999 OCTILLION SOULS, June 9, 2024
I FLIGHT 35
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TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.35
EXCERPT FROM ECHOES OF THE SWARMS
The grand Dyson swarms fostered a dark underbelly – the Black Market Bazaars also known as the Schattenmarkt, or Shadow Market. This clandestine network facilitated the illegal trade in goods and services that fueled unrest and instability throughout the galaxy.
Bliss Dust (35% of SM revenue)
A highly addictive psychoactive drug synthesized from the nebulae around certain rogue stars. Bliss Dust offered a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life in the decaying Dyson swarms but with devastating long-term consequences.
The production of Bliss Dust was a closely guarded secret, controlled by a network of chemists and smugglers who operated in the shadows of the Shadow Market. These illicit operations took place in hidden laboratories scattered across abandoned sectors of space, far from the prying eyes of law enforcement and corporate regulators.
While Bliss Dust offered a temporary escape, its long-term consequences were devastating. Users quickly developed a dependency on the drug, leading to a cycle of addiction. Prolonged use resulted in severe neurological damage, deteriorating mental health, and ultimately, a complete breakdown of social and personal function. The proliferation of Bliss Dust led to a dramatic increase in crime, as addicts turned to theft, violence, and other illicit activities to fund their habits.
The economic impact of Bliss Dust extended beyond the individual. The drug trade created a parallel economy within the Dyson swarms, one that operated outside the bounds of legal and corporate oversight. The immense profits generated by the sale of Bliss Dust empowered criminal syndicates, allowing them to influence local politics and economies. This led to increased corruption. Law enforcement agencies struggled to keep up with the tactics of drug producers and distributors. Rehabilitation centers were chronically underfunded and overwhelmed by the sheer number of addicts seeking help.
cosmos_boss: a J a day keeps the doctor away
Starfire
Starfire was a potent hallucinogen derived from the bioluminescent algae of distant ocean planets. This drug offered users intense, vivid experiences, making them feel as though they were living out their wildest fantasies. However, the long-term effects included severe psychosis and a complete detachment from reality, leaving many users in a permanent state of delusion.
Void Nectar
Void Nectar was an exotic stimulant harvested from the venom of space-dwelling creatures. Known for its ability to grant users extreme physical prowess and heightened senses, it became popular among those seeking to escape their mundane existence. Unfortunately, the drug also caused irreversible damage to the nervous system, leading to agonizing withdrawal symptoms and a high mortality rate among long-term users.
Nebula Mist
Nebula Mist was an opiate-like substance extracted from the gaseous clouds of certain nebulae. It provided calm and pain relief, making it appealing to those suffering from chronic ailments in the harsh environments of the Dyson swarms. However, its addictive nature led to widespread dependency and compounded the public health crisis already exacerbated by Bliss Dust.
Ghost Weapons (10% of SM revenue)
Military-grade weaponry prohibited by the Galactic Concord. These included wormhole-disruptor rifles that could bypass energy shields and targeted bio-weapons tailored to specific genotypes. The advanced rifles generated wormholes, creating temporary breaches in space-time that allowed projectiles to bypass energy shields. Bioweapons were employed by insurgents to target key figures. The precision of these bio-weapons allowed for surgical strikes that left minimal collateral damage. Ghost weapons were favored by assassins and pirates who preyed on weaker settlements.
The proliferation of Ghost Weapons sowed chaos and fear across the galaxy. Weaker settlements and outposts, often lacking the means to defend against advanced technology, became prime targets for pirates and warlords. The presence of these weapons led to increased violence and instability, undermining the efforts of the Galactic Concord to maintain peace.
The trade in Ghost Weapons enriched criminal syndicates and corrupted officials, fueling a cycle of violence. Their presence strained political relations and empowered separatists.
Efforts to curb the spread faced challenges, as the clandestine market and advanced technology enabled continued distribution. While regulations and raids achieved some success, the traffickers adapted. A holistic strategy tackling demand and its drivers was advocated to counter the proliferation.
pilot_sui: the Millenium Falcon can outrun any police cruiser
Restricted Tech (2.5% of SM revenue)
Technological artifacts deemed too dangerous for civilian use or ethically dubious by the Concord. This included cloaking devices, AI cores capable of independent thought, and blueprints for self-replicating nanobots. Restricted Tech was a magnet for rogue scientists and those seeking to upset the established order.
Black Market Information (2.5 % of SM revenue)
Sensitive data – corrupted officials' identities, weaknesses in swarm defense systems, insider trading tips – all exchanged for exorbitant prices in the shadowy corners of the Schattenmarkt. This information trade fueled corruption and hampered maintaining order within the sprawling Dyson networks.
The Shadow Market wasn't a single location, but a shifting network. Transactions occurred in hidden compartments of asteroids, on the fringes of VR marketplaces, and within the dimly lit taverns of lawless space stations.
Galactic Corsairs (15% Market Share)
A notorious union of pirate gangs, the Galactic Corsairs controlled many of the Schattenmarkt's smuggling routes. Their heavily armed vessels, piloted by ruthless mercenaries, preyed on unsuspecting cargo freighters, stealing goods to be fenced in the shadows.
Dark Exchange (12.5% Market Share)
A shadowy consortium of black-market brokers, the Exchange facilitated communication between buyers and sellers. Their identities were never revealed, and their methods were ruthless – anyone who threatened to expose the Exchange met with swift and brutal consequences.
The Star Whisperers (7.5% Market Share)
A loose network of hackers and information brokers, the Whisperers dealt with stolen data and secrets. Their loyalty was to the highest bidder, and their activities sowed discord and distrust amongst the Dyson swarm inhabitants.
The Schattenmarkt thrived in the twilight years of the Illuminated Epoch, a symptom of a decaying galactic order. While the Concord eventually cracked down on the more egregious activities, the Schattenmarkt's legacy continued to plague the scattered settlements of the galaxy. Weapons from the Shadow Market fueled localized conflicts, Bliss Dust addiction continued to ravage communities, and the distrust sown by the Whisperers lingered.