Corvus Nox Free Charter [CNFC] - Organizations

History

—Known timeline of organisation ‘Corvus Nox Free Charter’.—

Excerpts from reference texts "Mercenaries, Pirates and Vagrants: A History of the Fringe", "The Black and turning a credit", the Autobiographical "Ain't No Friends in Vacuum - The Maboski Story" and "Messer: Regime of Terror"

2615-2619 Date unconfirmed: What later became known as Corvus Nox Free Charter, was founded sometime in between 2615 and 2619 by a group of veterans and deserters, jaded by their participation in the near genocide of the Tevarin and the resulting ‘purge’ at the end of the second Tevarin war. Starting off as a loose association of captains and crew, offering each other assistance and support, often travelling in convoy for mutual protection. They began marketing themselves to the fringe worlds and stations as jacks of all trade, trading knowledge of previous systems visited, selling salvage, picking up bounty work and occasionally dealing in petty theft and piracy. They eked out a living moving from system to system trying to stay off the Messer regimes radar, never staying in once place for too long. It wasn’t long before those they dealt with came up with a number of unkind names for them: Rag and Bone men, Void Gypsy’s, Crows, it took even less time for them to embrace the notoriety.

2629: The crew of 2 suspected CNFC vessels, the ‘Hand of God’ and the ‘Just Kidding’ attempt to collect a bounty on the “Rim-Spiders” gang at an Advocacy outpost in the Cano system, claiming that there were no survivors of the gang who up to that point had been raiding the arcologies on Can II. The Advocacy refuses payment without proof, and the captains drop their bounty claim when threatened with Imperial Navy involvement.
Note: Multiple "Rim-Spiders" attacks registered on Cano II Arcologies from 2620 until 2629, no reported incidents after this time, official Advocacy report puts this down to raiders changing insignia.

2639: A number of ships associated with the CNFC are rumoured to assist in the transport, protection and hiding of supporters of Senator Assan Kieren of Terra after her disappearance and possible assassination. Nothing is proven.

2644: Alleged CNFC vessels ‘Nose Candy’, ‘Childish Tycoon’ and ‘Hand of God’ suspected in the ambush and theft of military surplus being transported through the Terra system to Earth for mothballing, however no evidence is found.
Note: Officials at the time suspected that serving UEEN personnel may have leaked transport convoys coordinates. Vessel - 'Hand of God' IFF transponder recorded in 3 different systems at time of attack.

2681 – 2690: The CNFC begin providing low-cost convoy escort and transport to refugees fleeing Vanduul raids.

2720: Unnamed suspected CNFC member caught smuggling weapons to anti Messer activists in the Bremen system.
Note: CNFC suspect was transferred into military custody and disappeared, not unusual for the Messer Regime.

2782: Alleged CNFC member ‘Farrington Foolhardy’ in an unnamed Aegis Avenger strafes an entire contingent of UEE Army troops attempting to roundup and imprison ‘illegal settlers’ on Cascom in the Castra system. The ‘settlers’ had been stranded on Cascom as part of the now infamous Quality Colonization Project when their ship suffered massive mechanical failure and was forced to land there. The Castra system, being part of the Perry line and designated a military only system, gave the local governor all the reason she needed to appeal for help from the new Imperator Linton Messer XI who, keen to show no weakness, authorised a contingent of the UEE Army to round up and “detain” the stranded colonists. While ‘Foolhardy’ distracted the troops and simultaneously took on 3 sub orbital attack craft other CNFC members loaded the settlers onto a recently ‘acquired’ unnamed cargo hauler and got them safely offworld. What followed for the settlers was almost a year of complicated space travel and strife. In the end however they found safe harbour in the Nyx system, with those that didn’t choose to join the CNFC eventually settling in Levski.
Sadly what followed for ‘Foolhardy’ was an almost instant incineration when the UEEN Idris class frigate UEES Baker alerted by the panicked assistance calls from the groundside army units quantumed into orbit and scored a direct hit with its mass driver cannon when he turned his Avengers weapons on the frigate, his last words “You’ll never take my space penguin!”. Every subsequent CNFC anniversary party always has one toast guaranteed: ‘TO LIVE AND DIE A FOOL!”.
Note: Quality Colonization Program - another poorly funded bureaucratic nightmare founded by Imperator Linton, whereby colonists from earths slums were provided 'colony ships' by the UEE at a reduced cost. Analysis by Ark historical accountants show that it appeared to be a scheme by the Messers to sell off ancient mothballed and decommissioned naval vessels as 'colony' ships many of which were barely space worthy, to inexperienced colonists. Providing both revenue to the imperator and disposing of unwanted social elements from the capital world.

