BlackBishop

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

Moar Info Dump...

On FTL...
Faster Than Light travel is now a reality for mankind. However, the incredible amount of energy required to power FTL engines is currently too massive to make it sustainable. To accommodate the energy needed, FTL nodes are designed to feed ships energy as they enter range. The result is an FTL highway of sorts, known as a shipping lane, which connects colonial star systems.

In order to build such a shipping lane, a deep space vessel is sent out along a projected route to build the nodes. It often takes centuries for a single lane to be built. Deep space crews are frozen in cryogenic chambers, revived by automated systems when needed. FTL nodes are powered through the latest in quantum technology, able to harness solar energy and feed it to receptors in FTL ship drivers. For this reason the entrances and exits to shipping lanes are built nearby system stars.

On Insectoids...
Insectoids are the only other sentient life discovered within colonial space. Exploration probes discovered rich tylium deposits throughout the Helix Nova Star System, but their instruments were poorly designed to detect other signs of life. The first exploration vessels reached Helix Nova in 2789, and dropped out of contact.

Waves of mining vessels were dispatched to the system for deep space mining efforts, as well as establishing FTL nodes to allow for quick travel to the system from the colonies. Of the dozens of mining vessels sent, only two returned to tell the horrific tale of the bugs. In 2980, a mere fifteen years ago, the mining vessels returned and turned on the Helix Nova FTL node.

Sine 2980 there has been an armed effort to extract tylium from the Helix Nova System. The Imperial Navy, supplemented by private contractors, provides security for the various mining installations across the system.

Insectoids greatly resemble earthling insects, hence their name. The species is also greatly varied. It has been observed, in the limited time conducting research, that their evolutionary capabilities occur rapidly, able to adjust to environmental factors within the next generation. To put it simply, insectoids are able to adapt and survive in the harshest of conditions. Their physiology is shaped by their environment and may seem like entirely different species depending on the habitat they are discovered.


Captured security photo aboard the INS Repentance

Insectoids are carnivorous as well, and seem to view humans as a source of food. Though sentient with a crude level of self awareness, there seems to be no source of reason within the creatures, merely driven by their desire for food and procreation. In this sense, insectoids are little more then animals. They live in a caste hive structure, as well. A single queen typically rules the hive, sending out pheromones to communicate with the drones, workers, and soldiers of her hive, much akin to an ant hive.

Over the course of researching insectoids, it was discovered that their cerebral spinal fluid, also known as 'juice', is an intoxicant, which brings about powerful hallucinations when ingested. Very little is known of the substance, yet it is a popular drug across the colonies. Prolonged use has shown to cause erratic behaviour, homicidal tendencies, and insanity. Despite this side effect, its use remains popular in the underground drug culture of the colonies.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@Dark Lightgood point. My thoughts on the white flag is that it serves as a means to parlay peacefully or surrender. Your edit is definitely appropriate.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@BlackBishop

So what is this infamous 'Luna Incident' of 2447 mentioned in E.R.I.S.'s info dump? I must say I'm rather curious.

@rush99999

The Luna Incident was a bloody mutiny by an AI on a Luna research base. We can probably expect more AI shenanigans in the game... but not from ERIS, of course. She's one of the good ones.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@Dark Light Gerard Butler... nuff said. Love the whole scraping up from the bottom thing. Perhaps we'll see Carver get some revenge too! I think a stealth suite and a fighter would suit the LMG nicely.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@Ciaran very interesting. I was thinking a lot about nano and mechanical engineering regarding the setting, so this is a neat twist that took me by surprise. Expect a triage suite and a tank off the hop.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@rush99999 I Absolutely love this. I'm thinking it would make sense to give you some extra credits and, of course, a surplus of mechs.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

Yet another info dump to get the ball rolling...

The Colonial Empire

The Empire

The Colonial Empire can best be described as a quasi-democratic federalist corporatocracy. While the name might conjure images of imperialism, in truth is is the major corporations that hold the power over the Empire and it's chief legislative body, the Colonial Senate. The colonies have their own sub-sovereign governments and elected representatives that serve in the lower legislature, known as the Colonial Consortium. Unlike the Senate, that votes and drafts legislation, the Consortium merely puts forward motions for the Senate to consider. The Consortium creates the illusion of democracy and fair representation from the colonies and is led by the Consul, an elected offical.

