This Month in Trade Federation History – Year 26 • Month 8
From TF Library
Contents |
The Rise of the Federation - Part 1: The Tauntaun Gambit
Published by the Trade Federation Library
Compiled and authored by Gav Lucky, Archivist and Self-Proclaimed Authority on Trade Federation Greatness
Editorial Foreword
Few months in Trade Federation history are as consequential as August of Year 5. To the wider galaxy, it was a month of celebration. There were parades on Vinsoth, press releases from Forsetti, and royal visits from the Hapes Consortium. But beneath the pageantry, the Federation was undergoing a quiet metamorphosis which would define its trajectory for generations. In the span of days, it solidified diplomatic alliances and deployed battlefield-tested technology, laying the groundwork for its rise as an economic and military superpower. And behind closed doors, the stage was being set for the emergence of a singular figure, whose leadership would carry the Federation into a new era of influence, ambition, and calculated greatness. This edition explores three critical events that reshaped the galactic landscape under the Trade Federation's deliberate guidance. These events illustrate a government in total command of its trajectory. What looked like decentralization was in fact consolidation. And what seemed like a resignation... was anything but.
It All Started with a Tauntaun
It all started in May of Year 5. The galaxy is quiet, but change is in motion. Not in a boardroom or on the battlefield, but across a frozen racetrack, under the banners of commerce and chaos.
All over the Galaxy the Shadow Enterprises logo appears on Holovids and is then replaced by the Tauntaun Race logo...
The image then shifts to the Quarren Lead Commentator of the Tauntaun races Shelrus Terklan.
"Members of the Galaxy, we had two exciting races last night and while our previous races have been pretty tame it seems that the Riders were just waiting for their Galaxy debut to bring out the big guns and show the Galaxy just how vicious this sport can be. Stun clubs, Caltrops and more were introduced into last night's races and will most assuredly be seen again..."
What sounded like sport was something more: a spectacle of escalation. The races were violent, unsanctioned, and utterly magnetic. Riders improvised weapons. Spectators placed bets. No one was sure where the line between rule and riot was drawn, only that it kept moving.
“...In other news, tonight the new Tauntauns’ names will be released to the public and the new races will be thought out. If you have a tauntaun that you bought and want it to race next week, let Larbac DarkClaw know. As a new promotion, if your Tauntaun wins the race the entrance fee is refunded…”
The broadcast crackled across the Holonet, bearing the stamp of Shadow Enterprises… a private firm with murky affiliations… and the distinct fingerprints of one of the most enigmatic architects of the Trade Federation’s early identity: Larbac DarkClaw.
“None of the bets placed for this week's race were winners so all pots will be rolling over to next weeks races, on top of that Larbac DarkClaw will be adding another 50k per pot so this means that the base pots without everyone else's bets will be 100k for each race.”
Each week, the stakes grew. The crowd swelled. The Trade Federation’s logo became a fixture in the minds of millions as more than a government. It was a host, a curator, and a source of shared experience. And beneath it all, Larbac watched. Calculated. Plotted.
“...Race results are posted here for 3/17/2004. This week's races were sponsored by the Trade Federation: an Empire of Trade. Please contact us if you wish to sponsor a race or want to advertise during the races.”
Each race brought betting, danger, and drama. Combatants clashed with stun clubs. Prize pots rolled over and swelled. New commentators were cycled in, fans named their steeds, and audiences tuned in weekly. All of it under the ever-present banner:
Sponsored by the Trade Federation: An Empire of Trade.
For five straight months, the Tauntaun Races would dominate Holonet viewership. But their true legacy was beyond making credits; it was controlling perception. The Federation was more than a race sponsor. It was embedding itself into the mythos of the galaxy, one broadcast at a time.
But something shifted on Year 5 Day 256. That was the day Larbac DarkClaw stepped away as a showman and stepped forward as a statesman.
