Pyromaniac Freelancers / PYROLANCER

Who’s askinThe Origins: A Flame in the Dark
The Pyromaniac Freelancers were forged in the heart of the Pyxis Belt, an asteroid field on the fringes of the UEE’s fringe territories. It was a place where the laws of civilization barely touched the surface, and where lawlessness thrived. In this remote corner of the universe, a group of misfits, mercenaries, and outcasts gathered. Among them was Aeris Vex, a former UEE Navy officer who had grown disillusioned with the bureaucracy and blind obedience of the Empire. After witnessing the destruction of her home station, Crimson Haven, at the hands of the UEE to eliminate a rival corporation, Aeris became obsessed with the idea of using fire as a means of retribution. She was fascinated by its dual nature—both creator and destroyer. It was from this tragedy that she rallied a group of like-minded individuals, each of whom had their own painful past with authority and control.

Aeris’s newfound cause wasn’t just about destruction for the sake of it—it was about cleansing the universe of the “artificial order” imposed by corporations like Roberts Space Industries and the UEE Military, both of whom they saw as puppets of a corrupt system. Her group, who became known as the Pyromaniac Freelancers, formed a deadly alliance, bound by a shared love of chaos and an even more intense passion for fire.

The Syndicate quickly grew, its reputation spreading like wildfire across the fringe systems. They didn’t just commit random acts of destruction—they targeted the heart of the universe’s most powerful factions: corporate supply chains, military facilities, and government offices. Each operation was meticulously planned and executed with a level of precision and artistry that made their firestorms awe-inspiring and terrifying in equal measure.

The Methods: A Symphony of Flame and Fury
The Pyromaniac Freelancers were more than just arsonists; they were master pyrotechnicians, blending military-grade incendiaries with cutting-edge technology to wreak havoc on their targets. They were known for using a variety of explosive devices, from thermite charges to custom-built flame throwers attached to their ships. Their favorite weapon, however, was the Firestorm Bomb—a multi-layered device designed to release highly concentrated plasma flames upon detonation, igniting everything within a vast radius.

The Freelancers also used fire-imbued drones: sleek, autonomous machines that could infiltrate heavily guarded stations or cargo ships, releasing torrents of flame from hidden compartments before self-destructing in a final, explosive burst.

They didn’t stop at just attacking physical locations. With the rise of data warfare in the ‘verse, the Pyromaniac Freelancers developed specialized hacking tools, capable of infiltrating corporate and military databases and setting systems on fire—both literally and metaphorically. Their notorious Inferno Protocol was a virus that corrupted data banks and triggered explosive malfunctions within critical systems. The resulting chaos led to financial ruin, internal power struggles, and a shift in public perception that further fueled the Freelancer’s reputation.

The Rise to Infamy: A Blaze Across the Stars
The Pyromaniacs rose to prominence during the Xenothreat Crisis in 2949, a period when the UEE was distracted by alien incursions and tensions between the Empire and the Vanduul. During this time, Aeris Vex and her operatives carried out a series of daring raids on several key Hurston corporate holdings, setting entire refinery stations ablaze and collapsing trade routes that were vital to the empire’s economy. These bold moves had an immediate impact—supply chains faltered, military operations were delayed, and major corporations scrambled to protect their assets.

But it wasn’t just corporations who were targeted. The Freelancers saw the UEE as another symbol of the oppression they loathed. They orchestrated the Scorching of Terra, a catastrophic sabotage that led to the shutdown of multiple UEE military communication networks, causing disarray at the highest levels of command. Though the operation was short-lived, it cemented their place as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable syndicates in the galaxy.

Their notoriety was amplified by their signature mark—a blazing phoenix left behind at every target. This symbol came to represent both the devastation they left in their wake and their twisted belief in the potential for rebirth from the ashes of a destroyed system.

The Legacy: Ashes of a Burning Dream
As the Pyromaniac Freelancers continued to scorch their way through the galaxy, they made powerful enemies. The Imperial Navy, with their relentless pursuit of order, sent their elite special forces after them, while Bounty Hunters were tasked with hunting down the Freelancers’ scattered cells. But the Pyromaniacs were never one to stay in one place for long—using their nimble ships, such as the Drake Cutlass Black and Anvil Hornet, they operated from hidden bases across the stars.

But despite their chaos, the Pyromaniacs weren’t entirely without purpose. Aeris Vex, now a mythic figure, had inspired a cult-like following. Some saw her as a liberator, others as a harbinger of the universe’s collapse. To this day, there are rumors that the Freelancers are still active—fighting, burning, and hunting down the corrupt entities that threaten the freedom of the galaxy.

In the vast reaches of space, their legacy lives on. For the Pyromaniac Freelancers, it was never about wealth or power—it was about sending a message: that all systems, no matter how grand, will eventually fall to the purifying flames. And when they do, only the ashes will remain.

Those who seek their help, or who stand in their way, will never forget one truth—the Pyromaniacs are always watching, always waiting for the next great blaze to consume the universe.