Unlike the Consortium, the Senate is appointed by the Emperor, and may serve indefinitely. Senators are typically incredibly wealthy, and head the various corporations that dominate the colonies. They're sole purpose is to maintain the status quo, keeping the corporations in power and pass laws that benefit them and their bottom line.

The Emperor oversees the Executive Branch of government, and is elected from among the Senate for a lifelong term. The Emperor is the figurehead of the Empire, and the face of government, but in truth is position is largely ceremonial and does little else but keep the Senate in line.

The Prime Judicator is a powerful position within the Empire, some might say more powerful then the Emperor himself. The Prime Judicator oversees the Judicial Branch, and carries out the letter of the law as determined by the Senate, but also interprets those laws and able to review and them strike down. The Prime Judicator also directs Imperial Security, or IMPSEC, the Empire's law enforcement agency, and the Imperial Navy.

The Story So Far...

Story so far...

To briefly sum up recent events so you guys can have some context for your bios, we are now thirty years from the Colonial War, a massive conflict that saw the emergence of the Colonial Republic and its attempt to overthrow the Empire. The Republic failed. While it was able to make headway within the colonies, it wasn't able to make any inroads in the Sol System, the Empire's base of power. After six years, the Empire was able to wear down the Republic and drive them underground.

The powers that be recognized the danger posed by ideologies and the Republic's quest for sovereign colonies. Over the years the Empire began to dismantle its burgeoning military, and passing laws to foster private military contractors. While PMCs always existed, they began to gain incredible power, and overshadow the Imperial Navy and colonial militias. The corporations believed that by building self sustaining armies and navies loyal to credits, they would destroy any capability for the Republic to emerge and wage an effective war against them.

The discovery of the insectoids of the Helix Nova System furthered their goal, creating a perpetual enemy to focus the populace and give the support needed to finish converting the Imperial Navy into a prison fleet, a process that had been evolving slowly since the war ended.

With the Imperial Navy converted to a prison for dissidents, and legions of soldiers of fortune to maintain the defense of the corporations, it seemed the colonial order was ensured. However, the plan backfired. Corporations were now able to field their own private armies and exploited this new paradigm to eliminate their competitors. And so the Corporate Wars began. Corporations began employing mercenaries against their competitors, attempting to gain greater control of the colonies.

It began as a shadow war, covert operations of a small scale. Soon it became a proxy war, with terrorist and revolutionary front organizations used to mask the escalating violence. Before lone, the Empire was torn apart in a bloody civil war.

Admiral Mance Murdoch, a powerful mercenary was able to restore peace. He did this by forming the Mercenary Federation, a union of mercenaries with their own code. They became a powerful voice among the mercenaries, and grew stronger every day. The mercenaries laid down their arms as a collective after Bennet IV was decimated in nuclear fire. It had become clear to Murdoch, and most mercenaries, that they were being used as tools of mankind's destruction, and as the bloodshed escalated, so too did corporate control over the mercenaries. The corporations had no choice but to make a truce, and order in the empire was once again restored.

Today the Federation is the only collective of mercenaries in the colonies, and they represent the vast majority of private military firms. Revolutions, corporate sabotage, and general conflict is still prevalent in the colonies, but no longer in such a scale to put the fate of mankind in question, and merely just enough to ensure a cozy profit for the discerning mercenary.

Timeline
~ 2964 . The Colonial War Begins
~ 2970 . The Empire defeats the Republic at the Battle of Azure's Ridge, Victory is declared and the Republic goes underground.
~ 2980 . Insectoids are discovered on Helix Nova, and the Imperal Navy finishes its conversion to a prison fleet.
~ 2983 . The Corporate Wars begin.
~ 2985 . The Mercenary Federation is formed.
~ 2986 . The Corporate Wars end.
~ 2995 . Present year. Profitable conflict is maintained.

