5th Specialized Space Ops Group [Expeditionary] / 5SS

ABOUT US

Welcome to the raggedy edge. We can’t promise you a damn thing if you’re into power or Machiavelli, but propulsion we have, freight we can get, and fast money we make in spades. We’ll encourage it. We’ll facilitate it. Hell, we’ll even ride shotgun with you while you do it— and for a motley pack of screwballs like us, that’s everything.

It’s actually rather simple.

The UEE is not the enemy (I hope not— they have big guns…) and we’re not hostile to them— please don’t start anything we ain’t gonna be able to help you win. We’re not politically minded and we’re not here to take anybody down. When the UEE swings their shinny big hammer, we make a habit of being anywhere but in front it— or anywhere near it for that matter.

We welcome a bit of role play, we know it ain’t for everyone, and some of us may not be into it, but you’re welcome to it if it’s your mug of ale. Hell, some of us might even join you from time to time. We’re casual, laid-back. Gone for a month or two? Maybe more? You’ll still be a member when you return to us.

We might not act or fly legally all the time, Lets us never forget that sometimes LEGALLY isn’t always the wing-man of MORALLY. Our work might be questionable, but we don’t harm innocents. We don’t make life harder for those who deserve better. Lastly, and very important: We take care of each other! That’s it. We aren’t going to tell you how to play your game or when to play or how much. You’re not required to show up for anything or meet a quota, but it is highly encouraged in this Org. There are Leader’s council held occasionally (for promotions), no home world—yet, no great endeavor that we’re bound to pursue and support for a parent Organization. The leadership is here when you need us, not the other way around. Concerns are raised, votes called, and decisions made as a group! You’ll have your chance to put one hand on the wheel with the rest of us and steer the 5th Specialized Space Operations Group (Expeditionary) (5th SSOG [E]) where it ought to go.

Gone for a month or two? Maybe more? You’ll still be a member when you return to us. (just let us know: We conduct a PURGENING every JUNE 5th!)

Fleet Logistics

The contents of the 5th SSOG [E] hangar and what we bring to the table. Our hangar also has a Jukebox…

Ships dedicated to the Org

• Polaris (5SS Legion)
• Idris K
• Constellation Aquilla
• Constellation Taurus
• Retaliators
• Redeemer
• Prospector
• Orion
• Caterpillar
• Vanguard Warden
• Gladius Valiant
• Hornet Wildfire
• Freelancer
• Cutlass Black
• Avenger Titan
• 315P
• Mustang Alpha
• Aurora LN (Rocinante)

…and many, many more player ships which I’m sure the owners will be more than happy to share around.

Rank Structure

As discussed in our Charter, you will be evaluated through your actions. Your word carries your name. You name will carry a rank within the Org. You are the captain of your ship, and no one will take that from you. Within the Org however, there will be a structure of voice during gatherings, as detailed below. Affiliates can never attain the rank of Officers, but they may become SEF members if they prove themselves.

Below are but a handful of examples of the rank structure in the 5th SSOG [E]:

HIGH ADMIRAL [HAM]
Earth, 21st Century, US Army equivalent: GENERAL

• The highest officer rank in the org. “I AM THE HAM!” ~ SARGE

FLEET CAPTAIN [CPT]
Earth, 21st Century, US Army equivalent: COLONEL [COL]

GENERAL [GEN]
Earth 21st Century, US Army equivalent: MAJOR GENERAL [MG]

• The Commander of the Specialized Expeditionary Forces Command [SEFCOM]. Only answering to the High Admiral. He/She commands all the SEF in the best interest of the Org. There can only be one.

1ST SQDR LIEUTENANT [LT1] ; 2ND SQDR LIEUTENANT [LT2] ; and 3RD SQDR LIEUTENANT [LT3]
Earth 21st Century, US Army equivalent: CAPTAIN

• Lieutenants are Jr. Commanding Officers in the Organization’s space teams whom work directly under a Lieutenant Commander [LCD] (which are in charge of a Command/Branch. All Lieutenants (and the land forces equivalents, Captains, are equal in rank) (¹the LTS from the SEFCOM does not fall under the same Command structure). The Lieutenants are an intricate rank level, branching out into specializations, the most diverse, but rewarding rank in the Organization—responsible for different basic teams.

