Guide to Phoenix Lore

Keep in mind that this guide operates off the assumption that the reader knows the general lore of the first guide. Though it is not always necessary, knowing this lore will prove helpful in many cases, as not everything will be repeated.

As a reminder, here are some of the more important notes:

Corporations comprise the Ministry of Economics, which passes down Senate legislature to the corporations, and enforces them through the Internal Security Service. On the other hand, the Ministry of Economics is also one of the primary ways that corporations can send concerns back up to the Senate.

Corporations are basically their own countries, with unique governments and culture, though unified into one Republic.

Corporations are allowed small, private militaries (security forces), though these were subjected to great scrutiny from the ISS, and taxed heavily by the Navy. Strict limits were placed so that no corporation could ever threaten the Republic Navy, and so that no corporation could ever use these forces against another. After the ISS was dissolved in 2110, these limitations were relaxed somewhat to allow Corporations to police themselves, overseen by Republic Intelligence's Internal Affairs Division.

Security forces have 4 roles. Any uses outside of these are considered highly illegal, and result in the immediate termination of that corporation's right to the force.
1) Protection of a corporation's assets against corporate espionage and the like. Security forces can only act defensively, and only where the corporation has full legal rights to do so.
2) Protection of a corporation from external threats outside the Republic, such as pirates. In this the corporations have more freedom, though they are carefully regulated so as to not incite war between Phoenix and another faction of Sol.
3) As a platform for experimenting with new ships and weapon technologies. This in turn helps the Navy, because technologies sold to the Navy have had a chance to be tested through a means that does not cost taxpayer money.
4) At any time, the Republic may call on these forces to assist the Navy in military operations. They may also be asked to help defend Republic assets where the Navy has little presence.

Full Name:
Internal Security Service

Lifespan:
2089 - 2110

Succeeded By:
Republic Intelligence - Internal Affairs Division

Headquarters:
Titan, Cayuga State

Other Facilities:
The ISS holds offices within all corporate headquarters, and in most corporate outposts.

Strength:
Undisclosed

Political Structure:
Democratic, jointly run by all major corporations.

The Internal Security Service operated as the balance between the corporations. Its basic function was to ensure the compliance of the corporations with the laws of the Republic, and to maintain peace and security between them.

The ISS was jointly run by each major corporation, and was regulated by the senate so that no corporation ever gain more power than another within its structure. ISS agents left their corporate ties behind, and were often sent to deal with disputes between two corporations other than their own, so that there was less possibility of bias. ISS agents were only allowed communication with their former corporation on a surface level, and subjected to great scrutiny, as leaking any information from one corporation to another would compromise the purpose and stability of the ISS as a whole. Double agents such as these often found themselves sentenced to penal colonies.

The ISS differed from Republic Intelligence on this focused view towards corporations, and also based on the issues they tackle. While the RIA is often focussed on external surveillance, it does also look inward towards the Republic to take any necessary preemptive action against threats to the Republic at large. However, it was believed inefficient for the RIA to become too caught up in corporate politics and espionage - issues that typically do not pose large security threats - and therefore this fell under the jurisdiction of the ISS. However, the two organizations at times cooperated, primarily when the ISS uncovered any corporate issues that presented such threats on the grander scale of things.

The main issue that the ISS targeted was corporate espionage, in whatever form that came. As with any competitive environment, curiosity often takes a darker turn, leading to spies within corporations revealing secrets, allowing another corporation to gain an edge or develop a copy of a technology before the other can publish the original, gaining a lead in the market. Such activities are seen as destructive to the culture and stability of the Republic, and are therefore highly illegal. Corporations caught in espionage are at the least fined such high amounts that any profit they made off the endeavor is quickly negated, and thereafter are often subject to further consequences.

In reality, the majority of issues usually took a more legal turn, and the ISS spent much of its time in various forms of hearings, talks, and diplomatic relations between corporations. These issues were the occasional territory disputes, patent disputes, and so on.

