And so it was in the Sea of Tranquility that the Pioneers raised high the banners of Capitol, conquering Luna and then Mars. And the corporation grew to dominate mankind, since their message was clear and just and without confusion; and the culture they spread was generous and inviting. Wherever they went, they established a human presence, and it was far and wide. Our Brothers followed in their trail, but were rejected and scorned and mocked by the presumptuous Capitolians.
And in this way the first signs of the Darkness were discovered, and the pioneers shivered and sought shelter in their shiny buildings protruding from the Lunar desert. Then our glorious Brothers exposed the vulnerability within Capitol and its teachings, and the giant began to stumble. Soon engaged in wars all over the Solar System, Capitol was slowly bleeding to death.
But they clutched for any straws they could find and managed to continue their struggle in spite of what our Prophets and Seers predicted. The pioneers possessed a strength we hadn't reckoned with and their bravery was unequaled among the other megacorporations. This propelled Capitol towards its position as a leading power, and that same strength kept it going long after it had been written off by its competitors.
And so it was when Capitol took the last steps into the cataclysm that was the age of Nathaniel.
- The Eighth Chronicle, the Megacorporations and the Cartel / Lucretii Marcellianus
And in this way the first signs of the Darkness were discovered, and the pioneers shivered and sought shelter in their shiny buildings protruding from the Lunar desert. Then our glorious Brothers exposed the vulnerability within Capitol and its teachings, and the giant began to stumble. Soon engaged in wars all over the Solar System, Capitol was slowly bleeding to death.
But they clutched for any straws they could find and managed to continue their struggle in spite of what our Prophets and Seers predicted. The pioneers possessed a strength we hadn't reckoned with and their bravery was unequaled among the other megacorporations. This propelled Capitol towards its position as a leading power, and that same strength kept it going long after it had been written off by its competitors.
And so it was when Capitol took the last steps into the cataclysm that was the age of Nathaniel.
- The Eighth Chronicle, the Megacorporations and the Cartel / Lucretii Marcellianus
PRIDE AND PROFIT
Capitol is easily the most democratic, egalitarian and open of all the megacorporations. Its people are brought up in a culture that preaches personal responsibility, tolerance and a flexible approach to new ideas and situations. The essence of the Capitolian message is that anyone can succeed, providing they are smart enough, tough enough and, above all, work hard enough. It is really true that anyone can become President. In reality, the process is incredibly difficult, but it can be done.
Several Presidents have started with nothing and progressed all the way to the top of the Board of Directors. Capitol is the corporation of opportunity and Capitol's employee-citizens are encouraged to improve themselves at every turn. Indeed, the idea of personal improvement is, along with the idea of teamwork, at the very core of the Capitolian way of life.
Capitol is the only of the original megacorporations that is not led by a hereditary aristocracy. All Capitolians believe that, if you work hard enough and have sufficient talent, you can reach the top. From birth, Capitolians are encouraged to be everything they can be, by one of the age's most powerful media machines and a corporate culture that rewards excellence.
The people of Capitol believe that they should respect differences. "From diversity comes strength. From diversity lies freedom." This is one of the principles enshrined in the corporation's Charter. Capitolians are taught to respect the beliefs of others and to solve problems through negotiation rather than conflict when that is possible.
The other great principle is that "the business of Capitol is business". Capitol exists to do business. Its culture rewards successful entrepreneurs, and Capitol is only too pleased to incorporate successful freelance operations under its wing.
Unlike Imperial, for example, Capitol never takes over other people's assets by force. It will, however, make a fair offer for them under the Cartel's agreed ruled for company takeover. This constant process of assimilation has led to Capitol becoming the largest, if not wealthiest, of the megacorporations. It also means that it is most freelancers' dream to become wealthy by selling an operation to Capitol. Thus, the corporation enjoys enormous goodwill among the independent operators.
What's more, Capitol possesses that largest and most powerful media machine in the history of humanity. The average Capitolian grows up in an environment which is completely saturated with the Capitolian message. This awesome media industry makes sure that Capitol is seen to reward the qualities it admires in its people. Success stories are always brought up to the public's attention. The overwhelming message is always positive and Capitolians are brought up to believe they can succeed, and their corporation lets everyone know when they have.
Yet, despite this relentless propaganda, all Capitolians know that something has gone wrong with the dream. Every day, before their very eyes, the Capitolians see the evidence of it. Perhaps it is the influence of the baleful moons overhead. Perhaps it's because people are diminished in these lesser, later days. All know that the dream is dying. Violent crime is rife. Corruption is endemic. The poor and the disenfranchised throng the streets of the megacities. Capitol's mighty security agencies struggle to keep the peace in their own territories. War with the other megacorporations erupts along every frontier, and beyond all this, lies the ever-present, lurking threat of the Dark Legion.
