The Flying Bottle / TFBOT

Origins (2940–2942)

The Flying Bottle was founded in 2940 in the Stanton system by a group of independent pilots led by Captain Elara Voss, a former UEE Navy officer turned rogue trader. The name “The Flying Bottle” was inspired by a legendary tale of a smuggler who evaded UEE patrols by hiding contraband in a modified fuel canister resembling a whiskey bottle, symbolizing resourcefulness and defiance. The organization began as a loose collective of traders and smugglers operating out of ArcCorp’s Area18, focusing on discreet cargo runs and salvaging derelict wrecks in the system’s asteroid belts. Their early operations capitalized on the chaotic economy of Stanton, where corporate oversight left gaps for enterprising pilots to exploit.

Rise to Prominence (2943–2947)

By 2943, The Flying Bottle had grown into a structured organization with a reputation for delivering high-risk cargo through pirate-infested routes, particularly in the Pyro system. They established a hidden outpost on Pyro VI, dubbed “Bottle Base,” a refurbished mining station serving as their primary hub for repairs, trade, and planning. The group’s expertise in navigating Pyro’s treacherous jump points and their willingness to deal in gray-market goods earned them both allies and enemies among local factions. During this period, they adopted their slogan, “Soaring high, spirits higher!” reflecting their bold and spirited approach.

In 2945, during the Vanduul raids on Stanton, The Flying Bottle gained notoriety for running critical supply lines to isolated outposts, outmaneuvering both Vanduul scouts and UEE blockades. Their success attracted skilled pilots, including ex-mercenaries and defectors from rival organizations, swelling their ranks to over 200 members by 2947. They also began dabbling in information trading, leveraging contacts in the UEE and outlaw networks to broker sensitive data.

The Pyro Gambit (2948–2951)

The Flying Bottle’s ambitions peaked in 2948 when they orchestrated the “Pyro Gambit,” a daring heist to seize a derelict Bengal carrier drifting in the Nul system. Under Voss’s leadership, a small team infiltrated the wreck, fending off rival scavengers and repairing its navigation systems to relocate it to a hidden orbit in Pyro. The operation cemented their reputation as audacious risk-takers but drew the ire of pirate groups like the XenoThreat, leading to skirmishes that tested the organization’s combat capabilities.

By 2950, The Flying Bottle had diversified into mercenary work, offering escort services for high-value convoys and conducting raids against pirate strongholds. Their fleet grew to include modified Drake Cutlasses and Aegis Vanguards, tailored for speed and stealth. However, internal tensions arose as Voss pushed for more aggressive expansion, clashing with members who preferred their original trading roots.

Modern Era (2952–2955)

As of 2955, The Flying Bottle operates as a hybrid organization, balancing trade, salvage, and mercenary contracts while maintaining their outlaw ethos. After Voss’s death in a 2953 ambush by XenoThreat forces, leadership passed to Commander Jaxon Kade, a pragmatic tactician who restructured the group into three divisions: Trade, Combat, and Recon. Bottle Base remains their stronghold, now upgraded with advanced defenses and a black-market trading hub.

The organization faces ongoing challenges, including UEE scrutiny and rivalries with larger outfits like The Companions. Despite this, The Flying Bottle thrives on its reputation for ingenuity and loyalty, with a membership of around 300 pilots. They continue to explore uncharted jump points, seeking new opportunities in the ever-expanding Star Citizen universe.