Introduction
The Independent Trade Vessel (ITV) Talon is a relative newcomer to the galactic stage. Operating through any number of larger Galactic trade guilds - most often the Free Trade Union - ITVs make up the bulk of unaffiliated cargo and goods dealing on the Frontier. Gathering together assets and sponsors to fund a trade expedition is a time honored commercial tradition, and many guilds still claim to trace their lineage back to the Companies of Old Earth. Recognized as a vital asset by the Megacorps, ITVs are generally allowed to operate in Corporate space as a way to supplement demand for supplies in troublesome or heavily populated areas.
Origin
Founded just under thirty years ago by a small group of investors, the Talon is owned by its parent business Talon Holdings Group. Originally based out of the Orion Spur, the business migrated to the Perseus Arm Frontier at the conclusion of the Phoron War, seeking to cozy up to local corporate interests. Adopting a practical strategy, the shareholders of THG afford the ITV Talon a large degree of operational freedom when it comes to determining its own crew and trade missions.
Operations
For a civilian vessel, the ITV Talon is well stocked and equipped for long-term trade assignments, and necessarily operates with a wide degree of autonomy. The company contracts pilots, midshipmen, and crew with varying degrees of experience from various Frontier ports for set tours of the local systems. Many of these contracts are temporary, and such tours are not considered uncommon on the Frontier. The required experience for a vessel like the Talon is low, and the hiring or dismissal of crew aboard is left to the discretion of the other workers manning the ship. Unlike other vessels, the crew of the Talon are not issued a stipend, or any other form of base pay. Crewmen are expected to fund their own expeditions through the acquisition and trade of goods and services. Beyond a net thirty percent share that is provided to the company itself, the hired crew of the Talon are allowed to distribute their revenue as they see fit. This means that the Talon's crew only receive money if they make money. Although they may freely allocate their seventy percent net share as they like, the cost of maintaining the vessel itself is also left up to those who serve aboard it, resulting in a generally reasonable, if modest, "take" for the average crewman. The role of "Captain" aboard the Talon is widely considered symbolic, as the vessel historically operates as more of a traditional democracy. Although the Captain is generally afforded the final say on matters, they have attained that position by way of earning the respect and trust of their peers. If a Captain is lost, resigns, or chooses not to renew their contract with the company, a new Captain is typically selected by vote.
Relationship With NanoTrasen
The Talon has recently begun to operate out of the Vir system. As an ITV on the Frontier, the Talon is expected to negotiate with any local authoritative organizations, be they governmental or corporate. The Talon Holdings Group has a standing deal with several Frontier corporations, NanoTrasen included, which allows them to operate within areas controlled by the company for the purposes of trade. Special dispensation to also source wares from adjacent territories where NanoTrasen teams also operate has been afforded to the company, providing the Talon with a valuable opportunity. As part of this arrangement, the ITV Talon has agreed to honor NanoTrasen's Non-Compete Clause, and is also expected to cede rights to NanoTrasen Exploration teams when they are encountered in the field.
Lore
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| Corporations | NanoTrasen, Frontier Megacorporations, Minor Corporations, The Syndicate |
| NanoTrasen Specific | NDV Marksman, Paracausal Monitoring Division |
| Other Organizations | ITV Talon, System Defense Force, The Orion Confederation |
| Worldbuilding | Extradimensional Mechanics, FTL Travel, Galactic Landmarks, Legends, Mysteries, and Rumors, Metaphysics and Paracausality, Technology of the 2500's, The Timeline |
| Contribution Data | Lore Submission Templates, Roadmap for Lore Development |