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After the Solomani Confederation conqured the Old Expanses during the early parts of the Second War for Solomani Liberation, they sent in fleets to adminstrate the territory, they also sent in Transstar to shape the economy of the new territory. As it was owned by the Party, Transstar ships were also used as Naval Auxilury ships, and were pressed into service carrying troops and supplies. Transstar bought up and otherwise aquired dozens of former Imperial Corporations. The thought was that if you controlled a person's livelihood, you controlled the person. Also, why let profits go to Imperial Corporations and Imperial sympathizers when the profits could go to the Party.
By 1130 Transstar had established itself as an integral part of the Old Expanses economy. When the Virus hit the Old Expanses in 1130 it wiped out most of Transstar along with the rest of Civilization. Fija weathered the Virus better than most worlds. It lost technological levels, but remained rather calm. From a base on Fija Transstar continued to operate throughout the Short Night. Transstar maintained several starships during the Short Night. The starport on Fija was unable to repair jumpdrives, so after a decade Transstar was unable to keep the ships jumpworthy. They mothballed several but kept two in service. They were the 2000-ton Pride of Terra and the 400-ton Hokka. In 1177 the Hokka was exploring the outer Fijan system and suffered a catastrophic drive failure and the entire crew slowly starved to death. The crew kept up a live video feed throughout the entire disaster. Millions watched the tragedy on live trivid. After this Transstar kept the Pride of Terra close to Fija. Transstar took great pride in that they had the largest function spacecraft on Fija, and they let people know about it in their advertisments. When the Hivers contacted Fija in 1192, they sold Transstar parts to repair the Pride of Terra. The first mission of the revitilized Pride was the recovery of the Hokka. Transstar broadcast the recovery and turned it into a public relations bonanza. When they returned to Fija, the dead crewpeople of the Hokka were given a heroes funeral.
Transstar slowly began to restart interstellar trade between Fija and the other members of the Dawn League. By 1201 they run ships between all the worlds of the Reformation Coalition. They have about a dozen relic ships, and have several new ones on order from Standard Astronics shipyard on Aubaine. They are also pursuing negotiations with several Free Traders to purchase their ships and to hire the crews on as permament employees. The Pride of Terra is still the flagship of the fleet, and was recently completly refitted at Dawn Construction's Shipyard on Trybec.
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Transportation continues to be the number one industry for
Transstar, but they are diversifing. The leadership has
instituted a major expansion. They relize that best time to
expand is while the Coalition is still in its infancy, this way
they can gain an early lead, and be in a posistion to squish
future competition. Their insurance firm on Fija insures 30% of
the Coalition civilian starships. They have a minority intrest
in KruyterCorp. They recently bought the leading manufacturer of
machine tools on Baldur. Recently they launched a hostile
takeover of Standard Astronics, the owner of the shipyards on
Aurora, which will soon be the second most important shipyard in
the Coalition. As only it and Aubaine will be able to produce
jump-2 vessels. The leadership wants Transstar to be a
Megacorporation once again.
Transstar does not condone illegal operations by its executives, like so many Imperial Megacorporations seemed to. Its corporate environment was much more used to being the Law, as it was part of the government. Outside of the of the Reformation Coalition, its respect for local law is a bit less, but still rather high for a Megacorporatioin.
Technically Transstar is still owned by the Solomani Party, but as no one knows if it even exists anymore, Transstar operates independently, it reinvests most of its profits, setting aside a small fraction in case the Solomani Party makes a reappearence. Since it does not have to pay dividends to shareholders, it has a small advantage over traditionally owned corporations. It has been putting this advantage to good use, buying up and forcing opponents out of business, when ever possible. This has caused a bit of a public relations problem as Transstar moves into small markets, displacing local business. For the largest part Transstar has dealt with this by offering lower prices and better services. It figures it can operate on a smaller profit margin in the short run to insure long term profitablity.
Transstar has a very good relationship with its employees. Transstar pays very well and has a excellent benifits package. In its entire history Transstar has never laid off an employee, even through the Hard Times, and the Short Night. Transstar will spare no effort to avenge or rescue employees that are captured by terrorists, rebels or others. In exchange for these benifits, Transstar demands excellence, and 110% effort. Transstar also believes in advanced training for its employees, and pays for them to get advanced college degrees.
Transstar is a fervant supporter of the Reformation Coalition; you can't have trade without civilization. Transstar supports the Centralist position, they would prefer to build up the Coalition, rather than admitting dozens of low tech worlds that would drain resources from the core worlds. They do want new members, but at a slower pace. They would also rather expand rimward, towards Terra. But the Federalists seem to want to go towards the Imperial Core. Transstar donates money to Centralist politicians and offers them other favors, such as free trips on Transstar shipping.
There are persistant rumors that Transstar's leadership still subscribes to the Solomani Cause, and that they give money to various right wing groups such as the League of the Imperial Way. The leadership denies these, but the rumors still persist.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
The current incarnation of Transstar is headquartered on Fija.
It has a large complex located in the capital. The
Transportation Division and the Finance Division are located
here. The Transportation Division has local headquarters on
each world in the Coalition, and on several worlds in the Wilds
including Lancer/Aubaine, Kal/Oriflamme and Teldora/Oriflamme.
These headquarters are charged with securing cargos for the ships,
arranging passengers and other business.
The corporation is headed up by a President who is selected from 20 members of a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors select a President by ballot. New members to the Board are selected by current members of the Board. Members serve until they retire. The membership is not responsable to anyone but themselves. The Board meets monthly on Fija. Board members travel throughout the Coalition making deals and furthering the corporation.
Transstar doesn't have a large security apparatus. It has a few security consultants, who design security systems for the various corporate facilites. It does employ security guards to protect factories and plants that require protection. It doesn't have a private army, or intelligence service. If a need arises, Transstar often hires reliable Freelancers. It has enough contacts inside the RCES to know who is reliable and who isn't.