Companies and associations

Þetta eru gamlar upplýsingar úr reglubókinni. Ekki taka allt hérna of bókstaflega

In the Milky Way millions of companies and associations of all kinds exist. Since this number is far to great for any account to be made for all of them this chapter will simply tell the brief history of the largest companies such as: The United ship production company, General Combat Equipment, Opra, Royal, Opus, Pixel, Micron, TARGET (Terraforming And Related Geographical Extraterrestrial Testing), ORUN, Forcefire, Megathrust, and Spaceglow and also the story of some major associations such as IGSP, IGB, HiC (Foldcomm integrity council), Galactic Council of Science, Vortex, and more.

1.1. The United Ship Production Company

he United Ship Production Company, founded in the year 32321 GST, is perhaps the most successful company ever to exist in the Milky Way galaxy. There is no record of any company measuring even close to the profit of the United Ship Production company. This company is so large that amongst their assets are 7 solar systems which harbour some of their plants and headquarters.

The "secret" of their success, claim high ranking officials in the United Ship Production company is simply good management and satisfied employees (Ship producing plants of the United Ship Production Company are amongst the most advanced in the world and are so automated that no more than 1500 persons work in each one).

The United Ship production company was founded in the year 32321 GST and has been rapidly enlarging ever since. The president of USPC is Frank Oproc, a Koter who after graduating from Kilmar University (one of the best economics University in the galaxy) began working for USPC. He has held the rank of president for 21 years and is now 52 years old.

The USPC owns some 7 systems, with at least one terraformed world in each one. This is one tenth what is needed to be considered a conrece (any individual government possessing legally 70 systems, or 82 terraformed worlds is considered a conrece according to Galactic laws 42321-3432-B1).

USPC employs 40 million workers which is a low number considering the size of the company. USPC has created many types of computers and robots in order to remove human (Koter) decisions from the production level. This has worked out very well, leaving the company with one of the cleanest Production Failure Rating (PFR) in the galaxy (only GCE has a lower rating)

1.2. General Combat Equipment

GCE continued making ships and weapons of quality A+, it merely began selling a small portion of it's products to private investors.

In the year 4 NGST GCE was nearly bankrupt after a disaster at GCE's main production world when Opus was conducting a primary weapon test in a newly produced Vision PT-02. The Term-laser weapon's heat exchangers malfunctioned and it fired twelve hours before being put into orbit. The outcome? GCE's main production planet destroyed and their second largest production planet shifted out of stable orbit.

These were weary times for GCE's newly elected president Richard Frin, especially since the United Ship Production Company was being created, thus increasing competition in the open market. Frin later remarked "We should learn from this accident and quit making mass destruction weapons". Three weeks after he said this GCE received additional funding from the Imperial council to start production of Vision PT-04.

One of GCE's greatest individual achievement has to be the L-600 series, ranging from L-601 to L-6013. These weapons are hand held and deliver awesome firepower completely silently and without any flares. Completely automated, and sold exclusively to the Imperial forces, the Imperial Guards Battalion, and the InterGalactic Space Police.

GCE has returned from almost extinction in only 500 years, and that has to be considered an achievement. Their regular contracts with the Imperial forces include Viper A, B, C, and D, L-607, L-609, L-6012 and L-6013, TIS 912, and TIS 1184.

GCE's very popular Commine and Farglott type spaceships are sold to the public and are almost legendary in respects of low maintenance and stability.

1.3. Opra

Opra is a word native to the planet Gigeron 7 in Nordon, and means Perfection.

Opra was founded on that same planet in the year 32 NGST. They have advanced rather rapidly in the jungle of spaceship manufacturers due to the high quality of their products.

The president of this company is currently a Hilea named Kinol Parboak, as Opra is in Nordon.

The most successful production of Opras by far has to be the Qwodra, multifunctional carrier. This spaceship is very technically advanced and the whole idea of it is a brilliant conception. Opra began production of this ship in the year 122 NGST and haven't been able to keep up with demand, even with producing over 1000 ships of this type each year.

Opra has some other fine products such as the Omega and others, concentrating solely on spacevehicle production like the USPC they have been able to concentrate their efforts more tightly.

