Free Trade Union
The Free Trade Union (FTU) is a part of the Confederacy of Core Worlds, a large number of trade vessels in the Ithassa Region. It has a quasi-political status, mostly designed to attempt to give trade vessels some autonomy over and against the various larger powers in the region.
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Each of the Free Trade Ships (abbr. FTS) is autonomously run, and tends to have a crew of various species from the region. But the ships pay a periodic fee, which lets them dock at FTU bases, and be supplied and repaired. There also is a certain level of shared information and technology.
The typical FTS tends to be rather heterogeneously constructed (though not grotesquely so), with a heavy emphasis on shielding and armor. The engine technology is less developed than the Federation -- defense having been the FTU's major research focus. The actual locations of the FTU bases are very heavily guarded secrets. They tend to be in hard to reach places (magnetic clouds, asteroid belts, etc.).
Members of the FTU tend to be on the fringes of society, often joining up when an FTS makes an appearance at a neutral port. Many crewmembers have a dream of buying their own ship and captaining it. Some of the other major powers hunt the FTU actively, but others tolerate them for the goods they bring in and for a kind of "steam valve" effect.
Recently the FTU entered a treaty with the Federation brokered by Admiral Anassasi commanding the USS Independence at their Furies Furnace Base.
Known Races
While a minor race in the FTU they provide some stability due to their role as messengers and couriers. Most are not considered members.
The Ga'teran are loosely allied with the FTU. They are a savage warlike race that controls 5 star systems in the Cait Sector. They provide much of the muscle used on vessels, controlled and operated by the FTU.
A race of bug like insectoids faintly resembling terran spiders. More of a mercenary race they hire them selves out as guards.
Easily identifiable by the extremely well developed muscles of their chests, arms, shoulders and legs. They have 2 small horns protruding one from each temple and small, Ferengi-like gold eyes. Bovine-like in appearance with hoofed feet and olive skin.
Mantis-like creatures with huge compound eyes and a mandible instead of a mouth. (Commander Sskett)
This humanoid race have ram like horns on the sides of their heads, prominent bull-like foreheads and socket like ridges above their eyes. A typical Ramdii has three-toed hooves for hands and four-toed hooves for feet. (Captain Koran)
A dolphin-like creature of graceful lines and soft gray coloring. They most often are Doctors aboard FTU ships and employ an anti-grav belt to maneuver their flippers through different gravity conditions.