Colony Bureau - Revision history

Jaguar at 14:08, 24 February 2024

2024-02-24T14:08:45Z

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	Officially the 'Bureau of Colonization' but literally no one calls it that.		Officially the 'Bureau of Colonization' but literally no one calls it that.

	==History==		==History and Location==
	Ravinger Shelby is credited as the creator of the Colony Bureau, though he didn't head the formal organization that was later established. The Shelby Range of the [[Mediger Scale]] is also named for him.		Ravinger Shelby is credited as the creator of the Colony Bureau, though he didn't head the formal organization that was later established. The Shelby Range of the [[Mediger Scale]] is also named for him.

			=== Location ===
			The Colony Bureau's headquarters is on [[Selnor]], but its original office was on [[Karaka'Ana]] and it maintains that office as a satellite and archival site.

	==Organization==		==Organization==

Jaguar at 14:07, 24 February 2024

2024-02-24T14:07:41Z

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	* '''Planetary Evaluation''' - This department works with various mapping and scouting agencies, as well as Fleet and Alliance authorities, to evaluate newly discovered planets for suitability for colonies.		* '''Planetary Evaluation''' - This department works with various mapping and scouting agencies, as well as Fleet and Alliance authorities, to evaluate newly discovered planets for suitability for colonies.
	* '''New Charter Assignment''' - This division processes petitions for colony worlds and matches them with available planets. It also oversees the initial colonization efforts and, assuming they succeed, turns the world over to Charter Management for longer-term oversight.		* '''New Charter Assignment''' - This division processes petitions for colony worlds and matches them with available planets. It also oversees the initial colonization efforts and, assuming they succeed, turns the world over to Charter Management for longer-term oversight.
	* '''Charter Management''' - This division assigns client colonies to managers who keep an eye on its status until it is eligible for established world status.		* '''Charter Management''' - This division assigns client colonies to managers who keep an eye on its status until it is eligible for established world status. Mediators, who are assigned to colonies with financial difficulties, are also part of this department.
	* '''Evaluation and Forfeiture''' - This division handles colony status evaluations and, if they fail, the forfeiture of assets and the return of that world to the new assignment roles.		* '''Evaluation and Forfeiture''' - This division handles colony status evaluations and, if they fail, the forfeiture of assets and the return of that world to the new assignment roles.
	* '''Exit Team''' - This division evaluates colonies identified by Charter Management as candidates for independence and, if those worlds pass muster, launches them as full-fledged member worlds of the Alliance.		* '''Exit Team''' - This division evaluates colonies identified by Charter Management as candidates for independence and, if those worlds pass muster, launches them as full-fledged member worlds of the Alliance.
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	===Enforcement===		===Enforcement===
	If a colony is found to be breaking its charter, the Colony Bureau can render it null and call in all the debts at once; this usually means the end of the colony.<ref name="sota-07">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 7</ref>

	~~Who does~~ the Bureau ~~send if~~ the charter's ~~broken?~~		==== Insolvency ====
			Colonies consistently in arrears are assigned a Mediator whose goal is to work with the colony manager (at the Bureau) and the colony governor (on site) to help the colony achieve financial stability. The initial goal is to restore the colony's ability to make payments, not to pay off the debt. Insolvency is not considered an urgent offense; it's expected that colonies will run into trouble, or have failed to understand the challenges of funding their endeavor. More colonies have financial disruption than don't.

			==== Criminal Activity ====
			Breaking Alliance law is a more serious offense than financial difficulties. Depending on the severity of the offense, the Bureau can do nearly anything, from replacing the government to nullifying the charter. The latter usually means the end of the colony<ref name="sota-07">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 7</ref> and is considered a last resort. Note that financial difficulties, while not as severe as criminal acts, can lead to criminal activity, compounding the offense, as in the case with [[Gledig]] colony. Investigation and enforcement of Alliance law is Fleet's task; colonies suspected of criminal activity are reported to [[Fleet]], at which point the Bureau only becomes involved in deciding the ultimate fate of the colony after Fleet has finished its investigation, at which point if any enforcement of that decision is required, Fleet becomes the tool, or [[Ground Forces]].