2792: Alleged CNFC vessel ‘Hand of God’ reported leaving earth and blowing through earth jump point naval blockade during the confusion surrounding the uprising against and eventual death of Linton Messer XI, rumoured to possibly have assisted with the transport of Fiona Messer offworld and into hiding.
Note: 'Hand of God' - Unlikely the original vessel of its namesake or using forged ship tags as this would make the vessel over 170 years old. Association with Fiona Messer unproven, however security logs from imperial palace do show her authorising an unknow vessel to land at the palace service entry shortly before it was stormed by the mob.

2793: The CNFC reformed their structure from a disorganized grouping of sometime space pirates, hired guns, bounty hunters and freelancers into the Corvus Nox Free Charter, the first charter was codified and signed by the six most senior Captains of the flotilla.
Note: First official record of organisation under the name Corvus Nox Free Charter, multiple members registered with Advocacy and local Authorities for Trade/Navigation/Salvage permits and licenses.

2808: With the overthrow of the “Benevolent” Imperator and the new UEE looking to be stable, many members leave the CNFC looking to re-join the core worlds and participate in the new Age of Enlightenment promised by Imperator Erin Toi leaving only the most sceptical behind to continue eking out a livelihood on the fringe.

2811: The CNFC affiliate member Martin ‘the Poop Weasel’ Hideoshi was arrested at Raleigh Station in the Odin system for public intoxication, thrashing 17 members of a local UEEN marine detachment and joy riding down the central market road in a fire suppressant vehicle – which he used to disable and damage 4 different local constabulary vessels that attempted to apprehend him- he was only captured when the vehicles suppressant foam ran out. Somehow (no one is quite sure how) he escaped from the brig of the Perseus class naval gunship UEES Bellerophon where he was being held for transport to an Advocacy security station, by squeezing through the holding cell waste plumbing system and jettisoning himself in a escape pod seconds before the Bellerophon jumped out of the system. By the time his escape had been detected and the Bellerophon jumped back to the system Martin had ‘weaselled his way to freedom’.
Note: The escape was considered a major embarrassment for the UEEN causing a complete design change to Perseus class, eventually resulting in the removal of the brig from future designs when it went back into production in 2950.

2875: 5 unnamed but alleged CNFC vessels participate in the blockade the Ariatric Reststop Station in the Bremen system, until one Bereon ‘Stomper’ Gorrute and his crew are released from the local lock up and their ship the F.C.V. ‘Free Flyer’ released from impound. They had been held for payment failure on refuelling costs by station security.
Note: Advocacy records show that multiple members of Ariatric station management were later charged by local authorities for price gouging and illegal impounds, essentially holding local traders vessels illegally to force pay offs.

2913: The entire contents of two Galaxy Haulers carrying cargo bound for the synthworld program go missing in the Chronos system. The CNFC is implicated solely because a large contingent of its members were on Archangel Station celebrating the 120th anniversary of the CNFC.