Opra does not sell military ships, but has several contracts with Nordons, and the Empires army for the Qwodra. Anybody who has the money can buy a ship from Opra. Buying stock in this company is a wise investment as they are rising.

1.4. Royal

They don't monopolise the laser market so they don't hold any special position within the laser sector. They do, however produce lasers of superb quality and virtually without flaws. This is what GCE is looking for in their A+ weapon systems.

Royal played an important role in designing the telescopic and the CAS systems of the L-600 series and are therefore respected in the galaxy. Their main contracts, however differ dramatically from the ones with GCE.

The Galactic Council of Science has at least 3 major standing contracts for scientific grade lenses for use in gravitation wave experiments.

1.5. Opus

Opus has been around since the year 12000 GST and don't look like they're giving up any time in the near future. Opus has four exclusive deals with GCE concerning the L-609, L-6013 (prototype stage), the TIS spacecraft and Viper C weapon systems (amongst the most advanced in the world)

The sole owner of Opus is multi billionaire Raymond Knost, but he doesn't run it himself. There is a board of directors who run the company. He, at the age of 25 lives the life of luxury at an undisclosed location. The company was founded originally by Peter Knost, Raymonds ancestor.

Opus has created several weapon types individually, such as the legendary Trio-clad, which can be described as a hand held laser cannon. Among Opus' other conquests are testing of Term lasers for the Empire and GCE.

Opus has never worked for the United Ship Production Company, mainly because, Opus officials claim "USPC does not meet our expectations in quality" although the USPC takes second place in quality control.

Opus' standards on quality have always been much higher than every one else's. This is probably the reason that GCE can wear their logo "Matched only by perfection" with pride.

1.6. Pixel

Whether they succeed or not is anyone’s guess, but in the meantime Pixel INC has marketed some interesting things, such as miniature monitoring devices (commonly known as bugs) which have a range unprecedented. IGSP has some difficulty in acknowledging Pixel's good intentions, because their products are in widespread use within the crimeworld (IGSP already had the sufficient technology for microscopic surveillance).

Buying stocks in Pixel is not a bad idea, if you can find any. As with all large companies, Pixel's shares are not very widespread.

A new president over Pixel INC was elected in the year 553 NGST, after the last one had been assassinated. The new presidents name is Ida Wilson, a Koter.

1.7. Micron

Micron was created by a Koter named Kolio Hoidiil. His estimated I.Q. was over 180 and this high intelligence base enabled him to become well known for his research in quantum physics and nuclear physics, as well as earning him the title "Poish" in the Koter culture. The Poish is a special rank which is at present only held by seven distinct Koter in the Galaxy. It is given to individuals excelling in areas of research relevant to the benefit of Orion. Hoidiil earned this title for creating an explosion device for use in prisoners of the Orion army who had the nasty habit of fleeing because of Orion's faulty security net. This device was only one micron in size, and three years later Hoidiil formed his company, Micron.

Micron has stood on rocky ground all this time designing miniature machines for use in biology related studies, military weapons, spaceships, and much more. In the last forty years, GCE has been making an attempt to monopolise the market in MMM (Microscopic Military Machines) but Micron is centuries ahead of them in this particular field.

1.8. Terraforming And Related Geological Extraterrestrial Testing (TARGET)

Today TARGET's main function is to test planets, judge if they are suitable for terraforming and if any lifeforms exist already.

TARGET also has another function, not quite so well known. TARGET watches lifeforms on planets develop, and makes any intelligent life ready for discovering us. This is done by some very subtle ways, lasting perhaps many centuries.

Working for TARGET can be very rewarding. TARGET itself is split into many parts, with each part having a specific function.

An example of this is TARGET's navy. It consists of four turfs, nineteen ACV's and many smaller ships. The navy consists of three units. Marines, people who enter hostile environments with the purpose of rescuing, eliminating, or observing; space navy, the main fleet which is ready to act within a moments notice to any new system trying to gain universal domination (quite common); and also into watchers, who lie in relatively small ships close to planets in case a military emergency develops.

TARGET also has a scientific branch which determines if planets are suitable, and prepares them for terraforming.

