In the Beginning there was Light, but then followed Darkness..
Imperial

 
The Brotherhood sayeth:

And so it was that Imperial grew. The families amassed wealth and knowledge and, led by Her Imperial Serenity, raised the foundations of their new Empire. They haughtily shook their fists and rattled their swords at the larger competitors. Imperial stood up to fight for its traditions and developed into a Megacorporation, a position of power and influence that guaranteed the survival of Imperial values and politics.

Their position had been gained through the devotion of the families and clans that created the corporation and it was this zeal that enabled them to challenge their mightier brethren. But this was not seen with kind eyes by all. Bloody wars were instigated to quench the spirit of the challenger and Imperial was threatened and without allies in the cold world of corporate finance. But they stood their ground and built a strong defense, based on the strengths of the clans and the families that ruled them.

And it was Imperial that first realized the threat of the Dark Legions. They saw the seeds of Darkness and the mysterious patterns of the Dark symmetry that spread among our cities. The cults of the Heretics and the renegades grew and the dark shadow of evil threatened to engulf us all. It was then, o Brothers, that the leaders of Imperial called for the mighty Blood Berets. The valiant warriors did fight the Dark Legion side by side with our blessed crusaders. In the deepest jungles on Venus the battle raged and many men did forever scribe their names in the eternal ledger of heroes.

-The Eighth Chronicle, The Megacorporations and the Cartel /
Lucretii Marcellianus

Imperial - The Birth of an Empire

Over the years, the determination and steadfastness the Imperial investors, officials and ambassadors has maneuvered the corporation to a position in the dim light. By acquiring freelance corporations and making claims in the new worlds the empire has gradual grown. “Acquiring” has always been a key-word, while Bauhaus and Capitol have built their corporations from scratch with their own resources, Imperial's strategy has always been to purchase promising freelance companies and redevelop and reorganize them to fit into the Imperial way of thinking. Imperial has always been an “aristocratic” Corporation, headed by the imperial serenity, owned and rule by a body of families, the noble clans, and governed the parliament. Much of this has been adopted from the ancient monarchies of mankind, and tradition considered law within Imperial The head of this gigantic organization is the Imper Serenity, an honorary title instituted to make the corporation more folksy, to give employees a figurehead and to emphasize the person as an example, a model piety and goodness. The Serenity has limited power though, the real decision-making lies in the hands of the parliament.


The Parliament is a dazzling body of colorful uniform ceremonial swords, gold and silver rank insignias expensive business suits and briefcases. This is power personified, a collection of the chamber of lords, the sixty two most blue-blooded and noble men and women, and the chamber of commons, the slxty-two most successful and prominent of businessmen, managers, scientists, lawyers and diplomats. And in the middle, the three untouchable serjeants; the Brotherhood representatives, maybe the most influential persons in the empire along with the present Her Serenity.

The process of decision making is complicated, as is everything within the gigantic Imperial government bureaucracy. The demands for democracy and justice are so important that nothing may go wrong, and therefore every decision has to be checked, double-checked, referred to fifty places for consideration, re-developed, checked with the High Court checked and doublechecked again before finally being passed.

