The Free League
A Counterweight to the Consortium
The Free League, often simply referred to as "the League," plays a pivotal role in organizing the smaller players within the predominantly Consortium-dominated market. Leveraging a skilled workforce in spaceports and souks, they provide a service that The Consortium, with its vast infrastructure, cannot replicate. Originally conceived as a counterweight to the Consortium's dominance, the League initially struggled to compete directly. However, over time, they shifted their approach, aiming for a more symbiotic relationship instead. The undeniable truth is that without the League's deckhands, pilots, and engineers, the Consortium's ships and haulers would languish in dock, their cargo untouched. Moreover, the Consortium's reach into the distant star arms would be severely curtailed without the tireless efforts of Free Traders. Beneath the surface, both factions engage in subtle maneuvering to outwit the other. In the realm of free traders and markets beyond the core systems, the League effectively enjoys a monopoly. The risks involved, contrasted with the potential profits, deter the major Consortium companies from direct involvement. The League operates multiple auction houses and souks in the outer systems, as well as a few on Kua and Coriolis. Presently, the League's primary objective is to maintain control over the outer markets while enhancing the quality of life for its members. In terms of openness about membership, no other faction rivals the Free League, making it the Horizon's largest faction, counting both official and unofficial members.
Facing Accusations
One of the most significant challenges facing the League is the persistent accusation of ties to The Syndicate, a claim vociferously propagated by the Consortium. Jesibel Niales, the League's council member, has vehemently denied these allegations on numerous occasions. To quell suspicions, the League has taken to hiring bounty hunters to pursue corsairs, smugglers, and even Algolan slavers. Another concern is the apparent autonomy of the League's paramilitary branch, the Night Hands, which had originally been tasked with dealing with scabs and disloyal members. Rumors abound regarding the Night Hands' leader, Zahria, often seen in the seedy corners of the Ozone Plaza and suspected of having connections with the Syndicate. However, the League is not without its bright spots – the living astrogator legend, Ehina Kuma, continues to embark on new adventures with different crews, bringing The Icons' benevolent favor with her. Notable members also include Baris Khan, the Net's chief pilot, and shipless captain Fatma Boroudi, who readily takes assignments wherever a captain is required. Some view her unexpected arrival at a port as an ominous sign. Additionally, the League actively recruits among the plebeians in the Conglomerate, a move that raises eyebrows among the local elite, factory owners, and the Consortium. Rumors even suggest that the League supports certain uprisings within the Conglomerate.
