Official Pennockan Federal Meritocracy (PFM) Profile

Affiliation #34

Racial Affiliation

History

In the year 190, after the Canally Nova subsided, the Trans-Canally 
Region of space was opened up for human exploration.  One of the races 
discovered there was the PFM.

Originally the PFM was a barbaric,  nomadic race in another part of 
the galaxy.  Over 500 years ago they were overwhelmed by a technologically 
advanced alien race, the Nathi.  The Nathi transported the Pennockans 
to the Eden system and used them as slave labor to harvest the rare 
ore FIBRILLIUM on Pennock, a moon of the planet Cortland.  Almost 
450 years ago  the Nathi Empire suffered a disastrous civil war and 
this enabled the Pennockans to revolt and slaughter their masters. 
During the fighting the Pennockans discoverded an ancient artifact 
on the planet.  This was an advanced supercomputer called the Overmind.
The PFM is convinced that the Nathi will one day return to avenge the 
revolt; because of this the Pennockans are constantly trying to strengthen 
themselves for that day.

For the next 450 years the PFM placed themselves under the control 
of the Overmind and invented the use of cybernetics to improve their 
capabilities.

The PFM has fought numerous skirmishes and minor wars with all of 
its neighbors; including a vicious 11 year war against the FOE.  The 
Foellian War started after a Foellian ship destroyed an unarmed PFM 
exploration vessel in the Wren system.  The PFM retaliated by wiping 
out a small FOE colony and the fight was on.  The war eventually wound 
down, with heavy losses on both sides.  

The treaty of peace went into effect more from mutual exhaustion than 
from a sincere desire for peace.  Although both races are TCA members, 
PFM hatred for the FOE persists.

Of the other races, the PFM are contemptious of the ZCS despite the 
fact they are one of the closest PFM trading partners.  The PFM find 
the MYR honor code extremely amusing and difficult to respect. 

Of all the TCA races, the PFM respect the DTR the most because of 
their emphasis on military strength. Since the PFM is disgusted by 
humans at large they justify their admiration for the DTR by referring 
to them as a different human species; Homo Stellaris (Star Man).  Sadly, 
the PFM also feel that the very thing they respect the most about 
the DTR, its strength, also makes it likely that the two races will 
one day be forced into conflict against one another.

Affiliation Description

The PFM form of government is a federal meritocracy.  The term meritocracy 
denotes government by the most intelligent and strongest of the race.  The 
term federal implies a paramilitary nature to the government.

The Pennockans see themselves as a superior race.  They refer to themselves 
as "The People."  Alien races are called "The Others." They will interact 
with other races to fulfill their own needs, although it is distasteful 
to them. The Pennockans have no sense of morals as do humans.  They 
will do what they feel is necessary for the survival and prosperity 
of their race and believe there are two ways to ensure thid goal: 
galactic domination and military alliances. Although they would prefer 
domination, they have the logic to understand they do not have the 
strength to enforce their will on the remainder of the galaxy, nor 
even on the Trans-Canally area.

In spite of their desire for domination and their love of battle, 
the Pennockans feel that open, large scale conflict is wasteful of 
resources.  Although they are also aware of the necessity of such 
conflicts and their usefulness in advancing PFM goals, they prefer 
to use the 3 T's to advance their goals (trickery, treaties, and terror).
The attitude of the PFM, whenever possible, is "lets you and him fight."

PFM positions are "technology junkies." They expend a lot of effort 
to gain technology, being willing to buy, borrow, or steal it if necessary.
One of the flaws in its disdain for humans is the incredible technical 
capability of the human race.

PFM ground military capabilities are incredible.  They like to use 
a few types of units in ground battle.  The standard ground military 
unit is the Legion. The only  ground units used by the PFM are CYBERWARRIORS, 
PULSAR TANKS, GROUND FIGHTERS and GROUND BOMBERS.

Each year the Pennockans take a complex series of tests.  The purpose 
is to determine the standing of all citizens.  The most capable beings 
rise to the top of the command structure. While not all the highest 
ranking Pennockans are CYBERWARRIORS, CYBERWARRIORS are the most respected 
and admired of all PFM citizens, followed closely by warship crews.

Cyberwarriors

Pennockan CYBERWARRIORS are the elite of PFM society.  They are Pennockans 
that have been chosen during adolescence because of their outstanding 
physical and mental abilities plus their absolute loyalty to the PFM.
CYBERWARRIORS tend to be much larger and stronger than other Pennockans,
averaging 7 feet tall.  Pennockans chosen as CYBERWARRIORS go through intense 
training, indoctrination, and a series of extremely painful operations.  As 
many as 50% of the candidates do not survive the training.  

