Trade Federation
From TF Library
The Trade Federation is one of the galaxy's largest government factions, with over 200 billion citizens. The Federation, which initially gained galactic prominence as a monopolistic trading empire, was rebuilt on the foundations of honor, integrity and profit. It has always maintained those foundations, striving to hold its members to the lofty goals that come with such a motto.
Although dominated for most of its early history by Neimoidians, the Trade Federation now welcomes recruits from all races and walks of life. The Federation is one of the most talented and diverse organizations in the galaxy, and those qualities are reflected in high profits and high salaries for the entire faction. The Federation has a long history of technological achievement, and is fully committed to innovation and technological progress and implementation of new ideas. In addition to this, the Federation is still steeped in its commercial roots, delivering basic and luxury goods to billions of clients galaxy-wide and generating prosperity for its citizens on dozens of planets.
Contents |
Structure
The Trade Federation can be broadly separated into two categories: governmental bodies (or branches of the Trade Federation per se), and nationalized factions.
Government
The Trade Federation's executive leader is known as the Viceroy. The Viceroy functions as Head of State, leader of the cabinet and Commander-in-Chief of Trade Federation's armed forces. He typically rules from one of two locations: the Viceroyal Palace on Taanab or his mobile command ship, the TFF Prosperity. The Viceroy's second-in-command is called the Duceroy, who shares in performing the Federation's day-to-day operational duties.
The Trade Federation consists of several ministries to carry out the mission of the Federation. Each of the ministries is made up of departments that specialize in specific duties of the ministry:
The leader of each ministry, in addition to overseeing the portion of the government in his or her purview, serves as a member of the Trade Federation Cabinet. Lower than the ministry level, the Trade Federation Directorate serves the needs of the Federation on a departmental level, discussing broad issues or needs in specific areas of the administration of Federation.
Cabinet
The Trade Federation Cabinet is composed of the most senior officers of the government of the Trade Federation, who are the Viceroy, Regent, Duceroy and heads of the three Ministries. Overseen by the Viceroy, the Cabinet is the true decision making body of the entire Trade Federation. The existence of the Cabinet dates back to the forming of the new Federation and the first true Viceroy, Corbin Esco.
All cabinet Ministers are nominated by the Viceroy and then presented to the rest of the Cabinet for confirmation with a majority vote. If they are approved, they are sworn in and then begin their duties. Members of the Cabinet serve at the pleasure of the Viceroy, which means that the Viceroy may dismiss them or reappoint them at will.
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice also must personally conduct all court cases concerning charges of grievous offenses against officials and members of the Trade Federation, presiding over a jury consisting of the cabinet and a random selection of other members. Lawyers for the prosecution and the defense are both appointed by the government.
Nationalized Factions
To aid in the functions of the government branches, the Trade Federation also retains several nationalized factions that specialize in areas not easily coordinated by the government. These factions are:
These factions specialize in production, recycling, mining and paramilitary support to further the goals of the Federation, and their hierarchies are closely intertwined with the daily administration of Federation business.
Former Nationalized Factions
- Akheton Vehicle Corporation (Merged with Techno Union)
- Alpha Medical Corps (Dissolved)
- Confederate Mining Corporation (Merged with Commerce Guild)
- Confederate Recycling Company (Renamed Haven Corporation)
- Creshaldyne Industries (Merged with Baktoid Armour Workshop)
- Dorinian Military Corps (Sold)
- Federation Holdings Group (Dissolved)
- Haven Corporation (Dissolved)
- InterGalactic Banking Clan (Dissolved)
- Rendili StarDrive (Sold)
- Stars` End Entertainment (Dissolved)
- Starsign Shipyards (Merged with Kuat Drive Yards)
- Vorsia Gearworks (Renamed Haven Corporation)
- Zone Supplies Limited (Merged with Baktoid Armour Workshop)
Commendations and Awards
The Federation has a wide variety of commendations that are awarded to Federation members as well as to members of its nationalized factions. These awards are given for exemplary service to the goals of the Federation, and they are prized quite highly by some members.
History
The Founding Era
The origins of the Trade Federation have been obscured by the many years since its foundation, but it is generally held that the Neimoidians joined with several other races in creating a cooperative trading endeavor spanning several planets. Most historians believe the Federation was probably a Neimoidian idea, as that race assumed leadership of the Federation throughout its whole first era. The Caritas and Filordi races were among the earliest recorded sentient species to join the fledgling Trade Federation.
