The Core (Player Faction)

This is a player faction. For the affiliated NPC faction, see The Core

The Core
Origin	Edge Worlds
Alignment	Lawful Paramilitary
Recruitment	Click to join
Profile
Date of founding	789 A.S A.S.
Founder(s)	Erik Nodtviet James Clarke
Current leader(s)	Erik Nodtviet (Lythrilux)
Base of operations	Durban Station
Identification
Primary ID	The Core ID
IFF	Core
Tag(s)	Core|
Primary role
Obtain all Alien Technology and Artifacts in the Edge Worlds for The Core and their Allies.
Secondary role
Extermination of any Resistance met and Creation of a Totalitarian Empire Under Total Control of The Core Within the Edge Worlds.
Table of contents

Synopsis

This is the player faction for The Core NPC faction. This page contains lore and information that goes into greater depth than the NPC page. If you wish to join, click the recruitment link.

Naming convention

Snubcraft and Freighters: Core|[Codename] or Core|Firstname.Surname

Gunboats and Gunships: Core|AV-[Shipname]

Cruisers, Battlecruisers and Battleships: Core|WV-[Shipname]

Transports: Core|APM-[Shipname]

History

The year is 789 A.S. The Bounty Hunters Guild is in its prime – establishing a strong presence in almost all of Sirius, the Guild was feared, respected, famous but also hated throughout the sector. Having earned a reputation for being extremely good at hunting Sirius’s most dangerous and most wanted criminals, the BHG profited greatly from taking bounties against the denizens of Sirius’s underworld. The advantage of the BHG was that, due to being composed of former criminals and lawbreakers, gave them an edge over the law enforcement when hunting bounties. To quote a line from the Bounty Hunters Guild charter: “To catch a criminal, one must think like a criminal”.

As the BHG's profits from its endeavours began to rise, they decided to expand their operations into the only place they lacked a presence: the Edge Worlds. The Edge Worlds was a collection of illusive, mysterious and uncharted systems that man had barely explored. However, the Corsairs and the Outcasts had made their home within the Edge Worlds. The Hispanic home systems, Omicron Gamma and Omicron Alpha, were a festering hive of unlawful activity which would serve as the staging point for the Hispanic criminal plague on humanity. The most feared Corsairs and Outcasts in Sirius would make their refuge in the Omicrons and orchestrate grand operations against the rest of Sirius. Of course, these individuals would have a high price on their head: something that the Bounty Hunters Guild wanted to exploit.

So in 790 A.S the Bounty Hunters Guild began operations in the Edge Worlds. Mainly based on Omicron and Omega Freeports, the BHGs best pilots would pursue high level bounties against important Corsair and Outcast figures. Over the next decade, small pockets of the BHG elite would stage raids into the Corsair and Outcast home systems, hoping to claim the massive bounties placed on the heads of their enemies. Unfortunately, those operations would be met with varying degrees of success. The BHG were technologically outmatched by their targets in almost every encounter due to AP Manufacturing, the ship and equipment builders of the BHG, lacking money to produce better equipment and thus resulting in the BHG rarely collecting these high-level bounties. Whilst the skill of the pilots would sometimes allow the Hunters to defeat their enemies, such victories were so inconsistent that the Bounty Hunters Guild Council were slowly leaning towards the conclusion that moving into the Edge Worlds was a bad idea.

The Prodigy

Near the end of the 8th century, Evelyn Sharp was appointed the new Guildmaster of the Bounty Hunters Guild. She was heralded as a highly skilled pilot, impressive strategist and wise entrepreneur. She swore that she would boost the BHGs operations in the Edge Worlds, ignoring the criticisms that it would be a waste of resource and pilots. In reality Evelyn Sharp was a cold-blooded and power hungry vixen who achieved her status by employing ruthless and slightly illegitimate tactics learned from her time in the slammer to make her way to the top of BHG high command.

Sharp saw the potential for large profits in the Edge Worlds provided the Bounty Hunters Guild could prepare itself appropriately for the environment. She felt that the BHGs first expedition into the Edge Worlds was ill-equipped and ill-fated. Therefore, in 798 A.S she boldly moved forward with new plans. In cooperation with the logistical arm of AP Manufacturing and with some additional assistance from a local Zoner population, the Bounty Hunters Guild constructed a small installation hidden in the Palau Cloud of Omicron Delta called Dabadoru Station. Dabadoru would serve as the BHGs Omicron headquarters, whilst Hunters in the deeper Omegas would continue to base themselves off Freeports. The cloud gave excellent cover, and allowed the BHG to refrain from splashing credits on base defences.

By having a stronger presence in the Edge Worlds, the BHG was more effectively able to fight against the Corsairs and the Outcasts, although the far distance to the latter made collecting Outcast bounties less frequent than Corsair ones. As if the Corsairs were not already angered by the BHG basing off Freeports to coordinate attacks, a hostile base close to the Corsair Empire upset them greatly. Unfortunately for them, the Palau Cloud provided excellent concealment from the Corsairs and for decades they would be unable to find Dabadoru.

The expansion allowed the BHG to conduct considerably more effective hit and run operations against their prey. The Bounty Hunters Guild would strike against their enemies before retreating to the safety Omicron Delta. Eventually though, this provoked the Corsairs to increase their presence in Omicron Delta - with rumours that they were attempting to construct an installation of their own.

The Nomad War

At the start of 800 A.S, the Nomad war broke out. Whilst many were lead to believe that the Bounty Hunters Guild had little involvement in the Nomad War, the secret archives - locked away by Guildmaster Kyras until they were retrieved by the Core (post-BHG-split) in 821 A.S, revealed a much different story.

The Nomad threat had already take over Rheinland via infestation and influence and had begun to turn the house of Liberty into its pawn as well. Via infesting the Liberty Naval and Intelligence forces, a thrall of infection had begun - leaving a trail reaching into the upper echelons of the Liberty government. Kusari starting to fall and Bretonia next on the agenda after that, it seemed that a Nomad takeover of Sirius would be imminent. Yet, that was a single man who stood in their way. In their plight to infect Liberty Casper Orillion, the last non-infected member of the Order of Cincinnatus, had escaped into the Edge Worlds with whatever sympathetic people he could gather to create an organization to fight the Nomads. It would be called the Order.