The final duty of the ISS was keeping watch over the private militaries of each corporation, ensuring that each one has been properly taxed, remains within its set bounds, and is not used in any aggressive manner towards any other Phoenix entity. In this, the ISS often stationed overseers throughout the corporate military's headquarters to ensure compliance. However, it was also common for ISS agents to infiltrate these militaries for the same purpose. Corporations knew of this possibility, and such agents were granted diplomatic immunity by the Senate.

Overall, the ISS took on many roles: Lawyers, diplomats, politicians, inspectors, police, and even spies are common.


After the ISS was compromised by Ceresian spies in 2110, the RIA enacted a purge and wiped out the organization. The Senate then voted to dissolve the organization completely, in favour of more powerful and autonomous Corporate Security forces.

Today, each corporation polices itself, and is overseen by the Internal Affairs division of the RIA, which infiltrates corporations to root out and report any treasounous activities to the Senate.

Full Name:
Phoenix Fleet Systems

Founded:
2070

Population:
~12 million

Capitol:
Titan, PFS State

Other facilities:
several outposts outside the terraformed zone of Titan, and shipyards throughout Saturn's rings, with some mining and research facilities within Saturn's atmosphere.

Former facilities:
shipyards on Hyperion

Inner Political Structure:
Militaristic and Meritocratic. Positions are treated much in the same way that they are within the Navy, with high amounts of authority and respect. The "corporate ladder" is risen only with years of experience and achievements. The highest ruling body is a senate reminiscent of the Republic one. Though democratically elected, candidates are only chosen from those who have proven themselves through years of service to the corporation.

Security Force:
Most of PFS' security fleet guards its facilities around Saturn. The remainder is willingly and continuously loaned out for use by the Navy. Its ships are painted a dark blue with white markings, and have a tactical focus centered around long range artillery, with a focus on missiles.

Industry:
PFS's primary contracts exist with the Navy, and therefore a large majority of its industry is military focused. Its ships are highly specialized, with the philosophy that generalist ships are idealistic and ultimately inefficient. Each ship is meant to play off the strength of the other, compensating for weaknesses by excelling at their strengths.

Unlike TVSI, PFS has had a tendency to create new designs rather than update old ones. The pervading idea here is that a ship built around new technologies will naturally be more efficient than a ship that is retrofitted to accommodate the same technology, but at the same time was, by implication, a ship that was never built to house it. The tendency has at times frustrated the Navy, which has had to continually update its flight manuals and training programs for these ships.

For the most part, the Navy puts up with this, as it is able to gain a considerable source of revenue from selling surplus ships off to make way for new ones, and the newer models are usually worth the trouble. In this way, many PFS ships find their final fate as re-fitted industrial ships, while others have their spacious interiors taken advantage of and are turned into luxury liners and other craft of the sort.

Politics:
Since its beginning at the founding of the Republic itself, PFS has been intertwined with the military and its way of life. For a time, PFS itself controlled much of what is now called the Navy, until the Senate decided in 2073 to form a government run Navy. At that time, PFS signed its fleets to control of the Republic, until 2087, when corporations were allowed to have their own security forces.

Due to this history, PFS' culture has remained staunchly focused on defense of the Republic, believing that other corporations can take care of any other concerns adequately. Politically, they have continually advocated two things:

1) The Republic should prepare itself for the inevitable retaliation of Earth. This was an earlier stance, but later the argument lost sway as Earth also began to lose its influence within Sol. Still, PFS advocates the same platform, based on the argument that other civilizations, such as CEU, are expanding and will one day (if not now) have the ability to threaten the Republic's way of life.
From this, PFS pushes for the continual advancement of military technology, and it is for this reason that they have worked well alongside corporations like XER, who specialize in such research.

2) The Republic should preserve its way of life, so that its people can continually live in peace. This view was heavily influenced by the Mars Conflict, in which Phoenix saw outside influence (from Earth) lead to corruption of political officials, military personnel, and eventually the deaths of countless civilians. It is from the beginning that PFS has been very much isolationist in their political ideals, especially wishing to cut any and all ties with Earth.
Ironically, PFS has at times argued for the assimilation of outside corporations like CDI and TVSI into Phoenix. This is mostly due to the fact that the first belief (the defense of the Republic) is more important to them than the second. They have therefore been able to recognize, at times, that greater numbers, as well as diversity, is for the greater interest (and defense) of all.

