Liner Verwood

CLASS: Oasis (Refit)

GRAVITY: Complete

DOCKING: Yes

AMENITIES: Yes

CREW: 150

The Liner Verwood conducted itself through much of the Gallic War as an unofficial Gallic Navy of the Bretonian Crown in the Taus. Far from Bretonia's supply lines, the vessel was operated by Privateers who were primarily engaged in piracy, supply line sabotage, and cargo interdiction against hostile and neutral interests in the region. These activities led to a significant redeployment of Gallic forces to convoy protection, easing pressure on the front lines. Bretonian military authorities have argued that this vindicated their highly controversial strategic doctrine of commerce raiding.

While nominally operating under Bretonian Letters of Marque, the Privateers have tended to act without oversight and on the basis of their own personal views of Bretonian interests. This has resulted in a tumultuous relationship with Bretonian officials, with arrest warrants outstanding for a number of Privateers who more flagrantly crossed the line for personal gains.

After the war, the legal status of the Privateers and their Letters of Marque were called into question. It was quickly realised that failing to find the 'irregulars' gainful employment elsewhere would lead to an influx of veteran pirates at a time when the House desperately needed stability to recover. Officials ultimately insinuated to privateer commanders that there would be fertile grounds for their work in the Omegas, a place the Verwood would venture to only briefly. Following the revoke of all Letters of Marque by the Bretonian Crown, the Privateers dissolved with many fleeing into the open arms of pirate gangs operating in the Omegas. The commanding staff of the Verwood chose loyalty to their homeland, patriotism that cost them dearly. The returners were imprisoned and the Verwood transfered to the BIS, now serving as their surveillance platform in the Taus.

## 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.

With the end of the war and Bretonia's withdrawal from Planet Gran Canaria, Poole's prominence waned. The cost of policing the system and maintaining infrastructure has significantly outweighed collected tax revenue in recent years, with Planetform's Terraforming Gas operations reporting disappointing year on year returns.DSE has already confirmed that it will begin deconstruction operations shortly, with the dismantling of the Cambridge jump gate expected to be completed by 833 AS.

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Planetform has confirmed its intention to withdraw prior to this point, while settling shareholder anxiety with the announcement of promising preliminary findings for a replacement site in Newcastle.

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## Rumors

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