As the Trade Federation grew in power and scope, its leadership became synonymous with that of the planet Neimoidia, and the Federation's leadership position was merged with the royal rule of Neimoidia. Ultimately, the Federation's ties to Neimoidia were downplayed as the Federation took on the governing of more planets, and rule of Neimoidia was devolved to a Federation-appointed governor. The last vestige of the royal connection between the Trade Federation and Neimoidia is the retention of the title Viceroy for the highest-ranking Federation executive.
The adoption of an aggressive expansionist policy led to a period of rapid annexation to the Federation of neighboring planets, hyperspace routes and star systems. The Federation had a reputation throughout this period for using strong-arm tactics to brow-beat local governments and populations into submission to Federation rule. As the Federation took on more and more of the daily governmental administration of these territories, it gained enough political sway to receive a seat in the Senate of the Old Republic.
Much of the Trade Federation's early success can be attributed to its brilliant droid manufacture. Droids were designed for heavy lifting, piloting, and finally for military application. Trade Federation inventors and researchers applied their current technologies to many other ares, creating profitable automated spy drones and starfighters, as well as complicated systems to automate the deployment of battle droids. With these innovations, the Federation was able to automate many aspects of its operations, cutting back on overhead costs and maximizing profits.
The Expansionist Era
In the days of the Old Republic's decline, the Trade Federation leveraged its efficiency and growth into galactic political favoritism. The Federation saw unprecedented growth in this period, largely due to back-room deals on Coruscant that kept Republic interference with annexation activities to a minimum. Many smaller worlds, aware of the change in the political climate, willingly joined the Federation. The Federation became a powerful regional government while still pursuing profit. This combination served the Federation very well; using its governmental status allowed Federation leadership to create wealthy trade routes, mining colonies and a vast infrastructure geared toward manufacture.
This period was marked by corruption both in the ranks of the Federation and the Old Republic political establishment. Budgetary deficits and legislative gridlock resulted in multiple taxes on trade routes, measures that harmed the Trade Federation's profit margins. In protest, the Federation took a high-risk political gamble, blockading the prominent planet of Naboo in protest. The blockade was initially a success, but a resistance movement broke the blockade, forcing the Federation to retreat in disgrace.
With the beginning of the Clone Wars, the trade Federation allied itself with the growing separatist movement, funneling funds, weapons and battle droids into the separatist side. The alliance proved to be a very unwise decision for the Federation, as the Jedi-led clone army crushed the separatist's military strength and exposed the Federation's involvement in the revolt. Nearly overnight, the Federation's influence began to evaporate, as clients abandoned the politically-embattled government. Many smaller planets and systems that had been pressed into joining the Federation abandoned their membership to take shelter under the banner of the newly-founded Galactic Empire. Bickering and infighting reduced the Neimoidian effectiveness at running the Federation. When the Empire dissolved the Imperial Senate, the last vestiges of the Trade Federation's political power were swept away. The Federation was now little more than a glorified shipping company that couldn't keep a Viceroy in place for more than a month or two. The final blow to the faction came with the complete collapse of its shipping trade routes and heavy taxes levied by local governments. The Federation defaulted on several loans to the Hapes Consortium, and was placed under the control of Hapan authorities by sectoral bankruptcy courts.
The Refoundation
With the formal loss of the Trade Federation a great opportunity presented itself for the right individual. An enterprising young Hapan named Corbin Esco approached the Hapes Consortium asking to purchase the rights to the Trade Federation logo, blueprints and meager assets. The prospect of recouping any of their losses from the Trade Federation bankruptcy enticed the Hapan authorities, who assented to the offer immediately. With the purchase, Esco assumed the title of Viceroy, and set about restructuring the Federation. Viceroy Esco purged the centuries-long prejudice in favor of Neimoidians, choosing instead to pursue talented beings from all races in the hopes of creating a solid base to build the new Federation.
Looking to start afresh as a business, Viceroy Esco decided to create a new base of operations for the Trade Federation in the Glythe Sector, a sparsely-populated sector rich in natural resources. The Federation's new headquarters were constructed in a small settlement on the planet Taanab, from which the company began a modest interplanetary trade operation.
Horizon Corporation, not taking the new Trade Federation seriously, attacked a flight of Y-wings in neutral space. The flight, on a reconnaissance mission for the Federation, immediately sent out a distress signal, and reported the attack. The action led the cabinet to declare war on Horizon Corporation. Over the following weeks, hostilities escalated between the Federation and Horizon, before a settlement was forged by Viceroy Esco to end the conflict.