2932: Experimental UEEN Viper suborbital fighter suspected stolen by CNFC member Jennie ‘light fingers’ Harstone from the flight deck Pegasus class Escort Carrier UEES Kelpie, it is considered one of the few black marks in the record of the famous 999th test squadron ‘the wreckless’ for losing the vessel and has been the cause of quite a few barfights whenever CNFC members and naval personal mix.
Note: Official records of UEEN detail one Viper lost to mechanical and subsequent launch failure and the demotion of one Edmurt Sanchez from deck officer to 1st class rating. No official record Jennie Harstone boarding the Kelpie exist, however the transcript of the demotion hearing includes a recording of 1st class rating Sanchez exclaiming “Damn manipulative #!%*$ Jennie”.

2947 29th May: The CNFC Joined the Citizens Coffee Company associate program, in search for more exploration and salvage contracts from legitimate business contacts.

2947 27th August: Suspected CNFC vessels the F.C.V. Grendel (an aging and heavily modified Reclaimer) and F.C.V. Alysrazor (a relatively newer model Avenger Stalker) and their crews commit one of the most brazen and bizarre crimes of the century, the Novelty Space Poultry Heist. The Grendel, using a highly illegal custom built mass driver, attacked, disabled and breached multiple cargo vessels waiting in orbit around the Sol system Corvalex shipping hub while the Alysrazor systematically destroyed each vessels defensive weaponry. Each vessel was quickly boarded by a small team that included a modified Titan suit and proceeded to break open and eject crates of “Novelty Space Poultry -Assorted” into space from each of the vessels. The ejected cargo was quickly gathered by Grendel’s tractor beam turrets and salvage input, managing to suction up almost 100 SCU of the novelty rubber poultry previously stored within the now breached ships. Finally both ships disengaged and managed to evade both a naval patrol flight and a Advocacy quick response force who upon arriving onsite were confused by the slowly expanding cloud of rubber ducky’s left floating in orbit around the station. While no charges are laid, Space Rubber Ducky’s pop up for sale all throughout the fringe, often in systems recently visited by a number CNFC vessels, who smugly continue to deny any involvement while simultaneously embracing the “Space Rubber Ducky” as one of their unofficial mascots.
Note: Advocacy file #Ninetail/Intel?#18409533-Alpha13 details persistent rumours that the novelty toy shipments were being used as a cover to smuggle stolen Hadesian artefacts into Sol system for sale on the antiquities blackmarket by the Nine Tails criminal syndicate. Corvalex denies any involvement and insists that the entire shipment was as listed on the vessels manifest's - "Novetly Space Poultry - Assorted".

Synopsis: Like the birds of their namesake, they have proven remarkable clever at: acquiring items that don’t belong to them, avoiding incarceration, and spotting trouble coming their way. They also seem to always show up around conflicts large and small, and on an individual level tend to be both bold and boisterous and lastly, they are rarely found alone.

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Current Records Search on all CNFC Activity -
Note: Freedom of Information Act Request to UEN - DENIED, Advocacy records request - Approved (Limited Access)
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Registered Permits and Licenses currently held by known members
• -Bounty Hunter Licenses.
• -Registered Trade Licence Class 3 [with hazardous goods permit].
• -Registered Exploration and Jump Point Mapping Permit.
• -Class 4 Mining Permit.
• -G Class Ground Vehicle License
• -Multiple Weapons Permits. -Buna Salvage Licence [limited]
• -Private Space Security License. [limited – Personal Security] [limited – Orbital Ship Detail] [limited – Jump Point Screening]
[revoked – Orbital Station Security] – refer to Gurant III Station Incident
[revoked – Class 2 Settlement Policing Permit] – refer to Jermanax 5 Mining Colony Revolt