	==References==		==References==

Jaguar at 01:48, 24 February 2024

2024-02-24T01:48:50Z

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	Scouting bonuses were paid by the Colony Bureau when a discovered world was successfully colonized, a metric they defined as the planet having been settled long enough to leave the indenture period. Since such bonuses arrived decades after the worlds were discovered—if at all—they were widely held to be mythical. <ref name="igc-08">''[[In Good Company (Fiction) \| In Good Company]]'', Chapter 8</ref>		Scouting bonuses were paid by the Colony Bureau when a discovered world was successfully colonized, a metric they defined as the planet having been settled long enough to leave the indenture period. Since such bonuses arrived decades after the worlds were discovered—if at all—they were widely held to be mythical. <ref name="igc-08">''[[In Good Company (Fiction) \| In Good Company]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

	==== ~~Assignation of~~ Worlds in Political ~~Limbo~~ ====		==== New Worlds in Political Contention ====
	Planets discovered in contested zones, border zones, or that can be argued to be within the jurisdiction of an allied power (or near enough their space to make it a matter of security), are negotiated for with the power in question: this makes it a matter for the diplomatic corps, rather than the Bureau. So far this has been a rare enough event that Fleet officers are unaware of how precedence is handled.<ref>''[[In Good Company (Fiction)\|In Good Company]]'', Chapter 6</ref>		Planets discovered in contested zones, border zones, or that can be argued to be within the jurisdiction of an allied power (or near enough their space to make it a matter of security), are negotiated for with the power in question: this makes it a matter for the diplomatic corps, rather than the Bureau. So far this has been a rare enough event that Fleet officers are unaware of how precedence is handled.<ref>''[[In Good Company (Fiction)\|In Good Company]]'', Chapter 6</ref>

Jaguar at 01:48, 24 February 2024

2024-02-24T01:48:07Z

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	==== Assignation of Worlds in Political Limbo ====		==== Assignation of Worlds in Political Limbo ====
	Planets discovered in contested zones, border zones, or that can be argued to be within the jurisdiction of an allied power (or near enough their space to make it a matter of security), are negotiated for with the power in question.So far this has been a rare enough event that Fleet officers are unaware of how precedence is handled.<ref>''[[In Good Company (Fiction)\|In Good Company]]'', Chapter 6</ref>		Planets discovered in contested zones, border zones, or that can be argued to be within the jurisdiction of an allied power (or near enough their space to make it a matter of security), are negotiated for with the power in question: this makes it a matter for the diplomatic corps, rather than the Bureau. So far this has been a rare enough event that Fleet officers are unaware of how precedence is handled.<ref>''[[In Good Company (Fiction)\|In Good Company]]'', Chapter 6</ref>

	=== Requests ===		=== Requests ===

Jaguar at 01:47, 24 February 2024

2024-02-24T01:47:42Z

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	Scouting bonuses were paid by the Colony Bureau when a discovered world was successfully colonized, a metric they defined as the planet having been settled long enough to leave the indenture period. Since such bonuses arrived decades after the worlds were discovered—if at all—they were widely held to be mythical. <ref name="igc-08">''[[In Good Company (Fiction) \| In Good Company]]'', Chapter 8</ref>		Scouting bonuses were paid by the Colony Bureau when a discovered world was successfully colonized, a metric they defined as the planet having been settled long enough to leave the indenture period. Since such bonuses arrived decades after the worlds were discovered—if at all—they were widely held to be mythical. <ref name="igc-08">''[[In Good Company (Fiction) \| In Good Company]]'', Chapter 8</ref>

			==== Assignation of Worlds in Political Limbo ====
			Planets discovered in contested zones, border zones, or that can be argued to be within the jurisdiction of an allied power (or near enough their space to make it a matter of security), are negotiated for with the power in question.So far this has been a rare enough event that Fleet officers are unaware of how precedence is handled.<ref>''[[In Good Company (Fiction)\|In Good Company]]'', Chapter 6</ref>