A Corporate Sleight of Hand
Holoscreens all across the galaxy switch to the news as a special report comes over the holonet. The announcers mention that the Trade Federation has yet another announcement for the galaxy. Speculation has been running wild lately as to what the Trade Federation would be announcing today as in the past few weeks they have announced both the opening of the Commerce Guild and the Confederacy of Independent Systems as well as the execution of a thief. For this special occasion the Shadow Enterprises Affiliate was the only news crew on the screen by Governor DarkClaws request, and so their feed was going out through all GNS networks. Jensalith Bract was the reporter on scene.
“We await an interview with Larbac DarkClaw who has yet another announcement from the Trade Federation. Here comes Larbac DarkClaw now along with Nereus Eruresto”
It wasn’t long before an ominous figure wearing black robes approached the podium and pulled down their hood, revealing the familiar face of Larbac, the Arcona who had brought the Tauntaun Races to the galaxy.
Larbac smiled brightly to the crowd of Trade Federation members that had gathered to hear the announcement which was taking place outside of the Governors Office in the City of Forsetti on the planet of Vinsoth. Larbac raised his hands to quiet the crowd and the holocamera droids all swarmed to get closer views of him as he lowered his hands and began to speak.
"Members of the Trade Federation we come to you today bearing some news that may shock you all. As of 10:30 Friday night, we have officially tendered our resignation from the Trade Federation..."
Socked muttering rippled through the crowd and Larbac let it continue for a moment before holding up a hand to them.
"...Please our friends, it is not as you may think. We are resigning from the Trade Federation but we shall still be the administrator for the Vinsoth System and the Governor of the planet of Vinsoth. When we returned to the Trade Federation we promised that we would never leave again and while we may not be in the Trade Federation we shall still be working for them. You see, as of last Friday night we have been named leader of the Techno Union, a new business dedicated to bringing state of the art starships to the people of the galaxy. Our first contract is of course with the Trade Federation and the Commerce Guild and the other members of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, which we shall also be joining. For those that wish to avail themselves of our services you can either contact Avalon Kartane Or ourselves Larbac DarkClaw to discuss terms for producing your ships…"
The crowd erupted with applause, as they realized that they were not losing their Arconian friend, but instead gaining a new sister company. Larbac let the applause go on for a moment before holding up his hand.
"...We have a few more announcements if you will just bear with us a bit longer. While creating the Techno Union we decided to go with people who may not be known to most of you so we would like to take this time to announce our starting members. Welcome to Avalon Kartane and her brother Kailit Kartane, Phaedra Apshai, Starrchilde Kindreagan, Kiywi Slayn, Ackbar Collins, Trinity Nyte and Saryn Riche.
We have plenty of positions open for new members so if you are interested in joining a new ship production CMG** please visit our recruiting center at Techno Union HoloSite.
We know you are all anxious to get to the CrossStars Tavern and the Drunken Recruit to celebrate this good news however we have 1 last announcement before we go. This has long been in effect but we have unfortunately neglected to officially announce it. At this time we put that oversight behind us. The Glythe Sector is the home of the Trade Federation and as we spread out into new sister companies we have decided that it is time to make our [trade-in] system a bit better organized. Therefore, we wish it to be known that from this date forward all trade in the Glythe sector is to take place in the Varn system, The rest of the Trade Federation space is closed to trading due to our expansion projects. If you have business in Trade Federation space please contact a Trade Federation representative.
We thank you all for your time and now wish you good times in your celebration, oh, and the first round in both the CrossStars and the Drunken Recruit are on the Techno Union!"
**CMG = Combine Member Group, an old word for Factions.
Amid tremendous applause, Larbac raised his hands in triumph, a large grin splitting his face. Finally, one of his dreams had come true. Only one more was left, and it was coming. After waving a few times to some familiar faces in the crowd, he walked off. He would celebrate that night with his Techno Union leadership, while also discussing the future.
Jensalith appeared back on the screen and smiling brightly started to speak.