Originally the Nomads did not believe the Order would rise to threatening levels, however their assistance in helping two fugitives escape Liberty with a highly powerful and active alien artifact alerted the Nomads that their dominance could be undermined. As things began to develop, the Order began to grow stronger and more potent with each passing day. They had to be stopped.

The Nomads had Intel to lead them to believe that the Order had established themselves within the Omicrons. Whilst it effectively had two houses under their control, neither were in a position to stage an attack into the Omicrons as they had already been assigned duties. Even if they were in a position to launch a coordinated strike, such a manoeuvre would be too public and could expose the Nomads. Therefore the Nomads created a long-term solution to deal with the Order: they would create a proxy military faction within the Edge Worlds.

Shortly after her ascension to Guildmaster, Evelyn Sharp had approach both Liberty and Rheinland on separate occasions before the Nomad war to seek funding to boost their operations within the Edge Worlds. However neither House was willing to provide extra funding, deeming the Edge Worlds to be a waste of resources as well as a risky investment. Mysteriously, during the Nomad War both Liberty and Rheinland would contact Sharp at the same time, asking for her to meet both of their representatives in the same meeting as part of a joint initiative. She was also told to bring the CEO of AP Manufacturing, Steven Thorpe, along with her.

Guildmaster Sharp and Steven Thorpe were transported to the highly classified Alaska system in Liberty. They were told to remain mute about the meeting to all those outside of the Bounty Hunters Guild Council, otherwise they would face dire political consequences. Upon landing at Juneau Shipyard both attendees were lead to a secure meeting room with the Fleet Admiral of the Liberty Navy, Director of the LSF, the newly appointed Fleet Admiral of the Rheinland Military as well as Chancellor Niemann. Within moments of entering however, both were immediately restrained. Steven Thorpe was knocked unconscious, whilst Sharp would play witness to the events that were about to unfold before her. The infected humans immediately revealed themselves to her, basking her in an aura of purple light as it emanated from their eyes. They collectively threw their thoughts at Sharp telepathically, mentally informing her of the Nomad race and all that they stood for - as well as what they wanted from her. She was left with a choice: either she pledges her allegiance to the Nomads against humanity, or they ‘kill’ her (whilst showcased as a death threat, it simply meant that they would infect her). Being the woman she was, Sharp was not keen on the thought of death. Yet at the same time she was also fascinated by the Nomads. These alien creatures presented themselves as immensely powerful, almost god-like beings who were supposed to, and from Sharps viewpoint ultimately would, inherit the universe.

And so Sharp took up the Nomads offer. They told her she had made a wise choice, and would be rewarded greatly. However, to further prove her faith they required her to pass a test. The Director of the LSF leant down and opened a suitcase, taking out a Nomad incubus. Sharp was instructed to insert the Incubus into the unconscious Thorpe so that the Nomads may possess him. Surprisingly, she took the Incubus and infected Thorpe without hesitation. As the Incubus slid down his throat his body writhed uncontrollably, however Sharp showed no sign of remorse. Once the infestation process was over, the possessed body of Thorpe reawakened. The Nomads would use him to watch over the activities of Sharp, and maintain a failsafe in the event Sharp tried to betray them. The Nomads also implanted a chip onto the back of Sharps neck, insisting that it would enhance her strength, speed, stamina and mental prowess as well as empowering her with the ability to use PSI.

Liberty, Rheinland and the Bounty Hunters Guild all started to cooperate on creating a proxy Private Military faction within the Edge Worlds. Dubbed the Bounty Hunters Guild Core, the BHG Core would be composed of the very best pilots from the Bounty Hunters Guild, the Liberty Navy, the LSF and the Rheinland Military. The objectives of the faction were to locate and wipe out the Order, operating under the cover of taking bounties against the Corsairs and the Outcasts. Liberty, Rheinland and the BHG would pour large amounts of credits and funds into the BHG Core and AP Manufacturing. Sharp appointed herself as the ‘Exalted Guildmaster’ over both the Bounty Hunters Guild and the Bounty Hunters Guild Core, whilst choosing two subordinates from the Bounty Hunters Guild Council to lead both parts of the organization under her watch. With the combined funds streaming from all three parties, the BHG Core begins to rapidly develop. Dabadoru Station is immediately upgraded with advanced weapons platforms and its sections are expanded to house a larger population.

Initially the BHG Core was primarily based in Alaska and conducted small raids against the Order in Omicron Minor - trying to edge closer to locating the rumoured Planet Toledo; the Orders HQ within the Omicrons. Eventually it was decided that it would be best for the BHG Core to strike against the Order from both the north of the Omicrons as well as the south. Eventually, the BHG Core would stumble upon a jump hole in Omicron Delta into a new uninhabited system. The BHG Core quickly took control of the system, naming it Omicron Rho. Further expeditions in the system later revealed jump holes to Omicron Zeta, Omega-15 and the Rheinland-controlled Halle system. With the system being so close to Rheinland space, the BHG Core called on support from Rheinland to help them construct installations within the system and within the neighbouring Omega-15 system. In cooperation with Rheinland, the BHG Core and AP Manufacturing eventually constructed Durban Station. Durban Station would serve as the BHG Cores HQ for operations within the Edge Worlds. A few months later, AP Manufacturing and Rheinland would eventually construct Rostock Depot in Omega-15, further expanding BHG and BHG Core operations within the Omegas. Rheinland also began the construction of a shipyard for APM, however by the end of the Nomad War it would be left unfinished.

Whilst the influx of funds and resources from two houses did greatly boost the BHG Cores operations in the Edge Worlds, they lacked Capital vessels to use against their enemies. Therefore, Liberty released three prototype capital ships for the BHG Core to use. Constructed at Liberty military shipyards in cooperation with DSE, the AP-430 "Thresher" Core Destroyer was born. Designed to mix high agility with deadly long-range offense, the Thresher was the first step in the Core levelling the playing field.

With increased funding, AP Manufacturing designs and releases several new ships in the AP-Line for the BHG Core to test against the Corsairs and Outcasts. The Manta, Sea Serpent, Hammerhead, Orca and Bottlenose prototypes would prove to be highly effective in combat, and eventually APM released them publicly for the rest of the BHG to use and for interested buyers purchase for security and escort.

The smooth sailing that the BHG Core was enjoying thus far was not eternal. The last few months of the Nomad War were detrimental to the faction.

