The Black Market

In a way, the Black Market might be thought of as a network of scroungers, purveyors and facilitators in acquisitions, distribution and sales. In short, the Black Market specializes in the sale of whatever the customer wants but cannot get through normal or legal channels. Of course, such rare, dangerous and illegal contraband comes at a price. The greater the demand and unavailability of the item, the higher the price. And as criminals and opportunists, the Black Market takes advantage of circumstance and jacks the price up as high as the market will bear.

The Black Market's blueprint for success is built on the simple principle of selling contraband, weapons and vice to the disenfranchised. In the violent, ever changing environment of Rifts Earth, the ability to acquire weapons, vehicles, armor, medicine and supplies is, for many people, a matter of life and death. Thus, for a lot of communities, mercenary companies, adventurer groups, rebels, criminal bands and even heroes and refugees, the wares and services of the Black Market are their life's blood and only chance for survival. The sale of illegal weapons and weapon systems such as power armor, robots, tanks and aircraft has always been the bread and butter of the modem Black Market's operations. And there has been no other time in history where the entire world has become a patchwork of tiny nation-states, kingdoms and city-states, all of which are under threat from the savage environment and hostile forces all around them. The Rifts regularly release new dangers from alien worlds, and then there is the threat from other, better armed neighbors, raiders, bandits, monsters and magic. With these conditions in place, the Black Market has filled the void in providing "gear" quickly, quietly, and without regard to any possible legal red tape or moral ramifications. This has enabled the domestic and international arms trade to blossom into the world's leading industry, outstripping everything but food production and the collection of natural resources.

Structure

• Bandito Arms - A major manufacturer and smuggler operating out of the New West.
• The Chicago Network - The mob - they are who most people think of when they think of the Black Market.
• The Immaterial Hand - Black Marketeers who use magic and Rifts to smuggle goods and who specialize in magic contraband.
• El Oculta - The Black Market of the American Southwest and supplier to the Pecos Empire, Northern Mexico, Raiders, Bandits, and other unsavory types. Also deals in drugs and criminal enterprises.
• Le Marche Noir- The Black Market of Free Quebec and Southern Canada, and the main Supplier of Glitter Boys and Triax Industries products on the Black Market.

Friend of Mine Friend of Ours Runner Black Marketeer Soldier Merchant/Sales/Business Enforcer Lieutenant Advisor/Counselor Captain Boss Top Boss/Crime Lord/Director/Crime Family Leader/Godfather

