Official Zolmani Consolidated Systems (ZCS) Profile

Affiliation #39

Racial Affiliation

History

Over 60 generations ago the Zolmani came to the Defiance System and 
made the planet Naram their home.  Historical details prior to this 
were lost when the ZCS Archives were destroyed during a civil war 
fought 40 generations ago.

The civil war was fought between the Progressive faction and the Geneticists. 
The Geneticists secretly developed a large army of genetically altered 
warrior/workers which it used to destroy the Progressives.  An unexpected 
side effect of the war occured when some of the germ weapons used 
by the Geneticists proved more efficient than planned. Nearly everyone 
on Naram succumbed to the diseases.  The ZCS entered a dark era.  Survival 
was of utmost importance and their technological marvels were laid 
waste.

As society was rebuilt, a dominant class called the Grey Princes, 
came to power.  They used their superior intellect (and a few lasers 
that still operated) to gain the confidence of the Scribe class.  Together, 
the Grey Princes and Scribes tricked the dull-witted Worker class 
into subservience. The Workers were kept as slaves for several generations 
until the Scribes were able to condition them into complete loyalty 
to their Grey Prince.  For some reason, the psychological powers of 
the Scribes had no effect on the Grey Princes.

Towns and villages sprung up all over Naram.  As land became scarce 
military engagements occured between forces of competing Grey Princes. 
As a result, peace was negotiated forbidding large military buildups.

Technological research became all-consuming to the Zolmani.  They 
rediscovered space travel and founded a colony in the Park system.  It 
was agreed that the Prince of this colony would be ruler of the Park 
system.  It was also agreed that the wealthiest Prince on Naram would 
become ruler of the Defiance system.

It wasn't long before the Zolmani realized they weren't alone in the 
universe. Upon entering the Boomer System they discovered the Kastorians.
They quickly realized the KAS were not as advanced and there was a period 
of profitable trade.  It was also realized that the KAS was very much 
like the ZCS were before the civil war so contact was kept to a minimum.

Another alien contact soon occured with a group called the Detinus 
Republic (DTR).  They were refugees from an oppressive Empire.  Trade 
went well with the DTR as they needed nearly everything.

Three more alien groups were encountered within a few years of each 
other.  The FOE literally frightened the ZCS and a decision was made 
amongst the Grey Princes not to have anything to do with them due 
to their violent nature.

The MYR were uncommunicative and refused to put any contracts in writing 
or to reveal the location of their home planet.

The PFM were more friendly and trade went well with them.  However, 
they had a high propensity for violence.  Some space battles were 
fought with the PFM because ZCS Starcaptains did not follow PFM protocol 
during trade negotiations. In more recent years the PFM have begun 
to be more tolerant of ZCS protocol and trade had improved.

With all these alien encounters, the ZCS considered themselves lucky 
that a war never developed from any of the minor altercations.  However 
they did realize a war was likely.  The ZCS developed a small, but 
efficient, military arm for defensive purposes only.

The Grey Prince of the Defiance system slowly consolidated most of 
the wealth of the planet and established himself as the leader of 
the ZCS.  The Grey Princes of the Park and Defiance system agreed 
that each system would be controlled by the wealthiest Prince in each 
system.  Wealth is measured in total mass of goods owned.

After the star in the Canally system went nova and opened the Trans-Canally 
area to imperialistic aliens on the other side of the blackhole, the 
ZCS paniced. In the initial confusion, the SAM managed to slip a large 
warfleet into the area.  Before they could be destroyed by a joint 
TCA/WCE action, the SAM managed to cause a great deal of damage to 
the DTR, a longstanding ZCS trading partner.  This convinced the ZCS 
to officially join the TCA.

Affiliation Description

The ZCS is actually a compilation of three races.  The Grey Princes 
are the ruling class.  They serve as colony governors and starship 
captains.  Grey Princes stand at least 6 ft. tall, and are rather 
slender and elegant looking with a light grey complexion.  If a conversation 
does not to appear to be profitable they soon forget it ever took 
place. Grey Princes feel they are by far the superior race not only 
in the ZCS but also in the universe.

The second race is called the Scribes.  They are about 5 ft. tall, 
with frail, boney features.  They commonly wear hooded cloaks and 
2-3 of them will always accompany a Grey Prince.  The Scribes have 
a variety of minor mental abilities and aid their Prince in making 
deals and "convincing" people to see things their way.  Scribes serve 
as advisors to their Grey Prince.

The third race are the workers/warriors.  They are 4 ft. tall and 
are almost as round as they are tall.  The roundness is mostly thick 
bone and muscle.  They are dim-witted but have a surplus of energy, 
strength, and loyalty to their Prince. 