Another part of TARGET is the Populous Infiltrating Personnel, or PIP. These persons land on the surface of planets, which are close to the discovery, and monitor all activity on it, maybe giving scientists on the planet slight help.

TARGET has many functions, and is as vital to the Empire as the terraforming division itself.

1.9. Orun

But this quality, and the Orun stamp doesn't come cheap.

These ships are very expensive and way beyond any individuals financial budget. These ships have been bought by governments including The Empire and Orion as special mission ships, as well as VIP carriers.

Orun doesn't just manufacture spaceships. Orun created the Jester and many other famous space stations. Orun prides itself on being the only independent company to create space stations for the open market. Understandably the Empire has much resentment towards this. Space stations, fully armed, owned by just anybody can be a lethal threat to the stability of the Galaxy (or at least the Empire). Orun has tried to avoid confrontation with the Empire but the Imperial Secret Service (undisclosed) has destroyed three space stations just of the production line which were sold to people who, according to the Empire, shouldn't have space stations.

Orun has made some threats towards the Empire, but they have been rather vague. The feat was that Orun didn't loose any money, all they lost was perhaps their reputation, but that loss isn't because of quality inefficiency.

Orun continues to make parts for spaceship of grade A quality. If you want superior on board systems, buy from Orun, it's well worth it.

1.10. Forcefire

Although it is impossible to judge what really happened, this incident nearly sealed the fate of Forcefire. Although Forcefire still has a contract with the Empire concerning the production of the main engine in new Turfs, they are struggling to keep their clients. They claim that they have tripled the safety standards, making them higher than average. This remains to be seen.

1.11. Megathrust

This heatshield was created in four years and required funds not exceeding 15 million credits. This was an amazing scientific achievement. Needless to say all 300 students graduated with honour.

Once the assignment was completed the students wished to create a small company and begin manufacturing these heat shields, which could revolutionise space travel. The University, however, banned them to manufacture the heatshield claiming the invention to be the property of the University and the Empire. After several months of debate the whole thing ended up in trial. Miraculously the students won, on the grounds that the man-hours put into the work exceeded 35 million credits, and thus exceeded the amount of money the university was allowed to put into a single project.

Now outlawed from the University and from the job market in fact, the students now had no choice but to pursue their invention and begin production. Several years and several million credits later the first PCH or Plasma Core Heatshield emerged from the production line, patented and ready to sell.

The heat shield was a major success, and although it wasn't the revolution that it was meant to be (the USPC had managed to lessen the chance of a burnout by half), it was still considered essential.

Megathrust went from debt to a small empire in less than five years, and began producing other parts than just heatshields. Even whole engines (not NLS or foldspace drives yet though). The net profit of the fifth year was estimated at around 2 billion credits!

Now Megathrust has standing contracts with the Empire, building Engines, foldspace drives, NLS drives, Thrusters, and Regulating vents. GCE has contracts with Megathrust also, for the same products as the Empire, but also for Solar bounceoff heatshields. Nordon has some small contracts also, but the main clients are in the open market. Megathrusts products are considered superior to everything except for GCE products. The story behind Megathrust is as unbelievable as a fairytale, but just as convincing.

1.12. Spaceglow

This fact puts Spaceglow in a rather good position for selling.

There are three large Destroyers on the production line with Spaceglow. All of these have been extremely successful for dozens of years, with the exception of Tyranny. This spaceship is larger than any other Destroyer, 20 % larger than the ACV, and carries firepower of epic proportions.

It doesn't take a genius to see that a private company could never manufacture such a vessel, yet Spaceglow still does. The reason? Simple, Andoronia, although unofficially are sponsoring Spaceglow to build at least 14 of these monsters.

This poses a severe threat to the balance of power in the galaxy. As Spaceglow is a corporate company, it is bond by shares. The Empire has been making deliberate attempts to buy up Spaceglow shares the last ten years, unsuccessfully. It is believed that Andoronia is sitting on over 56 % of them.

The first Tyranny saw the light of day two years prior to the releasing of this document and it is suspected that the other 13 are coming in the next five years.

