Reports have confirmed the presence of Hessian Battleship Kassel in orbit of Planet Saarbrucken and fortifying Tholey Station, in addition to heavy outgoing traffic in what is theorized to be a Hessian evacuation, most likely incited by the Altenburg's movements.

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

* Rheinland knew about this system for a while now, but nobody ever thought about investigating Steinfurt's planetary rings for minerals before us. When our prospectors came back, they confirmed that this place was a proverbial gold mine. Of course, now that this station settled in for a bit, it's not all sunshine and strudel. The pirates moved in right with us, and police coverage is still scarce.

* A bunch of Junkers took over this base shortly after we had to evacuate it. Leave it to those vultures to swoop in and profit from someone elses suffering. I swear I'm still finding grease stains and unwashed laundry all over the place.

* Kruger employees were systematically pulled here from the Dresden system when the diamond field there was drying up. There are still a decent number of diamonds left there but nothing that wouldn't be mined out in a few years. Combine that with the rampant pirate attacks and it simply wasn't worth the effort anymore.

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