The ZCS are ruthless traders.  They take the view that nothing is 
out of the question if there is profit involved.  If they can't buy 
something they will steal it if they believe there is a chance of 
not being caught.  The ZCS is non-violent and will seek to avoid violence 
whenever possible.  They will engage in police activities for the 
TCA and ZCS and will support their allies. Any military research will 
be primarily defensive in nature unless they have a special purpose 
in mind to support a TCA military action.

ZCS Goals

The ZCS seeks to trade with anyone who agrees to abide by ZCS and 
TCA law in TCA/ZCS space.  They will trade with just about anyone 
outside TCA/ZCS space.

They seek to fully explore and colonize ZCS and TCA systems as well 
as to support the TCA politically and militarily to protect ZCS interest.

The ZCS seek to expand their membership and are major suppliers of 
LUXURY GOODS, DRUGS, SLAVES, starships, and manufactured goods within 
TCA space.

Shipbuilding

The ZCS may produce the War Galley (2), Cutter(42) Galleon(25),
Merchantman(26), Frigate(43), and Man-O-War(27) classes of ships.

Special Abilities

1) Due to the intense loyalty conditioned into the ZCS worker class, 
all ZCS colonies have a minimum morale of 40.

2) ZCS ships and ground parties have a minimum morale of 40 each time 
a turn is processed.  Between turns their morale may fall below 40, 
allowing them to still mutiny.

3) Ground parties can perform defensive preparations at a cost of 
5 TU's per level of preparation, instead of 10 TU's.

4) ZCS agents have a 25% less chance of being caught while conducting 
agent activities. 

5) The ZCS has a superior ability to install Thorlium coating on their 
ships. This gives them the ability to absorb 20% damage per coat.

6) The ZCS has developed the ability to allow their ships to contain 
25 MU's per hull rather than 20.

7) The ZCS is primarily interested in defending themselves against 
attack. Therefore they dish-out 25% less damage in space battle against 
enemy positions.

8) ZCS positions receive 10% less damage in space battle.

9) Due to the interest of the ZCS in developing new sources of LUXURY 
GOODS and exotic items, the ZCS have an ability to exploit LUXURY 
GOOD and drug sources that is on par with the human SSL affiliation.

10) ZCS colonies (only) may target twice as many batteries (up to 
8 in total) than normal during space battle.

Laws of the ZCS

The following laws have been established to ensure peace and to protect 
ZCS interests in the Park (111) and Defiance (110) systems.

1) The Grey Prince of the largest colony in each ZCS system is responsible 
for maintaining peace, conducting profitable operations, and enforcing 
ZCS laws in his system.  His word is law in his own system.

2) It is illegal for any non-ZCS ship or ground party to land at or 
enter the orbit or space sauare of any planetary body in any ZCS system 
without the permission of the system's Grey Prince.  This law is established 
to ensure that all ZCS planets be reserved for the exclusive exploitation 
of the ZCS in the most profitable manner.  Also, some ZCS planets 
have very delicate or dangterous native lifeforms.  The only exception 
to this law is that all non-ZCS or non-TCA posted positions have permission 
to enter the orbit of, and land at, the colonies on the planet Zion 
in the Park system and the planet Naram in the Defiance system for 
the purpose of trade, recreation, hospital visits, performance of 
maintenance, and ship repairs.

3) Placing a non-ZCS colony in ZCS space is prohibited without System 
Grey Prince approval.

4) It is illegal for any foreign military force to enter ZCS space 
without permission.  Military engagements in ZCS space are prohibited 
unless permission is obtained fromt he system Grey Prince.

5) Any anti-ZCS or anti-TCA activities are prohibited, including placing 
agents at any colony in ZCS space.

6) Breaking of any contract with the ZCS is prohibited.

7) Introducing any hazardous materials to ZCS systems without the 
permission of the System's Grey Prince is prohibited.

Any position found guilty of breaking any ZCS law will be posted and 
destroyed unless a sizeable fine is paid.  If a fine is paid, the 
offending position will still be banned from ZCS space for one year.

All governments and affiliations are responsible for their member's 
conduct in ZCS space.  Any fines incurred by a position MUST be paid 
from a political position of the Member's affiliation.  If a position 
is dismissed from the group or government, that affiliation is no 
longer liable for the fine.  The responsibility for payment shifts 
to the position which was fined.

The ZCS wishes to have peaceful and profitable relations with all 
who obey ZCS and TCA law.  The ZCS will tolerate no illegal activity.
Any ZCS law may be ignored if permission in writing is given by the system's 
Grey Prince.  Such permission will only be given if it proves profitable 
to the ZCS to do so.
