Origin of the Enterprise

Emergency Defense Group Enterprise was formed in 816 A.S. as a private military corporation operating outside of Bounty Hunters Guild in response to the rising need of professional, Sirius-wide defense organization for hire. Its founders, Jack Payton and Walter Sobchak have met three years prior to establishing the Enterprise, when Payton, who at that time was still working for the Guild, found a message from Sobchak in his mailbox - a response to a contract offer posted in a secure channel. Sobchak was referred by a trusted mutual friend, and the contract for a wingman was signed. This method of external contracts was later implemented in the Enterprise structure, allowing the additional expanse of available manpower.

After two years of successful cooperation, the founders realized that they are unable to make a large scale difference in fighting crime and piracy on current terms. People that they helped were dead on the next day, pirates that they eliminated were replaced by others in no time. On top of that, the Guild Core has completely moved out to the Omicrons and decided to wage a pointless war for resources with the Order. More and more resources were withdrawn from the Core and Border Worlds to fuel the war effort. The Guild's role as a counterbalance for criminal presence both in house space and Border Worlds has crumbled. Piracy and crime had a free reign over major trade arteries and mining fields. Many felt that the Guild Core betrayed its original mission to protect civilians and hunt criminals. The founders began to ask themselves questions. Are we in this just for the money? How can we make our work matter? It was not long before they found the answers, but it required from them to construct a whole new organization to serve their purposes, and so the Enterprise was born, founded by ex-bounty hunters disappointed by the Guild and angry miners willing to take revenge on their oppressors.


Operations of the Enterprise

The main focus of the Enterprise operations, and at the same time main improvement over regular bounty hunters doctrine, is deployment of stationary Emergency Defense Groups into areas of a high risk for extended periods of time. Its main market target are mining companies like Bretonia Mining and Manufacturing, Daumann Heavy Construction, Independent Miners Guild or Kruger Minerals, suffering major profit and life losses due to incursions of organized pirate groups and factions like Corsairs, Mollies, Outcasts or Red Hessians. Faction and company leaders are open to request EDG deployment.

In the meantime Emergency Defense Group Enterprise maintains a wing of intelligence vessels and combat patrols, which are observing unlawful activities across Sirius, in search of potential "hot-spots" for companies in peril. Often after identifying a major situation, Board of Executives forwards an official letter to the faction or company leaders, including a brief field report, defense solutions offered and a contract proposition. Once a contract is signed, the Enterprise deploys a suitable EDG to the area in question, on terms agreed upon in the contract.

Emergency Defense Group goals vary depending on each individual contract, employer and situation at hand. The most important aspect is obtaining intelligence data on hostiles, which allows forming strike and defense wings according to the enemy's fleet composition, location and behavior. There are instances where conflict can be simply avoided due to tactical advantage or surpassing hostile pilots skill, in which case the adversaries are forced to retreat. That is a rare thing however, simply because enemy forces mostly choose to engage regardless of the odds, or Board of Executives decides that it's not in the interests of the Enterprise and it's employers to waste a good chance to reduce hostile combat potential. Patrolling nearby systems, scouting missions into hostile territories, escorts, establishing traffic control and defense perimeters, assassination missions as well as large scale engagements - those are some of the services the Enterprise has to offer.


History of the Enterprise

The Red Sun Rises
Arrival to Tau-23
Where Others Dare not Tread
Son of The Blue Sky
Cortez and Magellan Lockdown
424 millions claimed!
West Rheinland Defense Initiative
Shine on You Crazy Diamond
Withdrawal from Omega-11
Once upon a time in Poole

Board of Executives

Executor
The rank of Executor is held by a chairman of the Board of Executives. Executor is a chief administrator of the corporation and a supreme commander of the fleet. Executor can override any administrative decision or combat order. Executor can be removed from his position only through vote of no confidence forced by qualified majority of executives and qualified majority of employees. Executor is allowed to commission ships of any class and is required to use EDGE identification in his call signs that must follow convention of naming after ancient gods. Additionally, as he is a chairman of the Board of Executives, he holds the power of veto at board meetings, he receives quadruple of the standard salary and is eligible for EDGE social benefits.

