999 OCTILLION SOULS, May 16, 2024
I FLIGHT
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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.
10
EXCERPT FROM ECHOES OF THE SWARMS
Estimated Number of Active Pirate Groups: 1,000,000+ (ranging from small, localized bands to large, well-organized fleets)
The Illuminated Epoch, while marked by immense prosperity and technological advancement, was not without its criminal elements. Operating in the fringes and lawless pockets of these artificial biospheres, space pirates and raiders preyed on unsuspecting vessels and vulnerable outposts.
The primary motivator for most pirates was the desire for quick wealth. Resource-rich cargo ships, luxurious passenger liners, and even entire data caches held by corporations like the Zaria Consortium or research vessels of the Open Earth Federation all presented lucrative targets.
us_gwo: fascinating
cap_mal: what about smugglers?
translator: they worked with pirates too
For some, piracy wasn't a choice but a desperate means of survival. Those ostracized from mainstream society; those dwelling in the neglected corners of the Dyson swarms like the Dust Belt or those fleeing totalitarian regimes like the Grand Empire resorted to piracy under captains like "Mad" Ma'isa and her ragtag crew of refugees to meet their basic needs.
cosmos_boss: no pirates from the OEF, right?
IE: no
Percentage of Trade Disrupted by Piracy: 5-10% (fluctuating depending on region and specific trade routes)
A minority of pirate groups operated with a specific ideology. The Crimson Swarm, led by the charismatic but ruthless Captain Jharek, were anti-establishment rebels, striking out against the perceived injustices of the larger empires, particularly the Commerce Guild's stranglehold on trade routes. Others might have been religious extremists, viewing the hijacking of resources as a way to fund their fanatical causes.
luo_ji: the guild with Japanese roots?
translator: yes
Pirate vessels often cobbled together from salvaged technology and heavily armed, relied on surprise and overwhelming firepower to overpower their targets. They would strike swiftly, seize their loot, and disappear into the labyrinthine network of the Dyson swarm before any effective response could be mounted. Ships like the Zariac-built freighter (heavily modified for combat) captained by the infamous Zariac Scourge were notorious for their hit-and-run attacks on unsuspecting freighters.
ru_mikhail: this info is not important
doc_T: but fun
Sophisticated hacking techniques allowed pirates to breach a ship's defenses remotely, disabling security systems and rerouting cargo before the crew even knew they were under attack. Groups like the Shadow Collective, led by the mysterious hacker-prodigy Ghost, excelled in these information warfare tactics.
otavio_br: could a hacker group have faked the IS40 transmission
uk_gwo5: no we have independent confirmations
Pirates disguised their vessels as legitimate freighters or used electronic trickery to appear as larger warships. The Firebrands, a band of pirates known for their recklessness, were infamous for employing suicidal boarding actions preceded by planted bombs and crippling data viruses.
Average Cost of Piracy per megasecond (in Lost Cargo and Ships): 10 Trillion Ursine Galactic Credits
Pirate activity disrupted established trade routes, causing economic instability and driving up the cost of essential goods in some regions. The Kazari Commerce Guild, heavily reliant on the smooth flow of goods, offered hefty bounties for the capture of notorious pirates.
Number of Civilian Casualties Due to Piracy (per megasecond): 1,057,000 (mostly crew members of cargo ships)
The constant threat of pirate attacks created a climate of fear, particularly among smaller, independent outposts and civilian vessels. Many smaller outposts on the fringes of the swarms hired mercenaries or even aligned themselves with specific empires for protection.
Increase in Insurance Rates for Civilian Spacecraft: 20% (due to the perceived risk of pirate attacks)
The threat of piracy spurred innovation in defensive technologies. Shipbuilders developed better shields, faster communication systems, and advanced tracking methods to counter pirate tactics. The OEF, ever focused on progress, spearheaded many of these advancements.
The Dyson swarms presented both challenges and opportunities for pirates. The vast network of interconnected structures offered numerous hiding places and blind spots to evade authorities. However, the constant surveillance maintained by some empires and the complex traffic control systems within the swarms also made it difficult for pirates to operate with impunity.
As the Illuminated Epoch progressed, some pirate groups adopted a more sophisticated approach, forming alliances, developing their intelligence networks, and even establishing semi-permanent bases in remote corners of the swarms. These Pirate havens, the most famous being " قطاع اللاوعي (Qita' al-lawa'i)" or The Unconscious Sector controlled by the ruthless warlord Xal'Ath, became notorious for their lawlessness, attracting fugitives, smugglers, and other fringe elements from across the galaxy.