Verne Corporation
The Verne Corporation is a multi-conglomerate enterprise whose interests span a wide variety of subjects from chemistry and pharmaceuticals to manufacturing of cutting edge technology. Their aerospace division, for example, is in the final stages of producing personalized air-vehicles (basically flying cars) as well as multi-staged reusable rockets under contract to supply various space agencies. Their pharmaceuticals division works on various vaccines and immunizations for people across the globe. They own and operate large global networks of computer systems used for much of the internet. They also have a shipping and delivery division, which not only has a network of distribution centers across the globe, but also builds huge, fast, low-cost container ships capable of hauling everything from food to oil to automobiles. Their energy division operates nuclear and renewable energy plants worldwide. And their research and development division is top of the list.
Within the R&D division is one often overlooked group known only as Project Pixie. This division is the only department directly engaged in Psionic research and development. Pixie employees are driven to produce practical applications, such as devices and services, rather than scientific knowledge or security and safety.
Other Organizations
Unlike the Psionic Institute or Project Bronze Eclipse it is extremely secretive and self-contained. No one employed by Verne Corp. either consults or contracts with either organization, as per corporate policy. Corporate employees view Institute scientists and Bronze Eclipse agents as unnecessarily cautious and complain that they impede progress. They keep their investigations and finding secret from both, citing they are protecting trade secrets and proprietary intellectual property.
It is notable that the Verne Corporation poaches both scientists and agents away with higher corporate salaries. However, the opposite rarely, if ever happens. While Verne claims its wages and benefits keep people from going the other way, the attrition rate in departments other than that of Project Pixie doesn't follow the same trend. This has caused the Institute and agency to speculate that disgruntled Pixie employees are "silenced" in various and perhaps nefarious ways.
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