Enforcer
The rank of Enforcer is held by regular members of the Board of Executives. Enforcers are administrators of the corporation and commanders of the fleet. Enforcers can be removed from their position only through vote of no confidence forced by qualified majority of executives. Enforcers are allowed to commission ships of any class and are required to use EDGE identification in their call signs that must follow convention of naming after ancient gods. Additionally, as they are members of the Board of Executives, they are allowed to vote at board meetings, they receive triple of the standard salary and are eligible for EDGE social benefits.


Employees

Protector
The rank of Protector is given only to the most trusted and responsible employees showing highest level of dedication, efficiency and competence. The Board of Executives cannot terminate Protector's contract. In case of serious breach of corporate regulations Protectors will be demoted to the rank of Defender. Protectors are allowed to commission ships no heavier than a battlecruiser and are required to use EDGE identification in their call signs that must follow convention of naming after ancient gods. In special cases Protectors may apply for an authorization to commission a battleship. Additionally, as they are full members of the EDGE, they are allowed to vote at general meetings, they receive double of the standard salary and are eligible for EDGE social benefits.

Guardian
The rank of Guardian is given to proven employees who have shown great dedication and skill when dealing with dangers of the battlefield as well as solving internal problems of the corporation. The Board of Executives can terminate Guardian's contract only in case of serious breach of corporate regulations. Guardians are allowed to commission ships no heavier than a destroyer and are required to use EDGE identification in their call signs that must follow convention of naming after ancient gods. In special cases Guardians may apply for an authorization to commission a battlecruiser. Additionally, as they are full members of the EDGE, they are allowed to vote at general meetings, they receive one and half of the standard salary and are eligible for EDGE social benefits.

Defender
The rank of Defender is given upon successful validation of the external contract to those who applied for a position of full-time employee. The Board of Executives can terminate Defender's contract only in case of serious breach of corporate regulations. Defenders are allowed to commission ships no heavier than a gunboat and are required to use EDGE identification in their call signs that must follow convention of naming after ancient gods. Additionally, as they are full members of the EDGE, they are allowed to vote at general meetings, they receive the standard salary and are eligible for EDGE social benefits.


External Contractors

Warden
The rank of Warden is given upon successful validation of the external contract to those who prefer independence of a part-time contractor over stability of a full-time employee. At any time the Board of Executives can terminate the external contract without the need to state any reasons and Wardens are not eligible to claim for a severance pay. Wardens are allowed to contract only one ship no heavier than a gunboat and are not authorized to use EDGE identification in their call sign. Additionally, as they are not members of the EDGE, they have no vote at general meetings, they receive only half of the standard salary and are not eligible for EDGE social benefits.

Sentinel
The rank of Sentinel is given to every new external contractor for the period of no more than two weeks. During this time the external contract is validated. Upon successful validation Sentinel is promoted to the rank of Warden or Defender, depending on the position for which the external contractor applied. In case of disapproval the contract is terminated. Sentinels are allowed to contract only one ship no heavier than a gunboat and are not authorized to use EDGE identification in their call sign. Additionally, as they are not members of the EDGE, they have no vote at general meetings, they receive only half of the standard salary and are not eligible for EDGE social benefits.

Administration

• Board of Executives is a head administrative, legislative and executive body of the Enterprise. It is authorized to make administration decisions concerning external and employee contracts as well as promotions, sanctions and contract terminations; legislative decisions concerning internal regulations of the Enterprise; and executive decisions concerning strategic planning and diplomatic agreements. All decisions are made by majority of votes at board meetings. Simple technical decisions do not need to be consulted.
  
• Executor is a chairman of the Board of Executives and a chief administrator of the Enterprise. He holds the power of veto at board meetings and can be removed from his position only through vote of no confidence forced by qualified majority of executives and qualified majority of employees.
  
• Enforcers are regular members of the Board of Executives and administrators of the Enterprise. They can be removed from their position only through vote of no confidence forced by qualified majority of executives.
  

Combat

• Chain of command depends upon rank and longest experience according to Structure and Ranks regulation. Highest ranking member always assumes role of a commanding officer of the battle wing. In case there are two employees of the same rank role of a commanding officer is assumed by the member with the longest service record. Role of a commanding officer can be temporarily delegated. At any time Executor can override any issued combat order.
  