The Order launched a surprise attack in Alaska against the Nomads in order to rescue President Jacobi. At the time, the BHG Core was occupied with building their strength in Omicron Rho whilst also trying to fight against Corsair expansion in Omicron Delta. Furious, Exalted Guildmaster Sharp immediately orders a meeting with the Guildmaster of the BHG Core. In an unstoppable fury, she murders the Guildmaster, ripping his body into two pieces with her psionic powers. Soon after she places herself as both the Exalted Guildmaster of the Bounty Hunters Guild, as well as the new Guildmaster of the Core. She immediately reshapes the organizational structure of the BHG Core, turning it into a faction pumped with morale, zeal, militaristic devotion for its leaders and places herself as a goddess-like figure at the head of the faction.

These changes were not enough to change the direction things were going in. The Nomads had completely underestimated the Order. Although the BHG Core was intended to be a long-term plan in the war against the Order, they did not count on the Order having a short-term solution to wipe out the Nomads. At the end of 801 A.S, the Order struck the Nomads at their heart and launched an attack against the Dyson Sphere. Once the Order activated the Nomad artifact, the majority of the Nomad forces were sucked into the Nomad Hypergate and flung across the space into another sector. The Mindshare had been shattered and any leftover Nomads were left isolated from their brethren and confused, making them easy targets for the Order to pick off. The Nomads had lost the war. All infected persons were freed of their Nomad possession.

Black-Ops BHG Core

In 802 A.S Evelyn Sharp met with an uninfected Liberty and an uninfected Rheinland. All parties acknowledged their role in the Nomad War, before turning their attention towards the BHG Core project. Rheinland immediately withdrew its involvement entirely, not wanting to waste their funds on a PMC in the Edge Worlds. The involvement Rheinland had in the BHG Core would also take a toll on the BHGs operations within the Rheinland, allowing them to operate in Rheinland but barring their use of Rheinland technology for years to come. Rheinland proceeded to erase every document they had of the BHG Core project.

Liberty however had much different ideas for the BHG Core. Once Rheinland had opted out of future meetings, Liberty began to secretly negotiate with the Bounty Hunters Guild. Seeing the potential benefits of owning a third party PMC in the Edge Worlds that would claim future territories and resources for them to use. And so, Liberty signed an exclusive contract with the BHG Core. Becoming its owner and overseer, they would provide additional funding, support and ships for the BHG Core.

BHG Core's Liberty-Altered Objectives:

Securing and researching alien materials and artifacts for Liberty/Core to create powerful weapons and technology from. Securing and controlling new territories for Liberty to expand into. Keeping a watchful eye on Order incursions towards Liberty and intercept them if needed.

The Bounty Hunters Guild Council is injected with several high ranking members of the Liberty Government, so that Liberty can keep an eye on the BHG Cores operations in the Edge Worlds. From this point onward until 818 A.S, the BHG Core would function as a black-ops PMC for Liberty in the Omicrons and Omegas.

Militarization

However in 809 A.S the Mindshare was mysteriously re-established. At this point, Exalted Guildmaster Sharp was in the middle of delivering a speech to her subordinates. Specifically, she was reciting the Core Code of Conduct during her presentation. Within minutes of the Mindshare being re-established the neural implant on the back of her neck sent a psychological shock-wave through her brain, delivering a stroke to her brain that killed her immediately. Her death made little difference to the BHG Core's conduct, and Liberty simply took greater control over its operations.

To start with, Liberty felt that the BHG Core required further heavy ordinance within the Edge Worlds to fight its enemies. After the BHG Core had successfully received a batch of Nomadic materials for research, Liberty rewarded the BHG Core. In 809 A.S Liberty and the BHG Core constructed the first Core battleship: the AP-609 "Mako" Core Battleship. The Mako would be extremely useful in future engagements against the Cores enemies, slowly putting them on equal technological footing.

With the discovery of the Omicron Iota jump hole in Omicron Zeta, the Bounty Hunters Guild Council decided it would be wise to construct an installation in Omicron Zeta - to function as both a means to fortify the Omicron Rho jump hole and to be a useful resupply point for incursions into the deeper Edge Worlds. Liberty was reluctant to provide funding without seeing some more results from the PMC first. The BHG Council pleaded to Liberty that having easier access to the deeper Edge Worlds would increase the likelihood of them being able to retrieve powerful treasures and artifacts from the Nomad systems. After months of negotiation, Liberty eventually gave in and provided the BHG Core with the funds and resources to construct another base in Omicron Zeta. Capetown station was eventually built in the same format as Dabadoru; concealed in the Pohnpei Asteroid Field. Capetown allowed the BHG Core to begin mining operations within the cloud, discovering that it was abundant in alien organisms. The BHG Core would mine these organisms, and then send the samples back to Liberty who had taken great interest in them.

In 811 A.S Corsair influence in Omicron Delta was on the rise. In 802 A.S, the Corsairs had built Yaren Depot in the orbit of planet Nauru. The planets crush was enriched in a metal known as Iridium, and the Corsairs had begun planet-wide mining operations to extract it. Yaren was also a regular meeting spot of Order and Corsair pilots, who had further coordinated an existing alliance to help put pressure on the BHG Core. Whilst the Mako itself has a brilliant weapon against the Orders battleships, it simply failed to tackle the heavy battleships employed by the Corsairs. Liberty saw that this could become an issue, and immediately look into addressing it. A half-finished Alabama Shipyard floated in space, a leftover from back when Rheinland had a hand in funding the BHG Core. Whilst Liberty could produce capital ships for the BHG Core, it was an arduous task to discreetly ferry them towards Core territory. So, Liberty gave the BHG Core more funds and resources to finish the construction of Alabama Shipyard. Liberty provided equipment and materials, whilst AP Manufacturing would work on the shipyard. The Bounty Hunters Guild Council also employed Rheinland corporations to help finish the construction of the shipyard. By the end of the year, Alabama Shipyard had been completed. The BHG Core was now able to produce its own capital ships. Of course, Liberty would still produce some of the BHG Cores capital ships when Alabama Shipyard was overburdened. To help with production and ensure that Alabama Shipyard would continuously work at maximum capacity, Liberty would direct shipments of criminals and other unwanted people of society towards Omicron Rho, to serve hard unpaid labour on Alabama Shipyard.

