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@node "story_dispute"
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With the new expansion of colonialism into previously uncharted territory,
an escalation has occurred in the conflict between Federation and Empire,
both in those remoter areas and in the traditional home space of humanity
here in the 'Normal Arm' of our galaxy.

As always, it is the weak and unallied independent nations that become the
victims of this aggression, their systems becoming the 'bone of contention'
which the Imperial and Federal 'dogs of war' fight over.

Recently both Federation and Empire have begun forcing local authorities to
allow foreign military bases to be established on the planets of disputed
systems, and have also come to dominate most of their trade, especially in
second-hand spaceships. The latter has made their markets very popular with
commanders that like to have a wide range of ships to choose from, as they
can here find both Federal and Imperial shiptypes, as well as Independent
ones.

An unintended side effect of all this attention by the contenders is that
they are investing a huge amount of wealth in these disputed systems, where
cunning entrepreneurs are amassing most of it and playing on the interests
of both foreign parties to make both increase these investments.

Some sociologists predict that many of these profiteers will soon become so
wealthy that they can start to set themselves up as offical rulers of their
respective nations (they already rule unofficially). If they can then ally
themselves with some other rulers in similar straits, their combined might
could allow them to oust both Federal and Imperial forces, and this new
'Robber Baron Alliance' would then effectively become a third superpower.

Other sociologists say that this has already happened, but is being hushed
down both by federation and empire officials, in an attempt to 'save face'.

This is partly confirmed by a change that has occurred in the always ongoing
'shadow war' of spies and infiltrators.  Even independent nations have now
become much more bold and aggressive than earlier, so that they establish
terorrist bases of their own both in neutral systems, as well as in systems
of the major powers, and also infiltrate their political organisations.

This has caused a need for both Imperial and Federal forces to direct agents
to deal with such bases and infiltrators to a degree unheard of before.  Yet
they can never admit to the public that this is happening, or allow any info
on these things to 'leak', as inevitably would happen if couriers from bases
where these operations are organized (always in disputed systems) were also
sent to normal bases.

For these reasons missions available in disputed systems follow some unusual
patterns. Foremost of these is the fact that both Empire and Federation will
offer identical missions, as they do cooperate against the newer, and from
their viewpoint 'terrorist' powers.  Also, while destructive missions may
be directed at any kind of system, all deliveries will be directed at some
other disputed system. (Which is a good way to find more of them...)

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@endnode "story_dispute"
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