Interplanetary Shipping - Northstar
The story of IPS-N is inseparable from the history of interstellar piracy. Whatever dangers the galaxy might hold, piracy remains the greatest threat to interstellar shipping lines, costing fleet managers and states hundreds of thousands in manna and trillions more in local currencies. Tremendous capital losses, schedule delays, losses of life, and false-scarcity famines convinced the myriad unions, conglomerates, and cartels of the need to comprehensively safeguard civilian shipping. A process of agglomeration and consolidation that lasted for years eventually gave birth to two major firms, Interplanetary Shipping and Northstar.
Interplanetary Shipping represented the myriad of Unions, manufacturers and pilots of the Union of Socialist Systems, while Northstar represented the corporations, guilds and unions that resided within the jurisdictions of the Thondor Cooperative, and the Alliance of United Systems. Together, they formed an inter-government manufacturer, think-tank, and bureau.
The vast web of systems that is IPS-N constructs and distributes a wide range of platforms and goods. They build everything from Gate Runners to mechanized walker units. They produce larger scale weapons as well as software to operate them. IPS-N has a reputation for producing durable, easy to use, and easily modifiable spacecraft. Their fighters are used all over the galaxy by pilots who seeks a more practical approach to ship design, and who like to make their own modifications based on their area of operation. Their manufacturing capabilities reside primarily within Sovereign Space and the Terminus Systems.
IPS-N dances a fine line between a corpo-state, and a direct mouthpiece for the worker communes of the Socialists Unions and their allies. In recent years, ISP-N has been in the business of distributing weapons and arms throughout the Mid-Rim. The designs are primarily created by the Union, and wildly distributed throughout Terminus Systems and Pacifica. Union officials have determined it prudent to arm and outfit nations that share the same values as them, instead of them capitualiting to the Cartels, the Corpo-States, or the Empire. But mistakes are made, and under a multi-national, multi-billion personnel company is likely to make some mistakes. IPS-N mechs have been spotted operating by not only rebels but also for Albatross and Thondorian Clans. The union has gone to great lengths to extradite rogue corporate officers who oversaw the distribution to Union-deemed terrorists, but has continued to intentionally support organizations they deem as "emancipatory in nature".
The starships and fighters designed by Interplanetary Shipping - Northstar are rugged and reliable. Fighters like the IPS-N T31 "Spear" are highly customizable, and easily outfitted and repaired. They see a wide range of use not only by the Union of Socialist Systems but also by a wide variety of forces all across the mid and outer rims. Many pilots are on record as stating that IPS-N starships are tough, sturdy, and extremely reliable.
IPS-N mechs are a good choice for pilots who want a tough chassis that’s built for close quarters and melee combat situations, such as when the possibility of breaching a ship hull is on the table. IPS-N chassis are sturdy, meant to take as much damage as they deal – and then some.
IPS-N is closely associated with the Albatross, an anti-piracy and peacekeeping force known across the galaxy for its long history of humanitarian interventions. IPS-N supports the Albatross materially, providing it with chassis, ships, cutting-edge technology, and temporal rehabilitation worlds for its pilots and crews to retire in relative peace. The relationship is mutually beneficial; IPS-N makes a point to emphasize its close relationship to the Albatross in marketing campaigns and PR materials.
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