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a.k.a. FMC, "Peddlers"
Overview: |
The FMC is a conglomeration of three mega-corporations that comprise 80% of the local business market and numerous independent groups. Their culture is centered around commerce and the acquisition of wealth. The top mega-corps (also known as "the power three") are: Tran Enterprises -- Currently the holder of the FMC government services contract, which will expire in three years. When conducting any official business with the FMC, off-worlders will have to go through Tran Enterprises. The upper echelons of this corp have been genetically engineered to be the best and the brightest. Data Central -- The main producer of synthetic minds, they also control most of the entertainment industry within the FMC. Their hottest product is a Quantum weather forecaster, a godsend for travelers. Ranking Data Central employees are identifiable by a cybernetic "unseeing eye", a device that takes up the entire right eye and connects the user to the Omnet. Laskin Shipping and Handling -- Laskin ships goods to and from different quantum zones. They have established trade routes throughout their sector and have branched off into the adjoining ones. |
Navigation:CoLC Index |
Index:Q-dex / Technology / Magic
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Q-dex: |
T 868.1325/133.979O M 232.7856/174.17 |
Technology: |
The FMC is rather advanced technologically. There are constant market pressures to stay one step ahead of competitors. Additionally, Peddler ships venture out to distant Q-zones and bring back devices to inspire scientists. Although it should be noted that most complex devices don't last long past the warranty period. |
Magic: |
Most Peddlers distrust magic. It isn't very powerful within their Q-zone and the magical quantum storms make magical devices unreliable at best. When magic is used, it is used simply to analyze other magical forces that aren't native to FMC space. |
Size: |
The FMC only comprises two star systems, the second one having been bought in 2037. The main system has one inhabitable planet known as Market. The Market system has plenty of natural resources, but the Peddlers are looking to expand out to a third star system with a planet that is being considered for terraforming. |
Population: |
7 billion people live on Market, 300 million being various non-human species. 500 million live on the various stations within the two systems. There are no figures on how many Peddler trade ships are roaming the galaxy looking for new opportunities. |
Climate and Geography: |
Market is normally a very typical planet, but Tran Enterprises has several weather control stations creating a global paradise (for a nominal fee of course). |
Flora and Flauna: |
Market has a very diverse biosphere. This is primarily because trade officials don't look very closely at plants and animals coming into the system. While nothing as extreme as a phase dragon has ever run wild, there are many non-native species that have made Market their new home. Laskin Shipping has found that Market spiceberries make an excellent wine that has sold rather well. |
History: |
Peddlers are among the few who can claim that they initiated contact with the Omnet instead of vice-versa. Contact was made in 1889 by a Laskin scout ship that came across an Omnet ranger. When news of contact with the greater galaxy hit the FMC the people were overjoyed at the prospects of commerce with trillions of sentience and quickly adopted the Omnet calendar and protocols.
Peddlers often boast that they have fought no wars in the past nine hundred years. This is true. However, there have been two worker uprisings, five "lengthy competitive weapon tests", and twenty-three trade disputes. |
Government: |
As noted above, The FMC is currently governed by Tran Enterprises. Corporations are allowed to bid for rulership every 10 years. The winner is chosen by popular vote based on the strength of the bids. Unlike most democracies, it is legal to sell one's vote.
Most laws simply enforce free and fair trade; life in the FMC is rather libertarian. There are some exceptions though. Slavery was made illegal in 1629 after several vice-presidents from many corps were captured and sold to competitors. Foreign Policy: Peddlers welcome outsiders. Especially outsiders with lots of money. Domestic Policy: Beyond violent crime laws, there are few laws that are imposed on the citizenry. All crimes have an associated fine, and any felon is expected to pay for court fees if found guilty. If unable to pay, people are sentenced to hard labor. |
Society: |
Peddlers are a dynamic people. They thrive in chaotic situations and enjoy new things. Peddlers are very tolerant of other belief systems, and extremely tolerant of belief systems that mandate a high consumption rate for material items.
Peddlers do not maintain strong family ties, loosing track of relations beyond the cousin/aunt/uncle level. Peddlers often join economic focus clubs that share information about a certain sector of the business market, hobby clubs, or recreational sport teams. A mark of success in Peddler society is for an individual to form a company. Entrepreneurs in the FMC are viewed as heroes of the day, much as professional athletes or powerful magicians are viewed on other worlds. Peddlars often venture into wildspace in search of economic opportunity. The survival rate is a meager 0.7%, which isn't nearly low enough to make hundreds of Peddlers take off in search of wealth and adventure every year. Languages: There is one language in the FMC, called Tradespeak. Tradespeak is very easy to learn, can be spoken by a wide variety of aliens, but is completely inadequate for conveying personal feelings. Religion: Peddlers don't have any true organized religion. They do believe in the forces of fate and luck. Peddlers believe these forces are manifested by Q-storms, as exemplified by the following expressions: Castes: There are no structured castes within the FMC. Peddlers are strong believers in personal merit, and if a street vendor is able to rise up in a corporation none will hold her humble origins against her. Conversely Peddlers view nepotism with low regard. |
Economy: |
The basic unit of currency is the virtual credit also known as "VCs" or "veeks". All transactions are performed via computer. While the standard of living is generally rather high within the FMC there is a sharp division of wealth. |
Military: |
The FMC war machine isn't that strong. Only 5% of the forces are equipped to travel outside of their own Q-zone, and the military is designed entirely for defense. A favorite tatic of the Peddler forces is the use of aggressive subliminal advertising to convice the enemy to trade their weapons for something harmless (e.g. a plasma gun for a sponge mop). |
Sports and Leisure: |
As noted above, Tradespeak isn't conducive to exploring the depths of the human soul. Art, music, and dance are greatly appreciated though. Peddlers import huge volumes of art. Peddlers enjoy competitive sports, both for gambling and participation. A current favorite is gravball, a form of rugby played on a field that randomly fluctuates the gravity plus or minus fifty percent. |
Major Population Centers: |
The largest city is Munson, named after the founder and original CEO of the FMC. It is the home of Laskin spaceport, the largest on the world. Other places of note is the mining sprawl on the fourth world in the Market system, and Junction Station. Junction is a huge space station located half a light year from the Sun that serves as a waypost for those unwilling or unable to take their goods all the way to the planet. |
Chronic Problems: |
The only major threat to the FMC is piracy. There are many who would prey upon cargo ships with limited weaponry, and the FMC is a juicy target. There are rumors of a pirate base hidden within the secondary system, but they have yet to be confirmed. |
Submission Information: |
Submitter's Name: Derek Becker Submitter's Email: beckent@erols.com Sifter's Name: Dave Johnson |