(304) Udzha is one of two asteroid belts in the Alvero system, bordering the edge of the system. A common stop for smugglers traveling in and out of the system, this treacherous and unpredictable belt has been inhabited by bands of pirates for nearly a century. Much of the profit for the inhabitants of this belt comes either raiding habitats in the neighboring (63) Moreux belt or from black market transactions. Buyers and sellers from across the sector come to the Udzha belt to buy and sell stolen or illegal goods, or simply to avoid Eridanus taxes. For years these bands followed a loose confederacy, but recent pressure from "House" Vagrant to join the Vagrant fleet has given rise to a division in the confederacy, resulting in two factions battling for control of the belt:
- "House" Vagrant, whose first representatives begin showing up in the belt in the last decade. Judging the Udzha belt to be an important tactical position, members of the Vagrant fleet have been slowly absorbing various pirate bands and bringing the asteroid stations of the belt under their control.
- The Scramblers, a group of pirates resistant to the encroachment of the Vagrant fleet. Undisciplined and disorganized, these pirates fight a losing battle against the Vagrants for control of the Udzha belt.
Although this war has taken a toll on both sides, the inhabitants of the belt attempted to keep a low profile to avoid the notice of the empire, until the incorporation of the Upright Vagrant into the empire.
Following the elimination of many remaining Scrambler leaders, and the subsuming of nearly all others, the Upright Vagrant claimed victory in (304) Udzha, and are now operating in the open.
Description[]
Occupation: Pirates hiding out among the rocks
Situation: War between rival rocks