• In order to form a battle wing at least one employee is required. External contractors cannot form a battle wing by themselves. Each member of a battle wing must follow Rules of Engagement as well as general laws of Sirius.
  

Employees

• Each employee is required to keep his personal profile up to date and inform the board about any important changes in his status.
  
• Each ship of an employee must follow naming convention after ancient gods, deities or daemons according to the scheme EDGE|XX|Deity where XX is unique ID of an employee consisting of two capital letters taken preferably from surname or initials. Employee's ships cannot exceed limitations imposed in Structure and Ranks regulation. Every employee is required to keep records of his ships in EDGE Fleet Database and update them when necessary.
  
• Employee may be promoted by Board of Executives after positive consideration of his activity, dedication and achievements. Employees are not allowed to take any actions that would damage EDGE reputation or endanger its position. Breaking corporate regulations will result in warning, demotion or contract termination.
  

Diplomatic Relations



Diplomatic Doctrines

Unconditional Neutrality concerning Governmental Wars
EDGE maintains unconditional neutrality in case of governmental wars. EDGE wasn't formed to wage unnecessary wars that could have been easily avoided by a diplomatic compromise. EDGE forces will never attack any governmental forces or accept bounty contracts on them. The only exception to this rule are bounties issued for a high treason and crimes against humanity. Additionally, EDGE employees will never disclose any intelligence data to any side of such conflict.

Conditional Neutrality concerning Corporate Wars
EDGE maintains conditional neutrality in case of corporate wars. EDGE wasn't formed to be a mean of corporate rivalry. EDGE will never accept bounty contracts on corporate forces. EDGE forces will attack corporate forces only in self-defense, to fulfill an escort mission or a defense contract. We believe that only legitimate governments are allowed to impose embargo or declare contraband.

Non-Intervention concerning Domestic Wars
EDGE employs non-intervention doctrine in case of domestic wars. In EDGE we believe that internal conflicts are none of our concern. We do not judge rebels and leave it to the historians. EDGE forces will never accept bounty contracts on rebel forces. EDGE forces will attack rebel forces only in self-defense or to protect civilians. Rebels who act like marauders and partisans who turned into terrorists will be treated as such regardless of who they claim to be.

Passive Hostility towards The Order
One of the main reason why founders of EDGE left Bounty Hunters Guild was that they felt that the Guild Core betrayed its former mission. Instead of protecting civilians and hunting criminals across the Border and Edge Worlds the Guild Core decided to wage pointless war for resources with The Order. While we do not appreciate many actions and shady alliances made by The Order, many of our members fought in the Nomad War and we undoubtedly recognize the threat to humanity presented by the Nomads. EDGE forces will never accept bounty contracts on The Order. EDGE forces will attack The Order only in self-defense or to protect civilians.


Diplomatic Agreements

Agreement 101126: Liberty Weapons Access
Agreement 101129: Kusarian Hunting License (denied)
Agreement 101213: Liberty Hunting License
Agreement 101216A: Bretonian Hunting License
Agreement 101216B: Colonial Hunting License
Agreement 101227A: Ageira Technologies Hunting License
Agreement 101227B: Interspace Commerce Hunting License
Agreement 110204: Liberty Weapons Access
Agreement 110214: Kruger Minerals Hunting License
Agreement 110218A: Independent Mining Guild Hunting License
Agreement 110218B: Daumann Heavy Construction Hunting License (expired)
Agreement 110315: Gas Miners Guild Hunting License
Agreement 110321: West Rheinland Defense Contract (expired)
Agreement 110331: Deep Space Engineering Hunting License
Agreement 110327: Rheinland Hunting License
Agreement 110406: Bretonia Police Authority Hunting License
Agreement 110420: Liberty Weapons Access

Defense Contracts

Primary role of EDGE is to deploy stationary Emergency Defense Groups to areas of high risk for prolonged periods of time. Such deployments are covered in detailed defense contracts covering both active and passive defense. Defense contracts cannot violate laws and embargoes imposed by legitimate governments. When fulfilling defense contracts EDGE forces will maintain unconditional neutrality concerning governmental wars and conditional neutrality concerning corporate wars.

