The Black Market

Where legal channels say no, the black market says yes—for the right price.

Overview

The black market in the Confederation provides access to technology that legal channels deny—from transponders that allow free movement to military-grade weapons and restricted equipment. This shadow economy operates alongside legitimate commerce, serving everyone from small-time criminals to those fighting against the system.

Key Products

Transponders

The most sought-after black market technology:

• Clean Transponders - Stolen from legitimate vessels, identity uncompromised
• Modified Transponders - Switchable between identities
• Forged Transponders - Created to broadcast false information
• Spoofing Devices - Transmit any programmed identity

Extremely difficult and expensive to acquire. Quality varies—cheap transponders often compromised.

Navigation Data

Restricted coordinates and routes:

• Safe fold-points for covert travel
• Routes avoiding patrol coverage
• Access to unregistered destinations

Weapons

Military-grade armament for civilians:

• Heavy personal weapons
• Ship weapons systems
• Explosives and demolitions
• Specialty items

Security Technology

Tools for evading surveillance:

• Military-grade encryption
• Identity spoofing equipment
• Surveillance countermeasures
• Secure communication channels

Market Structure

Major Players

Criminal Syndicates - Multi-system organizations controlling distribution networks

Corrupt Officials - Enable supply through legitimate channels in exchange for payment

Independent Operators - Small-scale dealers with specialized products

Where Trade Happens

• Hidden sections of major stations
• Less regulated fringe worlds
• Ship-to-ship rendezvous in deep space
• Encrypted network markets

Payment

• Physical valuables preferred over traceable credits
• Barter common
• Reputation systems among criminals
• Violence as enforcement for broken deals

The Risks

Legal - Severe penalties for possession of contraband

Criminal - Robbery, betrayal, violence from competition

Operational - Compromised equipment, tracked products, mission failure

The Moral Complexity

The same markets that sell transponders and weapons may also traffic in people. The same organizations, the same networks, the same corruption enabling both. Using the black market means participating in a system that hurts others—even when you’re using it to fight that system.

The black market appears throughout the Fannec Records series as both resource and moral compromise.