Under Viceroy Esco, the Federation grew strong enough to be considered a regional power-broker again. The Glythe Sector began to experience real economic growth under the new Federation policies. A heavy emphasis on building and resource-gathering fueled a steady increase in population growth in the Glythe Sector, and several planets began to approach the Federation with requests to come under the umbrella of its prosperous system. By the time Viceroy Esco stepped down from his duties, the Trade Federation had undergone a transformation unlike few others the galaxy had seen: from a small organization on the brink of complete annihilation to a burgeoning government faction in its own right.
Rise of the Confederacy
Viceroy Slisik retired shortly after the founding of the CIS, leaving the cabinet to choose Horley Cyan to be the next Viceroy. Under his direction and with the aid of the new resources available to the CIS, Viceroy Cyan led the Federation to an era of construction and expansion. This expansion was larger than any the Federation had experienced since the Expansionist Era under the Neimoidian administration. To help him in these endeavors, Viceroy Cyan appointed a bright young officer named Bren Morgarr to be his Duceroy. Under the rule of Viceroy Cyan, Kuat Drive Yards, Combank, Haven Corporation and the Triumvirate Security Force joined the CIS, rounding out the faction conglomerate. Further, a huge expansion of operations in the Glythe sector was undertaken, securing a solid foundation of commercial, industrial and defensive infrastructure that still serves the Federation to this day.
War With Galactic Empire
Viceroy Cyan retired from office after a prosperous reign, looking for the challenge of new and exciting endeavors. At this time the cabinet sent a request to Corbin Esco, who had been on extended leave of absence, asking him to return and serve the Federation once again. Viceroy Esco decided to return for a second term of service, setting aside his desire for a peaceful retirement. It was not a moment too soon for Viceroy Esco to return to the Federation. The Federation had been under pressure from the Galactic Empire to agree to the Imperial State and Commerce Pact, a trade alliance that would undermine the operations of the Trade Federation and sacrifice the independence of the CIS. After due consideration and consultation with the cabinet, Viceroy Esco decided to decline the agreement, angering Emperor Vodo Bonias. The Galactic Empire declared war on the CIS for the rejection, forcing Kuat Drive Yards and Combank (both Empire-allied factions) to withdraw from the CIS.
Upon taking up his office, Viceroy Morgarr immediately contacted Imperial authorities with the intent to end the war that had ravaged the Federation-controlled sectors. A short truce was declared so that the sides could negotiate a long-term peace. When Viceroy Morgarr went to the peace summit, he was shocked to find the Empire proposing the Federation accept the Imperial State and Commerce Pact. Viceroy Morgarr again declined the pact, throwing Emperor Bonias into a rage. The Empire promptly declared war on the CIS again, and hostilities resumed.
The Golden Age
The driving force behind Viceroy Morgarr's reign was the desire to support the Federation even in the face of a large-scale war with the Galactic Empire. It was not enough to replace the factions that had left the CIS, Viceroy Morgarr wanted to expand it more than ever before. Under his watch, Haor Chall Engineering, Lant Mining Corporation, The Order of Kampar, Triumvirate Mining Corporation, InterGalactic Banking Clan and Stars` End Entertainment all joined the CIS. Upon the resignation of his first Duceroy, Centauri Tyridius, Viceroy Morgarr appointed the CEO of Techno Union Jacob Jansen to the post. Under this Viceroy/Duceroy team, ambitious growth projects were completed and unprecedented population growth was achieved throughout Trade Federation systems. It was during this system that the Federation base on Lekua IV was completed. To cap these successes, the Farfin sector fell to Federation military forces, causing a much-needed respite in the war against the Empire. With these accomplishments completed, Viceroy Morgarr resigned, leaving the cabinet to appoint a successor. The cabinet made the easy choice to try to continue Viceroy Morgarr's success, settling on Duceroy Jacob Jansen.
Peace and Reform
Viceroy Jansen's first goal was to end the war with the Galactic Empire, a war that he long had felt was unnecessary and harmful to the Federation. Viceroy Jansen met privately with the Emperor, in a closed-door session. Nobody know what was said in that meeting, but when he emerged, Viceroy Jansen confirmed that a cease-fire had been brokered between the two governments. It was the beginning of increasing cooperation between the Federation and the Empire.