The issue of the Corsair battleships still remained however. But later that same year, the BHG Core and APM unveiled the first capital ship they had built and designed themselves: the AP-540 "Bullhead" Core Battlecruiser. The Bullhead would become a staple in the Core fleet, providing excellent long-range offensive power against their enemies - ensuring maximum damage is dealt and minimum damage is received. The Bullhead would be instrumental in curbing Corsair influence in Omicron Delta, initiating the long campaign that would begin the steps to weeding them out.

In 812 A.S the Apollo incident occurs. This greatly boosted the Cores medical research into the Nomad infestation process, and they also found a plethora of extremely rare alien artifacts and materials of the likes they had never seen before. From these, they were able to harness the science behind the Nomads cloaking technology. Eventually constructing their own cloaking technology in an attempt to fabricate the cloaking technologies of the Osiris. After field tests prove successful (via the WV-Moorwen), the finished product is taken to Liberty. Liberty are extremely impressed by the Cores discovery and begin to replicate the technology themselves. Following this, Liberty gave the BHG Core a huge grant for their research - allowing them to construct many more capital ships and fortify the defences of their bases.

Dominance

A man named Athenian Graves eventually takes the mantle of Exalted Guildmaster in 815 A.S, but insists to be called the ‘Director’. As the Cores influence begins to rise and as the Corsairs influence begins to dwindle to the point where the Corsairs start to actually withdraw from Delta, Graves sees the potential for the Core to exploit the Iridium mining business and steal the Corsairs own trade from them. Unchallenged, the Core moves into the Tokelau Ice Field in Omicron Delta and establishes their own mining operations there. Obviously, Liberty becomes the Cores largest partner in the trading of Iridium. For the sake of extra profit though, the BHG Core still traded Iridium to the rest of the Houses via AP Manufacturing. To ensure that their mining operations go relatively unbothered, the BHG Core holds a ceasefire with the Corsairs. At the promise of being able to focus more on their own territories and research alien technologies, Liberty does not speak up about the negotiations.

Liberty's silence occurred as a result from recent allegations by Rheinland. At the start of 816 A.S Rheinland had somehow managed to acquire and publish proof that Liberty had been working on dangerous Nomad experiments. Fortunately the proof had been unable to conclude that Liberty had sourced their materials from the BHG Core, and the relationship between Liberty and the Core had not been exposed.

Sadly, amidst all of his great efforts done for the BHG Core, Graves eventually passed away. Maxamillion DeVirgo would replace him, reinstating the title of ‘Exalted Guildmaster’. He would lead the BHG Core through the battle of Omicron Lost, which was a small-scale skirmish between Core and Order forces. This would eventually develop into the Battle of Tuvalu, which was the first major engagement between Order and Core forces. Up to this point, both sides had underestimated each other - both refusing to acknowledge the technical prowess of the other side. When the Battle of Tuvalu took place, both sides were greeted to fleets of forces from both. The BHG Core, initially starting off as a small group of elite hunters claiming bounties in the Edge Worlds, had expanded into a large and highly technologically advanced PMC which had made itself a force to be reckoned with. Both sides fought splendidly, however the BHG Core emerged as the victor. This recent victory fuelled the BHG Core morale. The BHG Core and Liberty agreed that the PMC had developed tremendously since its roots. This confidence gave the BHG Core the desire to strike the Order in Minor and wipe them out for good.

The Order told the Corsairs of how powerful the BHG Core had started to become. This worried both organizations, so the two used their alliance to try to stomp out the BHG Core before they became too powerful. The Corsairs cut the BHG Core supply lines in an attempt to starve them out. This was slowly starting to take a toll on the BHG Core, and it seemed that their progress was not just at risk of being stopped but also at risk of being shut down entirely. The situation caused DeVirgo to resign, and in his place rose a new Guildmaster: Luther Varrus. Varrus was an idealist and a revolutionary. To a degree, he was also religious, but certainly not theist. He would not be daunted by the Order and the Corsairs joint attempts to shut the BHG Core down. Immediately, he began to ruthlessly draw large amounts of recruits from the regular BHG into the Core. He began to preach messages of barbarity and pushed a message of ‘Core superiority’. He advocated that the Cores enemies were ‘sub-human’ and ‘infidels’ and as such deserved to be killed by any means necessary. Recruits were almost endlessly thrown at the Corsairs and the Order as the BHG Core hoped to win by raw numbers. These tactics were so brutal in their conduct that they appalled the Order-Corsair alliance, eventually causing them to break off from the supply lines. With their supply lines back in action and new supply lines being opened through Halle, the BHG Core had beaten back their aggressors and was now more determined than ever to crush their enemies.

Varrus orchestrated the BHG Cores Nauru operations. As Corsair influence in Delta had become small, he sent a task-force of dropships onto the planet in mid 817 A.S. Upon landing, they systematically attacked all of the Corsair bases and killing anyone in their path - regardless of age or gender. By the end of the week, the Corsairs had almost exterminated from Nauru. The BHG Core took over from the Corsairs mining operations and proceeded to extract Iridium from the planet's crust. Yaren still orbited around the planet with Corsair colours, hauling up what little Iridium the Core had spared to Freeport 11, but the Core had plans to change that.

Liberty Releases Their Hold

At the end of 817 A.S Liberty declares war on Rheinland amid the allegations of Nomad research. With its efforts now focused on maintaining its own war, it was now unable to fund the Bounty Hunters Guild Core. This was not of much concern to the BHG Core however, as at this point Liberty had helped greatly to create its fleets and the faction had Iridium to sustain itself. With Liberty no longer pulling the strings, the BHG Core took the opportunity to discreetly advertise its services to the other Houses. Bretonia, Kusari and Rheinland would surely be interested in alien technology and artifacts, provided it could empower their militaries and governments.

Furthermore the BHG Core theorized that, by maintaining which house has access to what, they could ensure their own technological dominance over the rest of Sirius. Potentially, provided the BHG Core wiped out their technological rivals the Order first, the BHG Core could launch an invasion against the rest of Sirius. The Houses would be unable to resist an advanced technological onslaught, and most likely would crumble. This was all mere speculation however, and remains a subject that only the Core High Command discusses.