	=== Requests ===		=== Requests ===

Jaguar: /* Financial Statuses */

2024-02-23T23:22:39Z

Financial Statuses

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	==== Financial Statuses ====		==== Financial Statuses ====
	The financial health of a colony is measured with a separate status scale, depending on the funding mode indicated on the colony application.		The financial health of a colony is measured with a separate status scale, depending on the funding mode indicated on the colony application.
	* Private - Bankrolled by the group out of its own pockets, either in advance, or in ongoing payments.		* Private - Bankrolled by the group out of its own pockets, either in advance, or in ongoing payments. Privately funded colonies can be in good standing, or in arrears.
	* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref>		* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref> Indentured colonies can be profitably indentured, or "troubled." (Same with partial indentures).
	* Partial Indenture - Any combination of private and subsidized payment for expenses. This is the second most common method of payment.		* Partial Indenture - Any combination of private and subsidized payment for expenses. This is the second most common method of payment.
	* Tranche - If a colony group is being sponsored by a homeworld, the homeworld pays its expenses as a tranche off its contributions to the Alliance.		* Tranche - If a colony group is being sponsored by a homeworld, the homeworld pays its expenses as a tranche off its contributions to the Alliance. While rare, a tranche colony can run short of funds, at which point it is no longer in good standing, but 'on hold' until its funding is re-negotiated with the homeworld.
	* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this) - this is probably a status for colonies initiated by the Alliance, prior to their becoming independently sustainable.		* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this) - this is probably a status for colonies initiated by the Alliance, prior to their becoming independently sustainable. Far Fruit colonies are always in good standing, financially. If they need resources and the Alliance isn't in a position to provide them, however, the colony is said to be endangered (regardless of whether the lack is literally endangering the populace).

	===Enforcement===		===Enforcement===

Jaguar: /* Financial Statuses */

2024-02-23T23:18:57Z

Financial Statuses

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	* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref>		* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref>
	* Partial Indenture - Any combination of private and subsidized payment for expenses. This is the second most common method of payment.		* Partial Indenture - Any combination of private and subsidized payment for expenses. This is the second most common method of payment.
			* Tranche - If a colony group is being sponsored by a homeworld, the homeworld pays its expenses as a tranche off its contributions to the Alliance.
	* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this) - this is probably a status for colonies initiated by the Alliance, prior to their becoming independently sustainable.		* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this) - this is probably a status for colonies initiated by the Alliance, prior to their becoming independently sustainable.

Jaguar at 23:13, 23 February 2024

2024-02-23T23:13:47Z

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	* Type - What kind of colony are they seeking to establish? Do they want a city-sphere or a world? I.e. a mining group might want a resource-rich system, while a religious group might be more open to various kinds of planets		* Type - What kind of colony are they seeking to establish? Do they want a city-sphere or a world? I.e. a mining group might want a resource-rich system, while a religious group might be more open to various kinds of planets
	* Joint or Solo - Is the group willing to share a world with another colony group		* Joint or Solo - Is the group willing to share a world with another colony group
			* Mission statement - why is the group seeking this colony and what are their plans for it.
	* Funding Designation - Every group is required to explicate their plan for funding the colony.		* Funding Designation - Every group is required to explicate their plan for funding the colony.
	* Principal population - numbers and make-up of the proposed colonists, and a plan for attracting more or incentivizing local population growth.		* Principal population - numbers and make-up of the proposed colonists, and a plan for attracting more or incentivizing local population growth.
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	* Preliminary assets - anything the group is bringing to the process: money, materials, ships, specialists, etc.		* Preliminary assets - anything the group is bringing to the process: money, materials, ships, specialists, etc.
	* Plan and Timeline for Initial Settlement - including any disruption in traffic caused by large numbers of ships departing, and requests for Fleet escort depending on location		* Plan and Timeline for Initial Settlement - including any disruption in traffic caused by large numbers of ships departing, and requests for Fleet escort depending on location
	Applying also requires a deposit.		Applying also requires a deposit on the colony fee.

	While colonies are permitted their own local government (within reason), to become Alliance members they must agree to the trade and legal interactions that apply to all member worlds. No colony group is granted a charter otherwise. Violation of Alliance law, as it applies to member worlds, results in immediate revocation of the colony charter and evacuation of the colony by force.		While colonies are permitted their own local government (within reason), to become Alliance members they must agree to the trade and legal interactions that apply to all member worlds. No colony group is granted a charter otherwise. Violation of Alliance law, as it applies to member worlds, results in immediate revocation of the colony charter and evacuation of the colony by force.
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	Most colony vessels are designed to be disassembled into useful pieces for the nascent colony, rather than left intact.<ref name="sota-01" />		Most colony vessels are designed to be disassembled into useful pieces for the nascent colony, rather than left intact.<ref name="sota-01" />

			==== Colony Fee ====
			When the charter is awarded, the group is now responsible for paying the colony fee. This is the Alliance's cost for discovering and mapping the planet; seeding the area with well repeaters and buoys; protecting the area with Fleet assets; and administrating the colony and its interface to the rest of the Alliance. If the world requires terraforming or other adjustments, that is rolled into the fee.