The Tyranny is not the only major asset of Spaceglow, and although it's existence poses a great military threat, the company is not evil in any way, they're just making money.

The Frontier is a very successful battle destroyer, bought by many governments including Orion Forte, and Andoronia. The Shark, manufactured by Spaceglow also is the Destroyer of choice within the Nordon army. Spaceglow, when coupled with Andoronia is a dangerous enemy, luckily they don't have any foes.

1.13. Torrel

Sadly, as a consequence, crime rate increased exponentially over the next three hundred years, perhaps because of the war of eternity, but most likely because weapon circulation amongst the general public had increased dramatically because of Torrel.

Despite the uses the general population had with the weapons produced, Torrel continued to manufacture weapons of all permitted MDC (Maximum Damage Capabilities). In the year 3 NGST IGSP pressed Torrel to quit making explosives and PML, by changing the galactic laws concerning such weapons, but Torrel still continued to make firearms, and increasing their reliability, making them at least as good as the weapons made by Nordons and Fortes governments.

Torrel is a shared company. And there is no major shareholder. It has been seen to it that no individual owns more than 3 % of the company, making it truly for the people and by the people. There is a board of directors which control the company. The executive of that board is Bligton Silerio, a Koter. Silerio has made several giant contributions to the success of Torrel, such as lowering tolls into the Empire for firearms, and making deals with Nordons government. Some say that the latter will only turn Torrel into another government contractor but Silerio argues that this will only strengthen Torrels position on the open market, making it stronger then ever. When looking over Torrel's fiscal records over the last 10 years, one is inclined to agree with him, as Torrel is amongst the most profitable companies, is respect to size, in the galaxy today.

1.14. The InterGalactic Space Police (IGSP)

The IGSP has been around since the year 1200 GCT (General Catalogue of Time) which totals approx. 130 thousand years. This is a long time governing law and justice in the Galaxy. The philosophy behind the IGSP is that it is totally independent and does not belong to any single conrece or conreces. The Laws the IGSP work under are the galactic regulations which were agreed by all conreces (with the exception of Andoronia who were forced into this agreement) 45 thousand years ago.

The IGSP follows no law except these the laws change from place to place this is the only law the IGSP has to follow. This becomes necessary in certain parts of the galaxy where the laws differ from the galactic laws.

The conreces have split up the structure of the IGSP between them. The Empire provides all equipment, and some personnel, Orion provides personnel, Forte also supplies personnel, and also majority of supplies, since Forte has great agricultural worlds. Nordon supplies certain types of weapons, and personnel. the Realm of Flowers is currently paying to be excluded from this arrangement and Andoronia provides some personnel, and also pays. Paradox acts as a scientific advisor, and promises complete safe passage through Paradox, something that none of the others can guarantee. Although it's hard to believe that safe passage is guarantied, no IGSP ships have ever had any problems in Paradox.

Some say that the IGSP is in fact a part of the Imperial Navy, since all equipment and many high ranking officers are from the Empire. This, may, or may not be true, but it is a fact. However it is a fact that the IGSP has never made any attempt to show special consideration to the Empire in any issue whatsoever (at least officially).

To be eligible for the IGSP one has to have an impeccable criminal record in all conreces, and must go through a 14 month evaluating course, after which it is decided who can enter the IGSP, and who can't. Those who pass the evaluation have to go thorough 36 months of training with the conrece which they are native to. After that they enter the IGSP's main flow and go through 12 additional months of training before taking on assignments. There are undocumented examples where these rules have not been followed and people have entered the IGSP after little or no training, but these cases are unique and a person must be very exceptional to accomplish that feat.

The IGSP has authority over any local police and cannot be fired upon during war times, by any party. So an IGSP vessel, with the proper verification should be able to pass unhindered between opposing parties in a space combat situation.

There are between 1.5-1.6 billion people listed in the IGSP at current time. 15.000 of those are considered the elite of the elite. The best from every army in every conrece. The conreces are not obligated to send their best soldiers, but every conrece wants their people in the IGSP to be the best, so this arrangement works out fine.

The IGSP's field of authority is in space, preventing smuggling, piracy, illegal jettisoning, illegal foldspace jumps, and more. On planets their field includes preventing civil wars, or participating in them, defending controls, etc.

