
Pirates of District 268
-----------------------

District 268 comprises an interesting crossroads. Although not part
of any stable polity it is on the Spinward Main and thus there is
a fair degree of pass-through trade. Where you have trade and low
policing you have a potential for piracy.


There are two main groups of pirates. The most orgainsed is formally
known as "The 268th Space Legion", or, more often, as "The 268th".
They are mainly active in the rimward end of the Sector from
Inchin (0938) to Mille Falcs (1637) with minor activity up the
coreward main up to Forine (1533). They have a quasi-military structure
mainly due to their heavy recruitment from ex-military people. They
are, however, non-political and will not under any inducement
participate in politically motivated actions.
  They are quite formal in their activity. Relying on good data they
pick on ships with modest armament, no escorts, and proven profitability.
This ensures there are no desparate last stands and that they are carrying
worthwhile cargo. The will always hail the ship and give them a chance
to surrender. Ships that surrender will have their hold search and any
useful cargo taken. Occasionally sufficiently important passengers will
be taken for ransom.
  If a ship puts up a fight they are usually well armed. They are
conservative fighters, though, and will flee if even marginally outgunned
or damaged in any way. If they win, they are generally more harsh on
the ship. Seldom, though, do they intentionally harm any crew or
ships. If trade isn't maintained, they won't have future prizes.
  The have a fairly good information network. Most starports have
"known" 268th contacts. Quite openly in non-Imerial ports. They encourage
informants but will only pay in advance if you have a history of
providing accurate information. They will also sell "protection". If
a merchant ship pays them enough, they will be garunteed that the
268th won't attack. This usually runs about 1000Cr per ton of cargo
capacity for a six month blessing.
  An "officer" can be readily distinguished as they generally dress
rather smart and will have some sort of braid or badge with "268" on
it. This does not necessarily denote rank or seinority, but someone
who is a "lifer" and is committed to the division personally.
  The bulk of their operatives generally wear grey clothing with
268 badges on T-shirts, caps, and sometime tatoos. This is generally
to prevent other low-life from messing with them. This marking extends
to their liasons, fences, and miscelaneous other parts of their support
organisation.

The other main group is the "Forlorn Conspiracy", generally just called
"Forlorn". They operate mainly on the run from Mertactor (1537) to 
Talchek (1631). They are no where near as organised as the 268th and
there is less copperation amongst them. They will avoid working against
each other but each ship is its own and each captain dictator on
board.
  They have been known to take money from either the Sword Worlds or
Zhodani agents for perferential preying on Imperial shipping. The
Imperium has no policy of buying them off and if you want to buy
protection from them it has to be on a ship by ship basis.
  Usually they announce their presence by their first shot. They will
then expect the merchant to immediately signal their surrender or offer
a bribe to leave them alone. They'll accept credit transfers over
the communicator and it usually costs about 100Cr per ton of ship
to sate them.
  They aren't as hands-off as the 268th about the ships they sieze.
Although they will seldom capture or scuttle the ship, they are
more likely to remove weapons mounts, take low passengers to
sell as slaves, and entertain themselves with the passengers. They
are not a savory lot but they generally don't commit wholesale
slaughter. Bad for business.
  Unlike the wide ranging branding of the 268th, you aren't Forlorn
unless you are specifically pirate crew. There is no uniform, except
that they tend to avoid military style, just to distinguish them
from the 268th. Not that there is much rivalry between them, they
are just both doing business. They rarely trade information but
Forlorn frequently use the 268ths auxiliaries: fencers, information
brokers, etc.
  Forlorn has a perifery of scoundrels, ne'er do wells, and other
flotsam and jetsam of the Spinward Marches. Although not directly
connected they work through them, with them, and often recruit
from them.
  Every Forlorn ship is registered in Binges (1635).
