Republic Star
Legal Battle Over Skarkon II Ferry System
Following formal protest by the CBD Corporation on the Minmatar Republic’s response to the ongoing Skarkon II conflict, the Caldari-based megacorperation began moves to purchase many previously nationalized industries on Skarkon II to protect their material interests during the war between the Krullefor Organization, Angel’s Cartel, and outside warclone incursions by the Bosena Accords. While many contracts to expand CBD’s influence on the planet went largely uncontested and remained focused on supporting their stronghold province of Ishohuolvi, a major sticking point seems to be their attempts to purchase the robust ferry system that connects several major local cities including the CBD mining hub of Iddeserigard to the central province of Skardisaad.
The only major region on Skarkon II not privately held by corporate control, cartel influence, or landholding clans, Skaardisaad acts as a major hub to all other adjacent districts due to its access to the planetary skyhook system. At one point, all other adjacent corporate cities maintained their own privatized ferry system to transport workers and settlers from the heavily populated cities of Skaardisaad to the frontier. After the planetwide fall of the local Twin Atomic Superconducting Crystals industry in YC65 the frontier began to collapse and many of these private ferry systems fell into disuse and disrepair. In an effort to preserve the only reliable mode of transportation connecting these remote provinces the democratic administration of Skaardisaad opted to purchase the ferry fleets from each corporation and unify them into one centralized public transportation commission. Since then, the ferry system has remained a source of pride for the natives of Skarkon II and is renowned for remaining fiercely independent in the face of unrest.
Fearing an unprecedented level of instability and the potential for civil war the CBD Corporation was quick to present the Skardisaad Ferry Commission a multi-billion ISK contract should they agree to transfer administration over entirely to CBD. Many within the ferry commission are hesitant to sell out to an outside Caldari megacorporation and abandon their policy of providing transportation to all districts of Skarkon II equally regardless of corporate affiliation, with several union leaders threatening mass walkouts in retaliation if the ferry system is sold. Representatives within the government however believe that CBD’s contract is too good to refuse, and that CBD is the only force on Skarkon II with the the materials and capital needed to provide desperately-needed repairs and security to keep the ferry system safe from Cartel and Krullefor activity. With frequent acts of violence carried out against rival gangs onboard the ferry route connecting the Krullefor-controlled city of Kor’ali and the Cartel stronghold of Sa’kak, it is increasingly likely that the Skaardisaad Ferry Commission will bend to CBD pressure.
The prospect has been met with fierce opposition from the government of Sa’kak. According to Sa’kak’s city council their ferry system was never legally transferred from Minmatar Mining Corporation, the previous holder of Sa’kak’s Gulormola province. Instead, it was claimed unlawfully by the city of Kor’ali following MMC’s flight from Gulormola and their abandoned assets were repatriated by Skaardisaad without proof of ownership or legal authority. Therefore, they argue, these assets cannot be legally granted to CBD without explicit authorization from the Minmatar Mining Corporation. Given Sa’kak’s previous approval and financial backing of the Skaardisaad Ferry Commission, however, it seems clear to legal experts that the Angels-sympathizers of Sa’kak merely intend to delay CBD’s purchase as long as possible so the Angel’s Cartel can continue to use the ferry system to strike at Krullefor targets in Kor’ali without CBD interference. The warclone mercenaries of the Bosena Accords, who have also set up a forward operating base in the outskirts of Sa’kak, have declined to comment on the ongoing legal battle at this time.
(Above: Ferry vessel departs Sa’kak’s harbor locks while underway to Kor’ali.)