The arms and legs of the candidates are replaced with bionic limbs.  Other 
bones in the body are replaced with hardened metal duplicates or coated 
with titanium.  Other features include: 1) a pair of 9" long, high 
density steel claws that may be extended from their hands. 2) A shoulder 
mounted micro-missile launcher. 3) Short range communications gear.

As guardians of PFM culture, the CYBERWARRIORS have adopted a number 
of ancient Pennockan customs and ceremonies.  The most outstanding 
is the Pennockan Death Mask commonly worn by CYBERWARRIORS.  The modern 
Death Mask has certain sensory enhancement and targeting devices built 
into it.

Since CYBERWARRIORS do not take the narcotic drug CEVENE, they are 
much more violent that the general population.

Short Term Goals

1) Self reliance in mineral acquisition and production of manufactured goods.

2) To increase the manufacturing capability of all colonies to the 
maximum allowable by their manhours.

3) Increase the number of PFM starships.

4) Collect information on other affiliations that could affect the 
accomplishment of PFM goals.

5) Increase technology acquisition.

6) Establish a series of interlocking military and economic alliances 
to maintain security.

Long Term Goals

1) Gradual expansion of PFM controlled systems outwardly from the 
PFM home system.

2) Acquire a moonship or discover the technology to build a moonship.

Political Structure

The leader of the PFM is called the Overmind, a supercomputer.  This 
artificial intelligence unit has existed throughout all known PFM 
history.  The Primie Directive of the Overmind is to ensure the survival 
and prosperity of the Pennockan race.  To do this it "WILL USE ANY 
MEANS NECESSARY, REGARDLESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO NON-PENNOCKANS 
AND INDIVIDUAL PENNOCKANS."  The Overmind is a Gamemaster controlled 
character and is advised by elite members of the race. The PFM does 
have a small group of laws used in dealing with alien races but prefer 
to leave minor details to be resolved by the Overmind's prime directive 
processing unit.

The PFM is led by officers appointed by the Overmind.  The senior 
officer is known as the Legatus Prime and is the equivalent of periphery 
director.  

Physical Description of the PFM Race

Pennockans are a humanoid race standing 6-7 ft tall and weighing about 
300 pounds.  Their skin is tough and leathery and is golden-brown 
in color.   They have human-like facial features with a high hairline 
and large cheek bones.  Their eyes are deep set and yellow or green 
in color.  The pupil is slit vertically.  

Their hair is silky in texture and varies in color. Their two hearts 
enable them to sustain a higher rate of activity than humans.  Their 
sensory abilities are equal to that of humans.

Special Abilities

1. Individuals in the PFM are able to survive with 
no oxygen and in spartan living conditions.  As such, their ship hulls 
are capable of accomodating more mass than those belonging to other 
races.  Each hull can hold 40 MU's. 

2. PFM ships do not need life supports to operate.

3. PFM colonies are always considered to be Open 
colonies regardless of any hazardous atmosphere or lack thereof.

4. PFM colonies suffer no negative morale problem 
due to colony security crackdowns.

5. PFM positions are immune to most chemical and 
biological weapons.

6. CYBERWARRIORS may not be captured.  In the event 
capture is inevitable, CYBERWARRIORS have the ability to self-destruct.

PFM Limitations

1) The only training Pennockan positions may receive is Jump, Guerilla, 
and Survival.

2) PFM ships suffer an extra 10% damage in battle due to a lack of 
common safety features and "frills."

3) CYBERWARRIORS are not able to wear BATTLE ARMOR.  They are able 
to jump from orbit as that feature of BATTLE ARMOR is built into them.

4) Only 5% of a colony's population may become CYBERWARRIORS.

5) Newly built PFM ships capable of carrying offensive weapons will 
receive the name "Seed Ship" until they have been "bloodied" in combat.

6) The maximum cruising speed for all PFM ships is 1.4.  In battle, 
speed is calculated normally.

PFM Laws

1) No ships of any class, belonging to another affiliation and armed 
for war are allowed within the boundaries of the PFM systems without 
the specific permission of a Pennockan Lord.

2) Travel to or orbit of stellar bodies within the PFM home system, 
other than Pennock, is prohibited without the permission of a Pennockan 
Lord.

3) Operation of ground parties within the boundaries of PFM systems 
is prohibited without permission of a Pennockan Lord.

4) Operation of agents within starports belonging to the PFM is prohibited.

5) Attacks of one position upon another within the boundaries of the 
PFM systems are prohibited without specific permission from the PFM 
Legatus Prime.

Membership

Membership in the PFM is allowed only upon approval by the PFM Legatus 
Prime and the Overmind.

Ship Building

The PFM may build the Merchantman (26), Gallese (24), and Man O' War 
(27) classes of ships.