In this age, now more than ever, Capitol needs heroes.
Capitol is easily the most democratic, egalitarian and open of all the megacorporations. Its people are brought up in a culture that preaches personal responsibility, tolerance and a flexible approach to new ideas and situations. The essence of the Capitolian message is that anyone can succeed, providing they are smart enough, tough enough and, above all, work hard enough. It is really true that anyone can become President. In reality, the process is incredibly difficult, but it can be done.
Several Presidents have started with nothing and progressed all the way to the top of the Board of Directors. Capitol is the corporation of opportunity and Capitol's employee-citizens are encouraged to improve themselves at every turn. Indeed, the idea of personal improvement is, along with the idea of teamwork, at the very core of the Capitolian way of life.
Capitol is the only of the original megacorporations that is not led by a hereditary aristocracy. All Capitolians believe that, if you work hard enough and have sufficient talent, you can reach the top. From birth, Capitolians are encouraged to be everything they can be, by one of the age's most powerful media machines and a corporate culture that rewards excellence.
The people of Capitol believe that they should respect differences. "From diversity comes strength. From diversity lies freedom." This is one of the principles enshrined in the corporation's Charter. Capitolians are taught to respect the beliefs of others and to solve problems through negotiation rather than conflict when that is possible.
The other great principle is that "the business of Capitol is business". Capitol exists to do business. Its culture rewards successful entrepreneurs, and Capitol is only too pleased to incorporate successful freelance operations under its wing.
Unlike Imperial, for example, Capitol never takes over other people's assets by force. It will, however, make a fair offer for them under the Cartel's agreed ruled for company takeover. This constant process of assimilation has led to Capitol becoming the largest, if not wealthiest, of the megacorporations. It also means that it is most freelancers' dream to become wealthy by selling an operation to Capitol. Thus, the corporation enjoys enormous goodwill among the independent operators.
What's more, Capitol possesses that largest and most powerful media machine in the history of humanity. The average Capitolian grows up in an environment which is completely saturated with the Capitolian message. This awesome media industry makes sure that Capitol is seen to reward the qualities it admires in its people. Success stories are always brought up to the public's attention. The overwhelming message is always positive and Capitolians are brought up to believe they can succeed, and their corporation lets everyone know when they have.
Yet, despite this relentless propaganda, all Capitolians know that something has gone wrong with the dream. Every day, before their very eyes, the Capitolians see the evidence of it. Perhaps it is the influence of the baleful moons overhead. Perhaps it's because people are diminished in these lesser, later days. All know that the dream is dying. Violent crime is rife. Corruption is endemic. The poor and the disenfranchised throng the streets of the megacities. Capitol's mighty security agencies struggle to keep the peace in their own territories. War with the other megacorporations erupts along every frontier, and beyond all this, lies the ever-present, lurking threat of the Dark Legion.
In this age, now more than ever, Capitol needs heroes.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Capitol is the oldest of the megacorporations and is the only one which is a true corporation in the sense that the ancients understood that word.
The goals, objectives, responsibilities and legal structure of the corporation are all laid down in the ancient document known as the Charter. This ancient parchment pre-dates even the Chronicles themselves and lays down the laws by which Capitol governs itself. It is one of the most revered artifacts of the entire Solar System. The original Charter is carved into three stone tablets which rest in the Capitol Corporate Museum in San Dorado.
All Capitol's employees are referred to as citizens, and each of them enjoy certain inalienable rights as laid down by the Charter. They are all entitled to a fair trial, decent working conditions, to bear arms and to vote in certain corporate elections. The corporation recognizes that it has a duty to see that its citizens are free, happy and secure. In return, the citizens are expected to show loyalty to the ideals and goals of the corporation. Of course, this is the theory. In practice, those who run Capitol take many liberties with their workers as they can get away with. Still, even though Capitol's political class is notoriously corrupt and venal, there are some checks and balances that keep them from riding roughshod over the citizens.
Capitol is the oldest of the megacorporations and is the only one which is a true corporation in the sense that the ancients understood that word.
The goals, objectives, responsibilities and legal structure of the corporation are all laid down in the ancient document known as the Charter. This ancient parchment pre-dates even the Chronicles themselves and lays down the laws by which Capitol governs itself. It is one of the most revered artifacts of the entire Solar System. The original Charter is carved into three stone tablets which rest in the Capitol Corporate Museum in San Dorado.