• Once a Senior Ensign has mastered his section/position/station and shown leadership skills noting the ability to lead multiple teams on basic missions He/She is eligible for promotion. The following are the different branches and sub-branches that an LT would fall under (w/the exception of the Guardians their rank names are unique:
1. LT¹ is responsible for the Tactical Operations(TO), the Intelligence Division (ID), or the Security Operations (SO) Command (TISCOM).
2. A LT² is responsible for the Logistical Corp (LC), the Adjutant Corp (AC), or the Communications Division (CD) Command (LACCOM).
3. The LT³ is in charge of the Medical Department (MD), Engineering Division (ED), or the Science Department (SD) Command, (MESCOM).
4. The First Guardian (FGO) is an Officer Rank of the Guardian Forces Detachment (GFDET) in charge of a platoon.
5. Last but not least, the LTˢ is the Team Commander of a Specialized Team (ST) within SEFCOM. Their tasks involve, but not limited to, search & rescue; Infiltration; sabotage; RECON; Bounty Hunting; and unconventional battle tactics. A LTS is in charge of 10 team members.

SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS EXPEDITIONARY – TEAMS [SOE-T]
Earth, 21st Century, US Army equivalent: RECON/Space Rangers/Black Ops Mercenaries

• Members of the SOE-T fall under smaller unit size elements. Under their own command of a General in the SEFCOM. Dangerous, Technical & Proficient Operators, Chief members of the Organization specialized & dedicated to special missions. These chiefs are Organization members working outside of the allowed perimeters to get a specific job/mission done. Silent Professionals. Solo artists at times. A member can progress from the FLTCOM to a SEFCOM…if they proof themselves.

• Subcategories of what makes a complete SOE-T inside SEF are:
1. SO-F (Security/Intel Tech Officer of the SOE-T);
2. SO-E (Commo/System Hacking Specialist.)
3. SO-D (Medic/Science Spec.);
4. SO-C (DEMO/Eng. Spec.);
5. SO-B (RECON/Heavy Weapons Spec.);
6. SO-Z (Pilot/Navigation Spec. and Team Sergeant of the SOE-T)
7. SO-A (The LTS of the SOE-T—the Commanding Officer on board)

CREWMAN FIRST CLASS [CFC]
Earth, 21st Century, US Army equivalent: CORPORAL (CPL)

• The worker bees of the organization. The second rank you are when you join the Organization. Before you are a FIRST CLASS, you must have served as one of the three major crewman positions/stations listed below. The following are CREWMAN rank positions:
1. INTEL-Crewman (INTEL-MAN) / SECURITY-Crewman (SEC-MAN) / TACTICAL-Crewman (TAC-MAN);
2. ADMIN-Crewman (ADMIN) / LOGISTIC-Crewmen (LOGGIE) / COMMUNICATIONS-Crewmen (COMMO);
3. SCIENCE-Crewman (SCI-MAN) / MEDIC-Crewman (MEDIC/DOC) / ENGINEER-Crewman (ENGINEER/MECHANIC):

All ranks within the Org. are eligible for promotion in two ways: Field promotion (Command recognizes unrefutably potential for promotion) or board promotion (A member requests promotion and presents forward his proof/supporting accounts for consideration of a closed leadership board)

PLEASE SEE: HISTORY & CHARTER FOR MORE INFORMATION

The five SSOG [E] core values (originally created by Clan L.O.D.) and our one simple unwritten law to each other are as follows.

It’s not hard to memorize…

SELFLESSNESS… Carry yourself with selfless actions
HONOR… Honor your word and your actions, finish the job, unless it messes with your moral compass, in that case… make sure it’s a moment to remember. We love a good show… pass the popcorn.
INTEGRITY… Do what is right morally, even when no one is watching (don’t forget that legally and morally are not always the same)
TRUST (Loyalty)… Trust in the integrity of your 5th SSOG [E] brethren and be loyal to the Org.

The acronym is, uh… never mind that for now. Just live free and strive to help others live free as well.

