In a galaxy so large, even the smallest galactic factions must maintain hold over space composed of multiple lightyears. As much as even the most powerful space fairing empires may insist, control over the stars can never be absolute, with the sheer scale of things simply being too large. In all populations there are those who do not follow the letter of the law. In most cases, these individuals are caught by local authorities and dealt with accordingly, however there are always a few criminals who slip through the cracks, local authorities being stretched too thin or unable to catch their target. This is where bounty hunters come in.
A Bounty Hunter is an individual who, as the name suggests, hunts other people who are wanted by other individuals or law enforcement with currency offered as a reward. Most commonly this is the universal currency of Galactic Credits. Rewards for bounty hunters tracking down and 'bringing in' their targets can differ wildly depending on the threat level of the target, their estimated location, whether they're wanted dead or alive and a whole load of other factors, however by far the biggest factor is how badly the client wants their target.
Bounty Hunters are usually freelancers, working alone or in small teams, though in some cases form unions where large numbers operate together under a single banner. Bounty Hunters are often confused with mercenaries, and in some cases, the line between them is fairly thin. But the term Bounty Hunter is usually reserved for those who are paid to bring in targets wanted by either a person or law authority, it is often up to the hunter's morals what terms they operate on and who they will agree to hunt. The term of Mercenary is used more to describe a soldier for hire, who fights for a faction military as an independent. Some Bounty Hunters do a mixture of both hunting and mercenary work, which is why the terms are easily confused.
Bounty Hunters became popular in the galaxy during the mid part of the Galactic war, but have been present since before even the time of
The High Tekno. During the
Galactic Alliance's formation and subsequent total control of the galaxy, bounty hunting was frowned upon, and in almost all cases, illegal in Alliance law. Most Bounty Hunting as a result happened underground, which made the practise risky. When the Galactic War began and the Sirasion Empire started to become a prominent force things got easier for hunters, as the Sirasions adopted a much more tolerant approach toward the practise.
As a result, many Bounty Hunters who wanted to conduct their practise legally migrated to the Empire, while those making a significant living taking private contracts stayed in Alliance space. As time went on, more factions entered the fold and the galaxy became more connected, the practise of Bounty Hunting has become prolific, with countless individuals of all backgrounds and species trying to make it big in the bounty game.
Bounty Hunting is so popular for its simplicity and quick, large payoffs, it is one of the single most effective ways of earning a lot of credits quickly for those with the stones to do it. It is an adrenalin fuelled lifestyle that is the very essence of high risk, high reward. Some individuals have become incredibly skilled in the practise, having achieved sector wide recognition for their work (
Takk and
Samsara are two notable examples), many strive for careers like these in Bounty Hunting, but all too many times it leads to a young, inexperienced Bounty Hunter taking on contracts they simply aren't equipped or have enough experience for, resulting in their own death. While the Bounty Hunting lifestyle is depicted as fast paced and glamorous, the reality of it is that every contract could very well be your last.
Bounty Hunting in the Major Factions
The galaxy is controlled by five major factions, the Sirasion Empire, Galactic Alliance, Rada Collective, Skaronien Council and Necrophyte Dynasty. Each have their own views and laws on Bounty Hunting that in some cases, vary greatly.
The Galactic Alliance
Bounty hunting in the alliance is very limited, and is usually implemented to catch prisoners who have escaped from prison or bail, to bring in criminals who have escaped from Alliance borders, or to bring in defendants who have not arrived to court.. In all cases, the bounty hunter must have an arrest warrant from law enforcement to prove that they are that planet or sector's jurisdiction, and are hired by that same law enforcement body directly. Bounty hunters are not permitted to unionise solely within the bounty hunting trade, and must go to other unions (such as the freelancer's or law enforcement unions). They cannot carry activated lethal weapons in alliance space, and bounty hunting licences are only given out to individuals with 5 standard years of previous law enforcement experience and must have an appropriate reference from a senior law enforcement officer in order to obtain the licence, which must be renewed every 2 years. The individual also needs to have a psychology evaluation from a qualified psychologist before renewing their licence.
All of these factors make becoming an Alliance bounty hunter very difficult, and as such they are quite rare. Those that do exist mostly enter the trade due to the freedom and travel opportunities it offers, and the barriers to entry prevent mavericks with romantic notions of adventure and excitement (mostly inspired by bounty hunting media, such as the Nebula Ray series of novels and subsequent TV series) from entering the trade. This also means that officially licenced Alliance bounty hunters have a very good working relationship with planetary law enforcement, and it isn't unheard of for them to assist local law enforcement and even request their help when conducting an arrest, though in areas of space with less legal jurisdiction (such as Nib'Da's station or similar places) they are treated with suspicion or even open hostility.
In all, Alliance bounty hunting is not particularly exciting, but it's restrictions mean that Alliance bounty hunters are respected professionals of the trade by planetary governments and police forces across the galaxy
The Sirasion Empire
In direct contrast to the Alliance, the Sirasion Empire accept Bounty Hunting, though it is regulated. In Imperial space, all Bounty Hunters must carry two things; an up to date license and a copy of their contract. A hunters license in Sirasion space is gained through an application process at a cost of 1000 credits, the high price tag mainly to deter amateurs who are simply looking for a licence to kill, the intention being one who is serious about Bounty Hunting will be able to make that money back fairly quickly. A copy of the bounty contract is not always required, but imperial authorities may ask for it so they can make sure the individual is actively working if they are caught doing anything suspect.