The Fall

In 818 A.S the BHG Core felt that they were finally ready to invade Omicron Minor. With their fleets gathered, they launched a major offensive into Omicron Minor with the objective to wipe out the Order and capture planet Toledo. As the BHG Core forces entered Minor, they began overwhelm the Order. Order ships began to try to retreat, but the BHG Core would not let there be any survivors and followed every ship that tried to escape. As they began to slowly advance towards the Battleship Isis victory seemed imminent. And then suddenly from nowhere an unseen force of Nomads began to pour into Minor. They attacked the BHG Core from behind, heavily devastating their numbers. With the Nomads blocking the system exit, the only choice the Core pilots had was to charge at their adversaries. Once the Nomads had finished with the BHG Core, they proceeded to decimate the Order before laying waste to Toledo.

The BHG Core had suffered heavy losses from the battle. Ashamed, Varrus disappeared from the organization. DeVirgo re-took the position of Exalted Guildmaster, and decided to adjust the BHG Cores policies. He made it less barbaric, more open to outsiders and focused on maintaining the Cores assets within rather than launching offensives against their enemies. As a whole, the BHG Core became a much more defensive organization after the battle of Nauru.

In 819 A.S Stoat, a veteran from the Bounty Hunters Guild, is elected into the position of the Core Guildmaster (not the Exalted Guildmaster). He heads on a lone expedition into the Chester system in Bretonia, only to disappear for several months. He eventually returns, although rumours circulate that he is infected and that DeVirgo uses him as an envoy to talk to the Nomads with.

Near the end of the year, Aleister Corke replaces Stoat as the Guildmaster and Stoat returns to the regular BHG. Corke hailed from an elite division of the BHG Core, known as the Warhound Brigade. He was widely known throughout the Edge Worlds sector for his deeds in the WHB and placing him as the Guildmaster only further boosted his reputation. However shortly into his term he was betrayed and murdered by Guildswoman Lucia Nielsen who held Order sympathies. Those events were not known to DeVirgo, and he simply treated Corkes absence as a disappearance. Eventually Lucia Nielsen became the Guildmaster of the BHG Core, only to disappear into Liberty in pursuit of LSF relations. Many believe that her true nature had been uncovered, and thus she fled away from the Omicrons to stay alive.

Phoenix Rising From the Ashes

The year was 821 A.S. The Bounty Hunters Guild Council met for one final meeting.

The Bounty Hunters Guild Core had and was growing beyond the expectations of the Council. What had started as a group of Hunters taking elite bounty hunting contracts in the Omicrons against the Outcasts and the Corsairs, had evolved into something much more. Although the Battle Of Toledo was a setback, it was a true test of their mettle and presence in the Omicrons. They had inflicted a terrible blow against The Order and showed that they were a force to be reckoned with. Although they too had losses from the battle, it was a minor setback on the greater scope of their agenda. Worthwhile recruits were quickly drawn back in, either via recruitment or by shipments of undesirables coming from the houses, under the guise that the BHG Core were the 'Protectors of Humanity' - true Paladins of Sirius, trying to protect it from the hostile threats in the Edge Worlds and establish peace by pacifying the Omicrons.

Sadly, not every seat of the council boardroom was filled that day. The Guild had lost several Guildmasters, either via being MIA or being killed under mysterious circumstances. The BHG lacked their Guildmaster as did the BHG Core, several other council members were also not present. Even the Exalted Guildmaster, Maxamillion DeVirgo, head of the council, had disappeared without a trace. All that remained were several of his associates, elites from both sides of the Guild and APM. One of these associates was a man named Erik Nodtviet.

The Council had always favoured the BHG Core above the standard Bounty Hunters Guild and was the organization that took in all the funds. Whereas the BHG Core were noble Paladins simply trying to eradicate evil in their conquest, the general image of the BHG was that they were petty criminals working for the Guild simply because they had no other option. They were dragged from their prisons and thrust into the Bounty Hunting profession as part of their reformation, however this often did not make them forget their previous criminal habits.

Erik Nodtviet had a vision for the Core. He saw a paramilitary that could potentially rule the Edge Worlds and be known throughout Sirius. However the poor reputation of the BHG would drag them down, such an image would not fit for the agenda that neither Erik nor The Guild Council had in mind. It wouldn't draw in more well trained recruits, it wouldn't benefit their diplomacy and it wouldn't gather support for their cause. Upon discovering, claiming and harnessing the resource known as Iridium in Omicron Delta and on Planet Nauru, combined with their export of alien materials, artifacts, weapons and technology to interested buyers, the BHG was no longer necessary to support the BHG Core. Furthermore The Core had the support of APM, as well as sympathetic Zoners and Corporations to fuel their conquest in the Edge Worlds.

And so, initiating the next phase of the plan, the Guild Council split the Bounty Hunters Guild and the Bounty Hunters Guild Core. Erik Nodtviet took the position of Guildmaster of the Core, whilst a new Guildmaster for the Bounty Hunters Guild was randomly selected from the Hunters of the BHG. The BHG Core was renamed to just simply The Core, and became its own independent paramilitary with the same goals as the previous Core.

The Core realised it would need more logistical, technological and research support which they could firmly control. Subsequently AP Manufacturing, the prime supplier of vessels and equipment to the Bounty Hunters Guild and The Core, was quickly absorbed by The Core. The CEO of APM was actually one of the last remaining associates of the Guild Council and considering Alabama Shipyard was inside Omicron Rho, the home of The Core, he had no problem handing over control of AP Manufacturing to The Core. What had once before simply relied on Core for protection and would support them in their endeavours, was now fully integrated with the paramilitary. Paramilitary and Corporation became one. AP Manufacturing R&D divisions became filled with Core personnel, APM would now benefit from the research conducted by Core scientists and Core would now benefit from the technological wizardry performed by APM. The Erik Nodtviet also became the CEO of AP Manufacturing, similar to when the Maxamillion DeVirgo became the CEO of APM, allowing him to oversee the operations of both.

This of course did not change AP Manufacturing's current Modus Operandi. The Bounty Hunters Guild had been split from The Core, but of course it could not be forgotten as it still did a service to the houses. AP Manufacturing still continued to make vessels for them, being the prime supplier of vessels to the BHG and Core. AP Manufacturing also continued to sell vessels to the Law Enforcement market, as well as for security purposes by corporations. The funds from this would go on to benefit both APM and The Core in order to help them achieve their goals.

