Gateway Interstellar

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This is a player faction. For the affiliated NPC faction, see Gateway Shipping

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Synopsis

Gateway Shipping was founded in 791 A.S. by a group of New London investors interested in hauling raw materials across house borders and independent worlds for sale to various, smaller Sirius companies. Based at the strategically located Kensington Shipping Platform in New London, the firm established a substantial clientele rather quickly. Within a decade and a half, Gateway had concluded contracts with a number of organizations to be their primary shipper, the Independent Miners Guild perhaps the largest and best known among them.

History

Gateway has undergone a number of changes in its short history, not least of which occurred in its leadership. Sir Alisdair Buchanan, a Bretonian businessman, philanthropist, and populist sympathizer, and one of Gateway's initial investors, came to find deeply rooted corrupt practices by a number of Gateway’s executives and investors following the Nomad War (800-801 A.S.). Gradually, he bought out the other investors until he owned a majority percentage of the firm, at which point he fired the executives in question and restructured the company in line with the values of employee and community development. Rechristened Gateway Interstellar, the young firm moved quickly to expand its trade division into a first-class fleet, eventually entering into markets that had been dominated by its rivals. Sir Alisdair is now retired.

Gateway is known as a classic underdog, a small but energetic firm holding its own in a market of large conglomerates, both private and government-subsidized. While relations remain tense with its primary rival, Bretonia's nationalized Borderworlds Exports, Gateway is recognized as a firm operating squarely within Bretonian identity and interests.

Today, Gateway Interstellar operates as a company that deeply values its employees and its partners, actively seeking opportunities to develop its services to both. Recently entering into a partnership with another small Bretonian Trading company called Sea Spirit Trading company.

Gateway Interstellar has not actively supported the war against Kusari for both humanitarian and economic reasons. However, Gateway has always sought the Bretonian people’s best interests, and with Kusari’s incursion into Leeds System, – the Royal Liner Carpathia – has been converted to a refugee ferry to evacuate Planets Leeds and Harris, and other affected locales. Gateway Interstellar is considering proposals for a future expansion from its sole station, Kensington Shipping Platform, to a secondary shipping station in Manchester.

Organization

Vision

1. Commitment to and constant improvement in RP, both with friends and with adversaries. 2. To create a good life for Gateway employees and their families. 3. To contribute to Bretonian economic, political, and cultural well being. 4. To maintain a revenue base that allows for the maintenance and expansion of goals 1-3.

Company Structure

Gateway is led by its Board of Directors. The responsibility of the BoD is to provide strategic vision and macro-level decision-making for the faction, as well as to contribute regular investments to the faction’s central account. Funds are used for faction-wide expenses, including subsidizing new employees as needed (i.e., when coworker funds are not quite sufficient). Since the employees are required to pay nothing to the company, this is the faction’s primary source of income. The BoD is open to any employee, or any non-employee with an RP-appropriate rationale for joining and a desire to contribute time, thought, and funds.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has ultimate responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company. The CEO formulates company strategy and directs its diplomatic relations with all governmental, corporate, and other organizations. He or she is ultimately responsible for the development of Gateway employees, and for ensuring that company objectives are met. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors.

The Director of Trade Operations (DTO) oversees all shipping operations, including the procurement and equipping of trade vessels, as well as the selection of commodities and trade routes. The DTO is responsible for all Trade Department employees, for their training and evaluation, and for overseeing their advancement. The DTO may appoint an Assistant Director (ADTO) as needed to meet departmental objectives. The DTO reports directly to the CEO.

It goes without saying that Trade Captains are the backbone of Gateway’s operations. A mixture of practical know-how, leadership skills, ingenuity, common sense, and a commitment to the crews under their command as well as to their peers is required for all Gateway captains. We concentrate on professionalism, skill, and safety; the profits tend to take care of themselves. New captains are set up in smaller transports so as to get their bearings in what can often be a daunting industry and environment. Soon enough, however, experience lends itself to an increasing rate of profit-making, and our captains find themselves able to outfit themselves in the best of trade ship design Bretonia has to offer.

Recruitment and Hiring

All players interested in joining Gateway can post an application IN CHARACTER at the thread linked here:

Gateway Interstellar Recruitment

Follow the instructions listed in the first post. Upon receipt of application, the applicant will be sent an interview questionnaire to evaluate his or her understanding of Gateway’s corporate profile and policies.

Gateway’s Employee Investment Programme (EIP):

Newly hired trade captains will be given command of a fully equipped civilian transport (1000 cargo). This is not a loan. Rather, it is a direct investment by the employees of Gateway in their peers. Often, new captains will be directly funded and set up by a more experienced captain, rather than by the company’s central fund. As new captains gain experience and wealth, they in turn invest in new recruits.

To this end, traders may keep their profits with no obligation to Gateway other than payment for escorts. However, voluntary donations will be sought from time to time as the company fully subsidizes ship and equipment purchases for new employees. Gateway hopes that new pilots, recognizing their ships and equipment have been voluntarily purchased by their coworkers, will feel the sense of family and community to which the company has committed itself.

Vessels and Markings

Ship types and naming conventions. All employees will use the Gateway ID and tag.

Trade: Gateway)Placename

Clydesdale

Civilian Transport

Train

Percheron

Firefly

Bretonian “Shire” Container Transport

IMG Atlas Transport (application required)

Large Train

Bretonian “Shetland” Train

Daily Operations

Gateway Interstellar maintains a variety of trade routes within Bretonia and between Bretonia, Liberty, Rheinland, and connecting systems. Gateway also handles shipments of more basic commodities to allied bases and freeports in the border worlds. Gateway takes very seriously its business partnerships as well as the use of trade routes in Liberty and Rheinland space, and works tirelessly to maintain its reputation for professionalism and incorruptibility.

Trade, of course, is the primary function of the company. In addition, Gateway is committed to the growth of the Bretonian population and the enrichment of its quality of life and culture. To this end, the company has a healthy charitable contributions office and is active in a number of educational, cultural and political causes.

Central Communications System: Gateway members utilize the following message dump thread for trade route information, trade reports, and special company announcements:

Gateway Comm System

This is the faction’s primary means of communication . All faction members are therefore REQUIRED to check this thread regularly for announcements, and to post trade reports whenever possible.***

Employment carries both responsibilities and privileges. Regarding responsibilities, Gateway employees will be expected to do the following:

1. Abide by all Sirius (Admin) rules and expectations. 2. Obey all laws of Bretonia. Only those items legally allowed to be shipped will be found on our vessels, and our pilots will behave according to the highest standards of professionalism and courtesy. 3. All vessels, irregardless of function or cargo load, will assist any lawful vessel in need whom they encounter. This includes system-chat requests for assistance by authorities, except where leaving convoy would unreasonably compromise convoy security. 4. Cultivate active lives (RP) with assistance, as needed, from Gateway management. We are immersing ourselves into a story here, so thoughtful RP is essential. 5. Familiarize themselves with company policies and regularly read the message dump thread.

Regarding privileges, Gateway employees can expect from company leadership the following:

1. Ample opportunity for the development of piloting skills, knowledge of Sirius star systems and trade routes, and good company in the often intimidating blackness of space. 2. An open-door policy regarding suggestions for company improvement and/or the redress of grievances. 3. Full subsidization for initial vessels and equipment. 4. Mentoring for new employees by more experienced ones, as needed and/or desired.

In addition, the Bretonian public can expect from Gateway the same open-door policy regarding its operations, as can the lawful residents of any system where Gateway vessels travel.