Post by Ottoman on Dec 11, 2020 16:50:26 GMT -6
It has been twenty years since the Supremacy's victory over the Coalition has tipped the balance of power in the Garden and, to an extent, the Milky Way. Now the eyes of the galaxy turn to the galactic west, to the seat of imperial power, Tannhäuser. The Emperor's Starfleets bring Scatterran law and order to the stars, but they can only carry the light of civilization so far - yet, at least. The limitations of the growing hegemon are temporary at best, and many believe that it is only a matter of time before this second 'Pax Austalis' comes to an end.
But far from the beacon of Tannhäuser and the growing pains of empire, the Eastern Expanse is, comparatively, another world. Rumors from bordering powers speak of once-mighty realms and arcane sciences are bookended with cautionary tales of ambition, ruthlessness, and the profane. Those who return from the Expanse speak of potentates, princes, and powers aplenty: a patchwork tapestry of sovereign states and civilizations unique, a realm of space rife with riches, danger, and opportunity.
To the galactic south lay the 'Crossroads of the Stars', the Terran Reaches, known for centuries as the gateway to the east. It is a realm still reeling from the devastation of its own titanic conflict - the FedCon Civil War - and the horrors of Teltin Corr. In the wake of it all, the Interstellar Commerce Consortium has risen as the de facto Human power in the galaxy. With the Federation vanquished, its territory integrated or left to local, bickering powers, now only the ISCC can stand beside the Supremacy in terms of pedigree amongst Terrans. Here gold flows as water, and where there is a love of wealth, there always can be found the world's second oldest profession.
From across the galaxy come the best of the best, in one way or another, to cut their teeth and earn their keep. Adventurers of every stripe - pilots, marines, engineers, doctors and more - arrive in the Consortium, bartering their expertise for passage, training, or cold hard cash. It is for many a bloody and brief profession, but the work of a mercenary is not without law. The Consortium requires that all legal mercs be bound and registered by the Charter - the document that laid legal foundations for contracting, commissions, and conduct for all in the profession - though whether or not it is followed, or enforced, is as they say in the Consortium 'a personal matter'. Such intrepid men and women are known in common parlance as Freelancers.
Do you dare to venture to realms distant and unknown? To crush, or cooperate, as you see fit? To seize your destiny amongst the stars?
What say you, Freelancer?