Battle Over Black Markets
Since even before SE Corp came to LP 339-7, some three years ago, two of the systems factions have been at loggerheads over the use of black markets. There are all sorts of issues surrounding the use of these 'back door' markets; from political beliefs, to economic value, to the knock on effects of crime in the area, it is obvious that opinion is fiercely divided.
The Blue Creative faction have always taken a stance that black markets are fundamentally wrong and against federation statute while the Independent Values Party (or the IVP) believe that black markets are an important part of life in the poorer outer system suburbs of 339, bringing in extra commerce and generating extra types of missions, albeit of a more shadowy nature. This disagreement between Blue Creative and the IVP has raged on seemingly forever and recently (and once again) we have seen it spill over into burgeoning violence.
This most recent skirmish is over the control of Chapman Hub, a once important staging point in a war to free 339 from the Blue Clan pirates. Chapman hub is currently owned by Blue Creative, who won it during that war, long ago and have held it ever since. The IVP have made moves to take this trading hub and reopen the black markets within.
Currently, the only operational black markets in LP 339-7 are at Kerwin Gateway, also owned by the IVP. Kerwin is a large industrial station, and would be a rival for Gell-Mann Ring if it wasn't some 6,000 LS from the main star. Because of its location, standing as solitary sentinel to the last of 339's planets, Kerwin Gateway only sees occasional use from commanders living in or passing through the system. Chapman hub however is located much closer in, orbiting planet 4, Chapman is one of the closest stations to the inner system. The IVP believe then, that the acquisition of Chapman hub is essential to their political agenda and future economic plans. Blue Creative are obviously quite resistant to these moves and a few days ago deployed forces from their military base at Thirsk Survey. These forces clashed with IVP ships over shatlov Lab and violence has now spread throughout the system.
Lewis Chapman, CEO of SE Corp and governor of LP 339-7 released a brief statement regarding the battle over his namesake station saying that local security forces will be deployed to help quell the unfortunate battles with as little loss to life as possible. Mr Chapman however did not comment on exactly which side he would support with his security forces, leading to wild and varied speculation on the matter.
