There will be independent stations as well as stations controlled by bandits, or overrun by mutants. Most stations surrounded by the Circle line for example will be neutral, as Westminster is unable to assert any control there. As for whether or not The Lords have made contact with the queen, I haven't decided yet. It's been twenty-four years, so it's possible they've been able to send messengers across the surface to the blast shelter. At the very least they know that's where the royal family is supposed to be. I also need to make up names for these new mutants, and local names for the old ones for that matter.