A Friend of Mine: This is someone a Black Marketeer of any rank is willing to vouch for. He is known to that one or a few Black Marketeers. This character is not a Black Marketeer, but an associate or friend of one or a few members in the organization. The individual may be a criminal, mercenary, adventurer, hero or just a friend. A Friend of Ours: This is someone known to several Black Marketeers and who has proven himself over time to be a loyal, trustworthy friend of the Black Market (or at least that particular Faction). He still needs a Black Marketeer to vouch for him, and this character is not a Black Marketeer, but an associate or friend of numerous people in the organization, including a few higherups. This individual will be someone who has regular dealings with the Black Market, be he a fellow criminal, mercenary, adventurer or hero, and may be a politician, business person, scholar or ordinary citizen.
Runner: This character is likely to be a City Rat, Bandit, Vagabond or small-time criminal who does work for the organization, or at least one of the low ranking Black Marketeers. Runners are often Black Marketeers in training and do not need previous training or an established O.C.C.; can be any occupation or unskilled and looking to develop a life of crime. Black Marketeer: This is a full-fledged member of the Black Market. Joe Average Black Marketeer is typically a low ranking, ground level member of the organization who answers to those above him. May also be considered a "Grunt." Has no authority over others. Can be any O.C.C./R.C.C. whatsoever. Soldier: This is the nuts and bolts "muscle" and "doer" of the Black Market. A Soldier is always 100% loyal, dedicated to the organization and does its dirty work without question or a reason. A soldier is a notch higher than a Grunt/Black Marketeer and may have authority above them. A Soldier may work alone or with other Soldiers, Enforcers and members of the Black Market. Soldiers are willing to do anything asked of them by their superiors, and usually perform the task with brutal efficiency. Many are, or start out as, thugs, tough guys and roughnecks who enjoy fighting and physical combat on any level and in any field of battle. All carry "heat" (weapons), use threats and intimidation tactics, and can be any Men-at-Arms O.C.C. as well as many Adventurer O.C.C.s like City Rat, Wilderness Scout, Hunter, Professional Thief, and Vagabond, and may even be any psychic or practitioner of magic who likes violence and combat. The Case Man, Refurbisher and Expediter fall under this category, though the most cunning and ambitious of them can rise to higher ranks in the organization. Merchant/Sales/Business: Merchants, Bankers, Con Artists, Fences, Information Brokers, Smugglers, and Traders all fall into this category, as do most other "gentleman" criminals. These Black Marketeers deal in cunning, smarts and manipulating businesses or people. Black Market Merchants and the other Black Market O.C.C.s that fall under this category may function as part of a crew, as independent operators or specialists called in as needed. Black Market Merchants enjoy the benefits and protection of that organization, and pay a 10-20% tithing, based on their profit, on everything they make to the Faction. Each Crew Boss gets 1-2% of that tithing for keeping everything running smoothly and the rest goes to the Top Boss. Enforcer: This is the heavy hitter of the Black Market when it comes to defense, protection and murder. They might be considered elite "special forces." Most Enforcers are skilled killers, assassins and man-hunters. They can be any Men-at-Arms O.C.C. but tend to be the more elite and deadly classes of warrior, including Assassin, Bounty Hunter, Commando, Crazies, Headhunter, Juicer, Fallen Cyber-Knight, Military Specialist, Ninja, Special Forces and similar. And, of course, the Black Market Enforcer O.C.C. described elsewhere in this book. May also include psychics and practitioners of magic. Lieutenant: This Black Marketeer leader equates very well to the military rank of the same name. He or she is the right-handman of his Captain and leads and manages the lower ranking members, Soldiers, Merchants and underlings of his Captain's "crew." A Lieutenant can be absolutely any O.C.C., but many tend to be Men-at-Arms and psychics. A Lieutenant answers only to his Captain, Boss, and Crime Lord, and has a fair amount of autonomy regarding getting "the job" done. Most Captains and Boss don't care how a job/mission/assignment gets done or by whom, as it is done correctly and expediently. 50 Advisor/Counselor: A Black Market advisor can be any O.C.C. but tends toward Adventurers and Scholars, practitioners of magic and psychic O.C.C.s. Most are versed in the area of law and/or commerce, can see the big picture, and have a head for strategy and tactics. An Advisor answers only to the Captain and Boss of the Crew he works for. Though a high ranking Black Marketeer, a Counselor can NOT lead a crew or command men. He is an advisor to the leadership only, not a field agent. As such, they are never completely trusted by Soldiers, Enforcers, Lieutenants and higher-ups, and most Black Marketeers resent that the Counselor has the ear of their Boss and makes more money than they do. Black Market Advisors/Counselors are often respected attorneys at law, business people and politicians with no criminal record, just criminal associations. Captain: This is the crew leader and the man who calls the shots on the street and in the trenches. The Captain can be male or female, and handles most of the day to day responsibilities of his or her Boss' criminal enterprises, and perhaps legitimate businesses as well. He can be equated to the rank of Colonel or Major-General in the Army and is the leader of the troops. Like a real army, there can be few or many Captains in the Boss' army. The Lieutenants are the Captain's right hand, and everyone of lesser rank answers to the Captain. Boss or Crew Boss: This is the head of an established Black Market gang/crew, smuggling ring or criminal organization within the Black Market. He may be thought of as the General. There can be more than one Boss in a crime family or criminal network, but each runs his own, independent crew, and his crew- his men/ troops - answer only to him, not any other Boss. In fact, the various Bosses in a crime family are often rivals. Some are friendly rivals, others hate each other with a passion. Each Boss runs his own crew/network of Black Marketeers and criminal operations. The Captains and Lieutenants answer to the Boss and jump at his every command. Some Bosses are very hands on, while other Bosses may have little contact with the lower ranking Black Marketeers. However, all know, respect and fear their Boss, and do whatever he says when he does appear. There is never any question among Black Market crews who the Boss is or that it is he whom they ultimately serve. A Boss may be any O.C.C., but is likely to have years of experience in crime and the Black Market. He'll also have a strong reputation and carry considerable clout even with other Factions. A Boss is responsible for everyone in his organization, but he answers only to the Crime Lord/Top Boss. Crime Lord/Top Boss/Faction Boss. Also known as Criminal Mastermind, Director, Head of the Crime Family and Godfather. This is the big boss. The person everyone within a particular Faction or segment of a very large Faction answers to. He is the Five Star General who runs the show. Everyone, including the Bosses, answers to him/her, the head of the syndicate or family. Many, though not all, Top Bosses are members of crime families that have been members of the Black Market for generations. Some can trace their heritage back into the Dark Age, and at least one third inherit their position from a retiring parent or other family member. A Crime Lord can be any O.C.C.

Assets

Black Market Businesses The following businesses are typical Black Market dominated enterprises. The percentage indicates how heavily the Black Market dominates that particular type of business and the likelihood that it is run by them. 80% of all Body-Chop-Shops and Juicer and M.O.M. augmentation. 75% of all smuggling operations of every variety. 70% of all "underground" dealers in contraband. 65% of all fence operations (buying and reselling stolen goods). 60% of all houses of ill-repute/sex trade. 60% of all forgery/fake I.D.s and document enterprises. 56% of all sports betting. 54% of all gambling establishments. 52% of all drug manufacturing and drug dealing. 50% of all traveling shows. 50% of all used arms dealers: weapons, power armor, combat vehicles, robots and military grade equipment. And 50% of "legitimate" resellers knowingly or unknowingly purchase at least one third of their inventory from the Black Market. That number is 75% to mercenaries and the criminal underworld: bandits, raiders, pirates, outlaws, and other criminal groups/organizations. 45% of all pawnshops. 40% of all used vehicle, robot and adventure gear suppliers. Another 40% of "legitimate" resellers purchase at least one third of their inventory from the Black Market. That number is 60% to the criminal underworld: bandits, raiders, pirates, and other criminal organizations. 40% of all job brokering for mercenaries and adventurers. 30% of all nightclubs. 25% of all taverns/saloons/bars. 20% of organizing and running all high profile sporting events and 40% of all "blood sports" (gladiatorial games, duels, boxing/ fighting competitions, animal fights, and similar violent sports). 10% of magic shops. 2% Slavery/Slave trafficking. The Black Market tends to avoid the slave business and considers Slavers to be despicable scum. There is a big difference between "slavery" and smuggling refugees, wanted fugitive, spies and agents in and out of a particular location. The former is avoided, the later is one of the Black Market's specialties. 35% of all other "criminal" enterprises