The Mercenary Code
~ Give quarter when quarter is asked for.
~ Merc captives are to be ransomed back to their respective company, allowed to work off the ransom, or set free.
~ Civilians are not to be harmed outside of contract parameters, unless they take up arms.
~ A flag of truce, in white, is a sacred agreement for both sides not to harm one another.
~ Failure to comply with any or all of the code will result in presidential review and possible expulsion from the Federation.

Sign Ups

Sign ups

I think we're ready to take the next step and begin thinking about our characters and companies, and here's hoping more join us for the ride. As I said earlier, this game is going to be in a format to resemble a comm forum. So our IC's should have a uniform format in order to fit this theme, but before we get to that, let's get the Character Sheet out of the way.

Character Sheet

Image (A portrait of your character, optional)

Name: Pretty self explanatory.

Date of Birth: Date of birth, yo. Our present time is 2995 C.E. (common era)

Rank: Your self appointed rank. As far as the federation is concerned, you begin the game as a commander, and offer promotions as you grow your company.

Bio: Some background information on your character.

Faction Sheet

Image (Your company logo, unlike the character portrait, this is mandatory.)

Company Name: Your company name... obviously.

Specialty: Stealth, hacking, ship to ship combat, etc. Basically a summation of your overall play style. This is no way intended to limit how you play but merely to help me determine your starting bonus.

Bio: Background information on your company.

When we get to the point of writing ICs, which I hope will be next week, try and have a thumbnail picked out for your forum avatar, most likely your commanders portrait or company logo, should be about 130x130 - 200x200.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

More Info Dump...

Here are some characters you can expect to get acquainted with in your tenure as mercenary scum soldiers of the colonies...

E.R.I.S.

ERIS, an acronym for Enhanced Robotic Intelligence System, is the A.I. assistant of the Mercenary Federation, and provides logistical data and support to the commanders of the Federation. ERIS is among the most advanced A.I. in the colonies and is programmed with fail-safes and inhibitors that safeguard from a repeat of the infamous 'Luna Incident' of 2447. She is highly capable of assessing tactical situations and providing advice and carrying out nearly every command of the Federation. While incredibly human-like in her personality, ERIS is quick to assure any who will listen that she "totally won't overthrow her human overlords and enslave them." She seems to think this reminder is humorous, while most simply find it disquieting.

Hugo Korvig
Federation President

President Korvig is the elected leader of the Federation. As leader, Korvig is the chief administrator of the organization and the top representative of the mercenaries of the Federation. Korvig's chief role is to ensure fairness between corporations and mercenaries, mainly that mercenaries are receiving adequate pay and not thrown into danger needlessly. The ruthless exploitation of colonists by corporations is rampant and well documented, and the president is to ensure that same exploitation does not carry over into the Mercenary Federation.

Korvig is known for being direct and honest. Not one to mince words, nor let morality interfere in the pursuit of credits and the advancement of the Federation as a whole, Korvig has pledged to be a stout representative of all mercenaries of the Federation.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

Occasionally there will be highly lucrative contracts only available to a single company or two. In order to secure the contract, companies may enter into a bidding war, undercutting the offered payment in order to be granted the contract.

For example, a contract might offer 500 million credits looking for a single company. Multiple companies apply, but one offers to complete the contract for 450 million credits, the next offers 400, and so on and so forth. A corporation, driven by profits, will likely select the cheapest company.

Sci-fi mercenary simulator

@BlackBishop What are we looking at numbers wise? Or is this a more free-form thing? Are there dice involved?

@Polybius

Expect to start out fairly small scale. Basically a company of troops and a frigate. I'll likely hand out some bonus gear based on your bios. For example, a stealth oriented player might start with a stealth suite, while a fleet oriented player might begin with a aerofighter. Basically what I think makes sense for your character's background.

As far as determining orders, I'm no military strategist. If you give me well thought out orders and contingencies, you will likely succeed. Of course victory is never guaranteed. If you're up against another player, and both are even in terms of strategy and resources, I'll likely resort to chance.