Discovery of Nivean Rings Sparks New Black Market

DIALRAN SYSTEM, AAVARO WILDS — Sources inside Lightside Station Security say the recent discovery of a pair of Nivean Rings, and the debris field that surrounds their space, have led to a brand new black market to emerge.

Mere weeks after the contact of Federation starship USS Eagle (NCC-74659) and the Nivean Rings, a rapidly booming junk and antiquities racket has sprouted in the aftermath. Using a seemingly vast network of independently contracted trawlers and salvage operations, supported by a large word-of-mouth marketing system, dealers have started to flood into the Lightside Station market district, selling their wares in the secret swap meets and quiet backroom dealings much to the chagrin of station staff.

Though most of the pieces so far have been largely innocuous, ranging from workable ship parts to high-end scrap samples, authorities fear that is only a matter of time before more dangerous salvage is gathered. Without the proper checks and clearances afforded to more legitimate hauls, they also fear the station’s populace could be exposed to harmful materials or worse, another explosion like the one that rocked the station barely a year ago.

“This isn’t us trying to crack down on businesses,” says an unnamed source in the Lightside Security Staff. “It isn’t even us trying to discourage the sale of salvage on The Spike. It is simply us trying to keep the residents and shop owners of the station as safe as possible.”

Most shop owners declined to comment on the sale and off-loading of the Nivean scrap, but the few who did speak to press expressed an interest in using the scrap and detritus in aid to the ongoing repair effort of Lightside Station. No word as of yet if Station Staff have considered the possibility or even viability of such a task.

More on this story as it develops.

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About Ford Tremmeli

Originally from Earth, Ford Tremmeli earned a degree in journalism with a minor in foreign/galactic policy at the University of Kentucky. Early in his career, he worked for the Lexington Herald-Leader before he started freelancing, covering campaigns, foreign affairs, and political news across the galaxy. He hasn’t been back to the Sol System in nearly a decade.

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