EDGE will accept defense contracts from:

• 
  
• House Military;
  
• House Police;
  
• House Corporations;
  
• Independent Corporations.
  
  

Bounty Contracts

Secondary role of EDGE is to deploy patrols to areas of high risk in search for unlawful activity and execution squads to hunt down various targets.

EDGE will accept all bounty contracts on:

• 
  
• Criminals;
  
• Smugglers;
  
• Slavers;
  
• Pirates;
  
• Terrorists;
  
• Nomads.
  
  

EDGE will accept bounty contracts in case of unlawful activity on:

• 
  
• Zoners;
  
• Freelancers;
  
• Mercenaries;
  
• Junkers.
  
  

EDGE will accept no bounty contracts on:

• 
  
• House Military;
  
• House Police;
  
• House Corporations;
  
• Independent Corporations;
  
• Rebels;
  
• The Order.
  
  

Escort Missions

Tertiary role of EDGE is to provide escort services for transports carrying high-value cargo through high-risk territories. Escort missions cannot violate laws and embargoes imposed by legitimate governments. When fulfilling escort missions EDGE forces will maintain unconditional neutrality concerning governmental wars.

EDGE will accept escort missions from:

• 
  
• House Military;
  
• House Police;
  
• House Corporations;
  
• Independent Corporations;
  
• Zoners;
  
• Freelancers.
  
  

Ships

Emergency Defense Group Enterprise employs primarily Bounty Hunters Guild technology and ships to fulfill it's goals. However, sometimes there are civilian solutions that properly modified can serve a secondary role on the battlefield. Employees are free to explore those alternatives at their own discretion.



Sea Serpent - AP-14458 Bounty Hunter Light Fighter
With crime on the rise, there has been resurgence in the Bounty Hunter trade. To hunt down a criminal one must think like a criminal -- and be armed like one too. The Sea Serpent delivers expertly on this note, providing every bit of the firepower and armor needed for the job. The added cargo space for transport and delivery of captured escape pods rounds out its generous appointments.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• Griffin - CTE-4000 Civilian Light Fighter
  
• Tiger Shark - X4TS Rheinland Civilian Light Fighter
  

Hammerhead - AP-8050 Bounty Hunter Heavy Fighter
Desperate times call for desperate measures, in this case desperate designs. The Hammerhead is the result of years of work by the Bounty Hunters Guild to improve upon the traditional AP line. Its armor and power ratings have been elevated to peak levels to deliver a greater advantage to Bounty Hunters in the field.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• Falcon - CTE-3000 Civilian Heavy Fighter
  
• Kingfisher - CTE-HF Civilian Heavy Fighter
  
• Marauder - BYC Civilian Heavy Fighter
  

Manta - AP-18100 Bounty Hunter Very Heavy Fighter
In rare situations when Hammerheads are outgunned and outclassed, Manta comes in handy. Further improving AP line of Bounty Hunter fighters, this ship features increased power and cargo capacity as well as significantly stronger hull. However, very few bounty hunters can afford Manta due to its high price.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• Charon - Evo 1B Civilian Very Heavy Fighter
  
• Eagle - CTE-6000 Civilian Very Heavy Fighter
  
• Raven's Talon - IR-7 Very Heavy Fighter
  
• Virage - SV-17 Civilian Very Heavy Fighter
  

AP-23133 Bounty Hunter Bomber
More and more pirate groups in Sirius gain access to capital ships. To counter them, Bounty Hunters Guild has developed a new bomber of AP ship series. The Bounty Hunter Bomber is a mighty and agile ship capable of mounting more fighter weaponry than any of its counterparts. Reinforced hull, increased power output, and double torpedo slots add to the value of this ship, making it a formidable opponent against larger targets.
Alternative ships:

