Exploration & Research Corporation was founded several hundred years ago at the then edge of Kusari space, with the intention of charting new systems for continued Kusarian expansion. Ties were formed with Samura and her contacts in the Corsair empire, the two providing backing to the small but established company in exchange for detailed surveys of the various asteroid belts and planetary systems E&R would come across on their expeditions.
Tragedy struck the company on what was to be their most ambitious venture yet. Trace signs of a new, unknown system in the Omegas led to the largest yet expedition of survey vessels and their Corsair escorts. E&R poured all of their resources into this, given the abundance of precious resources in the Omega 7 and 11 systems.
All contact was lost with the team, an unstable jumphole being the official reason for their demise. No reason was given as to why a rescue operation was not launched, but the tabloids of the day blamed the dangers posed by terrorists known to frequent the Omega systems of Sirius. Samura quietly severed ties with E&R, leaving the small company to fade into obscurity.
Several ships have been spotted in recent years, drifting through empty space, mining areas and trade hubs. They bear no distinct markings, but their broken and almost Junker-esque appearance cannot be mistaken. The IFF readings are none-existent, the call-signs seen on scanners are but model numbers of their ships, followed by the unknown tag 'Corps'. The weapons systems are a mashup of relics, suited more for a museum display than combat.
The crew of these vessels can only be classified as beings - they speak in riddles, bear horrific signs of mutilation on their humanoid bodies but none have ever been captured to confirm as human or other. These beings will frequently pick out lone trade vessels and target them with cryptic demands for their very crew to be transferred. Survivors have stated the beings actually appear to be further angered when offered cargo and credits in exchange for passage, even vaporising thousands of the most precious commodities in Sirius instead of hoarding them.
Others have stated that often overlook a vessel if silent and stationary, leading some to believe they are only attracted to speech and movement. Others have sworn the beings will leave if offered enemy pilots, luxury beef rations and even household pets that many a ship will have roaming about.
They have no apparent goals or ability to organize. The ships bearing the "Corps" flag appear to be interested only in hunting for food, in the form of live humans and animals, and basic supplies to keep themselves afloat. Survival of the fittest is their only apparent goal, experts have ascertained from numerous eyewitness reports.
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