Absalom Station Armada

[Shaonir]

According to Incident at Absalom Station, both the Steward fleet and the Armada are "required" to defend the station in times of trouble.

So is that "required" with a soft R... as in all these independent ships will naturally defend themselves if something comes their way, so Absalom Security counts upon their self-interest to be of value.

Or is it "required" with a hard R... as in the moment a ship enters Abasalom's airspace and docks up with the Armada, they are under legal obligation to defend Absalom Station if they want to continue benefiting from access privileges and tax breaks?

My crew's about to arrive at Absalom Station and dock with the Armada. So I'm wondering if there needs to be a PSA that they pick up which instructs them which quadrant they have to defend and how many space goblins they have to repel before claiming compensation for lost ammunition.

[Shaudius]

My read is that the Stewards are obligated as Absalom Station is a Pact World and the whole point of the Pact is mutual defense. Such is not true for the Armada. The CRB has this to say,

"These latter are somewhat mockingly called the Armada, yet most are not military—the station has only a modest security fleet, depending instead on the Stewards and robust station-mounted defenses for its safety. Rather, the Armada is comprised of those starships whose owners seek the benefits of living near Absalom Station while remaining unbound by all but the most basic station laws. Absalom Station’s generally permissive government allows this, since the volume of trade pouring through its corridors means even the lowest taxes suffice to keep the station flush."

[Losobal]

I inferred that your own ship tends to be semi-sovereign territory unless you do something that draws heat to your situation. Other than overt external safety concerns (um your ship is leaking a s%@$ ton of radiation, fix it or get sunk). I imagine its not a forced issue as it has natural consequences if you don't defend. If instead you take your combat capable ship and flee? Fine, station security isn't going to shoot you down, but you might not be welcome the next time you want to show up and dock.

I'd also lean towards "maybe you get a discount for repairs if needed, but otherwise no compensation, because you're already benefiting from being under OUR umbrella."

[Metaphysician]

Yeah, I'm inclined towards 'soft R'. Though in times of greater hostility, I bet there *are* PSAs on entering the Armada covering civil defense procedures. If nothing else, instructions on which comm channel to join in an emergency, if you wish to help ( probably based on ship class ), and which routes to use for evacuation if you wish to flee.

[Egyptoid]

another reason to have an overly large standing fleet guarding Absalom, is that dang Starstone. IMHO it would attract vile junk from all over the galaxy. Its not like Drift Travel is terribly restricted technology.

[Metaphysician]

Yes, though probably a good 90% or more of the Armada is there for to gain protection from Absalom Station, rather than the other way around. The average freighter or yacht isn't going to be much help against a serious military push against the Station, or equivalent.