In Blackburne, Its Business As Usual

As the Governor of Persephone announces renewed enforcement of the Alliance blockade against Blackburne Moon, the residents of Blackburne Downport continue to deal with the day-to-day tasks of living on this tiny, radioactive moon—earning livings, raising families, looking out for one another, protecting the town from Reavers and feral mutants from the Wastes.

"It's a waste of energy and time for them, always has been. That's why they just up and left after nuking hell out of us in the war," says Nack Barnes, the de-facto leader of Blackburne Downport. "Ain't nothing left here but us that survived and those who the Alliance don't want anyway. No matter how we think about it, about our home here, it ain't worth a rusty piss bucket to the Alliance."

Why, then, would the Persephone decide to reinstate the blockade now? Governor Woodhen was unavailable for comment at press time. According to a press release, Governor Woodhen said, "Blackburne has to realized that the war is over. If [they] continue to back a lost cause, we as a loyal Alliance member have no choice but to enforce the blockade that has been long ignored."

The release goes on to note that "[the] move is part of a wider move to enforce Alliance law throughout the sector. [The City of Downing] also began enforcing port inspections on all ships landing at the Eavesdown Docks outside the city.

Nack Barnes says, "I don't figure this blockade will stop anyone who's determined to get into or out of Blackburne," He pauses here, chuckling. "Since as a pilot I make a good bartender; yet I was able to get through." He gravely notes, "What it will do is make the more honest free traders avoid us for now, meaning we get to smuggle our own supplies or deal with the dregs of the free traders, little better than pirates. Main thing we're worried about is keeping supplies of meds. We've got a lot of Reaver problems here, and when it ain't Reavers it's zombie mutants or ferals."
And he's not exaggerating. Last week, a trio of female Reavers was killed after sending 6 members of the Blackburne Milita to the medical pavilion. And just three days later, what has become known as the Blackburne Massacre sent a total of 25 people to Blackburne's tiny, understaffed hospital.

"I did a foolhardy thing and followed one into the sewers," says Mr. Barnes, showing off the fresh lacerations he received for his troubles. "From now on, they get in the sewers, we're lettin' 'em go."

And so it goes at Blackburne Downport. People earn livings, raise families, look after one another—just like on the Core planets, but without the luxuries of medical supplies or food.

by Cholgosh Swindlehurst