Producer Networks

The Producer 'Networks' is a name for the vast criminal world of Producer Society. Producer Networks are organised criminal mafias which operate within and outside of the Producer Technocracy.

History
There are many ‘Networks’ across the Producer planets. A Network is simply a term for an organised group of criminals which was derived from the name of the first international organisations which appeared in 1932AP. These organisations dubbed themselves the ‘Okani Network’, the ‘Halle Network’ and so on. These names took the name of their patron, hero or founder as a core part of their identity.

In 1932AP the Networks began by exploiting the uniting of the planet. As travel between states was eased and government was taking time to adjust, growing ever more complicated criminal networks became a profitable idea. Most Networks were loose alliances which were pulled together by figureheads. An example is the classic Okani Network who was pulled together by Okani Uturu Okani of Fel by inviting his overseas contacts to work more formally and closely.

The early illicit activities included the farming and distribution of hard drugs such as Kanae and Eedunn. These drugs were proscribed due to the certain harm they would cause to their users. As well as drug trafficking; prostitution, arms dealing, extortion and robberies became their normal activities. Prostitution began to wane as LIAI robots began to satisfy the needs of the genitalially needy.

Over the years these networks began to thrive in areas which had proven harder to govern. Both Cities and the growing Naturelands provided ample space for the Networks to thrive. The dark corners of the cities and emptiness of the Naturelands meant that Networks began to cover vast distances. This was halted, somewhat, as some Networks attempted to control particular territories. The Porta Network, for example, one attempted to ‘rule’ all of Western Indica which left it stretched and vulnerable to attacks by the military.

With the arrival of off-planet colonies and Space Cities, smuggling and illicit activities became easier. It became normal for some Networks to adopt the practices of Piracy by raiding passing Transport Ships. By 2980 Pirates had become a different variety of Network in their own right and were generally seen as different to normal Criminal Networks. This was due to the fact that Pirates were normally based in Space, as opposed to on Cities in stations and planets. Pirates are somewhat less organised and tend to be small scale, although larger Pirate Alliances exist. Their weapons are normally makeshift and ships are known as being fairly unreliable.

Relations
Networks are heavily armed, highly organised and operate as their own quasi-states. This has had the twisted effect of providing the Military with an opponent during the peacetimes. Networks have been the cause of a number of operations such as the retaking of entire Space Cities, large scale drug busts and small scale battles in the Naturelands. This has also given Producers a common enemy to unite against, helping to keep the society cohesive.

Networks enjoy poor relations with Naturists. The Naturists, a paramilitary group attempting to return to an agrarian society, view the Networks as a symptom of Capitalist greed in Producer Society. Naturists have been known to attack Network bases in the Naturelands and so have been a threat to criminal operations. Small conflicts have occurred on Porshon as certain Networks have attempted to dissuade Naturists from getting involved with their affairs.

Systems
The Awaja Networks are the only Network to own their own colony in the Awaja System. The system was discovered by pure chance as a failed jump to the Venezo System sent the crew to an unknown star. The main colony is situated on the only planet in the system called ‘Awaja’. It has around 2000 Producers and Brethren at any time and was unknown to the Producer Technocracy until 4235AP.