When the IGSP was first established it was a single unit. But by the year 1800 GTM the need for additional units had increased. Law enforcement in the galaxy was inadequate and organised crime was at an all time high. Some drastic steps had to be taken.

So in the year 1870 NGST ICES (IGSP Crime Elimination Section) was established. This section of the IGSP rather lacked respect in the Galaxy, and was most surely hated. Its existence was never made public until some 4000 years ago but everybody had heard stories of it. The ICES was an elite squad of assassins, fighting crime where no crime had been proven. This often meant assassinating people who were not, by the law, guilty of anything. The importance of ICES is realised now, and this squad was the major contributor to peace in the galaxy in the NGTC era.

It's assumed that ICES does not exist anymore as IGSP records state that it was cancelled in the year 16500 GTC. IGSP officials deny all knowledge of any section within the IGSP which deals with "untouchable" crimes at present times. Although some people claim that the ICES still assassinates unwanted persons in the galaxy, this is unverified and should not be taken as more than fiction.

In the year 15000 GTR IGSP had been getting a lot of critique for the existence of ICES. Because the ICES wasn't approved by any conrece the IGSP had to cancel it (they managed to prolong its existence for another 1500 years though).

The IGSP needed another section to fill the gap ICES left behind, the fight against organised crime. So in the year 15640 SITIR was formed. SITIR (Strategistal Invasion, Tactical Interception, and Research) was at first aimed directly at certain crime organisations, working alongside with ICES. SITIR was composed of 10 million individuals chosen from the main section of the IGSP for their I.Q. combat skills, and CAR (Combat Assessment Rating).

SITIR fulfilled its function with excellence and it still exists today, although in a somewhat revised form. It is now composed of 1 million individuals, and many ships and central stations. Its main function now is "special projects" where "special projects" is defined as projects which the media isn't supposed to find out about.

SITIR is completely legal and its actions, although sometimes questionable, are always within the frame of the law. SITIR is used whenever the main section of the IGSP cannot perform a specific task like bringing a convicted criminal to justice after a hostile conrece (nearly always Andoronia) has granted him asylum. According to Galactic laws no conrece can refuse to surrender an individual the IGSP is trying to catch. So going in and getting that specific individual, using whatever means they see fit, SITIR isn't breaking any laws. Most of the 15,000 people who are considered elite in the IGSP are in SITIR.

Other sections within the IGSP include Druid which sees to it that newly discovered worlds and systems don't do anything they're not supposed to, and Willow, a planetary dispute solver (they solve civil wars, often by annihilating the more vicious party).

In short the IGSP is split into:

Main section

Space Navy 900 million

Surface Army 450 million

SITIR 1 million

Druid 50 million

Willow 100 million

Without the IGSP the Galaxy might well fall apart. The IGSP has proven itself on numerous occasions, and holds a place of respect and awe in minds of the residents of the galaxy.

SITIR

The main part of SITIR is an elite fighting unit, composed of 600.000 individuals. This fighting unit is only used by the SITIR groups, which are 400 in number and contain 1000 individuals each. Each SITIR group is additionally divided according to the needs for each mission. The way in which the SITIR groups use ISE (IGSP SITIR Elite) is for extraction, elimination, backup, etc. The ISE and the SITIR groups work in complete unison and neither of them is superior to the other in any respect. The individuals working in the SITIR groups simply have higher intelligence while the ISE troops have a gigantic CAR (Combat Assessment Rating).

The current commander over the SITIR groups is Admiral William Frost, who was recruited into the IGSP from the Imperial Guards Battalion when he was 25 years old.

He is among the most intelligent men in the IGSP as well as being rated close to the best pilots and warriors..

The ISE is currently controlled by General Sandra Erdo, who is the only Andoronian to reach a rank higher than captain in the IGSP, and the only woman to reach a rank of General. General Erdo is rumoured to have fought in the "Timeless battle" which supposedly took place between the IGSP and Andoronia, although this isn't officially verified. There she supposedly helped the IGSP in some way and was recruited, then 15 years old. Erdo is a very able fighter at the age of 37 and has often fought herself, despite of her high rank.