The rumour mill in Omicron Rho continues to spin that The Core and APM are jointly conducting highly classified experiments. Rumour has it that such experiments may be possibly unethical and immoral ones into genetic modifications and other taboo practices that go past the boundary that normal scientists and researchers would not dare to take, all for the sake of being able to empower The Core further or to find the next big hit on the military market. Such rumours however are quickly discredited, as they are often the result of 'baseless' propaganda by their enemies such as The Order as a means to discredit the faction’s reputation. Few outsiders know what truly happens deep within the remote system of Omicron Rho

Finally, after the lengthy reformation process, The Core and APM were born anew. They would continue their agenda as 'Protectors Of Humanity' in the Edge Worlds, whilst also seeking conquest and to ultimately build an Empire in the Eastern part of Sirius. Today, The Core are a dominant force in the Omegas and Omicrons, shining as a beacon of hope to allies and civilians, whilst being a fearsome opponent to their enemies. AP Manufacturing functions as one of the best suppliers of military vessels to the ship and equipment market.

Goals and Objectives

Short Term

Construction of a Planet Nauru Docking Ring

After much effort we have finally been able to conquer Planet Nauru. Now, we need to establish a Docking Ring so that we may be able to open the planet up to the rest of Sirius.

Re-Capture of Dabadoru Station

The Order made a grave mistake making an infringement onto our territory. We've got them cornered from all sides, we simply need to strike and remind them what happens when you interfere with our business.

Long Term

Obtain all Alien Technology and Artifacts in the Edge Worlds for the Core and their Allies

The alien race known as the Nomads as well as the highly evolved artificial intelligence from Omicron Kappa use technology of a calibre Sirius has never seen before. If this devastating technology could be harnessed, it could revolutionize the battlefield - not just in the Edge Worlds, but all over Sirius. If we research this technology and develop weapons, ships and other equipment from it market, we could take humanity towards it's next evolutionary and technological step. The usage of such technology would make us stronger than our enemies, therefore we must collect as much as possible in order to maintain superiority. The Order try to challenge this, and thus they will be exterminated.

Extermination of any Resistance met and Domination of the Edge Worlds Region

Anyone who stands in the way of or halts the process of our conquest will be destroyed without mercy. The right to controlling the Edge Worlds is reserved for the Core.

Creation of a Totalitarian Empire Under Total Control of the Core Within the Edge Worlds

Our predecessors dreamed of establishing Core rule throughout the Edge Worlds. We have our laws, now we just need to enforce them. Those who oppose them or refuse to live under them will be punished. We must expand our influence by clearing a path through our enemies and conquering the Omicrons and Omegas.

Secret Goals & Objectives

An Invasion of the rest of Sirius from our Empire in Eastern Sirius

One day, when our power finally surpasses that of the foolish houses, we will take our fleets and conquer them. We will instil our rule across all of Sirius, creating a vision of our true Empire with Sirius's denizens under our control. For now, we will use them to achieve our own goals and fulfil our own interests. Someday, it will be their undoing.

Ranking Structure

High Command

The Guildmaster

The Guildmaster is the leader of The Core. A fierce and cunning leader who follows every aspect of The Core agenda and ideology down to the littlest detail. Highly revered for their leadership prowess and battle performance, both as an individual and as a commanding officer, some might even consider they were appointed by God himself. They are the rightful Edge Worlds sovereign who will lead The Core in its conquest to revolutionize the Edge Worlds by declaring war on and ultimately eliminating its enemies, as well as retrieving and creating new technologies to benefit mankind.

• Permitted to fly all vessels and all exotic equipment. Has access to all SRPs.

The Guildkeepers

The Guildkeepers are second only to the Guildmaster. They are the Guildmasters own personal elites; warriors and commanders who have proven themselves in the field. Regarded as heroes and treated with immense respect, they are expected to directly assist the Guildmaster. Each Guildkeeper is allocated a region of Sirius in which they are expected to expand The Core's operations there both diplomatically and politically.

• Permitted to fly all vessels and all exotic equipment. Must request access to an SRP.

Mid Command

Sentinel

Sentinels are true champions of The Core. As both deadly adversaries to The Core's enemies as well as highly potent tacticians when required, Sentinels are considered to be at the pinnacle of Core strength and ideology, bar High Command.

• Permitted to fly all vessels and all exotic equipment except SRPs.

Paladin

Paladins are the pillars of The Core. Paladins have proven themselves as skilled fighters and capable leaders, and are an essential part of almost all of The Core's operations. Their presence on the battlefield boosts the morale of their comrades and sends fear into the hearts of their enemies.

• Permitted to fly Fighters, Bombers, Transports, Gunboats, Cruisers and Battlecruisers, as well as make use of all exotic equipment and vessels that are of Bretonian, Liberty, Rheinland or Alien origin.

Templar

Templars are those who have broken from the lower rungs of The Core command, and embrace a life of increased profits, Nauru luxuries, respect and elitism. However, this is not at a cost. Not only must they match their bite with their bark, but a requirement for reaching the Templar rank is cybernetic impacts and augmentations of at least some kind. Due to this requirement, many Core pilots embrace such technologies early on in their career as an intention of dedication to The Core.

• Permitted to fly Fighters, Bombers, Transports, Gunboats and Cruisers, as well as make use of equipment that is of Alien origin. Bretonian, Libertonian and Rheinland equipment and vessels must be requested.

• To rank up from Knight to Templar, pilots must visit the Human Upgrade Clinic

Low Command

Knight

Knights are Guardians who have proven their worth to The Core. They are treated with slightly more respect, but are generally only a little more useful than Guardians are.

• Permitted to fly Fighters, Bombers, Transports and Gunboats, as well as make use of equipment that is of Alien origin.

Guardian

Guardians are the fully inducted recruits of The Core. They provide the main fighting force within The Core's armies, are expected to be loyal and obedient, and to lay down their lives when commanded.

• Permitted to fly Fighters, Bombers and Transports.

Initiate

Initiates are the fresh meat of The Core. Having abandoned their previous lives to serve a greater cause, their lack of knowledge and experience in the Edge Worlds doesn't guarantee them much respect or attention within The Core, nor a high survival rate. They are expected to prove their worth to The Core through often dangerous tasks. In time, dedicated pilots will rise up the rank and become strong warriors and survivalists. Those who do not perish, and will simply become another person lost to harsh and hostile nature of the Edge Worlds.