These two policies have led to PFS continually clashing with KUS and other more pacifist organizations within the Republic. KUS believes that industry should be prioritized rather than military, and that PFS' tendencies towards isolationism are a destructive trend. This, combined with some of PFS' more secretive actions, have led many to be suspicious of the corporation overall.

There are a few reasons why other corporations have become suspicious of PFS' actions:

1) PFS was instrumental in the reinstatement of HLF corporation (after its disappearance on Hyperion for a year due to civil war). Though unknown at the time, it was later revealed that a deal had been struck between the two corporations, but the details were never disclosed until 2093. Even the RIA, when asked to look into the matter, claimed that it was not an issue of dire importance, which sparked many conspiracy theories surrounding the issue.

2) PFS was a major partner with XER, a corporation that already had a shadowy reputation due to their reclusiveness. As one of the main buyers and implimenters of XER technology, it was believed that PFS was involved in whatever shadowy dealings that XER may have been a part of. This suspicion was accelerated when XER suddenly went dark in 2102.

3) Around 2090, PFS moved most of its facilities away from Hyperion and more towards Saturn itself. It adopted a unique logo, paint scheme, and strengthened its private security force. The sudden move was never really explained, with PFS simply stating that they needed more room for industry, but that they would maintain (and they have) their facilities and offices on Titan itself.

Despite all this, PFS has generally managed to maintain a good reputation within the Republic. It continually provides the Navy more than any other corporation; it has often been a voice calling for corporate oversight, and never avoided the implications that such moves have meant for itself; and it has been, despite its isolationist views, a large part behind much of the expansion and growth of the Republic.

Full Name:
Experimental Engineering & Research

Founded:
2074

Population:
4 Million

Capitol:
Enceladus

Other facilities:
Various research outposts throughout the rings of Saturn

Former facilities:
None

Inner Political Structure:
Democratic. Its scientists discuss all political decisions within open forums.

Security Force:
Tax records indicate that XER had adopted a security force, though whether it ever built any ships for its fleet is unknown.

Industry:
Since its focus is primarily on research, XER itself has little in the way of actual products and industry. Most of their projects are sold to other corporations, where their technologies are incorporated into those ships.

Politics:
Throughout the years, XER has been a continual voice of technological process throughout the Republic. It took a major role in the terraforming of Titan, and has held numerous contracts with corporations and government agencies in the Republic, to the mutual beneft of both.

Aside from issues that directly involve technological process, XER was often silent within the senate, never bothering itself with the disputes of other corporations. Some were led to believe that the corporation had ulterior motives, but suspicion was usually alleviated whenever XER would renew its contracts with the Navy and other organizations.

XER and PFS have been long-term partners throughout Republic history, with XER often developing new technologies, PFS implimenting them into its ships, and then both corporations profitting off of the sale of these ships to the Navy. Though federal agencies have often been grateful for this alliances, it has often been the subject of controversy from other corporations, mainly due to XER's isolation from the Republic both physically and politically.

Aside from PFS, XER has been known to deal with other corporations, though on a much more short-term basis. Its main public spotlight came when it entered into heated competition with TVSI, as both corporations raced to develop new engine prototypes in 2077. Eventually, XER won the military contract with its plasma engine design, though TVSI continued using its own "Prometheus" engines for its own ships. At the same time, the competition garnered the attention of other civilizations in Sol, and XER became heavily scrutinized after its prototype was stolen by CEU.

From this point on, XER began to take an even more back-seat approach to daily occurences within the Republic. Its contracts with PFS became fewer in number, with its final contract being one to reverse engineer the Jump Drive ship brought from a CEU ambassador as a peace offering. Though successful in this endeavor, its achievement was overshadowed by TVSI, which made a more portable version of the Jump Drive.

