The Core

This is an NPC faction. For the Player faction for this NPC faction, see: The Core (Player Faction). For ID rules concerning this faction, see here: The Core ID

The Core
Origin	Edge Worlds
Alignment	Lawful
Profile
Date of founding	(Outdated) Bounty Hunters Guild Core creation date unknown. The Core creation date: 821 A.S.
Founder(s)	Erik Nodtviet James Clarke
Current leader(s)	Erik Nodtviet
Base of operations	Durban Station
Primary role
Obtain, secure, control and develop (and ultimately sell) as much Alien Technology in the Edge Worlds as possible and the extermination of any resistance met
Secondary role
Creation of a totalitarian Empire under total control of The Core within the Edge Worlds for AP Manufacturing.

The Core is a Paramilitary Organization operating within Edge Worlds and some Border Worlds. Often composed of ex-mercenaries, ex-law enforcement, sometimes ex-criminals and even businessmen who sacrifice their lives in the houses, wishing to gain fortune and power found within the Edge Worlds instead. They're relentless and willing to do whatever it takes in order to crush their enemies and obtain alien technology within the Edge Worlds and Border Worlds. Any who oppose The Core, namely factions such as The Order and the Corsairs, are exterminated without mercy.

They answer directly to The Core (Player Faction).

Overview

Outside from the safety of the House colonies lies the Sirian final frontier: The Edge Worlds. The Edge Worlds are a mysterious place filled with unknown treasures, priceless rarities and breath taking sights unlike any other in Sirius. Zoners often set up their own colonies and Freeports within the Edge Worlds, choosing to opt for a peaceful existence away from the Houses. However, such beauty hides evils unbeknownst to the common explorer...

Deadly, terrifying alien creatures and their minions capable of manifesting and disappearing at will, aggressively striking down prey without a second thought. Menacing mechanical constructs roam the Edge Worlds with unknown agendas. Feral Corsairs and Outcasts continue to pirate and kill not only each other, but innocents within the Edge Worlds as well. And finally The Order, a malicious terrorist organization, seem intent on completing their goals, irrespective of whatever human or civil cost must be paid.

However, within the darkness exists a light. The Core, rising from the ashes yet again, strives to preserve, protect and install law and order within the harshness of the Edge Worlds. The Core mercilessly cracks down on all hostile elements within the Edge Worlds, slaying them as part of their conquest. As well as this, they try to obtain as many alien materials and technologies as they can so that APM and Core scientists can create more powerful and potent weaponry and ships for The Core to use. Ultimately, the dream is for The Core to create an Empire within the east of Sirius.

In the Edge Worlds and Border Worlds, people have safety knowing that the eyes of The Core do not blink, is always vigilant and is merciless in pursuit of their goals.

At least, that is what people are lead to believe on the outside.

The Core have a callous disregard for life if it conflicts with their agenda. Outside the gaze of the houses, they are quick to disregard human rights and are cruel in the undertaking of their modus operandi. They pose as the defenders of humanity, when secretly it could be argued that they are the destroyers of it. Deep within Omicron Rho, APM conducts all sorts of unethical and immoral research and The Core are fierce in not only obtaining viable research materials for them (alive or otherwise), but making sure no one finds out. Only the higher ups of The Core truly know of inhumane evils that occur inside the darkest reaches of Omicron Rho.

History

The (Outdated) Bounty Hunters Guild Core originally rose as an elite group of Bounty Hunters working as an extension for The Bounty Hunters Guild within the Omicrons. They have been replaced by The Core, with no relation to the Bounty Hunters Guild.

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 Grand Guildmaster, 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.

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.

Such an image would not fit for the agenda which 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. One of the associates was appointed the new head of the BHG 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 PMC. PMC 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 Guildmaster of The Core also became the CEO of AP Manufacturing, similar to when the Grand Guildmaster 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.

Foreign relations

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

Houses

AP Manufacturing sells technology to law enforcement and corporations within all the four houses.

The Core safeguards Kusari, Rheinland and Liberty from Alien and Order forces by defending Tohoku, Alaska and Omicron Rho from attack.

AP Manufacturing supplies various organizations, such as intelligence or military/naval organizations, within the houses with Nomadic Materials as well as Alien Technology that The Core obtains in the Edge Worlds. They are the key supplier of such items, which is in direct contrast to The Order who believe Alien Technology and Alien Materials should never been touched by humanity's hands.

Zoners

Zoners are kept safe by The Core as long as they have a use. Otherwise, they are seen as expendable. Their Freeports provide suitable bases for The Core to launch their operations from. If not for those, attitudes towards the Zoners would be very, very different.

Corsairs

Corsairs are viewed as savage cannibals who continually insist on being a thorn in The Core's side. Those who stand in the way of conquest must be destroyed.

Nomads

These powerful alien beings are not feared by all The Core and APM, they are seen as beings of opportunity. They are sought out for research purposes, so that APM can develop powerful technology. Nomads should be hunted without mercy, then cut up or examined for whatever useful information their anatomy may tell.

Artificial Intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence of Omicron Kappa are unusual beings who wield immensely powerful technology of the likes that Sirius has never seen before. Currently, their technology has not been adapted, but APM wishes to be the first to achieve such.

The Order

The Order stand as the biggest walls in the face of Core conquest. They will stop at nothing to see The Core destroyed, nor will they allow The Core to exploit Nomadic Technology. For this reason, they must be exterminated.

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
• Dabadoru Station, Omicron Delta
• Capetown Station, Omicron Zeta
• Planet Nauru, Omicron Delta