Stars` End Entertainment was dissolved, and much of the Haven Corporation's resources were merged with the Confederate Recycling Company. Eventually, the Confederate Recycling Company was renamed after the original Haven Corporation, and still works closely with the Trade Federation today. Starsign Shipyards was merged with Techno Union, and the Confederate Mining Corporation was merged with the Commerce Guild. Finally, after many small steps, the CIS was disbanded completely, with most remaining factions absorbed into various arms of the Trade Federation with a few nationalized factions retained as close allies of the reorganized Federation. The newer, more efficient Federation thrived, seeing the completion of extensive mining and housing operations on Rafa V and a flurry of new recruits joining the faction, eager to serve. With its reorganization firmly in place, the Trade Federation was ready to take its first steps into even greater galactic prominence.
Imperial Union
With its new-found peace and purpose, the Trade Federation was ready to explore alliances with the other major government factions of the galaxy. Viceroy Jansen was approached by the Galactic Empire with an offer to join the Imperial Union, and offer to which the cabinet and Directorate agreed. Such a step was significant, as it would inevitably push the Trade Federation toward the Imperial side of the galactic civil war, compromising the Federation's strictly-maintained neutrality. On Year 9, Day 295, the treaty making the Federation a member of the Imperial Union was ratified.
Under the ministry of Olwin Froon, plans for rapid and aggressive development of planets like Rafa V were installed, creating a hyper-local approach to economic development. By opening the projects up to any Federation members with the funds to build, the Ministry of Production fueled growth while further investing the officers and officials of the faction. Further, by focusing on only a few planets at a time,the Ministry was able to keep a watchful eye on the construction, ensuring a proper balance of industry and services to serve the planet's population. Many planets were scanned and tapped for raw materials which could be used for the construction of ships, vehicles, building or other products. Nearly overnight, the Department of Logistics had its hands full with requests to move millions of tons of raw materials from everywhere to everywhere else. Under this system, the galaxy watched as the Trade Federation's formula for success embodied its original founding mandate, instilling honor and integrity wherever it went, while supplying profit for citizens, officials and members as well.
With the economic goals of the Trade Federation more than successfully met, Viceroy Jansen and Minister of Defence Kage Renbukai set about organizing and building up the tools to defend what the Federation had spent so much effort to create. Each of the Federation-controlled sectors was closed off to outside space traffic, requiring freighters, haulers and fighters alike to carry a Federation Flight Permit to fly in that space. Specific open-trade port planets and systems were designated, giving outsiders who had no permit a chance to funnel their goods into Federation territories. One such planet is Varno in the Glythe Sector. This system provided a measure of protection for the construction projects overseen by the Ministry of Production. Any intruders into Federation space could be identified and pursued more easily and quickly than ever before.
Once the borders of the Federation were brought under control, Viceroy Jansen and Minister Renbukai began to plan out an ambitious plan to grow the Trade Federation Navy into a well-oiled military machine. With the combined cooperation of the Ministries of Defence, Production and Interior, the Trade Federation began an overhaul and upgrade of the Federation Naval Forces, refitting or replacing hundreds of ships, from small freighters up to the mighty Lucrehulk Battleships. New fleets of Lucrehulks were commissioned and deployed to the Federation's sectors, adding a second layer of defense to the closed-off systems. However, Viceroy Jansen recognized the dangers of a completely-mobile defense. With a fleet alone, there was always the potential that the fleet might move away from their defense points, leaving the precious planets and systems vulnerable. With a fleet, it would also be difficult to maintain space superiority while keeping ships anchored to specific locations.
It was at this point that Duceroy Bub`ba Lou, who had served the Federation faithfully for many years, was forced to resign from his duties as Viceroy due to the many constraints on his time and health. Although under his watchful gaze the Federation had become a far more efficient organization, Duceroy Lou was still in high demand all over the Federation, putting down minor emergencies and helping to continue the reforms started by Viceroy Jansen. Rather than lose such a talented ally, Viceroy Jansen elected to nominate Duceroy Lou as his Regent, naming him next in succession for the position of Viceroy, but allowing him much more time to care for the Federation and his health. Regent Lou is still omnipresent in the Federation, and can be found working in almost any department on any day. Viceroy Jansen named Minister Renbukai his new Duceroy to replace Regent Lou.
Most recently, Viceroy Jansen led the Trade Federation into a powerful alliance with the Hapes Consortium. For the first time in either government's history, each faction pledged a full militaristic, economic and social alliance to the other. signed the Trade Federation/Hapes Consortium Alliance with Hapan King Jessy James, ruler of the Hapes Consortium. The alliance began with an historic document signing titled the Neshig Accords. Together, Federation and Hapan military forces shares jurisdiction over the sector of space called Neshig.
