Galactic Traders Coalition
(GTC)
The Galactic Traders Coalition, known also as the GTC, is a powerful galaxy-spanning commerce guild, trade cartel, and advocacy group. A corporate empire independent from any of the galactic powers, the GTC is forged from five gargantuan deep-space starbases, which effectively act as autonomous states, with the DSC (Deep-Space Center) Daedalus acting as the largest DSC and the capitol. Founded by Amadeus Sylar centuries ago, during the relative peace between the Galactic Alliance and former Galactic Empire, the GTC is almost entirely dominated by Morellians (although they are by no means the most populous species of the GTC), and has especially strong ties with the Morellian Systems, the sister government of the Morellian Commonwealth occupying the opposite end of the galaxy. Because of this, Morellians have notable influence in the most powerful corporations and businesses, and due to the viewpoints of Morellian culture on the "South-Western" end of the galaxy, many Morellians have adopted a form of supremest views not unlike imperialist Humans, seeing themselves as "evolved Humans". Because of this, Morellians tend to look down upon other species, even Humans, as they are, on average, faster, stronger, healthier, more longevous, and (in their opinion) more intelligent than their Human ancestors.
Built on the fundamentals of corporate capitalism, the GTC is backboned by state built on corporate capitalism, the GTC is run by a several mega-corporations which divide the DSCs from each other, controlling and ruling every aspect of society upon their sovereign territory. Each mega-corporation is made up of thousands of smaller companies, ranging from industrial companies to law firms. All land and real estate is owned by a company which leases it to the citizens, and government and policing are also handled by independent companies. Although this gives the corporations dictatorial powers, they are just as bound by GTC customs and laws as the individual, and the fierce, continual competition between the corporations ensures a healthy, consumer-based social environment, which benefits everyone.
The most powerful economic force in the galaxy, the GTC is universally revered for their strong economy, and their independent military might parallel to that of the larger forces, although is far inferior to that of the galactic powers. Coupled with the fact that the GTC is more unscrupulous than the Alliance and less combative than the Imperium, this makes them in many ways the most gray of all the empires. As most GTC trade is conducted by individual companies rather than the mega-corporations itself, this makes it difficult for the other empires to deal with them at a political level. If a company is found guilty of unethical business dealings, it simply disappears into its parent corporation, and before long another one appears to take its place. But if a GTC company is threatened, the whole corporation and often even the mega-corporations themselves back it up with full force.
Although not militaristic, the GTC's society is somewhat steeped in military tradition and are very strict and formal with maintaining their neutrality from the galactic powers, refusing to show favoritism toward either side under any circumstances other than the well being of the galactic economy. As a draw toward tourism attractions and appeal, the GTC heavily pursue and sponsor a range of sporting activities, from swoop racing to non-lethal gladiatorial matches. Many of these are classic traditional competitions revised for the ages, while others are more like variants of pod and swoop races. Whatever the sport, visitors and residents alike love betting on the outcome, making gambling a massive industry in the GTC. The GTC offers its citizens the best and the worst in living conditions. As long as one keep in line, does their job, uphold the laws and so forth, life can be fairly pleasant and productive. But for those who are not cut out for this strict, disciplined regime life quickly becomes intolerable. They lose their respect, family, status, everything, and the only options left to them are degeneration in shunned isolation or voluntary exile. Although not xenophobic as such, the GTC are very protective of their way of investments and properties and tolerate only those foreigners that stick to the rules. This is especially so due to war times.
The GTC, unlike many other neutral territories, are significantly protected from compromise against the two galactic powers, as they virtually monopolized the galactic economy. Crippling the GTC, whose economic and corporate essence is woven into nearly all financial aspects of the galactic powers, would resonate repercussions so devastating that it would rapidly result in an extreme galactic wide recession. In addition, the GTC threaten that should a power express aggressions toward them, they would fully support and reinforce the opposing faction. In addition to other factors, such variables essentially render the GTC too valuable to threaten. More than any other financial empire within the galaxy, the GTC has a fixation on its finances and financial systems. The GTC has a universally accepted currency, with each mega-corporation using its own scrip as a stamp of sorts, that can be used interchangeably with either Imperial or Alliance credits. Each mega-corporation is then built around a massive investment bank, which forms a skeleton for each individual corporate empire. The Galactic Traders Coalition Centerpoint, or simply the Centerpoint, serves as the closest GTC equivalent to a central bank, in addition to performing many of the functions of a normal financial institution. Although many have in times past attempted to rival the Centerpoint, all have been destroyed and absorbed through corporate warfare.
The GTC stands for corporate capitalism in its purest form. There are five significant mega-corporations that together own more than 90% of all property within the GTC. Each of the mega-corporations are made up of thousands of companies of various sizes and various sorts, ranging from simple mining companies to powerful police companies. There is no single, unified government as such, each corporation rules its territories like their own kingdom with little or nor interference from the other corporations, save for the borderline dictatorial Chief Administer position, who wields executive ownership over the entire GTC. Competition, efficiency and market share is more important to the corporations than accumulation of wealth. Business for the good of the individual, while contrary to GTC ethics, are virtually omnipresent in the corporate cutthroat world. In higher matters, such as in foreign policy towards the other empires, the Board of Directors, which consists of the CEOs of the five major corporations and the Chief Administrator, has the highest authority. The Board of Directors also makes sure that the social infrastructure of the GTC remains intact and settles all major quarrels between the corporations.
Deep Space Trade Centers
The Deep Space Trade Centers are the five starbases that serve as the sovereign territories for the GTC, and are governed by the dominant mega-corporations of their respective stations. Echoing the same cylinder design of the precursor to the Ord Mantell StarDrives station, the DSCs are each located on one of the five major galactic trade routes, and are all considered to be neutral ground. With massive repulsor engines and gravitic reinforces, the GTCs are, albeit slowly, mobile, able to move their location through the trade routes. Consequently, especially during times of war, the GTC heavily fortify their security, most notably in the event that Imperial and Alliance forces both are occupants upon the station. In addition, each of the five DSCs possess quantum entanglement holo-communication relays, strict one-way and "wiretap" immune transmission feeds that allow uninterested and untraceable communications. The DSCs and their locations are the following;
[*=center]DSC Daedalus; Hydian Way
[*=center]DSC Prometheus; Prelemian Way
[*=center]DSC Vulcan; Rimma Trade Route
[*=center]DSC Hyperion; Corellian Trade Spire
[*=center]DSC Triton; Corellian Way
(NOTE: Only the DSC Daedalus is open for role-playing purposes)
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