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Current Records Search on all CNFC Criminal Records -
Note: Freedom of Information Act Request to UEE - DENIED, Advocacy records request - Approved (Limited Access)
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Addendum: Available Advocacy records show extremely limited prosecuted criminal activity, however multiple members currently show up as Suspects/Persons of Interest, in but not limited to:
⦁ Piracy
⦁ Illegal Salvage
⦁ Non-Reporting of navigational hazards
⦁ Creating navigational hazards
⦁ Arson
⦁ Petty Theft
⦁ Grand Theft
⦁ Common Assault
⦁ Assault with a deadly weapon
⦁ Assault with a non-sentient being Note: who slaps someone with a Flo-Pet???
⦁ Assault
⦁ Assault on UEEN personnel
⦁ Misuse and assault with a Port Fire Suppression System
⦁ Murder
⦁ Illegal broadcasting
⦁ Illegal access to UEEN systems and records
⦁ Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries! Note: Who inserted line 17 and why won’t it delete?
⦁ Unlicensed adjustment of water connivance systems
⦁ Smuggling commercial items
⦁ Smuggling sentient beings
⦁ Smuggling of non-sentient beings
⦁ Illegal tampering with consignment shipping manifests
⦁ Storing cargo in unregistered cargo spaces
⦁ Evading and attempting to evade port cargo transfer fees
⦁ Non-Compliance with Space Lane Regulations
⦁ Non-Compliance with Space Port Regulations
⦁ Non-reporting of unreported navigational aids – new Jump Points
⦁ Space Rubber Ducky Larceny??? Note: Space Rubber Ducky Larceny??????????!#$! %!#????

Manifesto

Who is Corvus Nox Free Charter? – Jack of All Trades, Explorers, Salvagers, Smugglers, Freelancers, Travelers, Traders. Bounty Hunters, maybe even pirates with a heart of gold…
If there’s a job as needs doing, there’s a charter captain to do it. As long as it doesn’t break their “Code” it’ll get done.

The CNFC Free Charter, has only 2 real goals, the first, best said on an ancient earth vid show, that just happens to be popular with many Charter Captains and crews – “A ship would bring you work; a gun would help you keep it. A captain’s goal was simple: find a crew, find a job, keep flying.”
Now while the Second Tevarin War was over before any current charter members were even born, and those veterans who first founded the CNFC are long dead, their descendants, and those that had signed on in the intervening years since have taken this quote to heart ‘Find a crew, find a job, keep flying’. Quite often charter members live from job to job, living on their ships or in rented hangars, as long as they have a ship, a gun to protect it, and a crew to fly it they want for little else.
The second goal, is less well known or understood, never elaborated on with anyone outside the charter, and only spoken of in hushed tones when strangers are near, but if your keen eared and a little noisy you may hear the words “Terra Nullius” whispered in solemn serious tones…….shortly after you will probably be introduced first to the muzzle of a gun and secondly to an airlock, eavesdroppers be warned.

The Code While no official written version of “The Code” exists, as it is essentially an oral tradition of sayings governing what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviour within the CNFC. Below are curated some known examples (Translations and extrapolation where available)

Shiny ships fly true.
Translation, appears to be a warning concerning proper ship maintenance, as CNFC crews take great pride in their ships. However 'Shiny' is often used as colloquialism for working correctly/being ok/no problem
Harm none who aint deserving.
Translation, Self-explanatory, however further analysis shows that what is considered "deserving" has a broad range, and the smallest of slights, or perceived injustice, is enough to justify 'Harm'. A more broad interpretation appears to be 'Harm none who can't afford it'.
Shisno’s get shot.
Translation, ERROR, appears to be crude threat. Term 'Shisno' unknown, only found reference "Red vs Blue", no further information available.
Weapons aint free.
Translation, meant both financially, literally, and incidentally. Weapons are valuable- take care of them Weapons are dangerous – there is a cost to using them, people get hurt and die Weapons are costly – using them means there will be some type of future consequences: investigation by the Law, possibility of someone seeking revenge, payment for damage repairs etc
Don’t Know his elbow.
Translation, don’t follow idiots or idiotic instructions especially if given by non CNFC individuals. From the old earth idiom ‘doesn’t know his ass from his elbow’

Charter

We free Captains declare that the Corvus Nox Free Charter on the 4th of November in the year 2773 AD was formed for the distinct purpose of seeking trade, exploration, salvage, and bounty for its Charter members. Unimpeded by Pirates, Tyrants and hostile Xenos species, owing no fealty to any state, species or law, we hereby declare ourselves to be beholden only to our conscience and the code, with no authority higher than the Charter itself and the Code we follow. CORVUS OCULUM CORVI NON ERUIT

The Corvus Nox Free Charter hereinafter referred to as “CNFC” or the “Organisation”.