Interest in XER's projects began to fade due to its increasingly reclusive attitude, and this finally culminated in 2102, when the corporation went entirely dark. The ISS immediately launched an investigation, arriving on Enceladus to find little traces of what happened. When it was assumed that the corporaton had gone rogue, the RIA picked up the investigation and the moon was blockaded by the Navy.

The following year, the RIA found traces of the corporation and tracked them to subterranian facilities. The corporation re-appeared officially to the Phoenix society as a whole a short time after, releasing statements that they had been conducting "field tests" on stealth technology. However, corporations like KUS found the situation to be highly suspicious, and called for further transparency in the matter. The RIA agreed and allowed the ISS to resume the investigation, promising that they would release any further findings to the public, and XER would continue under surveillance for some time thereafter. However, many within Phoenix still believed something else was at work, and distrust for the corporation as well as rumors about their ties to the RIA began to rise.

Full Name:
Tristavian Shipyards Inc.

Founded:
2076. Accepted as member state in 2086.

Population:
11 million (of which approx 3 million living as Expats elsewhere in the Republic and 1.5 million serving with the Republic Fleet)

Capitol:
Endymion Orbital Shipyards, Tethys

Other facilities:
Numerous orbital facilities around Tethys. Several domed cities under construction on the surface now house about 25% of the population.

Former facilities:
Rented shipyards at Earth/Lunar L1 Lagrangian point.

Inner Political Structure:
Triumvirate of the three original founders each with authority on a different section of government; Martial, Technical and Commissarial. Most day-to-day decisions are made by the relevant Triumvir with wider reaching issues needing the agreement of any two. A small number of extremely important issues require total consensus of all three members though the only situation encountered so far was the decision to join the Republic.

Below the Triumvirate is a Directorate of thirteen members representing the core departments within TVSI. Appointment of each Director varies, for example the Director of Research & Development is peer elected (and removed), the Director of Fleet Operations is simply the most senior serving Admiral and the Director Consul is simply appointed and replaced by the Triumvirate.

Security Force:
Tristavian Shipyards were the first member state to push the requirement for an independent military as it continued to operate a vastly reduced force after acceptance into the Republic. Arguing the need to enforce security around its classified research facilities as well as aid in the development and testing of new designs, TVSI was eventually granted permission to retain 10% of its forces. The remainder of the fleet is given over to the Republic along with most serving personnel who are seconded for much of their career. TVSI also maintains a small force of marines who serve as frontline troops, police and internal security.

One or the larger security forces within the Republic, the TVSI Fleet maintains the maximum permitted strength at all times, often pushing the boundaries and letter of the law. Purple markings give the mostly monochrome hulls a distinctive look, though most serving long term with the Republic are re-liveried.

Industry:
The core design principals of the corporation focus on extremely high tech and adaptable vessels with large crews (preferring human input over VI). Unlike many shipyards, TVSI believe in a constant process of retrofitting existing designs and constantly upgrade vessels as new technologies come on the market. A ship built by Tristavian Shipyards will likely have a serviceable lifespan of double most designs, though it may spend as much as 25% of its career being refitted. Access to TVSI-Tech provides an enormous advantage and allows for technologies to be developed for specific designs as and when needed rather than relying on the open market.

The TVSI-Tech sub-division itself has grown to be a well known player in the field-fabricated starship components industry and now accounts for an extremely large percent of the state's GDP. Sales of non-weapon technologies on the open markets of Sol have provided substantial income and development of these technologies has reduced the Republic's reliance on outside technologies to some degree. Building everything from Jump Drives to Kitchens, TVSI-Tech are perhaps best known for Diamond-Bonded 'Hex' glass which is in common usage across the system.