"Well there you have it folks, an announcement of a new business opening within the galaxy. All of us here at Shadow Enterprises wish Larbac the best of luck in this endeavor, not least of which is because he still is the one that signs our paychecks...." She laughed softly, "We now return you to tonight's performance of the 'Little Lost Bantha Cub' being performed by the Hoth Ice Capades troupe."
As Jensalith left the screen went black for a moment before the symbol of the Techno Union appeared on all the screens.
By leaving the Federation and forming the Techno Union while remaining Governor of Vinsoth, the Federation extended its economic reach without overextending its administrative footprint.
Rather than centralizing power rigidly, the Federation empowered loyal visionaries with autonomy, for the sake of profit. The modular structure reflected in the likes of the Commerce Guild and the Techno Union would allow for operational agility while keeping all critical interests under the Federation’s umbrella. This would become the blueprint for years to come.
The Tauntaun Races, once Larbac’s crown jewel, continued briefly under his shadow, but within months of his appointment to lead the Techno Union, they were quietly discontinued. No final race. No farewell broadcast. Just silence. And with it, a chapter closed. Yet their impact lingered. For two more years, fans and journalists alike would continue asking, “When will the races return?” Even as late as Year 7, Quarren Shelrus Terklan was still publicly referred to as the “former Tauntaun race commentator” in galactic news, proof of how deeply that era had etched itself into public memory.
To many, the formation of the Techno Union seemed like the birth of a corporate sibling. But within the Directorate, it was recognized as something else: an elegant maneuver to establish autonomous industrial power under the Federation’s ideological banner.
The simultaneous declaration of Varn as the exclusive trade hub of Glythe Sector was no accident. It was a consolidation play which refined taxation, streamlined oversight, and concentrated economic gravity.
For months afterward, the Techno Union’s growth continued. Membership climbed. Stock values doubled. New research stations were announced. The galaxy, it seemed, was catching up to the vision.
And Then Came the Silence
By Year 7, Larbac’s once omnipresent voice grew quieter. His last major broadcast celebrated the Techno Union’s expansion, the rise of new administrators, and an unprecedented membership surge. The tone was festive. Triumphant. Final.
As the nightly news started all over the Galaxy the normal music played and the newscaster came, announcing that once again with breaking news, they were going live over to the Techno Union on location in the Valrar System. The Confederacy News Network logo would dominate the screen and fade-focused on the Techno Union logo before that too faded out to the familiar Quarren Shelrus Terklan once known as the lead commentator from the Tauntaun races.
"Salutations sentients of the Galaxy!... It brings me great pleasure to speak before you today on such a wondrous occasion. Firstly we would like to thank the press releases from both Enigma and Eidola, for pointing out that yes indeed the Techno Union is performing quite well, but for more on this subject we go now to a press conference being held by Larbac DarkClaw the Director of Operations for the Techno Union..."
The scene resolved to a street outside of a building construction in progress. CIS banners hung from the various repulsors, holding the lights for the workmen at the front of the building. An Arcona, Larbac Darkclaw himself, stood behind a podium, with beings arranged behind him, and members of the Techno Union in full ceremonial uniforms currently standing at attention. Larbac cleared his throat and the murmur from the general crowd died down.