	===Stages/Statuses===		===Stages/Statuses===
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	==== Financial Statuses ====		==== Financial Statuses ====
	The financial health of a colony is measured with a separate status scale, depending on the funding mode indicated on the colony application.		The financial health of a colony is measured with a separate status scale, depending on the funding mode indicated on the colony application.
			* Private - Bankrolled by the group out of its own pockets, either in advance, or in ongoing payments.
	* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref>		* Indentured (all export profit dedicated to paying off debt incurred by settlement). Most common method to colonize worlds under Alliance jurisdiction; average time spent Indentured is 25-30 years. <ref name="sota-01">'[[Sword of the Alliance (Fiction) \|Sword of the Alliance]], Chapter 1</ref>
	* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this)		* Partial Indenture - Any combination of private and subsidized payment for expenses. This is the second most common method of payment.
			* Far Fruit (seriously, what is this) - this is probably a status for colonies initiated by the Alliance, prior to their becoming independently sustainable.

	===Enforcement===		===Enforcement===

Jaguar: /* Application */

2024-02-23T23:05:35Z

Application

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	* Plan and Timeline for Initial Settlement - including any disruption in traffic caused by large numbers of ships departing, and requests for Fleet escort depending on location		* Plan and Timeline for Initial Settlement - including any disruption in traffic caused by large numbers of ships departing, and requests for Fleet escort depending on location
	Applying also requires a deposit.		Applying also requires a deposit.

			While colonies are permitted their own local government (within reason), to become Alliance members they must agree to the trade and legal interactions that apply to all member worlds. No colony group is granted a charter otherwise. Violation of Alliance law, as it applies to member worlds, results in immediate revocation of the colony charter and evacuation of the colony by force.

	===Assignment===		===Assignment===

Jaguar at 22:55, 23 February 2024

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	* Colony Name (must follow Alliance guidelines for naming)		* Colony Name (must follow Alliance guidelines for naming)
	* Type - What kind of colony are they seeking to establish? Do they want a city-sphere or a world? I.e. a mining group might want a resource-rich system, while a religious group might be more open to various kinds of planets		* Type - What kind of colony are they seeking to establish? Do they want a city-sphere or a world? I.e. a mining group might want a resource-rich system, while a religious group might be more open to various kinds of planets
	* Joint or Solo - Is the group willing to share ~~the~~ world with another colony group		* Joint or Solo - Is the group willing to share a world with another colony group
	* Funding Designation - Every group is required to explicate their plan for funding the colony.		* Funding Designation - Every group is required to explicate their plan for funding the colony.
	* Principal population - numbers and make-up of the proposed colonists, and a plan for attracting more or incentivizing local population growth.		* Principal population - numbers and make-up of the proposed colonists, and a plan for attracting more or incentivizing local population growth.
			* Homeworld - if the group is being sponsored by a homeworld, what world is responsible
	* Contacts - All groups must designate several contacts for the Bureau: a governor, an asset manager, a records-keeper, and several backup contacts.		* Contacts - All groups must designate several contacts for the Bureau: a governor, an asset manager, a records-keeper, and several backup contacts.
	* Proposed Governmental System - Is the colony a monarchy? Republic? What is the civic architecture?		* Proposed Governmental System - Is the colony a monarchy? Republic? What is the civic architecture?
	* Preliminary assets - anything the group is bringing to the process: money, materials, ships, specialists, etc.		* Preliminary assets - anything the group is bringing to the process: money, materials, ships, specialists, etc.
			* Plan and Timeline for Initial Settlement - including any disruption in traffic caused by large numbers of ships departing, and requests for Fleet escort depending on location
			Applying also requires a deposit.

	===Assignment===		===Assignment===