Just remember, No reward is worth your ship, no ship is worth your life!??

Our laws are simple.

SHIP NAMES

Name your ship whatever you want…It’s yours! What we ask however, is for ships that are under the flag of The 5TH SSOG[E] will have an addition to that name you picked: “5SS” in front of that name (for example: The 5SS Destiny’s Hand). This request for your ship to carry this name is for Organized gameplay. Individual seat ships like Hornet’s, Prospectors, etc. do not fall under this name rule.

NO PIRACY/GRIEFING!

There’s no honor in threatening a man and his family out for a luxury cruise, no matter how many scarves you’re wearin’. You think piracy to be some democratic haven of ideals, where everyone drinks grog and has no time for quarellin’ because they’re too busy respectin’ each other? Pirates are murderers. Shakedown artists. If you see one flyin’, know that they’ve made good on threats against people who’re just like you. Those who haven’t were dusted by their own kind long before they’d be standin’ before you. Ain’t a damn person outside the Black Art who loves ‘em, and most of them hate each other. But, don’t get me wrong, sometimes… and I mean sometimes… the job calls for some under-the-table action. Do what your conscious allows you to do and we will do the same with you when the time presents it’s self.

NO SLAVING

Break this here rule and you’re goin’ to lose every friend you have. More ‘an a few of us have spent childhoods tryin’ to scrape away the inky, black scanner tag from an arm or a collarbone. You bring down the cuffs on somebody, you move “product”, as it’s called, and you’ll see how charitable your new slavin’ friends are when you outlive your worth.

Code of Conduct

YOUR WORD

Members of the 5th SSOG [E] aren’t required to help each other— IT would be nice, but it’s not mandatory. However, they are required to not steal from or betray one another. If you make a deal with a fellow 5th SSOG [E] and take on his raw material, don’t up the price when he returns for the finished goods. If another has found one hell of a derelict spaceship but needs to return with a bigger ship for the loot, don’t sell the location. Trust is what binds us. Every desperate person out there wants a piece of you and yours. We’ve got to know that if we’re doin’ business with a fellow 5th SSOG [E], you’ll do right by us. Anyone that doesn’t understand this will be cut off.

In other words, if that just doesn’t put the shine on your day then we’ll part, no feelings damaged, but if what I’m sayin’ perks up your ears then make it official and hoist a glass of porter, or fizzy water. We don’t judge, and we don’t do paperwork. We’ll fit you for your own pair of tight, leather explorer pants— pretty floral bonnet optional— and get you set up to head out into the black (tight leather pants optional).

YOU ARE YOUR OWN CAPTAIN

What you choose to do on your ship is your business, as long as it satisfies our first three rules. We will not ask you what you did yesterday or last month. If someone comes looking for you, asking us what we know. We will send them on their way packing sand. You play you and I play me. We will not judge you for how you fly and who you chose to fly with, as long as you are comfortable justifying yourself to your fellow captains. However, judgement or not…if it’s not a fit for this Org…you continue to do you without being hindered…just not with our patch on your shoulder…

BRING US NO SHAME

Don’t be a *B*lue *F*alcon (Buddy Fucker in military jargon). If what you do has harmful effects on the on the Organization, you may be sanctioned for it. Simple enough.

EYE THAT DOESN’T SEE, IS A HEART THAT DOESN’T FEEL

This goes hand-in-hand with “bring us no shame”. If you don’t get caught, it never happened.
Use your best judgment. Pick your battles.
You will however be evaluated, distinguished, and/or assessed by your actions, your reputation, and your contributions to the 5th SSOG [E].
Sanctions will be handled on a case-by-case basis with ‘punishment should fit the crime’ as the general rule of thumb. Observe the Charter’s three basic laws and try to avoid organizations that condone violating them. If you are a member that is border line, consider not smearing our name.

*OVERALL REMEMBER THE GOLDEN RULE:

Don’t be an @$$H0L3!*

*In your darkest hour at the end of the verse,
When your demons come bringing their worse
Call on me or any FIFTH brother or sister,
And we will fight and conquer them together!*

PLEASE SEE: HISTORY & MANIFESTO FOR MORE INFORMATION