Megacorporations

Megacorporations are one of the few pillars holding up the Spur as it is known today; they are the logistical and industrial titans that drive the Spur forward, the weapons manufacturers and security solutions to drive the Spur back into the dirt, and the bureaucratic and pharmaceutical giants to keep us going just a little longer. For this, their holds on the markets across space are unshakable, their sway behind closed doors decisive, and the repercussions for their mishaps fleeting. To find a job with a megacorporation is often the quickest way to achieve a stable footing in life, with greater benefits and more secure positions compared to non-megacorporate jobs, however the demands are often high. Once in, there are few ways out, and to lose your job with a megacorporation is to have a permanent black stain on your record, leaving most unemployable.

History

The first megacorporations arose out of the fast-paced landscape of Earth’s 22nd Century, a period defined by fierce economic competition between Earth’s nations – particularly across the East and West divide – and the start of the race to colonise the planets of the Sol System, spurred by the strife of Earth’s climate crisis. Corporations began to quickly conglomerate, first nationally and then across regions. Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals is unofficially recognised to be the first true megacorporation by this definition; formed out of an agreement between Chinese biomedical companies then joined by neighbouring Singaporean and Japanese companies, it came to dominate Asian markets. Their success was quickly followed by others, with Hephaestus Industries formed out of North America and West Europe’s defence and heavy industry corporations being declared three months later.

Since then, at every generation-defining moment there has been a megacorporation to witness and capitalise upon it. During the climate crisis, the early megacorporations worked to mitigate disasters and reintroduce what was lost, at first only with their respective regions and/or states, though all the megacorporations rapidly expanded to be plantary in scale, managing to achieve what was initially thought a lost cause – resurrecting life on Earth. Come humanity’s first contact with aliens, the megacorporations, now trans-stellars, were quick to broker deals with the alien states, seeding their influence into any fresh market they could. These moves paid off as, subsequently, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals and Einstein Engines began to soar ahead of all the other megacorporations through their ties with the technologically superior Nralakk Federation and, more recently, Hephaestus Industries – after years of careful planning – have acquired what even NanoTrasen struggled to sieze after Biesel’s secession: monopoly over an entire nation in the, Izweski Hegemony. However, NanoTrasen Corporation remains the undisputed king of monopolies, with their position and influence in the Republic of Biesel giving them control over 90% of the phoronics industry, only the Republic of Elyra have another significant share. Now, with phoron becoming more and more scarce, NanoTrasen's once unassailable position at the top seems to be vulnerable.

During the lead up to the phoron crisis, preparations were made behind closed doors by NanoTrasen Corporation's Miranda Trasen to steel her company for the worst. The Stellar Corporate Conglomerate was secretly formed in 2458 and revealed in 2462 amid the second invasion of Biesel, which forms the unbreakable chain that connects all but one of the Spur's megacorporations. Little is known of what deals were made between the megacorporations before the public reveal, however today their members are unified only in their shared desire to identify new sources of phoron. This shared goal is not without challenges, ranging from internal pressures as the constitute megacorporations spat among themselves, to the ingenuity of the adversarial Einstein Engines.

The Stellar Corporate Conglomerate

Megacorporation	Overview	Specialities	See Also
Stellar Corporate Conglomerate ‘The unbreakable chainlink, holding the Spur together.’	A tenuous alliance between eight megacorporations, the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate is a giant on the Spur's stage, with access to the immense resources and influence of each of the members beneath its shell. Originally firmly under the control of NanoTrasen Corporation, currently the megacorporations under the Chainlink now grapple for control behind closed doors, each with their own interests to push for the Conglomerate to coordinate efforts and resources towards. Aboard the Horizon, the SCC fills the majority of its positions with staff loaned from member megacorporations of the Chainlink, who hold dual contracts with their original company and the SCC. These contracted employees are employed in Command and Command Support.	● Administration & Legal	● SCCV Horizon ● Republic of Biesel ● Corporate Reconstruction Zone ● Public Reveal of the SCC

