// FACTIONS

The Traders Emergency Coalition (TEC)

"Cargo moves. Problems solve themselves."

The galaxy's oldest neutral trade organization, predating the New Concordat by a century. The TEC doesn't care about race, politics, or the philosophical implications of Ancient architecture. It cares about whether cargo gets where it's going and whether the invoices get paid. In a galaxy where three civilizations are constantly on the edge of conflict, the TEC has survived by being genuinely useful to all of them.

The TEC runs the bonded courier network, maintains the standard cargo classification system, and operates the dispute resolution tribunals that handle the majority of inter-racial commercial conflicts. Their neutrality is enforced rather than innate - TEC members who take faction sides lose their bonded status permanently.

Space: Offices at all major stations. TEC-bonded vessels are identifiable by their registry markings and are theoretically off-limits to faction interdiction (in practice, pirates don't care).

What they want: Open trade lanes. Neutral stations. The continued ability to move cargo without requiring a weapons escort every time.

Starting standing: All races: +150

Missions: Courier runs, cargo protection, dispute mediation, route surveying.

Exalted perk: TEC bonded registry - your ship is registered as a TEC-bonded carrier; minor standing gains with all trade-aligned factions on delivery; reduced pirate aggro (not eliminated, reduced).