• Permitted to fly an armourless Manta.
• To rank up, they must venture to either Omicron Iota or Omicron-99 and retrieve 1 unit of a Nomad remain of their choice, making an MD of it after in this thread.
• Retrieving a Fighter remain promotes them to Guardian rank.
• Retrieving a Gunboat remain promotes them to Knight rank.
• This must be done without the support of ANY Core vessels of a higher rank present. Can be done with other Initiates.

AP Manufacturing Ranks

CEO

The figurehead of AP Manufacturing. In reality the Assistant CEO does most of the work. The CEO essentially smiles for the camera.

Assistant CEO

The logistical head of AP Manufacturing. Handles ship and equipment building contracts, as well as organises Mining Operations, Research Material Convoys and handles supply missions and The Core Supplies’ Board itself.. May also handle the sales of AP-Line technology and equipment. Also oversees R&D projects.

• Permitted to fly all vessels and all exotic equipment. Must request access to SRPs.

Seeker of Knowledge - Head Scientist

Oversees all of The Core's scientific projects. Has full access to all of The Core's scientific files and facilities. Also has access to all of The Core's prison facilities. Their underlings, the Scribes of Knowledge, help them in their scientific pursuits.

Seeker of Power - Head Engineer

Oversees all of The Core's engineering projects and is essentially the mastermind behind the AP-Line. Has full access to all of The Core's engineering files and facilities. Their underlings, the Scribes of Power, help them in their quest to technologically empower The Core.

Transport Pilot

Self-explanatory. Flies the Core|APM- tagged vessels around Sirius, either collecting supplies or delivering research materials and products to the rest of Sirius. May handle sales at the request of the Assistant CEO.

• Permitted to fly Transports.

Special Ranks

Luminary

External applicants that have been absorbed into The Core specifically due to their skill in a specific vessel earn this rank. The weight of the Luminary rests heavily on its pilot's soldiers, as they are expected to constantly and consistently be at peak ability - lest they are stripped of their rank. In terms of chain of command, they are essentially Knights. They can progress up the ladder to improve their standing and reputation, but they will be dubbed as Luminary's until they meet the rank of their allocated ship.

• Permitted to fly a specific vessel via request.

Capital Craft Proficiency Trainer(s)

An additional title bestowed upon a previously existing rank. The Capital Craft Proficiency Trainer has the role of ensuring The Core's Capital Captains rise to greatness and prove to be excellent commanders in battle.

Fighter Craft Proficiency Trainer(s)

An additional title bestowed upon a previously existing rank. The Fighter Craft Proficiency Trainer has the role of ensuring The Core's Fighter pilots rise to greatness and prove to be excellent combatants in battle.

Expedition Coordinator

An additional title bestowed upon a previously existing rank. The Expedition Coordinator arranges Core adventures into the deeper Nomad systems, in hope that they may be able to retrieve alien technology, artifacts and research materials.

Foreign relations

The following is the summary of The Core's relation with various parties.

Houses

Republic of Liberty

The House of Liberty has been instrumental in the creation of the Core. These days Liberty is an avid business partner and close ally of the Core; Liberty provides the Core with supplies, equipment and happily purchases the goods the Core has for export such as military equipment, research materials and Iridium. Liberty’s unlawful populace do not harbour any direct grudges to the Core, however the Core generally maintains its distance and refrains from hostilities when it can.

The Core has recently found itself visiting Liberty is the wake of Nomad activity spikes, something that is slowly becoming more frequent throughout the house. And where there's Nomads, the Order can also be found. Interestingly, Xeno and Hellfire ships have been seen protecting Order vessels from Core forces.

Federal Republic of Rheinland

Whilst initially the Core and Rheinland held frosty relations, including some strife over the Omega-15 system, recent developments have led to Rheinland and the Core to become close allies. Rheinland provides supplies and equipment, and is also one of the places where many of the Cores new recruits come from due to Rheinland’s proximity to the Omegas. With Omicron Rho now becoming the last bastion between Rheinland and the Nomad threat, cooperation is now more important than ever.

Rheinland is also the place where two of the Cores enemies - the Bundschuh and the Red Hessians - come from. Both often interfere with the Cores operations, with the Red Hessians being a prominent threat in the Omegas. The Bundschuh are often seen ferrying supplies to their allies, the Order. For this reason, they have made the Core their enemy.

Kingdom of Bretonia

Having cooperated on joint ship building projects and corporate missions, as well as having historic relations from the Guild Core days and APM, the Core and Bretonia are close allies. Knowing about the Nomad Hive located in the Chester system, the Core has kept a watchful eye on Bretonia for Nomad activity. The Core also supports the BAF in their Omega operations in the midst of the Bretonian-Gallic conflict. In exchange, Bretonia purchases research materials and Iridium from the Core.

The Core doesn't harbour any major feelings towards the Bretonian criminal underworld.

Republic of Kusari

Kusari has generally been very suspicious of the Core, especially back when it was connected to the BHG. Now that the Core and the BHG have split however, the Core is trying to replace itself back into Kusari. Recent diplomatic efforts with Samura and the Kempeitai may provide fruitful outcomes for Cores political image within Kusari, and such influence may prove extremely useful with some of the tensions rising within and outside of Kusari...

Whilst the Golden Chrysanthemums do not strike the Core as being diplomatically relevant, even with their relations to the Outcasts, the Blood Dragons are seen as a much bigger threat. Being one of the Orders closest allies, the strength of the Blood Dragons is directly proportional to the strength of the Order. Core incursions into Kusari are often met with hassle from Blood Dragon forces, and likewise when the Dragons make visits into the Edge Worlds.

Kingdom of Gallia

The Core has had minor contact with Gallia, and doesn't frequently interact with them. Diplomatic efforts have been made, but they are still a work in progress. For now, the Core is trying to win the favour of the Gallic Royal Navy by targeting Outcasts in Omicron-80.

Zoners

Zoners are the Edge Worlds faring denizens of the Omicrons and Omegas. Whilst generally treated with patience and care, the Core is mistrustful of Zoners who have not pledged any real diplomatic affinity towards it. The Core sees Zoners as people who need to be ruled with laws and regulations, in order for them to derive safety and pleasure out of their lives. Between some Zoners this can be seen as controversial, as laws and regulations directly conflict with the 'free' Zoner way of life.