"...People of the Galaxy! We come before you today to bring good tidings in this season of happiness... While many of you gather together with family and friends and exchange gifts, we at the Techno Union have been getting and giving our own gifts that in the coming days we shall be sharing with you our loyal consumers. Behind Us you see the new Techno Union family...bigger and better than ever before! We have grown quite a bit as the Eidola have pointed out earlier this week in their own news articles. Yes, it is no secret our member count has risen considerably ...our stock has soared in value from what it had been just weeks ago. The strong increase we attribute to the Techno Union's new Second in Command, Assistant Director Alexander Winters." The image pans a moment to the Blond gentleman standing behind Larbac, then back to the smiling Arcona. "Alexander, we thank you for coming to our family and bringing so many beings with you, and we welcome you and hope you have a very successful and fulfilling stay within the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Now, on to other news first broken by Enigma, which we were going to save till closer to the end of the month. We do indeed have a station under construction... To help fulfill customer orders and to better serve you we have both the Zapheris Production Yard (a screen beside Larbac would resolve with a holographic picture of a level 4 production station under construction) and behind me the building you see being constructed is the Glaederon Research Institute. With this Research center and this production yard being added to the factories already created within our systems we are expecting a good turn over rate for the ships we will be producing within the near future. These ships will include the best yacht on the market today and a good in system material tug. To finish with this evening so you can all go back to your regular shows we would like to remind everyone that the Techno Union has not forgotten about our promise to effectively double the stocks that all non-CIS members own! This stock double is almost upon us as we are achieving the sales point that would bring it forth... However due to the length that this has taken we are now placing a limit on this to before the end of the month (December 25th to be exact). By the 26th of this month we shall start the process of doubling the stocks for consumers as promised. To get in on this deal just contact myself, or Garven Stalwart of the Corporate Alliance before the cutoff date of the 25th of this month. Goodnight, and for all that this applies to, have a happy holiday no matter what planet you may be from."
The CIS logo flashed upon the screen and then faded to be replaced with your regularly scheduled news program.
Within the year, another figure assumed leadership of the Techno Union. No GNS release. No ceremonial announcement. The crowd had already moved on.
But something… someone… had quietly stepped in.
This figure began to restructure. To reformat. To prepare.
Closing Reflection
In August of Year 5, the Trade Federation turned the page with precision.
A culture was born in spectacle. A corporate arm was forged. And somewhere, amid the roar of tauntaun hooves and the silence of political reshuffling, a new actor began to move unseen, whose rise would redefine the Federation itself.
Stay tuned for the next part in this series…
This Month in Trade Federation History – November 2025.
The Rise of the Federation – Part 2: The Architect
Who will inherit the machine and try to take it to new great heights… and how?
Bonus Content
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Race 1
Tel'nisil: In a shocking occurrence though Celchu Stinker who was in a close second decided that it would leap over a small ice chunk but at the last moment his speed seemed to decrease and his right hoof seemed to catch the top of the ice chunk sending both Tauntaun and rider sliding across the track, this has allowed Runes Runner and Super Scrocher to close the distance.
Shelrus: At the moment the real losers seem to be the team of Han Hustle, the Tauntaun seems oblivious to it's surroundings and is just kind of quietly strolling along the track at a nice leisurely pace and staring into the stands of shivering people who were brave enough to attend this race personally
Tel'nisil: Celchu Stinker while seemingly a strong Tauntaun has unfortunately taken it's eyes off of the track which has caused it to stumble and fall, placing Celchu in 4th place, the real surprise though is Runes Runner, while it has not fared the best today so far it was at least keeping pace with the others until now, a noise off to the side of the track attracted Runes attention and while it was looking to the side it slowed down some, it's handler gave it a sharp jab n the side with the back of his boot seemingly scaring the Tauntaun who promptly jumped straight up and landed skidding to a halt at the side of the track where it laid down and started to shiver, the handler is now trying to get the beast back on it's feet but with little luck.
Race 2
Tel'nisil: Oh my did you see that!!! ChissChariot in the lead in the start of the second lap was set to leap over a patch of thinner ice but misjudged the jump. One hoof went through the ice pitching both rider and Tauntaun down to the ground! Larbac was not affected and moved straight ahead into first for a moment but Alderapid leaped over the fallen Chiss to keep right up with Larbac!
Shelrus: This is an exciting race folks however we do still have to check out how the other racers are doing. Kyel is making some steady if slow progress, the beast has some grace I will give it that but grace does not make up for intelligence or speed in this kind of race.
