Zone Game 28

Zone Game 28 took place on 8th November 2008.

Factions: Belters vs Belters vs Iron Coalition

ZG 28 was a landmark Zone Game as it was the first one of its kind to fully integrate squad role playing into Zone Games, of course drama also followed on FAO as two of the top squads were involved on opposing sides. System X were playing as one faction of Belters, Palidor's Knights as another, and Steel Fury represented the Iron Coalition contingent. Each side was augmented with plenty of mercenaries (both squadded and unsquadded).

During this period DataNet also underwent management changes, with leadership of the project transferring from Adam4 to Dorjan.

This Zone Game also saw the return of public comments on DataNet transmissions.

DataNet reports follow:

Date:11.08.2158/File: 00246 - Change of Management

Report filed by: DataNet_SewerAlligator

Did he? I'm sure he didn't... Oh. Sorry! Thought the delay was longer.

Hey there, loyal audience, I've got a juicy new DataNet Report right here for you!

Nature abhors a vacuum. Was that one of those famous sayings? Regardless, it seems to hold true, as we can see from the Belters' so called "Council". The word is, from my trusty contacts in the Belters' anarchy... that none of them are holding out for Caius to miraculously show up alive.

So out there sits the Junkyard Armada, leaderless and lost. The Council has lost it's voice, and the People have lost their Hero. And...you guessed it folks, someone would make a play anyway. "For the good of the community", of course.

Seems old Caius and his crew might have had a peek at those black boxes they got from the Dreg, which meant the Council got a look. Which meant all the Clans knew, and that means that we know. I guess the if the Belters subscribed to compartmentalization they wouldn't be Belters. Anyway - what they contained was important enough for the Old Man to give an order that it not fall into enemy hands, and especially not the Coalition's, or most of all Fisk's.

Enter Clan Palidor's Knights, an old Belter Clan from before The Collapse (or whatever we're calling it these days). Good friends of Caius if you believe the hype, and the darling of the Kuepper Belt. So it seems Chief whatever-his-name-is, Grand High Mucky-Muck (whatever) has seen fit to send the Clan's "Special Intelligence Brigade" to have a look-see at what ever it is the Council found.

That's right, Palidor's Knights, a Clan which will need no introduction to our viewers - their exploits over the years throughout space have been legendary - have been let loose at last! The Knight's have entrusted this adventure to the leader of their crack outfit, a pilot we know only from his legendary reputation of always being correct.

If they should make a significant find, it would certainly give The Knight's the upper hand when the next Council meeting rolls around, if you can call those drunken boozefests such a thing. So off the Palidor's Knights SIB have trotted, to danger or intrigue or merely on the whim of stoned Councilmember's crazed ramblings?

All jest aside, this reporter wishes them a hearty hurrah and clear skies. And as I write this, I know that they have already left the known comm grid, so alas my thoughts, prayers and well wishes will not reach them. Their destiny is beyond all help now. Even if they were heading to certain conflict it would be far too late for the Clan to call them back now.

Now, as I hit submit, I cannot for the life of me recall what was on my daughter's shopping list...I really need to stop typing my thoughts out.

DataNet_SewerAlligator out.

Date:11.08.2158/File: 00247 - Rambunctious Ramifications

Report filed by: DataNet_SewerAlligator

Well I'll be dipped in booster fuel and turned into a Martian Candle, looks like the Knight's most "secretive" and elite group's activities haven't gone unnoticed!

And so, just now, as I return from a night of easing my pain with some fermented vegetable products, I carry even more exciting news than that of some Oortward Belter Clan's political aspirations.

Clan System X, that ragtag band of ne'er-do-wells and ruffians, those cut-throat space dogs of the Inner Belt are up to an adventure of their own. It seems someone in their hierarchy watches Clan Palidor's activities rather closely. And now, if you search for them, you will not find the ships of Clan System X's First Raider Squadron anywhere. Someone else has unsettled business I think. But with the SysX, it's hard to tell if it's political, or just revenge.

I am getting ahead of myself! "What revenge?!, against whom!?!" I hear you cry. Why, it seems that the entirety of their elite piratical squadron has set course into the unknown, on the same aleph route as the Knights of Clan Palidor. And apparently there is some bad blood. Something someone said at an Earthday party about spunky-something-or-rather? A reference to "The Orion Cluster"? I don't know the full details but it sounds intense!