For Imperial space, there are two kinds of contracts, signed and un-signed contracts. Signed contracts are bounty contracts approved by an official imperial body and in some cases, put forward by a large group of individual citizens. For example, if there is a small Sirasion colony being terrorised by a pirate captain and his crew, and the imperial authorities are too pressed with other matters to send a branch to deal with it, the local populace can partition for a signed bounty to be placed on the captains head, where they, the populace will provide the credits. The contract will be reviewed by a local governing body and approved or denied depending on circumstances. Once the contract is approved, it is uploaded to sites on the galactic web and can be picked up by anyone with an imperial hunting license. These signed contracts can also be generated by individuals on the same basis and the same such considerations will be taken.
Unsigned contracts are bounty contracts that haven't been through the proper administration and are there for not recognized as official bounty contracts. To be in possession of an un-signed bounty contract is highly illegal, and if imperial authorities are convinced the holder is going to carry it out, they will be prosecuted. Obviously non-law abiding bounty hunters, of which there are many, are fully aware of this and take precautions against being caught on an unlicensed contract.
unlicensed bounty contracts however as an inevitability in all space, not just Imperial. T
he Sirasion Empire has a specific unit of its intelligence service that deals exclusively with unsigned contracts. These imperial brokers spend their time searching for illegal unsigned bounty contracts. Once they have found a suitable contract, such as a crimelord putting out a bounty on one of his competitors, the imperial brokers will enlist one or a number of hunters who has and imperial bounty hunting licence and signed themselves up as aim Imperial Privateer to take on the contract, complete it, and collect the reward. The reward money will be taken by the imperial broker and re-distributed back into the Empire, this is to keep large amounts of dirty money out of the hands of less law abiding bounty hunters.
As a result, the reward money given to the hunter is significantly less than what they would get if hunting illegally, but as a result, they are looked after by their imperial broker. They are given medical supplies, star ship fuel and other amenities as part of being an Imperial Privateer, as well as some legal immunities. Imperial Privateers will often develop close relationships with their personal broker, which leads to bigger contracts, and bigger pay offs, as it is up to the broker how much of the reward money the hunter gets to keep.
The Rada Collective
In the Rada territories, bounty hunting is legal. However, like the Sirasion Empire, it is monitored and regulated. The only legal way to conduct the profession of bounty hunting as well as the act of mercenary work, is to form a Mercenary or Bounty Hunting company, required to have its own name and not exceeding 100,000 members at any one time. Each Company can only have registered members and the use of outside freelancers is prohibited. Each guild member will be issued a license to operate which must be kept up to date, out of date license violation will be punished by revoking of bounty hunting rights for a determined amount of time based on council vote, or imprisonment if this has been done with purpose and unlawful intentions behind it.
Each Guild member bounty hunting license will have a psyche evaluation and many other tests to make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility of the license. Each Hunter must take themselves and their job seriously and conduct themselves like a professional on the field. Trying to fake the tests or cause unnecessary collateral damage on the field will have the license revoked, and depending on the damage, the users termination might be supplied on the spot.
If a Company ejects a bounty hunter, they are not allowed to keep their license or operating. Each Company can make their own rules, flavour and flair, but are ultimately always under Rada Territory laws and must follow law enforcement guidelines. The hunters are allowed to hunt in public locales, but must refrain, stop or otherwise listen to law enforcement, and always prove their license on the spot if they cause a ruckus.
Bounties may not be held captive, and must either be issued through the Company to employer or Rada officials for storage/judgement. Hunters are allowed the use of private weaponry and gear, none will be supplied by the Collective. The Bounty Hunting Companies cannot operate under the same name as another company already conducting work
The Necrophyte Dynasty
The hunting and enslaving of other individuals are strictly forbidden within Dynasty space, bounty hunting for the purpose of delivering a targeted individual to another has their freedom removed by the hunter in question, as such the hunter is committing slavery and will be punished accordingly. If the Hunter intends to kill their target, they are in similar sense subject to laws affecting murder.
The only exemption is if Dynasty or Dynasty affiliated law enforcement organisations have put out a contract into the public sector for the capture or death of a wanted individual. Only then is any one individual, Bounty hunter or otherwise allowed to capture, enslave or kill a person or persons wanted by Dynasty law.
The Skaronien Council
The Skaroniens are more tolerant of Bounty Hunters in their space. To be a licenced hunter in their territories involves applying to a licence and meeting the requirements of a 'moral standing' test. The purpose of this test is to ensure the hunter is sound of mind and not likely to cause any extensive damage and cause issues where they shouldn't. Otherwise, Bounty Hunters are fairly free to take on contracts as they please, the only requirement being to cooperate with authorities when asked.
Bounty Hunting and mercenary guilds are also allowed within their space, but again, they must all be composed of people who have an up to date bounty hunting licence. They are also prohibited from setting up their headquarters on planets and are restricted solely to space stations.
Hunters are also required to pay a 5% tax of their reward money of contracts completed in Skaronien space to the authorities. Failure to do so may result in ones licence being revoked or legal action being taken.
There are also restrictions on what kit can be used by hunters in Skaronien space, such as only using specific types of cages and other methods to transport the hunters quarry. There is also an outright ban on bounty hunters killing their targets in Skaronien space, while accidents do happen, if a bounty hunter is found to be deliberately killing their targets, they will lose their licence and be punished.
In Conclusion
Bounty Hunting is a practise many use to make a living. Some go far and others do not, but in the end it all comes down to the fact that being paid to hunt down other galactic citizens is a lucrative business no matter which way you swing it. The major factions (atleast the ones that do allow it) tolerate Bounty Hunters, and those that directly associate themselves with the major factions are easily in the minority. The vast majority of Bounty Hunting in the galaxy is illegal and put in the same bracket as similar such activities such as piracy. There for no matter the views of the major factions, Bounty Hunting will happen the same way it always has, just behind even tighter closed doors.
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