An Empire of Trade
On Year 13, Day 315, the Trade Federation announced their official withdrawal from the Imperial Union in favor of a more neutral stance on Galactic Politics. Viceroy Jacob Jansen and his Cabinet announced this in addition to mentioning plans for the Trade Federation's future as an "Empire of Trade" as it was originally founded, and continuing to uphold the tenets of "Honor, Integrity, and Profit." The Viceroy discussed future plans in order to "form a Federation that protects the rights of traders and provide a safe haven for the honest traders and peoples of the galaxy." He hinted at future plans of expanding the Trade Federation's business to trading instead of the production and selling that the Federation has been so engrossed in thus far. Several programs and departments have been implemented and/or are being redesigned in the hopes of revitalizing the spirit of trade within the Federation as well as between the Federation, its members, and the Galaxy. Some of these programs and departments include a re-haul of the Department of Justice, a revitalization of the Department of External Affairs and the implementation of a Citizenship opportunity for all members of the galaxy. More programs and departments are expected to be overhauled in the near future.
Politics
The Trade Federation has traditionally maintained a strict neutrality in the conflict between the Galactic Empire and those who oppose them. However, over time, the growth of the Federation began to attract unwelcome attention from both sides of the Galactic Civil War. To prevent the Federation from growing too strong and joining the Rebels, the Empire went to war with the Trade Federation. After a long conflict, both sides decided to draw up peace plans that laid the foundation for a more harmonious cooperation in the future. The Trade Federation is now a member of the Imperial Union, an axis of factions dedicated to the stability and prosperity of the galaxy. Membership in the union does not necessitate a compromise of the Federation's neutrality, but it might in the future. It is widely considered to be a solid step by the Federation toward the Imperial camp should the Galactic Civil War reach a crisis point.
The Hapes Consortium is allied with the Trade Federation. Going further than a non-aggression pact, both governments have pledged mutual economic, military and cultural aid should the need arise. Furthermore, both sides of the pact have committed to join forces in military exercises and sectoral security measures.
Technology
The Trade Federation's history of technological innovation spans more than a century, a fact worthy of pride on the part of all Federation members. Under the innovative minds at the Trade Federation laboratories on Taanab, powerful automation systems have been developed, resulting in progressively advanced droid intelligences and abilities. Further, these automation systems, when blended with Federation ship-building technologies, allow for large-scale shipping and space superiority fleets to be operated at only a fraction of the ordinary cost or crew size.
Droids
Battle Droid
Super Battle Droid
Destroyer Droid
Vehicles
Armoured Attack Tank
STAP
Ships
Lucrehulk Battleship
C-9979 Landing Ship
Sheathipede-class Transport Shuttle
Scarab-class Droid Fighter
Corona-class frigate
Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruiser
Nebulon-B Frigate
Weapons
E-5 Droid Blaster
Heraldry
The flag and logo of the Trade Federation have undergone many revisions over the years, with the earliest versions of the logo being merely a berge of the ancient Filordi glyphs for the Trade Federation's initials. Early in the Expansionist Era this logo was discarded in favor of the simple Lucrehulk outline used in the flag today. During the Clone Wars, the Lucrehulk design was set aside in favor of the hexagonal logo used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Flag
Viceroy Esco brought back the Lucrehulk design, but updated the colors and schema of the Federation flag, drawing on the color values of the heraldic tradition of his native Hapes. He retained the royal blue that had always been the color of the Federation, adding white and red to the flag. The design of the flag is now as follows:
A blue field with red stripe, horizontal along the center of the lower third of the flag. Surrounding the red stripe are two parallel white stripes, twice the width of the red stripe. Superimposed on the stripes is the white shape of the Lucrehulk, bound in blue.
A description of the flag's meaning can be found in the Federation Archives in the Viceroyal Library on Taanab. The description dates back to the reign of Viceroy Horley Cyan:
"If viewed in the light of traditional Hapan heraldic colors, the red of the flag means military strength and valor in battle. This is at the heart of the Federation's foundation, as evidenced by its location at the center of the lower third of the flag. The white, symbolizing peace and honor, wraps or covers the red stripe, tempering the military efforts of the Federation with the guiding lines of virtue. The Lucrehulk is also white, superimposed over the red line, showing that the use of the Lucrehulks is devoted to the stability and benefit of the citizens of Federation territories. Lastly, the traditional blue of the Federation represents truth, integrity and loyalty, which binds the Lucrehulk and the whole banner together as these principles do of the Federation."
Banners
Multiple interactive holo-banners have also been devised for the use of the Trade Federation's members over the years. These banners are used to advertise for new recruits, to punctuate member holocommunications, and generally to display pride in membership over the holonet:
