Black Flag

The harrowing of the large Alliance of Seven Satellite merchant vessel The Arrow several weeks ago brought the privateer crisis into the spotlight and created a difficult situation at the very top of interplanetary politics. The ship itself had not been found, but it’s crew was – their dismembered bodies floating around space to the last man. It had been assumed that the wreckage was towed away and crashed on some remote planet, but now a shocking new transmission has arrived.

On a routine mission just off Xerxes-13, one of the Banigoth-sponsored privateer fleets claimed to have seen The Arrow itself, not only fully operational and flying, but also apparently re-deployed as a legitimate Class II warship. Armor-plated and sporting new heavy guns, it is also now sailing under a black flag.

News of this spreads quickly, and it is just what the Banigoth needed. Whoever is now operating The Arrow must also be guilty of the original raid – and for Banigoth High Command that’s all the intelligence they need. There will be no negotiations, no quarter and no further investigation. Khan-Hurrian demands will be met (again) so that the Banigoth can continue to sponsor their privateer fleet in search of elusive Idiranium.

A punitive expedition is hastily put together, consisting of strong Banigoth fleet reinforced with Khar-Hurrian and Havvacor ships. Even the weak Alliance of Seven Satellites has contributed a couple of ships as a token show of support, hoping their ineffective militia can learn a few things on a mission with some real warriors.