The Drop Outs are a nomadic Outlaw Group on the Dark Side of VOI 700 D, consisting of approximately 30 members. Known for their rejection of strict societal norms and the hierarchical structures of other outlaw gangs, they embrace a lifestyle of independence and anarchic freedom.
The origins of the Drop Outs trace back to the time before the Great War, when they were labor convicts, sentenced to grueling penal work for crimes against the Free State of Settlers. These individuals were forced to build the Trade Route, their labor overseen by the Guarding Troopers, the predecessors of the Federal Sheriff.
Each member bore a mark of shame tattooed under their left eye, symbolizing their crime:
In 2628, the group, initially numbering 45 members, staged a daring escape from their mobile prison. Overpowering the Guardian Troopers guarding them, they fled into the Dark Side. Since then, their numbers have dwindled due to clashes with Deputies of the Local or Federal Sheriff, who replaced the Guardian Troopers, and internal violence.
The Drop Outs live by the motto: “Free as the universe—only ruled by nature’s law.” This philosophy is tattooed in Latin (Libertas sicut universum—sola natura legibus regitur) on the back of every member as a symbol of their defiance against the regulated life of the Federal Confederation and even other outlaw factions.
Unlike the Jane Mendoza Gang, which thrives on organized crime and control, the Drop Outs prioritize personal liberty and reject the rigidity of any governing body. They do not engage in organized crime but take advantage of those who fall into their grasp, through robbery, kidnapping, or extortion. They are not Robin Hoods; they are anarchists, surviving by any means necessary.
Their independence also extends to their relationship with the Native Tribes. While they don’t consider themselves hostile toward the Natives, they refuse to abide by the Peace Treaty’s regulations, seeking to live unfettered by any authority.
The Drop Outs operate with a loosely democratic leadership system akin to historical Earth pirates. They elect a captain to lead, but this leader can be replaced at any time if they fail to uphold the group’s ideals or misuse their power. This flexible structure reflects their commitment to accountability and equality, while still maintaining their anarchic values.
The Drop Outs are nomads, traversing the Dark Side on their mounts, Xzonomis — massive, blind creatures from the Northern Region. These creatures, named for their eerie silence and spiral-shaped horns, use advanced echolocation to navigate the pitch-black terrain, making them ideal companions for survival in the Dark Side’s harsh environment.
To endure the extreme cold of the Dark Side, the Drop Outs rely on modified spacesuits scavenged from the spaceship Last Frontier. These suits are insulated with a thick layer of Korozo fur, providing exceptional warmth. Their helmets have been replaced with Korozo skulls, lined with fur on the inside, serving both as protection and as a mask to shield their faces from the freezing winds.
The Drop Outs establish temporary campsites that are strategically positioned to minimize exposure to the elements and evade detection. They set up Korozo-hide tents, insulated with additional layers of fur and waterproofed with natural oils extracted from the Dark Sea fish.
By combining ingenuity and natural resources, the Drop Outs have adapted to the unforgiving Dark Side, transforming it into a home that reflects their defiance and resilience.
The Drop Outs do not manufacture their own weapons or equipment. Instead, they rely on ambushes and opportunistic trades to acquire the arms and tools they need for survival. Despite their resourceful nature, they deliberately avoid the black market, refusing to engage with the Jane Mendoza Gang and its networks of influence.
The authorities have documented three major ambushes carried out by the Drop Outs, highlighting their tactical skill and daring:
The Drop Outs infiltrated a warehouse in Firetown, originally a storage site for equipment salvaged from the Last Frontier spaceship.
During the Great War, the Drop Outs ambushed a camp for Native war prisoners located near the eastern border of the Habitual Belt. Exploiting the chaos of the conflict, they overwhelmed guards from the Volunteer Army of Man.
After the Great War, the Drop Outs intercepted and ambushed a caravan of the Federal Courier Service, which was transporting supplies for the Local Sheriff of Firetown. The operation was meticulously planned, allowing them to capture a large haul of equipment.
Living on the Dark Side demands a versatile diet. The Drop Outs hunt and forage for food, utilizing their Spider Web Traps and their intimate knowledge of the region.
The Drop Outs produce their own alcohol using the Bero Hiki Worm. The worms are fermented with Nano-Honey and grains stolen from the Federal Courier Service Caravans.
Recipe:
The Drop Outs hold a deep disdain for the Jane Mendoza Gang, seeing them as oppressive and antithetical to their ideals. As one Drop Out famously said, “They don’t mind their business; they try to let you be their business.”
This tension often leads to violent clashes between the two factions, as the Drop Outs resist any attempt by the Jane Mendoza Gang to assert control over their territories or activities.