The Big Six

Megacorporation	Overview	Specialities	See Also
NanoTrasen Corporation ‘The leader in all things phoron.’	The largest megacorporation and arguably the most influential entity within the Spur, NanoTrasen's position can be wholly attributed to two factors: its iron grip over the Republic of Biesel and the discovery of phoron it was quick to form a monopoly over. However, today phoron supplies dwindle and their chosen pawn no longer sits atop Biesel's government, making the future of the megacorporation rather uncertain. Due to NanoTrasen's influence across the Spur, employees from all walks of life can find employment with the megacorporation. For many wishing to start a new life, NanoTrasen Corporation is an easy ticket to getting a full-length work visa to the Republic of Biesel. Further enticing for employees, NanoTrasen Corporation is known to offer the most generous contract terms out of the Chainlink's megacorporations, be it: wide insurance coverage; excellent legal protection for those practising in a medical field; scientists having full credit for any published research (excluding ground-breaking!), contrary to other megacorporations. Aboard the Horizon, NanoTrasen employees are employed in Science, Medical and Service.	● Applied Phoronics ● Anomalies Studies ● Administration & Legal ● Biotechnology ● Food Sciences ● Pharmacology	● The Trasen Family ● Republic of Biesel ● Phoron
Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals ‘Building a brighter future.’	The biomedical giant and the oldest megacorporation in the Spur, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals dominates the the practice of medicine and the many fields of research which relate to it. Arranged in a keiretsu structure, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals is composed of many smaller subsidiary companies which all cross-invest to ensure each subsidiary dominates its place in the market, with Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals acting as an admin and legal hub for its members and only swooping in to take control of paradigm shattering research. Today, Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals focuses on perfecting the human body, through both genetic and cybernetic means, a line of research that has led to embryonic cloning, limb cloning, and the most advanced synthetics yet. Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals has strict hiring standards, as the corporation is known to only hire the best or those showing the promise to become the best. Not only paid well, prospective employees are often enticed by the promise of high-end cybernetics and genetic treatments that are often handed down as benefits by veteran staff. Aboard the Horizon, Keiretsu employees are employed in Science and Medical.	● Biotechnology ● Pharmacology ● Medical Bioengineering ● Genetics & Cloning ● Terraforming ● Administration & Legal	● Nralakk Federation ● Federal Technocracy of Galatea ● Origins in Asia
Hephaestus Industries ‘The anvil on which the world is shaped.’	The industrial titan, Hephaestus Industries was born out of West Europe and North America's military industries that snowballed in size from the 21st century onwards, where some now consider it the second most powerful megacorporation after NanoTrasen Corporation. Divorced from their history in military industry, Hephaestus is known for its bulk resource exploitation, mass-scale industrial manufacturing, and logistics which have kept the Spur's journey into the stars fuelled and stays on planets comfortable - for most.... Hephaestus Industries continues to pursue monopolies on everything industrial, most recently through the development of relations with the Izweski Hegemony where it has established a monopoly using none of its own workforce. With a reputation as the company for the blue collar worker, Hephaestus Industries is able to hire far and wide and attract those disenfranchised by more bureaucratic work environments – for those who can look past often slack safety standards at certain installations. Many are enticed by Hephaestus' benevolent company atmosphere, the investment options given to grow alongside the company, and the opportunity to soar to higher positions through only merit instead of socioeconomic background, seeing Hephaestus as one of the few companies to care for its workers. Naturally, this all comes at the cost of brand loyalty, with Hephaestus employees instantly losing these benefits or their position if appearing to dissent from the company line. Aboard the Horizon, Hephaestus employees are employed in Engineering and Operations.	● Engineering ● Material Engineering ● Mechanical Engineering ● Robotics ● Bulk Fabrication & Transport ● Civilian Commodities ● Civilian Starships ● Heavy Industrial Equipment	● Izweski Hegemony ● New Hai Phong ● Himeo ● Major Synthetic Production Facilities ● The First Trans-Stellars
Zavodskoi Interstellar ‘Even one matters on the battlefield.’	With a patchy history, the business of killing is the driving force behind Zavodskoi Interstellar's contribution to technology across the Spur and the profits that come with it. For Zavodskoi, conflict is another resource to exploit and a battleground is the perfect setting for testing experimental technology. Previously in the genetics market, today's Zavodskoi has become the merchant of death for nationstates across the Spur, from the Empire of Dominia – rarely short of its own conflicts and conquests – to defending liberty and corporate interests by supplying the fledgling Tau Ceti Armed Forces. Due to their patchy history and to contrast against the more gritty figures in the Arms trade, Zavodskoi Insterstellar has a hyperfixation on maintaining an image of professionality. As a result, Zavodskoi Interstellar's hires are often regarded as some of the most courteous contractors out there, a positive image of the company always coming first. Those who excel in this environment can find themselves with a most-paid trip to Moroz; etiquette lessons befall those who slip up too publicly. Aboard the Horizon, Zavodskoi employees are employed in Security, Science and Engineering.	● Engineering ● Weapons Engineering ● Military Vehicle Engineering ● Genetics ● Security Contracting	● Empire of Dominia ● Origins in the USSR and Warsaw Pact ● Tau Ceti Armed Forces Equipment
Idris Incorporated ‘Astronomical Figures. Unlimited Power.’	Where credits flow, Idris Incorporated can be found; the corporations empire of influence is fueled by the countless Idris banks across the Spur and an ornate web of lucrative loans and insurance plans. Expensive insider secrets can be offered to the highest paying of their finance clients. In recent times, Idris has expanded into the tourism industry and consumer goods market, using their vast fortune to create both iconic brands known throughout the Spur and to out manoeuvre competitors. With the ongoing phoron crisis, Idris Incorporated's wealth and sage advice has never been more needed, whether they be individuals, states, or megacorporations. Idris Incorporated contractors are expensive, coming with high expectations from both employer and consumer. For those who thrive in this environment, equally high salaries are afforded that can make it all the more worth it. With a degree of class expected for employees, it only makes sense for Idris Incorporated to lease and provide discounts on their designer brands – a taste of Idris' immense wealth for those who will never have such. Upon employment with Idris Incorporated, all employees sign an NDA that covers every inner working of the company, from training to pay to the content of any meetings you have with Idris company liaisons – nothing gets out. Aboard the Horizon, Idris employees are employed in Service and Security.	● Finance ● Tourism & Cruise Transport ● Designer Fashion ● Civilian Luxuries	● Silversun ● Crevus ● Idris Reclaimation Units
Einstein Engines ‘Lead by our history, leading our future.’	Throughout the Spur's history, Einstein Engines was the indefatigable megacorporate power, triumphing in every field they broke into and reaping the benefits of their close relationship with both the Solarian Alliance and Nralakk Federation. Following the discovery of phoron however, the status quo was shattered and NanoTrasen Corporation stole the throne; now with the phoron scarcity reaching its apogee and warp travel back in fashion, Einstein Engines is eager to seize it back with the promise of reduced dependence on phoron. Due to their close relationship with the Solarian Alliance and market conflicts with NanoTrasen, Einstein Engines refused to join the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. Einstein employees are not employed aboard the Horizon.	● Engineering ● Warp Drives ● Robotics ● Bulk Fabrication ● Scientific Equipment ● Civilian Starships	● Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations ● Nralakk Federation ● Phoenixport ● The Warp Gate Project ● Einstein Engines v NanoTrasen Corporation (2462) ● Industrial Reclamation Mandate of 2463

