Phantom Company [PHANTOMCOM] - Organizations

History

The United Empire of Earth (UEE) military have always found themselves overstretched against the Vanduul war bands. Local militias and hired mercenaries have always done their part in the fight against this alien menace, but among all those who fight few are recognised and remembered.

In the late 29th century, some mercenaries fighting the Vanduuls for a pay-check formed an organisation to protect their interests from both their enemies and employers. These mercenaries were mostly veterans; exceptional men and women who had survived longer than their peers through sheer skill and strength of spirit. It is not known exactly where they fought, or even if they all fought side by side, and very little information about what this organisation was involved in ever found its way into the public domain. It is as though they were nothing but ghosts doing the bidding of the UEE, fighting off the Vanduuls and disappearing into the shadows.

What started as a nickname and a term of mockery from UEE soldiers eventually became their adopted name, “Phantom Company.” Amongst the Phantoms’ however this term was not seen as mockery but rather an honorary title, one given to those who would always fight but never be remembered. Those who made up the Phantom Company were all proud to bear this name even if it was at one time used in mockery.

Eventually, as is often the case with mercenary hires, the UEE had no need for the Phantom Company anymore and it’s contracts were terminated one by one. Without a reason to exist, the company grew smaller and smaller until only a few comrades remained, mostly through loyalty to one another. This small group of comrades left over decided to rebuild the company to its former glory – and make it greater still – by taking on all kinds of missions be they transportation, escorts, bounty hunting or even sportive competition. There was nothing the Phantom Company would not do except indulge in piracy. Since they had fought the Vanduul for so long they held such acts as raiding and pillaging in contempt.

Eventually new recruits began to join the organisation, civilians and citizens alike, and the company grew in number again. Slowly the Phantom Company began to restructure itself, and as such members who would bring harm upon its reputation were removed from the organisation. As time passed, the so-called Phantoms started seeing themselves as a force for good, bringing justice where the UEE would not. Through this the company began to form its own definition of justice, of innocence and of guilt. As contracts were accepted and fulfilled, the organisation grew further and further from UEE doctrine instead following their own set rules of law.

Throughout its entire history the Phantom Company has always worked with the UEE, but the relationship between the Empire and the Phantoms’ was never very good; after all, one of the reasons the company was created was to ensure that the government wouldn’t use the “Phantoms” as cannon fodder. This resentment for the UEE was renewed when civilians started to join the Company’s ranks and has never been as strong as it is today. Indeed, Phantoms’ hold little regard for the Empire’s laws and are open to shady dealings or dirty jobs so long as they don’t cross the line into piracy. Because while the Company disregards Imperial authority, it would never allow its members to bring harm upon the innocent, or commit any injustice.

Manifesto

Who are we?

Mercenaries, freelancers, privateers or cargo haulers. The Phantom Company is composed of men and women from every horizon and profession. We pride ourselves on this diversity and our capacity to execute any mission, whatever the skill requirements may be.

Our hierarchy and rank structure:

The Phantom Company’s rank structure is clear and strict, some of those ranks are as follows;

Cadets: Our new recruits, they are yet to be trained and earn their full place in the company.
Crewman: The bulk of our forces, they are capable individuals and fulfil many different roles.
Corporal: The mainstay of our NCO ranks, they fill a variety of leadership roles in the lower echelons.
Captains/Colonels: One of our Commissioned Officer (CO) ranks, they lead operations, keep things running smoothly and fill command positions within our fleet.
Vice-Admirals: Senior Officers (SO), they oversee the day-to-day running of the company, run large operations and manage the CO’s.
Admiral: The Commander-in-Chief of PTMC, the Admiral is responsible for the general running of PTMC, organising and conducting large scale operations and Chairing meetings.

There are many more ranks within PTMC with their own roles and responsibilities within the Company, those listed above are just a sample of them.

In Phantom Company we respect all our members equally, regardless of their rank. While only CO’s and SO’s attend meetings and are responsible for the general running of the company, every member is encouraged to make suggestions and work towards the betterment of the company at all times. Merit and hard work will always be recognised and rewarded in the Phantom Company, while insubordination and disrespect will be punished.

Why do we exist?