Politics:
Within the Republic Tristavian Shipyards are mostly well regarded by the general populace; the original joining of TVSI's growing population and industrial base was seen as an important diplomatic coup at the time, bolstering the Republic Navy significantly whilst depriving other factions of their ships. The corporate state's push towards maintaining an independent security force initially caused considerable outcry (especially among the less militant factions) but over the decades few TVSI ships still baring the company colours are seen in the Republic and the issue has largely been forgotten. With the last decade focused primarily on civilian infrastructure growth rather than military development, TVSI are generally seen as having 'settled down'; they fulfill all their obligations to the Republic whilst maintaining a relatively isolationist outlook. At the highest levels of government some friction over the constant pushing of Security Force size boundaries remains, though as long as the state continues to meet their responsibilities a blind eye is often turned to minor infractions.

Externally within Sol many factions see TVSI's secretive joining of the Republic as at best duplicitous and at worst treasonous, especially with Earth having been deprived of the near completed Avalon class command carriers. Osiris, Kinabalu and Wolf/Raven class ships still exist outside the Republic, though without the support of Tristavian Shipyards many are now reaching the end of their serviceable life or already scrapped. While no ships are sold outside the Republic, the TVSI-Tech division sells large quantities of non-weapon field fabrication components on the open market. While most would claim to disdain these products, the sales figures show most companies are willing to turn a blind eye to the source in order to secure the right components.

Internally, TVSI has been extremely stable since its founding. Although the Triumvir rule absolute, enough day to day decisions are made by the directorate to give the illusion of democracy. The general attitude towards citizens is simple: Stay and agree to follow the rules or leave. Those who choose to depart either when coming of age or through choice later in life are helped to find citizenship elsewhere in the Republic with many of those who chafe at the often militaristic lifestyle finding more suitable environments in states such as Ligeia and KUS.

Though few among TVSI's citizenry (or the Republic) know it, tensions are brewing within the Triumvirate. At 94 Triumvir Sakumo is terminally ill with no clear line of succession for replacement. His self-interested and warmongering daughter Iori seems his likely choice, and opposition of this has led to a deep divide between Triumvir Sakumo and Triumvir Bin Khalid. Triumvir Viridian, rarely interested in much beyond engineering, has retreated even further from her responsibilities, spending enormous resources on classified projects and risking financial ruin for the state. The outbreak of war with the CEU temporarily put many of these issues aside, though Iori's power base continued to grow as the war intensified.

When the Europa Accords were signed in late 2106, TVSI was the first corporation to seek new opportunities within the Ceresian Alliance. They found success with the civilian markets of CEU itself, but were unable to market any military ships heavily due to the monopoly of Hyperion Systems.

(Coming Soon)

Full Name:
KUS Shipyards

Founded:
2087

Population:
~10 Million

Capitol:
Titan, KUS State

Other facilities:
Mines on Hyperion
Mines in Saturn's Rings
Mines in Saturn's Atmosphere
Various other industrial facilities throughout the Saturn System

Inner Political Structure:
KUS is governed by a council of the heads of each of its major departments. The members include the heads of Mining, Logistics, Research, Corporate Relations, Engineering, and several others. Every two years the heads of these departments are elected by KUS members through free, democratic processes.

Security Force:
KUS maintains the smallest security force of all the corporations, using them primarily for anti-pirate activity on its more outlying facilities.

Industry:
What KUS lacks in military power, it more than makes up for in Industry. KUS goes beyond any other corporation in its dedication to mining and logistics, and has in recent years been more than a match for its federal counterpart, the RMLA (Republic Mining & Logistics Agency).

KUS is the primary supplier of resources to many corporations within the Republic, who are able to enjoy KUS's increased flexibility of logistics and overall opportunity than the federally regulated RMLA. In this capacity, KUS serves as not only the Republic's premier courier service for corporations, but also the primary supplier of raw materials and resources.

KUS's numerous mines are all kept up to date with the latest extraction and refining technologies, meaning that it is often able to get materials quickly on demand, which makes it a popular go-to choice for coporate contracts.

KUS's most notable contract is with CDI, where the two corporations worked together to form shipping lanes from Ganymede back to Titan. Although CDI runs the ice and hydrogen mines on the moon, the equipment was all developed and built by KUS, as is the majority of the shipping between it and Titan.

