Kaareshur

Though quite distant from Terra, Kaareshur is a major destination for Confederation traders. The system is very poor in metals, and is desperate for imports of any element heavier than iron. Historically this has not been much of a problem, as the rich Lekuni belt is only one jump away; the two systems made an excellent partnership, with metal going one way and food the other. Unfortunately for Kaareshur, Lekuni has fallen under the sway of iishakku Erkiishaga of Arukhur. He’s been deliberately redirecting the belt’s metal production to the other worlds under his control, or to the Apishlun and Urima subsectors. If productivity were his sole interest, he’d be better off continuing the old arrangement, but he is using the lack of shipments as a way of extending his influence to Kaareshur. Local people and organizations that make concessions to him get some of the metals they need, just enough to stay afloat. Those who don’t are driven under. As a result, free traders who touch down with metals in their holds are in a position to make a killing. Two factors make the trip dangerous, though. The iishakku controls Kamsha as well, and the Ippuraash outpost goes out of its way to avoid antagonizing him. Erkiishaga therefore controls most of the planets inbound to Kaareshur, so getting there in the first place is a problem. Once the landing gear touches down, though, the prospective trader has to deal with the desperation of the Kaareshuri. The locals are having problems even feeding themselves, as the soil is so metal-poor that some critical micronutrients are missing from the soil. Plants won’t grow unless the fields are salted with zinc and molybdenum, and those, too, used to come from Lekuni. Even if a Terran is bringing in something simpler, like iron or tin, rumors will spread, and crowds will begin to gather. ..