• Havoc Mk II - XB-2 Civilian Bomber
  
• Mafic - KS-1093 Civilian Super Heavy Miner
  
• Roc - CTE-19000 Civilian Bomber
  
• Waran - WAR-4b Civilian Bomber
  

Bottlenose - AP-200039 Bounty Hunter Gunship
Compact and efficient, this ship was the first gunboat-class warship developed by the Bounty Hunters Guild. In recent decades, most ships of this type have been replaced by the heavier and more efficient Orca Gunboat. However, the Gunship is still used in some Guild missions, including escorting convoys through areas where strong anti-fighter defense is crucial for surviving.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Orca - GBH3 Bounty Hunters Guild Gunboat
The Orca is a recent development of the Bounty Hunters Guild. Replacing an outdated Gunship model, this gunboat was specially developed to act as an anti-fighter warship for operations that the Guild undertakes in remote and dangerous systems. Usually accompanied by several Hammerheads and Mantas, the Orca is a force to be reckoned with, feared even by the most experienced pilots of BHG's most hated enemies, the Outcasts and the Corsairs.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Thresher - AP-43000 Bounty Hunter Destroyer
When the Bounty Hunters Guild started to operate in Nomad space, they encountered unexpected hardships - even the most advanced Hammerheads were unable to survive in hostile environment. Because of the enormous potential profits, the Bounty Hunters invested into developing a new Destroyer-class ship that was later constructed in Liberty military shipyards. With their new destroyers, the Bounty Hunters felt much more confident among their Nomad, Corsair and Order enemies, being able to hunt Nomads and even fulfill bounty contracts against the Corsairs in the most remote parts of known space.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Bullhead - AP-540392 Bounty Hunter Battlecruiser
An advanced and heavily reinforced version of the Bounty Hunter Destroyer, the Battlecruiser is a rare and expensive ship used for missions that involve countering enemy capital ships. This ship's hull can withstand the fire of heavy battleship weaponry, and an advanced energy supply provides for impressive firepower. However, due to its reduced maneuverability the Battlecruiser can become an easy prey for enemy bombers, and it is advised that this ship not enter battlefield without fighter escort.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Mako - AP-605940 Bounty Hunter Battleship
The construction of the first Bounty Hunter battleship became a symbol of the new Bounty Hunter union. Once a loose association of hunters, the Bounty Hunter Guild grew into a powerful and rich faction present in almost every corner of Sirius. The new Bounty Hunter Battleships are intended for usage in remote Edge Worlds systems, mainly to defend convoys and space station construction sites.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Prison Liner
Whether retrofitted decommissioned ships or engineered from scratch, these vessels house the criminal elements as well as their jailers.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• Border Worlds Transport
  
• Pelican - Civilian Armored Transport
  

Repair Ship
With the hazards of business, commerce, expansion, and exploration, ships sustain damage. These units are part of the damage control team.
Alternative ships:

• 
  
• none
  

Employees Database

Information Networks of Emergency Defense Group Enterprise contains advanced software solutions worth millions of credits. Amongst them there is Employees Database, a social networking service. Employees may create a personal profile, add other employees as friends, exchange messages and join common interest groups. According to Jack Payton, such service strengthen employee's bond with the Enterprise. In fact several marriages between crew members of Battleship Aurora and Leviathan had already taken place. For referential needs simplified Employees Database containing rank information and short biography of each employee is available to certain lawful organizations. On top of that some personal profiles of higher ranking members were made public.

Employees Database (offline)
Personal File 101116: Jack Payton
Personal File 101226: Walter Sobchak
Personal File 110119: Alfred Strauss


Fleet Database

The Fleet Database of Emergency Defense Group Enterprise contains detailed information and statistics about each and every ship carrying the company's transponder, as well as every external contractors ship registered. Basic information is disclosed to lawful and neutral parties with which the Enterprise has ongoing diplomatic and commercial relations.

Fleet Database (offline)
Ship Profile 101125: Battleship Aurora
Ship Profile 101218: Battleship Leviathan
Ship profile 110310: Battlecruiser Hors
Ship Profile 110517: Destroyer Svarog


Bounties Database

The Bounties Database of Emergency Defense Group Enterprise contains detailed information about each and every bounty claimed by the Enterprise employees. Basic information is available to lawful and neutral parties with which the Enterprise has ongoing diplomatic and commercial relations. Detailed information, which includes video recording and local transmissions during the bounty claiming process is available for review to the bounty issuing body.

Bounties Database (offline)
Bounty Statistics 101107-110209 (offline)