There are exceptions to this, however. With numerous political disagreements, PFS has often been reluctant to offer KUS any contracts. At the same time, KUS has at times refused to accept any of PFS's contracts, and the relationship between the two has often been tenuous. HLF is another corporation that has often not offered contracts to KUS, as its isolationist nature keeps it away from much of the corporate world.

However, both of these situations began to change after the Europa Conflict's end led to increase trade not only between Phoenix and the Ceresians, but between the corporations as well.

KUS maintains a booming industrial market throughout Phoenix, and is continually one of the wealthiest states as a result.

Politics:
KUS has always been a major voice for pacifism within the Republic. While other corporations have advocated for defensive and isolationist measures, KUS has been one to always shift focus towards industry and overall civilian prosperity. Their staunch focus has caused them to conflict often with PFS, most notably on some of the corporation's more secretive endeavours. They have at times even refused service to PFS as a boycott against its policies, which has in turn caused some polarization of corporate philosophies within Phoenix, with KUS and PFS as the "heads" of their own respective "parties."

While PFS has been the primary political rival of KUS, it has at times clashed with XER and HLF as well, most notably on their secretive relations with PFS. Politically, it has clashed with XER on the corporation's focus on weapons development, arguing that its resources could be used towards much more useful types of research. As a result, KUS has maintained very limited contracts with XER and ensured that its resources only be put to very specific types of research. With HLF, KUS was the one to draw attention to the secretive deal made between HLF and PFS during the resurgence of HLF and its re-acceptance into the Republic. For HLF, KUS has refused to form any contracts, as it fears the corporation to be caught up in conspiracy.

Despite its peaceful philosophy, KUS has still been a major provider of raw materials to the Navy, which has in turn softened many conflicts between it and PFS, allowing the two, in more recent years, to form some limited number of contracts. Still, though, KUS maintains records of where all of its resources go, doing its best to make sure that it does not contribute to any causes that it does not agree with.

During times of Inter-civilization diplomacy, KUS has often been at the forefront of negotiations, being called upon by the RTD (Republic Trade and Diplomacy) to represent the industrial side of Phoenix, and draw up trade negotiations and trade routes with other civilizations in Sol.

Through these acts, KUS has continually proven itself to be a valuable member of the Republic, and over the years gained a great deal of influence from its industrial contracts.

When the Europa Accords were signed in late 2106 and trade routes put into place between Phoenix and the Ceresian Alliance, KUS sought to expand their industrial market into the asteroid belt. They were initially unsuccessful in marketing their miners and other industrial-purpose ships, due to the saturated market that already existed. However, when trade became more commonplace between the two governments, KUS quickly found their niche as a major courier service for the Republic itself. They profited immensely off of selling and transporting gaseous resources to the Ceresians, which they used to purchase metals and other raw materials from the Ceresians and in turn transport and sell them back to the other corporations of Phoenix.

Their market continued to grow as corporations like PFS continued to compete with the CEU based Hyperion Systems and thus required further resources, but often found KUS to be a better choice than the RTD or RMLA due to lower prices and faster results. Situations like this one naturally pushed KUS into a place of high appreciation among the major corporations, and many of the divides that previously existed due to differing political philosophies began to erode as they gained further favour.

Full Name:
Hyperion Liberation Force
The term "Liberation" dates back to the Martian Civil War, in which scientists of HLF were instrumental in freeing Martian colonists from the tyranny of Earth through sabotage of their own technology confiscated by the government.

Founded:
2055 (As a Mars based Corporation)
2071 (Under Phoenix)

Population:
~5 Million

Capitol:
Hyperion

Inner Political Structure:
The more elite and heavily augmented members of HLF form a ruling council, where they share and discuss thoughts and decisions instantaneously within their own virtual neuromatrix.

Security Force:
HLF has an average sized security force, relative to other corporations, which is almost entirely stationed on Hyperion itself, guarding their most sacred relic (an artifact they discovered around 2072) in Hyperion crater.

Industry:
HLF's primary industry has come from human augmentation technology. While AI integration has been mostly abhored and criticized by much of Phoenix, HLF's less controversial technological innovations have been widely accepted and praised within the Republic.