Race 3
The Hammers Slammers logo appears on Holo-screens all around the galaxy as the second round of Tauntaun races are about to begin, the announcers Shelrus(a quarren) and Tel'nisil (a Twi'lek) are seen in the announcing booth. Just as they are about to begin the Races a pounding starts at the door and several Wampas pound their way inside and proceed to eat the camera men as Shelrus and Tel'nisil hide under the anouncers desk. Eventually the shaggy Wampas leave and Shelrus peeks over the desk at the one camera that is still functioning and in a shaking voice he says softly.
"Please stand by while our technical difficulties are being fixed...sorry for any delay"
And once that was said Shelrus passed out. Two days later they started the show again with new cameras and new camera men.
Race 4
The buzzer sounds for the race to begin and the doors to the stating gates begin to open. Albino Giraffe hearing the buzzer promptly jumped straight up slamming the riders head into the roof of the starting area while The Phenom, gives a bit of a false start and slams his head right into the starting gate before it has had the chance to open all the way. Phenom slid to the ice his eyes looking glazed.
Shelrus: OUCH! That had to have hurt. I am thinking this may be an interesting race already. Only a second into the race and we have a rider and a Tauntaun down! The Medical Teams have rushed out to check on both.
Tel'nisil: At least we can say our races are never boring.
Race 5
Tel'nisil: Hutt's Pleasure and Hapan Pride are neck and neck and right on the tail of Dreamweaver and right behind them is DarkClaws Dragon who seems to be slipping a bit on the icy track. Gensalith we seem to be missing a Tauntaun where is The Smuggler
Gensalith: Tel'nisil it seems that Smuggler may not have gotten enough sleep last night as it fell asleep waiting for the race to start. The rider has woken it up though and it is now moving.
Race 6
Gensalith: Dr. Polgara can you tell us what happened out there on the track today.
Nisley Polgara: Certainly. Upon close inspection of the track it seems that a bit of it became pitted during one of the first two laps, Mal'sheol then stepped in this pit only partially and twisted it's ankle breaking it cleanly, as it fell it landed on that same leg quite badly putting all of it's considerable weight down on it and snapping the bone in a second place beneath the knee. Both breaks were quite clean and with generous applications of Bacta Mal'sheol is expected to make a complete recovery in about a months time. His rider was a lot luckier having only sustained a few bruised ribs from his Tauntaun landing on him and then thrashing around as it did, the injuries could have been a lot worse for him had our teams not moved as fast as they did to sedate Mal'sheol.
Race 7
Shelrus: Mergal'inlith has slowed down some so he is still in second place and...What's this!!!! Hutt's Pleasure seems to have been playing possum this whole time, with a burst of sudden speed Hutt's Pleasure has passed right by Mergal'sans and has caught up to Mergal'inlith. Now trailing in the back is Mergal'sans.
Gensalith: Medics have started out to the field to get Requiems Decay off of the ice. It seems that when she tripped she has knocked herself cold, we will talk to Nisley Polgara as soon as the rest of the race has ended.
Race 8
Gensalith: Thank you Tel'nisil I am here with Kalas Telkern the rider of Hapan pride. Kalas what do you attribute your win tonight to.
Kalas: Weeell Gensalith, last week we did not do that good. No sir, we didn't. Anyway we been making sure to feed this one better and take him out on the ice every day.
Gensalith: Ooook Thank you Kalas, and that is all for this installment of the Tauntaun Races. Join us again next week for two brand new races brought to you by Shadow Enterprises.
The screen once again shifts to black and the words "What will the next races bring?" appears in large white letters and then the holosite address for Shadow Enterprises appears before the screen goes blank once more. Tauntaun Races Banner
Shadow Enterprises
Tauntaun races
Larbac's Signature
Coming Next
This Month in Trade Federation History – Year 26 • September Issue
Shockball Chronicles, A Federation Pastime – Part I: The DarkClaw Jets Scandal
Contribute to the Archives
Were you there during the Tauntaun Races? Did you attend the Techno Union's founding? The Trade Federation Library invites all Trade Federation veterans to record their recollections as part of our Oral Histories Initiative. Contact Gav Lucky for an interview session. Your memory is the Federation’s legacy.