Many organisations and militias fight for their ideals or to protect their homes. Countless men and women fight every day to steal or protect, to kill or rescue; to have some food on their plate or a bed to sleep in. We do not, we are Phantoms’ with no needs of our own. We go where we are needed, when we are needed. We can be security guards or soldiers, doctors or assassins, we are naught but phantoms and we exist because we are needed.

Charter

Article 1 – Membership

I. In order to be eligible to join, applicants must not have a criminal record.
II. Applicants must not be part of any currently hostile organisation.
III. Anyone may join, civilian or citizen alike, so long as they are motivated and willing to train.
IV. Pilots, soldiers, traders, etc… No matter one’s specialisation or skill level, we will welcome them.
V. Upon being accepted into the company, members must pledge to;
- i. Support the company’s interests at all times, whatever they may be.
- ii. Never go “absent without official leave” (AWOL). Vacations are fine but an Officer must be informed of such.
- iii. Abide by the Chain of Command at all times.
- iv. Abide by the Rules and Regulations listed in this Charter at all times.

Article 2 – General Rules and Regulations

The Phantom Company has a single absolute principle – Respect. Always respect your fellow Phantom, citizens and civilians. Even your enemy should be treated with the utmost respect. As such, a Phantom should always follow these rules and regulations:

I. Never insult, abuse or otherwise mock someone.
II. Always listen and follow orders given to you by a Superior Officer, unless they conflict with the rules and regulations given in this Charter, in that case do the following;
- i. Carry out the Order given, under protest.
- ii. Inform a Commissioned Officer (CO) as soon as possible so the matter can be investigated.
- iii. If a CO is the one who gave the order inform another CO as soon as possible.
III. If you are unsatisfied with a decision, you are free to suggest other courses of action. Phantom Company is about co-operation, and relies on its diverse opinions to come up with new ideas and tactics. However undermining a Superior’s authority is forbidden, at all times.
IV. Never indulge in piracy or start a fight without good reason.
- i. Engaging Outlaws on sight is acceptable.
- ii. Members of hostile organisations are acceptable too, but only if they are a threat.
V. If a pilot bails-out or otherwise ceases to be a threat, do not kill them, however capture them if needed.
VI. Accept all Surrenders, though exercise extreme caution on approach at all times in case it is a trap.
VII. All Members are required to attend training and practice sessions when possible and continually try to improve their skill-set to best benefit the company and themselves.

Remember that, as a Phantom, your actions are always representing the company. While Officers are tolerant of minor infractions from time to time, repeat offences or outright disrespect of our rules and regulations is not tolerated and will be punished.

Article 3 – Operational Rules and Regulations

Most of the time, Phantoms’ operate alone or in small specialised groups. However Officers will often organise Special Operations (Known as “Ops”) which generally require many Phantoms’ to fulfil a set contract or goal for the company. During these Special Operations, the following additional rules and regulations are enacted;

I. Always obey the Officer in charge. This takes priority over all other commands: even if your orders force you to break our rules, obey them. You will never be punished for a Superior’s infractions during Special Operations.
II. Listen to all orders given by Officers, however during a Special Operation the Special Operation Commanders (SOC) commands outranks all others.
III. Always watch your fire, in ships or on-foot. Be mindful of what you do and where you are aiming, friendly fire is a serious infraction.
IV. Ensure you are always listening to the appropriate comm channel (See ‘Communications’).
V. Keep radio chatter to a minimum. Small idle chatter may be tolerated when nothing is happening, but remain vigilant. If the order to “Clear comms” is given, the channel must be immediately cleared of all chatter.
VI. When a role is assigned to you, follow it to its conclusion and do not interfere or try to replace another crewman to avoid your assigned role.

Article 4 – Communications

Rules regarding communications are not strict, (Except under ‘Special Operation’ conditions.) but in general day to day usage you should still abide by the following rules;

I. All Communication happens in text or through voice in our secure channel (Discord).
- i. Phantoms’ may request access to our comm server from any Officer.
- ii. Ambassadors from any other organisation may request limited access to our comm server from the Admiral or Vice-Admiral.
II. Always be civil and keep things appropriate.
III. Be mindful of when and what you are broadcasting over the secure channel, consider using push-to-talk when you broadcast from a noisy environment.
IV. Not using voice communication is fine, even during ops. So long as it is not needed or required by the Officers in charge.

Phantom Company / PHANTOMCOM