Content: Scanning by the authorities is rare in Syndicate, Deep, and Free Worlds space

[bene-dictator]

Problem Description

Although the Navy scan you all the time in Republic space, apart from the few Gunboats you see in Syndicate space there are no ships in Syndicate, Deep or Free Worlds space that utilise scanners (unless you're doing specific illegal missions). The Free Worlds seceded from the Republic because of a lack of enforcement in the Southern Rim (one aspect of which includes scanning for contraband), so they shouldn't be hypocritical and not do the same. Likewise, it makes little sense that scanning isn't well enforced in Deep or Syndicate space.

Related Issue Links

Discussed it a little here: #9854

Desired Solution

Give fleets to those regions with Cargo and Outfit scanners.

For the Syndicate, we actually already have a variant of the Quicksilver with scanners (which are used only for contraband missions), though Splinters with scanners would probably be a bit more hardy. I imagine Syndicate space is a bit less patrolled.

For the Deep, you could give scanners to Headhunters (I don't believe they show up at all in Deep Security fleets)... or for a left-field suggestion we could give Deep Security fleets Gunboats. I'd say this serves a little bit of a narrative function that demonstrates the Navy-Deep Security co-operation. Deep scanning should be fairly frequent.

For the Free Worlds, this is a little difficult. The Free Worlds has no dedicated light warship, and the Argosy and Clipper are wonky patrol vessels, though in the absense of an alternative (like I've been talking about for years, a new Southbound light warship) they might still do. There is a scanner Bastion used for contraband missions. which is as funny as it sounds.

For another left-field suggestion, we could create a post-campaign event that gives the Free Worlds fleets Gunboats as a sign of intergovernmental co-operation between the Republic and the Free Worlds.

@lumbar527 did say this in the PR above:

The Free Worlds is a new organization so they likely wouldn't have a lot of scanning equipment. However, because they live in a fairly pirated region, perhaps the Militia could use some surveillance so as to pick up undercover pirates and thus that surveillance could carry over to the Free Worlds.

I disagree with the first sentence, as Kraz has been making scanners for the militia according to the Tactical Scanner's description.

Alternative Approaches

Are there alternative approaches other than "more ships with scanners in fleets"? I'm not sure.

Additional Context

No response

[Azure3141]

I'm not sure mass surveillance fits well with the FW. I can see it being common in the Deep (implied to be a much more involved and controlling state) with Headhunters and maybe the Syndicate to a lesser degree, but I think it's good that human space isn't homogeneous as far as security goes.

[xX-Dillinger-Xx]

I like the idea of the Gunboats. I would suggest, post-campaign, the republic provides heavy laser versions but keeps the electron versions for themselves.

Alternatively, during the campaign, could FW make a deal with Tarazed to get modified Blackbirds? We already have them in the game files (Nighthawk). I know it was written to be a pirate ship but I don't think it is currently in game, and could start life as a FW commissioned ship. It could also explain the sudden existence of "pirate" versions later in the game.

EDIT:
Alternative approaches: more long range system scanners placed on moons and planets. Another left-field idea could be to place scanners on some "large" asteroids. Asteroids offer some "disguise or camouflage" to the scanners.

[Hecter94]

In terms of most surveillance to least, I feel it should go:

Navy - Functions as a police force, actively hunting contraband and searching for nuclear traces after the bombing of Geminus.
Deep - Tightly controlled, strong intelligence network, isolated galactic position, good options for rigorous scanning at the entrance to their territory.
Syndicate - Can't openly accept illegal item smuggling, but probably still profits off of it, so likely does only the bare minimum necessary to keep up appearances.
Free Worlds - Newly formed territory, never responsible for policing its borders before, too concerned with the war effort and active pirate conflicts to really worry about scanning or policing.
Pirate - No.

[lumbar527]

Pirate - No.

Maybe pirates should have scanning equipment to check if merchants are worth attacking. The functionality for governments to scan enemies is not a feature though.

Also, maybe pirates would actually want to scan other pirates to see if they have any good loot. If a pirate obtains, say, Sheragi equipment, all the pirates that learn about it would go crazy for it.

[xX-Dillinger-Xx]

I feel the FW should be expanding their scanning efforts as the war expands and then even more after the war. Intelligence gathering should be a priority in a conflict situation.

I agree with bene-dictator on this point.

The Free Worlds seceeded from the Republic because of a lack of enforcement in the Southern Rim (one aspect of which includes scanning for contraband), so they shouldn't be hypocritical and not do the same

[ziproot]

Pirate - No.

CCOR scans you, but doesn’t fine you. This goes in line with what @lumbar527 suggested:

Maybe pirates should have scanning equipment to check if merchants are worth attacking. The functionality for governments to scan enemies is not a feature though.

EDIT: Clarity