Article 1. -Aequitas
All members within the Charter share equal in rights and responsibilities, All will be treated as equals. Those rights are as follows;
‘Fair Stand Up’ – In event of any dispute, a fair hearing by the captain and crew see Article 4.
‘Bunk, Bed, Salt and Bread’ – Any member serving on a CNFC vessel is entitled to room and board at the cost of the ships captain.
‘Captain’s Paid’ – When the captain is paid you are, no delays.
‘Right as Rain’ – From stitches to bio-tech parts all the way to a full reprint, injuries are fixed to the highest calibre available at the cost of the ships captain.
‘Weapons Free’ – Crew can open carry weapons and arms aboard any CNFC vessel.
‘Blue on Blue means death to you’ – Internal disputes shall be resolved as per the charter’s Article 4, firing upon a charter member regardless of reason without the sanction of the charter and leadership will result in a death sentence in any case not including self defence.
‘When the charter calls, the charter answers’ – Where ever possible, should a member call for assistance, any and all members able must respond.

Article 2.- Primus inter pares
The Organisation leadership exists to;
- Provide guidance regarding the code and the Charter.
- Maintain the chapter rolls.
- Coordinate group action and negotiations with other organisations.
- Dictate coordinated action by the Organization.
- In extreme situations trial dissident members of CNFC see Article 4.

Article 2.1 -Ordos
Commodore – The Commodore is the figurehead and spokesman of the Organization. They’re duties include being chairman at any organisation meetings, organising the the CNFC leadership and overseeing their roles and in the event of an emergency or Terra Nullius calling for a murder see article 7 . If the commodore is unable to attend a meeting he may nominate any Chartered Captain as his proxy.

Leadership Council – Original main members of the Organization. They share the same rank as any Chartered Captain within the organisation with the distinction of weighted voting and a veto where appropriate. Any member of the CNFC who has risen to the rank of Chartered Captain can be elevated to Leadership council after being nominated by a member of the council and upon unanimous vote of the council. They are entitled to full protection of the charter.

Chartered Captain – Main members of the organisation with full voting rights, these are trusted members of the CNFC who have actively served the organisation for a period of time as a Roamer. They must be nominated by 3 existing Chartered Captain’s or a member of the leadership council, before being confirmed by a majority vote of the Leadership council. They may attached the prefix FCV to their ship names. They are entitled to full protection of the charter.

Roamer – Full main member of the organisation with full voting rights. They must be nominated by an existing Chartered Captain who must endorse them before notifying CNFC leadership of their request of elevation along with a justification for the promotion and then confirmed by a member of the leadership council who retains a veto. They are entitled to full protection under the charter.

Boxmunkey – Full main member of the organisation with limited voting rights. They must be nominated by an existing Chartered Captain or Roamer who must endorse them before notifying CNFC leadership of elevation along with a justification for the promotion. They are entitled to full protection under the charter.

Fetchit – Basic members of the organisation with limited voting rights, They must be nominated by an existing Chartered Captain or Roamer who must endorse them before notifying CNFC leadership of their elevation along with a justification for the promotion. They are entitled to full protection under the charter.

FNG – Entry level members of the organisation without voting rights. They must be nominated by an existing Chartered Captain or Roamer who must endorse them before notifying CNFC leadership of their elevation along with a justification for the promotion. They are entitled to full protection under the charter.

Associate – Affiliate members of the Organization without voting rights. Associate members are friendly to the Organization and will be treated as such. Any member of the charter can recommend someone for Association status to the leadership council who retains the right of Veto.

Article 2.2 -Succession
In the event of the death of a member, any membership status and rank, along with all possessions, debts or credits and their callsign will be granted to the member’s inheritor.

