Black Sky Contracting
Description
Black Sky Contracting is one of the corporations that make up The Greater Guilds. They are a system-wide conglomerate that represents and provides resources for the independent mercenary groups that operate across Hyperion's Occupied Territories. Doubling as a kind of union, Black Sky purports to protect the interests of the otherwise unprotected contractor mercenaries by carrying insurance in case of collateral damage, providing easy to access resources that aid its members in completing their contracts, and serving as a community and support network for a group of people who often don't have access to those resources. They act as a middle-man between the contractor and the client, negotiating rates and filtering out unreliable or dangerous clientelle and jobs, and allowing the mercenaries to focus on completing the contract with the best possible results. This does not, in practice, often prove to be the case. Black Sky's primary focus is on defending the interests of the The Saikar Coalition - S.A.C, and ensuring that the guild remains to provide work for its contractors, sometimes at the expense of specific mercenaries and situations.
As per S.A.C regulations, mercenaries that execute contracts that fall under the jurisdiction of the S.A.C must be registered with the corporation. This ensures a level of accountability, adherence to laws, and ensures government oversight of the actions taken. Anyone caught circumventing Black Sky and executing one of the contracts under their jurisdiction are liable to face fines up to 500gp, as well as the forfeiture of the earnings from the contract, if completed. Any finances collected this way are divided between Black Sky and the S.A.C, and are supposed to be put towards the development of resources related to the field, although that isn't necessarily what happens.
Important Locations
From the moment of its founding, Black Sky Contracting went to work establishing bases of operation across the areas within S.A.C jurisdiction. Mandated in the agreement made upon the company's founding by the S.A.C, Black Sky is required to establish a guild office within every major city under S.A.C jurisdiction, to ensure maximum regulation of the mercenary industry, as well as to ensure the company can provide the best quality services to its members.
Black Sky Head Office
@Stilted
Power Structure
Board of Directors
At the top of the chain within Black Sky sits the Board of Directors. Responsible for all decisions made for the company, the board is made up a group of representatives from within the upper echelon of S.A.C society, and government officials.
Departments
The various official departments within Black Sky all sit on equal footing. Each department is responsible for different aspects of the companies operations, and all answer directly to the Board of Directors.
Operations
The Operations Department is directly responsible for coordinating and executing official company actions. Whether that involves marketing, the distribution of contracts to its members, or a broad range of other actions specifically ordered by the Board of Directors.
Communications
The Communications department is responsible for the direct negotiation of contracts with externel clients, as well as the annual renegotiation of the company's rate sheet. They also handle all of the companies communications with external agencies, including the coordination of joint ventures up until the point where it becomes an Operation.
Internal Affairs
Internal Affairs is responsible for keeping track of the actions of all Black Sky membership to ensure the companies public image remains unsoiled. They are also responsible for handling internal conflicts, and the logistics involved in running the company.
Accounting
Accounting is specifically in charge of paying out contracts to mercenary groups, as well as taking and holding payment from those issuing contracts. It also encompasses accounts payable, which redirects company money to the purchase of company assets, etc.
History
In 928 AD, the newly formed Saikar Coalition was quickly finding themselves overwhelmed with the management of the Hyperion System. To help reduce the workload on government officials while still working towards more order and control in the system, the S.A.C put out an official Request for Proposals. In this RFP, they stated that they sought to provide start-up funding for an organization that would centralize the necessary but often dangerous and dirty work performed by the currently unregulated mercenary bands operating in the system.
The chosen contract was put forward by Jaro Derah, which proposed a mixed system that acted in part like a union or non-profit organization and in part like an arm of the government. In this proposal, the corporation was run a board of directors in which 70% of the seats were occupied by private, company interests and 30% S.A.C representatives. This allowed transparency and involvment by the S.A.C while leaving Black Sky free to operate independently within the law, pleasing both parties.
The early days of Black Sky's operations were fraught with challenges. Many of the mercenary groups were hesitant to join a unified, regulated organization, while many simply refused outright. The few groups that found the idea appealing served as guinea pigs in a never-before attempted system, and their patient was regularly tested as the company made policy changes and tested out new operational procedures until eventually a system was found that was agreeable to everyone. By 948 AD, Black Sky had settled into a well-accepted system that no longer required large-scale overhauls, just small changes and additions as technology and times changed.
A wide-spread campaign to expand the company and bring the independent mercenary bands at large was put together at this point, involving marketing and ads, heavy S.A.C enforcement of fines, and targeted group buyouts to encourage enrollment. By 964 AD, the vast majority of mercenary groups in the system had fallen in line, and funding towards active enforcement campaigns was cut. Black Sky Contracting was here to stay.
In 1997 AD both Black Sky and the S.A.C were rocked by the leak of The Avalheim Scandal, and for a period of about 15 years public opinion and membership rates declined. When crime rates increased, however, the issue was quickly forgotten and Black Sky returned to business as usual.
Important Characters
CEO Jynna Phaerys
Head of Operations Orlan Surle
Head of Communications Andre Armanix
Head of Internal Affairs @Vil
S.A.C Representative Mylo Arana
Rate Sheet
Escort
Escort and Guard mission rates start at 100gp for contracts within the travel zone of the office hosting the contract. Rates increase appropriately based on how far the mercenaries are expected to travel during the course of the contract. Accommodations and food are to be provided by the client, as well as means to, or cost reimbursement for the return journey.
Bounty
Defined as a contract for the killing of dangerous fauna, apprehension of criminals, or tracking down of persons of interest. The client cannot deduct pay for the accidental death of the bounty target, unless previously stipulated and agreed to by the contracted group. Black Sky cannot legally accept assassination contracts, although procedure does exist for under the table assassination deals dressed up as bounty contracts. Bounty contracts start at 200gp and increase based on contract challenge, whether or not the location of the target is known, and travel distance required.
Reposession
Defined as a contract for the reacquisition of loaned, leased, sold (payment not received), stolen, or otherwise lost assets, as well as money paid for incomplete jobs. Repossession contracts start at 100gp and increase based on contract challenge, whether or not the location of the target is known, and travel distance required.
Uncategorized
Uncategorized contracts covers jobs brought to the guild that don't fall into the above categories. These contracts are accepted by Black Sky at their discretion, and rates start at 50gp and increase based on contract challenge, whether or not the location of the target is known, and travel distance required.
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