Outback Raiders

A mix of native races who have taken to piracy among the stars, the **Outback Raiders** are hostile to any vessel in the Outback deemed as non-native. They fly a varied level of ships salvaged from other cultures. Prior to their alliance with Fennec Vulpes and Seloz the Red, the common targets were smaller vessels as well as freighters. Since their alliance, their scope broadened. After the defeat of Fennec Vulpes on Stardate 93696.04, the Outback Raiders have largely vanished or have been absorbed into the Futara Union.

# History

On Stardate 91710.86, the USS *Riven* discovered two vessels that targeted a freighter under escort. The Starfleet vessel targeted the weapon systems aboard the main attacking vessel causing both to retreat.

On Stardate 92307.74, the USS *Bacchus* responded to a distress call from a civilian freighter. When the *Bacchus* arrived on scene, the freighter had been damaged and a small portion of its cargo was removed. The crew were treated in sickbay for weapon wounds to arms and legs alone. Repair teams had the freighter up and running again in a matter of hours, letting the crew continue their journey.

On Stardate 92442.37, the USS *Venture* found two raiders during a routine patrol. They shadowed the *Venture* before leaving the systems. No shots were fired.

On Stardate 92607.04, the USS *Quantum* is attacked by a single raider vessel during a survey mission. Damage was limited to shields and only minor reports of injury. The attacking vessel broke off pursuit after it was fired upon.

After the initial engagements with the Raiders, Starfleet Intelligence ranked them as "Threat Level: Green." At that time the evidence suggested that they were more after the cargo than the kill.

# Escalation

Starfleet intelligence raised the threat level to Amber (Medium) after the Outback Raiders stepped up their attacks between Stardate 92745.31 and Stardate 92783.67.

As written by Lieutenant Commander Sylus Cain: *What were initially supposed to be a ragtag group of vagabonds and pirates appear to have been significantly up-armed. It is not the norm for such groups to posses capital class vessels, let alone the ability to brazenly attack Starfleet vessels. Current guidance on this threat (atleast that provided to me upon entrance to the Outback) was that they posed a low threat, a group to be wary of yet not hostile. Following this engagement I would strongly suggest revising this guidance. Not only were the Raiders able to provide a straight up conventional force to fight a Starfleet Task Group but they were also successful in boarding, capturing and taking hostage some of Starfleets latest ships crewed by some of her best officers. This is not the behavior of a disparate group in need of medical supplies, it is an act of aggression against the Federation. We owe those captured officers a response, they must not be left to their fate.* [AAR: Search and Rescue: USS *Victory*] [AAR: Rescue of Commander Jyana Kai and USS *Barclay*]

# The Fox and the Red Fox

Since his escape from *Praetorian's* brig and during the Iconian War, Fennec Vulpes teamed up with the Outback Raiders and attempted to commandeer the USS *Avenger* while it was doing another survey of Arborea V. A team from Task Force Avalon led by Vice Admiral Rel'valis Nightmoon was dispatched and put a stop to those plans and rescued the *Avenger*. [AAR: Arborea V Recon Mission] [AAR: Rescue of the USS *Avenger*] There has been intelligence that Seloz the Red is working with the Raiders and was behind a recent subversion of exocomps on the station. [AAR: Exocomp Subversion Attack]

Further intelligence suggests that the Korlan were also involved in fighting against the Outback Raiders. [AAR: Raider Base Investigation]

# References

* Dossier: Outback Raiders
* Story Arc: Operation "Red Fox"