It isn't possible to apply for SITIR. The only way in which people are recruited into SITIR is by choice of the commanders over each SITIR section, and it isn't possible to influence that decision except by a) an excellent CAR, b) a special heroic deed, or c) proof of ability which exceeds all others in one's section.

The SITIR is the section within the IGSP which has most respect of all. It's common knowledge that SITIR has solved some of the galaxies toughest puzzles. It's also known that if it weren't for SITIR, the IGSP wouldn't be in such total control over the galaxy.

Druid

Druid was formed in the year 10212 GTR because more and more worlds were joining the economy of the Galaxy without having any knowledge of the laws, thereby breaking some of them.

Druid is a very peaceful part of IGSP, often employing NPR guns or tasers instead of lasers, although there have been few occurrences where an entire civilisation had to be eliminated due to their unwillingness to enter the galactic mainstream through the proper channels.

As Druid is an intergraded part of the IGSP, the Empire has sometimes elected to employ an individual contractor instead of contacting the IGSP when contact has been made with new worlds. This contractor is TARGET, and its existence, according to IGSP officials, is a direct threat to the stability of the Galaxy, but as the Empire's actions are protected by law there is nothing IGSP can do, until the laws are broken. Andoronia has followed the Empires initiative and has begun to "educate" new worlds themselves. It is believed that they simply enslave the entire population of new worlds into their army, but there is no evidence of that available.

Now Druid oversees the entry of at least 2-3 worlds into the galactic mainstream each year. Most of these worlds are in the Empire, but some are also in Orion, Forte, Nordon, or the Real of flowers. There have been no reported occurrences of a new world in Paradox as of yet.

Willow

Willow is put into use only after everything else fails. If peace-talks and local attempts to regain peace have failed the conrece in which the planet resides asks for IGSP involvement. The IGSP is always quick to respond and sends assessment agents (often covert) first, and they report whether the situation can be brought under control or is untenable. In the latter case the IGSP might deploy Willow, which tries to pressure both conflicting parties by economic hindrances, but most often elects to strike upon the planet. A planet that has been targeted by a Willow strike is off limits to all civilians and is called a "doomed world".

Willow is a much needed part of law enforcement in the Galaxy, but few want to know anything about it's methods. This works well for Willow, allowing it to function without the tedious complaints SITIR receives. Although there have been several complaints, they aren't many enough to arouse any questions people don't really want to see answered.

1.15. Imperial Guards Battalion(IGB)

To be a member of the IGB is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon any patriotic member of the Empire. Only a handful of those who want to be in IGB can.

The IGB recruits men directly from the Imperial Navy (it has been stated that some have been recruited from the IGSP but it is not an officially supported rumour).

There has always been a slight air of mystique and power around the IGB. It is quite true that this 600.000 troop battalion could probably immobilise an army three to five times as large with minimum casualties. There is even an example of this three hundred years ago when the Emperor was in Andoronia trying to make peace with them. When the Emperor was being brought back into his personal carrier from the surface of the planet where the talk took place, there appeared out of nowhere a fleet of ships (later it was learned that they had been hiding behind the moon of the planet) and attacked the Emperors ship.

Two hundred thousand IGB troops travelled with the Emperor at that time and they met the fleet in a fierce space combat, both in spaceships, and in EVA. The IGB was outmanned 1:8 but the emperor was rescued and he got away, but not without cost. 120.000 IGB soldiers were lost that day, and around 1.5 million enemy troops.

After this incident the IGB was subject to total checkup, due to the fact that the enemy had a chance to sneak up on them. Andoronia's government was blamed for the incident but they denied everything, although evidence had been found to suggest that Andoronia's special forces ASP had carried out the assassination attempt.

Despite the fact that the IGB wasn't prepared for that confrontation and that they showed severe lack of judgement, it is remarkable to note that they wiped out the entire opposing fleet although they had the drop on the IGB. There is a lesson to be learned from that particular combat, one doesn't attack the IGB (and live).

The IGB serves now as a more of a symbol of power, rather than power itself. Wherever the emperor goes, at least 1-200 thousand troops go with him, acting as protectors and messengers bearing the flag of the Empire in high.