Basic Rules of Black Market Etiquette:

1. Be respectful in all business dealings and public affairs, and be worthy of respect. Respect is everything to Black Marketeers, especially when dealing with the Five Factions and other Bosses, leaders and criminals. Respect gets you the right kind of attention. It will make important people listen to you. It can build trust, which can lead to opportunities in the various criminal enterprises. Although the Five Factions can be heated rivals, and even deadly enemies, they are still respectful of each other most of the time.
2. If you're going to "hit" someone (take their holdings, assets, or lives), hit them directly and as hard as possible. This shows respect for one's rivals, keeps from disrupting business too much, and keeps aggressive actions quick and quiet. Black Marketeers do not generally fight their enemies with prolonged battles or armed forces. Better to use intimidation and extortion, and when necessary, send in an assassin or saboteur where you need him. It is also important to not be cruel, especially with Black Market rivals. It's an unspoken rule to not let your rivals suffer. Also, it is good form to finish what you start and never let your enemy escape your wrath, unless there is some advantage in it for you. A vengeful enemy on the loose can only complicate matters and come back to haunt you.

3. Deal with whomever you want, but never with demons, and only with the Coalition when exceptionally advantageous. This rule is broken probably more than any others. Many Black Marketeers trade with, if not outright work with, demons and other supernatural beings, as well as various types of monsters, aliens, dragons and creatures of magic. Dealing with the Coalition is generally considered to be less desirable than dealing with demons, but it is done more than anyone is willing to admit. Of course, blackmailing or corrupting a CS lawman and using him to your own advantage, or having a Coalition goon "in your pocket" (bribed to betray the CS and help you), is not only acceptable, but a feather in the Black Marketeer's cap, provided it doesn't backfire on him. Coalition snitches and agents are NEVER to be trusted completely. Never. Dealing with the CS and demons are both considered bad form, so it is done behind closed doors and usually handled by high-ranking members, such as Captains and Bosses within the Black Market. Furthermore, such disreputable and dangerous "contacts" are seldom identified by name even to the lower members of the Black Marketeer's own "crew."

4. Honor tradition. Tradition lets others know what to expect. It also lets you know what you're supposed to be doing. It discourages radical changes to due process and etiquette. Many traditions practiced by Black Marketeers have been passed down from before the Coming of the Rifts. Many more are interpretations based on discovered pre-Rifts documentaries, historical files and pure fiction based on organized crime.

5. Leave weapons at the door. This is many times a hard rule to honor and enforce. Many Black Market operations, especially those that are open to the public, like bars, casinos, and brothels, require patrons to disarm before entering. "In matters of etiquette", it is generally assumed that no one has weapons on them during the business transaction, meeting, or public function. As a rule of thumb, the presence of a weapon generally means someone intends to do harm. This doesn't always mean that everyone is completely unarmed, they just have to be discreet about it. Hidden compartments and cybernetics are popular for this. Naturally, psychics and mages have little to fear, because they possess natural abilities, and because of this they are sometimes treated with extra caution, or declined from participating.

6. Respect and fear magic. Some Black Marketeers do not trust magic at all. They either avoid dealing in it and the people who practice it, or use extreme caution when dealing with mages and magic. On the other hand, some love it, welcome its practitioners, and may actively participate in magic themselves. There are even some Black Market crews and the Immaterial Hand Faction, that embrace magic and use it all the time with impressive results. Some of the small groups within the Black Market are barely discernable from a cult or brotherhood of wizards, especially in CS territory. Generally, the use of magic is discreet. The accidental unleashing of destructive forces is always a possibility, and bad for business.

7. Never sell out. Nothing will lose you respect in the Black Market more than going straight or ratting out your old comrades to the law. This is always a possibility. The Coalition States, authorities and rival Black Market groups are willing to pay big for information that could compromise any large operation of the Five Factions. A traitorous Black Marketeer snitch might think he is getting over by taking the money and putting away a bunch of criminals, but in reality, he just made himself a target and proved he cannot be trusted. Once someone is connected to the Black Market, he can leave the organization, but is never again trusted, and may be monitored in case it looks like he might want to sell out. Sell-outs are dealt with harshly and seldom live to tell the tale of their motives for betraying their brethren.