=== Races | Economy | Buildings & Organizations === ====== REFILL & MAINTENANCE COURIERS (FRONTIER SUPPLY COMPANY) ====== ===== Overview ===== The Refill & Maintenance Couriers were the field spine of the [[frontier_supply_company|Frontier Supply Company]] during the [[beta_age|Beta Age]]. Riding sturdy [[hoos|Hoos]] across the [[free_state_of_settlers|Free State of Settlers]], they restocked the [[frontier_quickdraw_network|Frontier Quickdraw Network]]’s purely mechanical vending machines, fine‑tuned springs and chutes on-site, logged sales and jams in grease-stained ledgers, and hauled back empty refill crates. When [[communardism|Communardist]] nationalisation followed the 2631 [[peace_treaty|Peace Treaty]], most were folded (grudgingly or pragmatically) into the [[federal_allotment_agency|Federal Allotment Agency]]’s distribution corps or reassigned as riders in the [[federal_courier_service|Federal Courier Service]]. ===== Key Features of the Refill & Maintenance Couriers ===== * **Company Riders, Not Freelancers:** Unlike the [[free_state_courier_riders|Free State Courier Riders]], these couriers were on FSC payroll—scheduled routes, company tools, company ledgers. * **On‑Site Refills:** Couriers brought sealed refill crates and sachet bundles, swapped them in the field, and adjusted trigger tension with pocket torque keys. * **Mechanics On the Move:** Each rider carried a roll of springs, ratchets, chute flaps, seal stamps, and a mini hand-crank tester. Minor jams and misalignments were fixed on the spot. * **Hoos-Mounted Logistics:** Hoos handled rough terrain and heavy panniers. Refill crates dangled in balanced saddlebags; damaged parts rode lashed under the tail rack. * **Arms and Equipment:** All riders carried weapons for protection, including [[ironstrike_slingshot|Ironstrike Slingshots]] from the [[forge_of_atrana|Forge of Atrana]], Knives for close combat and utility. This ensured their safety on hazardous routes often threatened by wildlife or hostile forces. * **Field Ledgers & Seal Tags:** Every dispense counter reading, jam incident, and crate swap was inked into field ledgers. Seal stamps matched HQ stencils to prevent swap fraud. * **Security Keys & Notch Pins:** Riders carried master lock keys and rotating notch pins to re‑pin coin/token escapements if a counterfeit surge was reported. ===== Clothing & Kit by Region ===== ==== Asari Region (perpetual twilight, damp chill): ==== Riders wear charcoal oilskin dusters with hand‑stitched reflective bead stripes along the seams so stewards can spot them at a distance. A canvas hood with a narrow slit visor (lined in felt) pulls over greased‑glass goggles — plain glass plates rubbed with soap/fat to keep fog at bay. Fingerless torque-gloves (flip‑down mitten caps when it gets cold) let them tweak springs without freezing their fingers. Knee‑high hoos‑hide boots, waxed against mud, and a cross‑chest tool bandolier complete the look. ==== Ralar Region (perpetual darkness, ice-cold Dark Side): ==== Layered wool and