1.16. Foldcomm Integrity Council (HIC)

Now HIC's purpose is the same, to guard the Foldcomm, and to see to its maintenance and supervision. The HIC's main purpose is of course to guard the HI-SATS against acts of terrorism which is always a great threat to a network of this type.

When the HIC was first established Dr. Henry Opos, who invented Foldcomm and assisted in the invention of foldspace first had the seat of chairman. He did his job well, and it is mainly because of him that the Foldcomm became the overnight success that it is.

The HIC is an important part of the Foldcomm system and without it Foldcomm would probably not exist. The HIC is supported by the Empire and is as such a special part of the Empire. This, however does not change the fact that the HIC does not intercept transmissions, or trace origins, despite war times.

There have even been several disputes when the media has claimed that the Imperial Navy has tried to make the HIC intercept transmissions in Andoronia.

Now Foldcomm is available to everybody who have a HEM, so anybody can call anybody else anywhere in the galaxy (there is a delay which makes real time conversation impossible though). A typical Foldcomm message two minutes in length (view and voice) to a location 20.000 light years away costs approx 20 credits, the same as spending an entire month on a phone to a location inside the solar system. The Foldcomm isn't cheap, but it's well worth it, if one needs to call *long* distance that is.

1.17. Galactic Council of Science (GCS)

The council was formed in the year 14552 NGTC (New General Time Catalogue) because scientists, who had rights to do whatever they wanted with their inventions had the nasty habit of selling them (especially the military important ones) to the highest bidder. So in that year a new bill was passed that stated that no important scientific decisions (where important is defined on two pages, not discussed here) can be taken without the direct approval of the Galactic Council of Science.

The council itself consists of 14 persons, including the emperor (it is highly disputed if the emperor should sit on the council). A few thousand decisions have to be made each day so it is a tremendous chore for some 14 persons. Under the council there are a few dozen thousands of highly educated people sorting out all requests and inquiries sent to the council, and only the most important ones actually make it to the council itself.

The most dramatic decision made by the Galactic Council of Science has to be when they allowed the Empire to build planetary terminators (yes, the Empire had to request permission to build them). The consequences of that decision was great, the Galaxy came close to an all out war, but the Council recalled its permission and allowed the Empire to have no more than the eight Visions already built (there are 6 left now).

The Galactic Council of Science isn't perfect, but then again, what is?

1.18. Vortex

The one good thing about Vortex is that they are all completely loyal to Nordon and know of nothing better than to kill for Nordon, or, if the circumstances insist, die themselves.

It is unknown when Vortex was first created, but it was probably before the war of eternity. As of now, Vortex has taken credit of the assassination of two Forte prime ministers, and several high ranking military individuals.

Forte has made several public complaints against the existence of Vortex claiming that their methods are not sane and that they employ inhumane methods of exterminations. No government has supported Forte in these complaints because apparently, Vortex has kept in line concerning all others, except Forte.

Vortex, Effective, quick, deadly, and most certainly completely psychotic!

1.19. ASP

This elite unit is thought to consist of not more than a couple of million soldiers with training most only dream about (except maybe IGB troops).

Andoronia has on numerous occasions denied the existence of ASP, although Orion's government believed to have in its possession evidence proving the existence of ASP. This happened 50 years ago when a spacestation belonging to Orion was overrun and destroyed. Curiously enough, The government officials who had the evidence were both killed in a fire and all the evidence, if it existed was burned up with them.

ASP remains a legendary squad, which has been used in many novels, and many movies. If it exists, there's one thing for sure. ASP is not what we think it is.

1.20. Eclipse

It is highly illegal to travel beyond the Milky Way now, but with continues research by Eclipse it might be possible to begin colonisation of the Magellan clouds within the next hundred years.

Eclipse consists of some of the most noted Astronomers, Cosmologists, and Astrophysicists in the Galaxy such as John Gleasom, Philipe Forpal and George P. Donaldsson. With these great minds working in unison it has to be just a question of time before adequate research is completed and the Universe as a whole, and not just the Milky Way galaxy can classify as our abode.