HLF's largest industry is within the medical fields of Phoenix, providing limb replacements and similar technologies to patients who have lost vital parts of their bodies. The military has also shared a great interest in this technology, though it has had no longstanding contracts with HLF for replacement technologies, due to Phoenix never having been at war until 2103.

Rumors have circulated claiming that HLF has made deals with the RIA to provide augmentations to enhance a spy's ability to perform his duties in the field. This agreement has never been confirmed, however, and the curiosity of other corporations into the matter have always hit dead ends with the senate, giving greater weight to the idea.

After the Europa Conflict enjoyed a higher demand in their augmentation market due to their proof of effectiveness with troops on Europa. Augmentation technologies became more popular throughout the Republic, especially with the Army.

HLF also managed to expand into the markets of the Ceresian Alliance thanks to the principles for trade laid down by the Europa Accords. However, they only marketed civilian grade augmentations, refusing to allow their military grade augmentations to go anywhere past the Phoenix Military.

Politics:
HLF's culture centered on human augmentation has undoubtedly made it the most controversial corporation within Phoenix. While many corporations and other entities within Phoenix have purchased, contracted, and even praised HLF's technological innovations within medical replacement technologies, the corporation is still viewed with great suspicion by nearly everyone, due to the AI integration that takes place within its corporate elite.

Many within Phoenix view AI integration as an abomination of what it means to be human, while others have less emotional reactions, but still regard the technology with great suspicion due to HLF's history in which Earth hacked into the minds of many of HLF's top scientists on Mars.

HLF's location on Hyperion is a testament to this love-hate relationship within Phoenix, as they are highly valued and accepted within the senate and Phoenix politics, yet never so much that their presence was heavily desired on Titan itself, and they hold no real offices (aside from a small embassy within Cayuga) on the moon.

The skepticism has kept HLF very quiet over the years, which unfortunately for them has only increased the suspicion of outsiders. This, added to their zelous protection of only what is called "an artifact" on Hyperion, makes the HLF very distant from daily politics within Phoenix.

The one corporate exception to this rule has been PFS, which has shared an ongoing interest in the military possibilities of HLF's technological innovations. While PFS does share the abhorance of AI integration technologies, they have still had a key interest in augmentation for Phoenix soldiers, hoping to see Phoenix gain a key edge on the ground against any who would oppose it.

Because of this, PFS was an early investor in the Hyperion colony, which led to them being a major voice calling for their reinstatement after they went dark between 2073-2074. Many believed that PFS had contracted a major deal with HLF after they were reinstated, but this was never confirmed until 2103, when PFS revealed its own prototype technologies for military grade augments, and pushed for the senate to allow HLF to begin contracts with the Army for willing volunteers.

CDI also became interested in the technology during this time, following PFS's line of thinking and wanting to see Phoenix soldiers have a technological edge over the CEU forces opposing them. This was heavily motivated by the fact that CDI was under siege at the time, and felt that anything to help drive CEU back from CDI space was worth investing in. The Army continued to offer HLF a continually increasing number of contracts both during and after the war.

Full Name:
Cygnet Design Industries, Cygni

Founded:
2032 (As MDN, an Earth-owned corporation)
2076 (As CDI, part of Phoenix)

Population:
~10 Million

Capitol:
Ganymede

Other facilities:
Various facilities throughout Jovian space and the Trojan Asteroids
Europa (Ice Mines, Conflicted Territory in 2103)

Inner Political Structure:
Stratocracy - the government positions are occupied by commissioned officers and military leaders. Citizens of the Cygni are encouraged to enlist in the Naval Defense Sector. By doing so they will have earned the right to vote or elect to govern within the Cygni. The military's political power is supported by law, the constitution, and the society.

There are two main "houses" of society:

Naval Defense Sector - Comprised of the members of the Cygni Navy, and Cygni Marine force. All
members have joined the Naval Defense Sector voluntarily. After an honorable discharge they may run for a spot within the governing body.

Indals - Non military citizens within the government

Security Force:
With the exception of TVSI, CDI has the largest standing private military. This is due to its location outside of primary Phoenix space, and thereby its necessity to defend itself against exterior threats much more than other corporations.

Industry:
CDI's main industry, aside from defensive technologies, is centered around ice exports. As Titan's habitable partition has been slowly terraformed, and as Phoenix continues to sustain its colonies on other inhospitable worlds, ice has always been a resource essential for life. This, added to the Navy's demand for hydrogen propulsion, as well as the demand for the same from the civilian market, makes ice about as valuable as gold once was during 20th century Earth.

Although Phoenix's primary supply of ice had come from Enceladus, CDI still maintained a large market for ice exports from Ganymede. However, when XER disappeared in 2102, and the Navy quarantined the moon of Enceladus, ice became much more scarce within the Saturn system. This caused CDI's market for ice on Ganymede to skyrocket, along with its industrial partner, KUS, which provided a large majority of the industrial equipment for the mines.

CDI and KUS together quickly became the largest providers of ice for the Republic, and used this opportunity to expand to Europa. However, this expansion quickly sparked conflict with CEU of the asteroid belt, and eventually broke into war between Phoenix and the CEU

After the conflict subsided, CDI began to rebuild its industry on Europa, aided by corporations like PFS, KUS, and HLF.

Politics:
Despite its militaristic viewpoint, CDI's closest corporate tie is with the more pacifistic KUS. There are two main reasons for this: 1) because KUS and CDI have a close industrial partnership in ice mining. And 2) because CDI has played a large role in housing refugees from the Mars civil war. Their history of heroism in the Martian conflict, and this aid offered to the conflict afterwards, has played a large role in endearing them towards almost all their counterparts, and they are one of the more neutral parties within Phoenix politics because of this.

Aside from KUS, CDI has aligned with PFS on many issues, as the two corporations share a similar militaristic outlook, as well as their focus on defense of the Republic. PFS considers CDI the frontier of Phoenix space, and therefore knows that its territory will be attacked more than any other, and must be protected. When the Europa crisis broke out, PFS devoted a large majority of its military R&D to developing new technologies to defend CDI installations, and strike back at CEU. This relationship between the two corporations has been of great benefit to CDI, who was more or less left to defend for itself when it chose space outside of the Saturn system.

CDI's choice of location has perhaps been its most controversial decision politically. When the corporation chose not to base within the Saturn system, many in Phoenix were upset with the corporation, claiming that to protect Jovian space would stretch the Navy too thin. Additionally, some corporations spoke out in more direct opposition to this decision, claiming that their "expansion" of Phoenix space would cause controversies with governments that such a location would inevitably bring them in contact with, such as CEU of the asteroid belt or Earth's hold on Mars.

When CDI first expanded into Jovian territory, the Navy offered support only in spirit, by making things appear as though CDI was protected, when in reality it was alone in the space. Over time, this changed, especially with the close partnership of CDI and the Titan-based corporation KUS. Once this parnership highlighted the importance of Jovian space, and CDI's intention to remain where it was, the Navy began to slowly expand its operations.

Over time, CDI has become of great importance to the Republic, not only because of its ice mining, but also for its immigration. CDI's location makes it the first contact any immigrants leaving the conflicts in the inner solar system have with Phoenix. The RTD has an especially strong presence on Ganymede, and together with CDI plays a large role in integrating new citizens into the Republic. As a result, CDI is the third largest corporation of the Republic, though a majority of these immigrants continue on into the heart of Phoenix in the Saturn system, where they may join the ranks of others.

As time went on, CDI came more into contact with the CEU, and the Navy continued to increase its presence. By the time war broke out over Europa, CDI had the full support of the Navy and most corporations, which lended their aid to the ongoing conflict.

After the Europa Conflict ended and CDI began to rebuild, they sought to foster trade relations with the Ceresians on Europa. Because of this, Europa slowly became one of the major locations in the Phoenix/CEU trade route that was later established, with CDI benefiting off of the increased traffic.