Official Association of Free Traders (AFT) Profile

Affiliation #13

Imperial Chartered Affiliation

History

The origins of the AFT date back to the beginning of human exploration 
the Periphery. The mega-corporations -- most notably the GTT -- gained 
an early stranglehold on the economic climate of the newly opened 
systems, and spared no effort to drive the small entrepreneur back 
to the Inner Empire. Price wars, sabotage, and even outright military 
confrontation were used as tools for eliminating smaller competitors. 
So, on 177.48, for mutual protection and economic cooperation, several 
small businessmen banded together to form the AFT. As with most dissident 
groups, the AFT was initially ignored by the larger corporations, 
which used their political clout to delay the issue of a charter to 
the AFT.

Although the AFT began thusly as an illegal organization, with the 
passage of time it became more accepted. Indeed, AFT warships took 
part in a number of notable battles on the side of the Imperial State; 
and several AFT starcaptains carved their own niche in history. The 
AFT received their Imperial charter from Emperor Jasil in 181, and 
have since been accepted as a part of everyday life in the Periphery.

Originally devoted to trade, the AFT recently merged with the Chatan 
Shipping Service (CSS) and  has begun to develop an interest in establishing 
ties with non-human species. Consequently, many new markets and opportunities 
have opened for members of the AFT.

Affiliation Description

The AFT is not a corporation; nor is it a political organization. 
It more resembles a guild, and its sole purpose for existing is to 
create an economic atmosphere conducive to prosperity for its members. 
Individuals are free to pursue their own goals, without interference 
from the Association. Goals may be pursued using legal or illegal 
means, but the AFT will not, in general, actively support an individual 
who gets posted for breaking the law of a government. For example, 
while the AFT, as an affiliation, has no moral qualms with one of 
its members running slaves in the Periphery, if that member gets caught, 
the AFT, as an organization, will not intercede In that member's behalf 
with the Imperial authorities. Nor, however, will it post that member.

When an individual joins the AFT, he is a member for life. The only 
reason a member may be expelled or posted is for violating AFT law. 
The maximum penalty for any other offense is one year probation. The 
only way in which a member may voluntarily resign his membership is 
through the passage of a general referendum - and then only if all 
debts owed to the affiliation by that member have been satisfied. 
The primary motivation of most, if not all, members is greed, for 
some type of gain, whether political or economic. Consequently, you 
may find many a member skirting the edges of host government laws, 
if the potential gain is worthwhile. Again, the Association does not 
outright condemn this type of activity; but it does not support it, 
either. In fact, the AFT strongly recommends that members abide by 
the laws of a host government.

It is important to remember that AFT members have little, if any, 
corporate mentality. They value their freedom above all else, and 
the Association maintains very little control over the actions of 
individuals. The AFT does not exist to dictate morals or politics 
to its members, so the Association accepts no responsibility for the 
actions of individual members.

Special Abilities

1. Perform transactions (buy, sells, xfers) in 3 tu's.

2. Swap Jump Engines in 0 TU's

3. Build a Hiport at any size AFT colony

4. Scan colonies from orbit in 5 TU's

5. Jump in 10 TU's

6. Have an advantage when negotiating trade agreements with GM operated
alien races.

7. Any non-AFT positions who deliver, pick-up, buy, or sell items receive
the benefit of speedy AFT transactions at AFT colonies.  They can do these
actions for 3 TU's.

Short Term Goals

1. Develop/discover new items for trade.

2. Establish strong trading contacts throughout the Periphery.

3. Recruit new members

Long Term Goals

1. Establish the AFT as a truly neutral trade organizaton.

2. Open new markets to AFT members.

3. Expand colonization efforts to other regions

One of the long-term goals of the AFT is to become a neutral trade 
organization. This will need to be done slowly, working out agreements 
with individual governments. Once negotiated, these agreements will 
be put to referendum to the membership and, if passed, they will assume 
the full force of AFT laws, carrying with them all the responsibilities 
and penalties for violation as any other AFT law. This way, members 
will not have their freedoms negotiated away without their consent.

Organization

The AFT is managed by a Trade Council consisting of the Master Trader, 
Sergeant at Arms, Colony Steward, Ship Steward, Chief Journeyman, 
Trade Minister, Affiliation Negotiator, and Technology Czar. 

The council works together to enhance the economic atmosphere of the 
periphery for its members.  Major policy decisions affecting individual 
freedoms may be drafted by the council, but must be approved by the 
general membership through referendum.  Councilmen may only be replaced 
at the discretion of the council, through a simple majority vote.

By-Laws of the AFT

The following are the by-laws of the AFT. Violation of one or more 
of these by any member is considered to be among the most severe betrayals 
of trust, and may result in probation, fining, expulsion, and/or posting 
by the AFT. 

1. AFT markets and facilities are open to any member of any affiliation,
so long as he is not posted by the AFT.

2. It is illegal for an AFT governor to knowingly allow his colony to be
used as a base of operations for any military  action not sanctioned by
the AFT. Direct buying and selling off a colony market report, regardless
of the item, the buyer, or the situation, is not prohibited by this
provision.

3. It is illegal for any AFT position to initiate battle with any other
position not posted by the AFT.

4. It is illegal for any AFT position to directly aid an attack by one
non-AFT posted position on another.

5. Any interaction between an AFT colony and a position posted by a
government, if said interaction occurs inside   the sovereign boundaries
of that government, must be promptly reported to the AFT negotiator.

6. It is illegal for one member of the AFT to cheat, embezzle, or steal
any item of value from any other member of the AFT.

7. An AFT starcaptain shall, upon notification, do everything within his
power to come to the aid of any other member in distress.  This includes,
but is not limited to, AFT   sanctioned military operations.

8. It is illegal for any member of the AFT to violate the terms of any
legal contracts to which he or the AFT is signatory.