The Recent Arrivals

Megacorporation	Overview	Specialities	See Also
Private Military Contracting Group ‘Always on guard, always on watch.’	An amalgamation of private military companies of variable background, style, and character that have been permitted to work with the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. The Private Military Contracting Group was established to provide a point of contact for the Chainlink and its subsidiary corporations to be able to browse more trusted PMCs, a service that has since been rolled out to the public. No military contractor from the PMCG is the same due to the varied groups that have been permitted to work with the SCC. Aboard the Horizon, PMCG employees are employed in Medical and Security.	● Military Contracting ● Military Legal	● Eridani Armed Forces ● PMCG-TCAF Training Exercises
Orion Express ‘Faster than light.’	Blink and you'll miss them, Orion Express is a fledgling megacorporation whose freighters and mobile stations zip around to ensure corporate supply needs are met around the Spur. Having secured a stable footing, Orion Express now lends its various services to the rest of the Spur, with speed and convenience owing a premium - fast deliveries, fast mail, fast food, fast mining. New on the scene, Orion Express has very low hiring standards to keep its workforce bolstered, making for a great foot in the door to a megacorporate job for those young or with gritty pasts. Aboard the Horizon, Orion employees are employed in Operations and Service.	● Small Logistics ● Mail & Consumer Deliveries ● Small Resource Shipments ● Specialist Equipment	Nothing yet!