The Great Resentment

Ever since the Sad Struggle there has been hostility among the three founding clans and their supporters. Though several generations have been buried since Bartholomew won the prominent position, the anger has been sustained by the other two families, MacGuire and Murdoch. A way of life had begun among the families -assassinations, kidnappings, black-mailings and other dubious dealings became a matter of course- but everything was kept behind the curtains. The average man just saw the blood-stains on the sidewalk the next morning. The Kingsfield clan, who is rumored to have been the instigator of the feud, was almost wiped out and have never recovered their strength.Today, the great resentment is even more clandestine through methods not quite as hostile. The Bartholomews have an open politic of opposition within the corporation, skillfully maneuvering their opponents and advancing their own positions step by step. The MacGuires are their strongest opponents, while the Murdochs try to stay outside but doubtlessly support the MacGuires. The two control most of the profitable colonies and the heavy industry, while the Bartholomews control much of the military forces and the Imperial Security Corps, the ISC. Despite the great resentment the clans always stick together against outer threats and when dealing with external matters, such as the conquest of new colonies.
Imperial Major Clans
Clan Major Business Brand names Special Forces
Axelthorpe Banking Smythe, Smythe & Axelthorpe The Sterlings
Bartholomew Heavy Weapons Manufacturers Bartholomew & Grendel -
Brannaghan Pharmaceuticals, Warrior clan Bran-Ceutical The Blue Lions
Drougan Whisky and liquor innumerable brands of liquor The Wild Roses
Dunsirn Paper industry Dunsirn Paper Mill (DPM) The Hunters
Fergan Cattle crops innumerable brands of food brands only as members of the Highlander Clan Warriors
Fieldhausen Small Arms, Tanks, APCs Fieldhausen Autowerks (not to be confused with Fieldhausen Motors -Bauhaus-) -
Finn Diplomats and Negotiators, Doctors - The Bad Samaritans (Anti-Legion-Force)
Gallagher Swordsmiths Gallagher Blades (sold by the Murray Clan) -
Kingsfield After the Sad Struggle, this clan has lost nearly all of its power, leaving only shame and persecution.
Loughton Heavy industry, Cars, Aircrafts Loughton The Rams
McGuire Administration - Wolfbanes
Morgan Consumer Electronics MFW (Morgan Fun Ware) The Black Berets
Murdoch Oil and Ore Industry MFW (Morgan Fun Ware) Golden Lions
Murray Ale, small weapons Murray Ale, Lyon & Atkinsons Weapons -
O'Loughton Military conquest - Golden Panthers
Oakenfists Asteroid Mining - -
Paladine Publishing products "The Inquirer", "National Solar Geografic", "The Chronicle" The Blue Berets
Smythe Banking Smythe, Smythe & Axelthorpe -

The Clans

During the ages since the founding of the corporation, hundreds of families have achieved the honorary title of "noble" as a reward for their services. Nowadays, although legally possible, no more titles are awarded, even though it happens that extremely prominent persons are adopted or married into the clan and Inherit the title. Currently, there are sixty-two such noble clans in the Imperial corporation empire. Lots of traditions and ceremonies surround the nobility and their doings. They hold a unique position which guarantees wealth, power and influence as long as they abide to the strict unspoken laws of the Nobility, the code of honor commonly referred to as chivalry. The members of the noble clans hold without exception high offices within the corporation. They attend their own academies, and functions, leading totally different lives compared to common man. This seclusion from the real world gives most of them an elitist attitude and a somewhat inaccurate view of the world. They adhere to the Code, else they are quickly blacklisted and have their names and titles removed so not to soil the reputation of the clan. There is an unofficial ranking among the clans. The three most prominent are Bartholomew, Murdoch and MacGuire, ages ago the founders of the Imperial business empire. Today, they are enormous, holding almost half of the top positions in the Parliament's two chambers. Publicly, they work together for the benefit of Imperial and the nobility, but their differences in policies show through in the internal politics and feuds.

Business strategy

Imperial does not have a specific business profile, mainly because it's still too small to have a strong influence Instead, it concentrates on growth Nevertheless, products that carry the Imperial mark and companies that apply to be called „serene purveyors“ are subjected to very comprehensive and stringent requirements from at least 42 testing institutes.

A unique „business strategy“ for Imperial is the openly expressed philosophy that armed conquest is a legitimate means for acquisition. This is primarily and frequently practiced in remote settlements on Mercury, Venus and Mars. While other corporations buyout such competitors, Imperial might very well send in a special force armed to the teeth to conquer an established settlement. The excuse most often used is that the settlement was „Cybertronic-controlled“ or that the expedition was searching for a Cybertronic sympathizer. The same violent strategy is practiced when it concerns business. It is a bold philosophy which includes acute planning before a „mission“, where the stakes are high, but so IS the profit. In its ambition to become self-providing, the Imperial business empire has grown to include just about all branches of production. The only products that might be called „typically Imperial“ are their arms and armor, which always, almost without any exceptions, are the heaviest and most efficient on the market (and often the most expensive)

The Imperials

Considering the size of Imperial one might be led to believe that they are an easy target for their larger and more powerful opponents This is not the case Imperial will defend its values and colors to the last trooper, never backing down from a conflict always driving a hard bargain Any agreement is enforced to the letter and Imperial will fiercely defend any contracts entered into They are quick to anger, and the troops of Imperial will often best their enemies through sheer will and devotion to the families that rule them.

The spirit within Imperial society is very strong and positive Knowing they are still the underdog and need to struggle for survival, „every man and officer will do his duty“ This spirit is actually stronger at the lower levels of society than among the nobility, which often doesn't have the same motivation The loyalty towards Imperial is extremely strong among the military, where no sacrifice is too great The reason is mostly pride and honor; in a society where everyone is almost equal (apart from the unreachable nobility), only honor and glory separate the weak from the strong. And no glory is greater than doing your utmost in the service of Imperial In civilian areas of work, thirst for conquest and profit rules and the move-ahead spirit and ambition are important key-words "you must never be satisfied"

The Military

A small business empire, Imperial also has limited military power. The military forces are strictly divided into two separate branches, the defense forces and the special forces. While the special forces have much better training and equipment the two hold the same status, since neither could survive without the other.

Becoming an officer in the armed forces is one of the greatest honors among the Imperials. The non commissioned officers, at squad and platoon level, are all elite soldiers, experienced, skilled and good leaders. Most of them would easily qualify for the special forces in any corporation, but once they get their stripes they are forever true to Imperial. The requirements for becoming a higher officer, at company or battalion level, are very strict Promotion is in accordance to your achievements, where loyalty, skill and boldness are valued. Usually, there are no disciplinary problems within the Imperial military, since all recruits are volunteers and most officers are Just and skilled in leadership.

The Defense forces

The defense forces are the regular army. They are responsible for defending all Imperial assets and holdings, for transportation and escorts, for surveillance, patrol and body-guard missions. They are competitive with regular forces of other corporations, but they are limited in numbers. Therefore their tactics rely on high mobility, great fire-power, and heavy armor, so that they always can be where needed and are strong regardless of which type of enemy is encountered. Like all military units, the Imperial defense forces have their own elite units, in this case separated from the "regular" special forces

Special forces

Imperial Armed forces rely strongly on their many different specially designed units. What they lack in numbers, they make up for with extreme training and special equipment. Their one drawback is a limited field of use-all soldiers are hand-picked for a very specific kind of combat type and their training for other situations is limited. For example, a Jungle assault soldier would not be best utilized defending a fortress in the polar regions of Mars.

The Settlements

Imperial is the most successful corporation when it comes to founding new settlements under hostile conditions, be they hostile due to the environment itself or because of unfriendly forces. A typical expedition is initiated with an armed claiming expedition being landed or dropped into the zone -a mine, a production complex, an oil well, a refinery, or the like. Next when the perimeter has been secured, a small clearing is opened to allow units of engineers to safely drop their equipment and vehicles. If resistance is found at the site, it is either eliminated or the claiming force is picked up on a predetermined spot. Otherwise, a landing strip and defense structures are built, mine-fields are laid and electric fences erected, all within 24 hours, to make sure the settlement is protected. After about a week the settlement is ready for civilian personnel; miners, engineers, geologists, construction workers, administrators, craftsmen, and their families, only a small unit of regular soldiers stay for surveillance and defense purposes In this way Imperial has founded thousands of small settlements allover Mercury, Venus and Mars. Usually, they accommodate 1,000 pioneers, but the largest have expanded far beyond 50,000 and become small cities. These bold settlers struggling for the growth of the corporation are regarded as the greatest of heroes and are held in much higher esteem than any bureaucrat in Luna.