Article 3 – Suffragium
All ranks with voting rights have the right to cast a vote at any given called Charter meeting. They must be present, if they are not they may nominate a proxy.
Weighted voting exists as per organization ranks.
Leadership Council – 2.2
Chartered Captain – 1.5
Roamer – 1
Boxmunkey – 0.5
Fetchit – 0.2
FNG – 0
Associate – 0

Any minor vote amongst crew aboard vessels is subject to equal voting for chartered members, with the vessel captain holding Veto and the swing vote in the case of a tie.

Article 4 -Trial and Sanction.
As per Article 1 all members are entitled to a ‘Fair Stand Up’ for minor breeches of the charter or disputes among members serving together and should be resolved internally.
Any member who commits a major breach of charter or the code may be held for trial as determined by the Leadership council.
6 Charted Captains and a member of the council will be chosen at random to preside over a hearing, determine judgement and depending on the severity of the breech determine punishment, which may include but not be limited to; Public Sanction, Demotion and Fines, major breeches may result in a death mark and expulsion from the CNFC.
In the case of a deathmark being issued, the accused will be stripped of rank, membership and protection of the charter for themselves and 3 generations of their inheritors, and be subject to execution by any and all charter members on site.

Article 5 – Operations
All members are free agents as per the charter, with the right to seek trade, exploration, salvage, bounty and employment as they wish without interference or judgement as long as the code is upheld.

Article 5.1 Co-operation
During operations involving multiple ships, the revenue sharing must be weighted based on the class of ships involved, participation time and quality of work. Unless an agreement is come to beforehand by all parties. Revenue sharing amongst the crew of a Multi-crew ship is at the ship’s owner discretion but if not agreed to beforehand should amount to an even share after all ships costs are met.
Where possible, profit and work should be shared amongst the CNFC with priority going to main members and then associates before contracting to outsider vessels.

Article 5.2 Call for Assistance.
Main members can call other nearby members together to protect the Organization’s interests and assets, to assist in the defence of other members or to organise cooperative operations in the pursuit of profit.

Article 5.3 Murder
The commodore reserves the right to call for a Murder where the entire flotilla comes together in the event of extreme situations that may include; to defend the organisation, sanction dissident members, engage in a vote organization wide vote or announce the discovery of Terra Nullius – See Article 5.4.

Article 5.4 Terra Nullius
In the event of the discovery of a previously unknow planet or jump-point the CNFC leadership must be advised ASAP. The commodore will call the flotilla together to claim and exploit this discovery for the CNFC, a bounty of 10% of all profits made by all members from this discovery will be paid to the member who finds and reports it to the CNFC. They will also retain naming rights and right of first passage.

Article 6 – Charter Dues.
All members are required to pay a yearly dues to the charter as per their rank below (subject to change).
Associate – No fee.
FNG – 2% yearly income.
Fetchit – 5% Yearly income.
Boxmunkey 7.5% yearly income.
Roamer 10% yearly income.
Chartered Captain – 8% yearly income.
Leadership Council – 13% yearly income.

Article 6.1 – MVP Widows and Orphans Fund.
All collected charter dues will be held by the charter and dispensed to nominated members and or their inheritors as compensation for loss of life or equipment when committing great acts on behalf of the charter and its members. To recieve this award/compensation a member must be nominated by 3 fellow members and evidence submitted. The leadership council will then dispense funds as compensation as they see fit based on this evidence.

Article 7 – Affiliation
Main members of the CNFC may affiliate with any other organisation they wish. Organisation’s or their members that are hostile to the CNFC may be designated enemies of the charter.

Article 8 – Change to the Charter
In order to make changes to the charter, the change must be nominated by a chartered captain and seconded by a member of the leadership council and 6 other Charted Captains. To be ratified it requires a majority vote of voting members and the unanimous agreement of the Crow council. There must be given adequate time to assemble a quorum of 75% of members for a vote to proceed.

(Charter subject to editing before launch and to be ratified by existing members with a vote on launch)

Corvus Nox Free Charter / CNFC

History

Manifesto

Charter