But I tell ya, anyone around here who's got a beef with The Knights or any other Outer Belt Clans is tagging along for the ride. It looks nasty. I just hope that the Knights and whoever decided to tag along with them are ready for whatever may happen.

But what can you do? Only what every good citizen should, and report the suspected activities of pirates on DataNet. I'm sure it will all work out.

DataNet_SewerAlligator out.

Date:11.08.2158/File: 00248 - The Longest Arm

Report filed by: DataNet_SewerAlligator

"PIRATES! AAAAAAAAAH!!!"

"Don't worry ma'am. We're Marines." That's what I'd say if I were in the 81st Marine Division. Oh, what glory! To be a member of the biggest, dumbest bunch of thugs the Coalition can field. Seriously, if I could I would. But I'm not fit for anything like that. So I'll snipe at you all from my terminal here like a good citizen.

It seems that the Coalition received an anonymous tip off (some say from the DataNet, but who believes anything you see there I ask ya!) regarding a large pirate movement heading off to places unknown, and probably up to no good. And how do they respond?!

This excerpt from a representative of the 81st Marine Division:

---start intercept---

While the intelligence we have received seems to be consistent with what our long range scanners tell us, the TARDINESS of the tip-off is HIGHLY alarming. The Iron Coalition DEMANDS of all law-abiding citizens immediate reports of any suspected illicit activities as soon as the information is in their hands! We do not appreciate it when citizens deem it worthy of our attention a full DAY after the information is in public, even if our scanners already tell us the same thing. Responsibility! It's what separates us from those damn rebels.

STAY VIGILANT CITIZEN.

From General Ashriel Black

---end intercept---

What can I say. Justice, 81st Marine style, and the Coalition way and all that. Hoo rah. *blows a party whistle* Really. Sounds like the usual Coalition smokescreen for the usual sabre rattling that passes for Coalition operations these days. Show up late, pick up pods, salvage debris. Maybe Fisk and the Coalition have been out in the Belt for too long.

DataNet_SewerAlligator out.

Star_Spiff@Datanet: AUG.11.2158/Transmission: 00249.001 - Knights, Wolves, and The PeaceKeepers

Long-held grudges and unforgotten insults came to a head in a conflict today, as the First Raider Squadron of Clan 'System X' converged on an asteroid belt Clan Palidor was occupying. Skirmishing broke out, which caught the attention of The Iron Coalition's 81st Marine Division who were on a peacekeeping mission in the local area. They could not prevent the full scale battle that ensued.

Early reports and battle logs show that the Iron Coalition forces initially refused to engage in combat before exausting every method of diplomacy. In an last ditch effort to keep the peace, the 81st Marine "Steel Fury" Division declared System X an aggressor, seven seconds after SysX had destroyed a PK base. The Knights were swiftly ordered to move to support them in this "peacekeeping" action.

"Steel Fury" destroyed SysX's small bomber wing then prevented PKs retaliation by demanding their withdrawal. Tensions between the clans ran even higher as "Steel Fury" proceeded to recall all forces from combat. Accusations of illegal activites were banded about by both sides in an attempt to use SF to their advantage. The Iron Coalition commander claimed this sector of space "in the name of Peace" after both clans had launched numerous attacks at each other and both refusing to co-operate. They advised all Belters in the area to leave on consequence of being destroyed.

Obviously, this did not go over very well with either Belter clan, who promptly launched an all out attack. Out-manned and out-gunned the marines launched stealth bomber attacks to buy time to withdraw.

A representative from Palidor's Knights insulted their rivals for being unable to defend against Steel Furies stealth bombers as System X were left weakened in the wake of The Iron Coalitions tactical retreat. System X had been soundly beaten at a high cost of both material and personnel. They lost 203 more ships and 160 more pilots and were declared exiles from any PK-controlled fleet.

The Belter Council has yet to meet to discuss the issue, but a statement is expected soon. It is highly likely that PK's position in the clan hierarchy will greatly improve.

The question remains as to what was PKs original intent in the area. According to data intercepts, it has something to do with a Dreghklar Black Box. The battle itself took place in an area burdened with unusually high aleph distortion. Could this have anything to do with the odd sensor readings reported by most pilots?

Keep watching this space. As always, once more information is presented on the subject, we'll keep you posted.