Corsair Empire

The Corsair Empire is a long standing enemy of the Core. Both the Corsairs and the Core are locked in a bitter and bloody conflict for control of the Omicron and Omega systems. Throughout history both factions have inflicted hefty blows against each other, only to eventually bounce back later. With the Corsairs abandoning Yaren however, the Corsairs were pushed back to Omicron Gamma. With Omicron-74 and Omicron-Kappa separating the Core and the Corsairs from each other, recent months have lacked major conflict within the Omicrons. Although the Corsairs seem more than keen to attack Core forces in the Omegas.

Interestingly the Corsairs show little interest in the usage of Nomad technology, and do not try to police it or the Nomads. Still, that did not stop them from developing their fearsome Tizona Del Cids.

Nation of Malta

Whilst not often seen within the lower Omicrons, the Outcasts are nonetheless targets of opportunity for the Core. Outcasts are something that the Core has great interests in for study. Their Cardamine addiction - although somewhat crippling - genetically modifies Outcasts to give them much better awareness of their surroundings, cognitive enhancements as well as increased longevity. Such features match the sought after characteristics of super soldiers, something the Core wants to exploit.

Other than that, raids into Maltese territory are conducted as an effort to cripple the Outcasts, support friendly factions that operate near Outcast space, and push towards their territories. The Core is slowly developing an interest in the Sigma systems, and creation of an outpost in that region in order to stage more complex raids against the Outcasts may happen in the future.

The Order

The Order are a long-standing enemy and bitter technological rival of the Core. The Core believe that the Order are a threat to greater humanity, and likewise the Order think that the Core are a threat to greater humanity. Both organizations are in the pursuit of advanced alien technology, but they strike a parallel at how they think the technology should be handled. The Core believe alien technology should be researched, developed and sold to the rest of humanity. The Order believe the opposite and think humanity should not touch alien technology at all. Both organizations have had major conflicts with each other throughout the Edge Worlds, each side trying to wipe the other out.

The war also extends to the rest of Sirius, with each side trying to gain allies to help fuel their agenda. Skirmishes with the Order have also taken place throughout Sirius, with the Core frequently trying to undermine their operations.

The Coalition

The Sirius Coalition is the political polar opposite of the Core who lean more towards fascism rather than communism. This combined with the Coalitions Omega agenda and their distaste for the Cores capitalist allies makes them enemies. The expansionist policies of the Coalition directly conflict with the Cores Omega conquest. The Core also has interest in the Omega-52 system, but the Coalition simply bars the way.

It is not known whether the Coalition has been able to penetrate into some of the Omega Edge World systems where Nomads and Wild agents have been sighted, nor is it known if they have taken an interest in the technology and artifacts that have been found there.

The Red Hessians

The Red Hessians are notorious for carving a bloody path through Rheinland and the Omegas - even into Omicron Theta and Gamma at times. With each passing day, the Red Hessian Movement decreases the stability of the Omega region and becomes more and more of a potent threat against the Federal Republic of Rheinland. Given that Rheinland are its allies, this is of great concern to the Core.

Skirmishes with the Red Hessians happen frequently as the Red Hessians have a taste for the blood of corporate entities within the Omegas, entities that the Core has sworn to protect.

The Artificial Intelligence of Omicron Kappa

The Artificial Intelligence of Omicron Kappa are a mysterious, alien race of highly advanced and sentient machines. With unknown motives and being highly unpredictable, the Core is very cautious around these machines. Small scale battles are often fought across territories, with the AI being extremely defensive of Omicron Kappa. The Core has also taken great interest in the highly advanced technology employed by the AI - perhaps more or just as advanced as the technology employed by the Nomads - and seeks to obtain it for themselves by force.

The Wild

Being the infected thralls of the Nomads, the Wild are treated with the same attitude as the Nomads. Core pilots have been known to venture too deep into the Edge Worlds to become lost and end up being captured by the Nomads, whereby they are either killed or infected to serve as Nomad puppets. Measures are being looked into to prevent infection and perhaps cure it, but due to the complex physiology of the Nomad incubus the chances of reversing the infection process in the future seem uncertain.

The Nomads

Hell bent on eradicating humanity, the Nomads are the alien creatures the Core has sworn to eradicate. However, rather than merely reduce the creatures to ruin, the Core sees great opportunity of scientific study. The Nomads employ highly advanced technologies that if harnessed could lead humanity to the next technological step in human evolution. The Core has attempted to capture Nomads for study, with only one successful case of Nomad capture (however the records were mysteriously erased, with little information other than the capture of the Nomad itself left). Study of the Nomads did lead to the creation of Adapted Nomad weaponry, but the Core wishes to push its R&D further in the near future.

Diplomacy

Faction	Relationship
AP Manufacturing	Allied
Bretonian Armed Forces	Allied
Buro der Marineintelligenz	Allied
Kempeitai	Friendly
Liberty Navy	Friendly
Rheinland Military	Friendly
Other House Law Enforcement	Friendly
Sirian Corporations	Friendly
Bounty Hunters Guild	Neutral
Temporary Autonomous Zoners	Neutral
Zoners	Neutral
Junkers	Neutral
Gallic Corporations	Unfriendly
Gallic Law Enforcement	Unfriendly
Criminals	Hostile
Blood Dragons	Hostile
Corsairs	At War
Outcasts	At War
Artificial Intelligence	At War
Sirius Coalition Revolutionary Army	At War
Nomads	At War
Infected Humans	At War
The Order	At War

Ships used by The Core

Ships Built By AP Manufacturing

Snubcraft

Sea Serpent
Light Fighter

Hammerhead
Heavy Fighter

Manta
Very Heavy Fighter

Moray
Main Bomber

Gunboats

Bottlenose
Anti-Fighter Gunboat

Orca
Anti-Gunboat Gunboat

Capital Ships

Thresher
Destroyer

Bullhead
Battlecruiser

Mako
Battleship

Logistical Vessels For AP Manufacturing

Transports

Percheron
Transport

Shire
Transport

Mammoth
Transport

Bison
Transport

Known Bases

• Durban Station, Omicron Rho
• Alabama Shipyard, Omicron Rho
• Yaren Base, Omicron Delta
• Capetown Station, Omicron Zeta
• Planet Nauru, Omicron Delta