Fukido

The free settlement of Fukido is, apart from Luna, Imperials largest base of operation. Originally a Mishima colony, Imperial investors managed to 'lease the whole thing' overnight. Today, it is the second largest megacity on Mercury and still growing to compete with its twin counterpart, Longshore, where Imperial also has much interest. The most dazzling thing about Fukido that immediately catches your eye is the gigantic Hieronymuscathedral, eclipsed only by the Cardinal's site on Luna. Hence, all Fukido and very much of the rest of Mercury alike is very strongly influenced by the Brotherhood and its doings. Everywhere Inquisitors, mystics and advisors stroll the streets and alleys, seeking for any sign of the Legion's influence in the shape of heretics, or artifacts Imperial's one problem with Fukido is that the „leasing contracts“ only run for one-hundred-years, so eventually Mishima will reclaim the grounds and the buildings.

The Battlezones

Hardened by decades of armed struggles, the soldiers of Imperial have learned one thing-discipline. And when an order from above comes, the Imperial soldier does his utmost to carry out the order Battle zones where Imperial is involved are characterized by trenches, defense towers, mine-fields, traps and ambush sites. Where the other corporations practice the tactics of mobile combat, rapid assaults or vertical wrappings, the Imperial soldier stands his ground and demonstrates his unmatched proficiency. In defensive fighting The special forces practice a drastically different tactic charge, assault, attack and conquer. Surprise and swiftness are the key words to an assault soldier, he knows that attack is the only defense.

The Partners

Because of the aggressive policy of the United Imperial Corporation, its relations towards the other corporations could definitely be better This is compensated by an open-minded and generous economical policy; if Imperial captures a Capitol refinery, it'll most probably sell the refined products for a lower price than Capitol did when it ran the refinery Not popular whit Capitol, but it helps save face with the other corporations.
Bauhaus
 Bauhaus and Imperial are always in a semi-constant state of war somewhere, but at least it's a civilized state of war. Imperial and Bauhaus have similar codes of honor, and the formalities are usually obselved. Prisoners are weil treated, and regular exchanges of the captured take place. Both sides respect each other's military excellence and dedication to the cause of humanity. It is simply a regrettable fact that Imperial's policy of armed conquest makes it necessary for the two corporations to be enemies. This doesn't stop the business arms from making deals while their armed forces fight. The average Homebuilder sees the Imperials as a greedy lot ofpiratical adventurers. Imperials are opportunists who will seize upon anything that falls their way. Conversely, they also know that, of all the corporations, Imperial is ciosest to themselves in terms of structure and beliefs. The Ministry of Truth likes to portray Imperial as a lesser and inferior copy of Bauhaus. Imperial likes to bomb Ministry of Truth offices.
Brotherhood
 Like Bauhaus, Imperial has a very strong connection with the Brotherhood and these two corporations supply the four directorates with by far the most disciples Wherever you look in the Imperial bureaucracy, you'll find an advisor ready to make comments or corrections to corporate decisions.
Cybertronic
 Like the Brotherhood, the nobles of Imperial openly claim that Cybertronic are messengers and disciples of the Dark Legion, under influence of an invisible pattern of the Dark symmetry The conviction varies from blind fanaticism to mild dislike In remote areas on all planets, there's an open, constant war going on Cybertronic holdings are even given higher priority than those of the Legion, since the latter give no profit Also, „Cybertronic“ provides the perfect excuse to attack and conquer settlements of other corporations as well.
Capitol
 Even though they have limited contacts, the Imperial businessmen have never really managed to cope with the Capitolians. Had it not been for the unquestionable economical gains of being partners, they would hardly speak to each other. Imperials Doctrine of Armed Aquisition often puts both Corporations in conflict. Especially the Citadel Founding massacre in 94 YC is still a thorn in intercorporational realtionship.
Mishima
 Once Again Imperials Doctrine of Armed Aquisition puts Imperial in conflict with Mishima. A permanent source of conflict is Fukido, which most Mishiman take as a personal indignity. Since the leasing contract will only last a few years, only the future will tell how the relationship between the two megacorps will develop.