All Capitol's employees are referred to as citizens, and each of them enjoy certain inalienable rights as laid down by the Charter. They are all entitled to a fair trial, decent working conditions, to bear arms and to vote in certain corporate elections. The corporation recognizes that it has a duty to see that its citizens are free, happy and secure. In return, the citizens are expected to show loyalty to the ideals and goals of the corporation. Of course, this is the theory. In practice, those who run Capitol take many liberties with their workers as they can get away with. Still, even though Capitol's political class is notoriously corrupt and venal, there are some checks and balances that keep them from riding roughshod over the citizens.
THE GOVERNMENT
Every citizen is a shareholder. That is to say, every citizen holds at least one share of Capitol's stock. At birth, a citizen must receive at least one share from either parent. If the parents have only one share each, then the child is awarded one share from Capitol's reserves. Citizens can be awarded many more shares over the course of their lives in bonuses and dividends. They are free to sell their shares to any other citizen or back to the corporation, as they please. They may not sell shares outside the corporation without special permission. This is never given.
Among other things, every share entitles that citizen to one vote in Capitol's many elections and referendums. Since it is obviously impractical for every citizen to vote on every issue, the citizens elect representatives to speak for them on the Board of Directors. This is done every four years.
Every citizen is a shareholder. That is to say, every citizen holds at least one share of Capitol's stock. At birth, a citizen must receive at least one share from either parent. If the parents have only one share each, then the child is awarded one share from Capitol's reserves. Citizens can be awarded many more shares over the course of their lives in bonuses and dividends. They are free to sell their shares to any other citizen or back to the corporation, as they please. They may not sell shares outside the corporation without special permission. This is never given.
Among other things, every share entitles that citizen to one vote in Capitol's many elections and referendums. Since it is obviously impractical for every citizen to vote on every issue, the citizens elect representatives to speak for them on the Board of Directors. This is done every four years.
ELECTIONS
Capitol's territories are divided up into 690 electoral districts. Each district covers a certain geographical area. These areas can range in size from one city, like San Dorado or Luna, to the vast expanses of the Freedom Lands. Regardless of its size or number of votes, each district sends one representative to the Board of Directors. On Democracy Day every fourth fall, all the citizens make their way to the great Stockhouses, where they present their shareholder's certificates. These are tallied with records, and the citizens are given a voucher for as many votes as they have shares. They can use these votes to elect the candidate of their choice. There are a huge number of Stockhouses scattered throughout each electoral district. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in each electoral district is voted onto the Board of Directors. Over the next few days, the votes are tallied by teams from DEFEI. At the end of this period, the results are announced and the new Directors are sown onto the Board.
Once on the Board of Directors, the representative has a vote in any legislative decision equal to that of total of the votes in the electoral district that elected him or her. Directors are also known as Stockholders. Of course, those who represent the rich and heavily populated regions such as San Dorado command many more votes than those from the thinly populated outback regions. That is not to say that these Directors have no power. In any tightly fought contest on the Board, every vote can count, and when tough decisions are in the balance, these small Stockholders can win many concessions during the bargaining.
In theory, any citizen can stand for election, and thus, in theory, any Capitolian can become President. This is a major part of Capitol's mythology, and it's just one reason why it is seen as the corporation of opportunity.
Capitol's territories are divided up into 690 electoral districts. Each district covers a certain geographical area. These areas can range in size from one city, like San Dorado or Luna, to the vast expanses of the Freedom Lands. Regardless of its size or number of votes, each district sends one representative to the Board of Directors. On Democracy Day every fourth fall, all the citizens make their way to the great Stockhouses, where they present their shareholder's certificates. These are tallied with records, and the citizens are given a voucher for as many votes as they have shares. They can use these votes to elect the candidate of their choice. There are a huge number of Stockhouses scattered throughout each electoral district. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in each electoral district is voted onto the Board of Directors. Over the next few days, the votes are tallied by teams from DEFEI. At the end of this period, the results are announced and the new Directors are sown onto the Board.
Once on the Board of Directors, the representative has a vote in any legislative decision equal to that of total of the votes in the electoral district that elected him or her. Directors are also known as Stockholders. Of course, those who represent the rich and heavily populated regions such as San Dorado command many more votes than those from the thinly populated outback regions. That is not to say that these Directors have no power. In any tightly fought contest on the Board, every vote can count, and when tough decisions are in the balance, these small Stockholders can win many concessions during the bargaining.
In theory, any citizen can stand for election, and thus, in theory, any Capitolian can become President. This is a major part of Capitol's mythology, and it's just one reason why it is seen as the corporation of opportunity.
THE PRESIDENT
Once the elections for the Board of Directors are over, the Presidential elections begin. This is a time of great maneuvering among the Directors as various candidates threaten and cajole, promise and compromise as they seek the reward of the ultimate office.
The President is elected from the Board of Directors, by the Board of Directors, and as many executive powers relating to corporate finance and overall security. The most important power is being able to appoint the Directors to their departments. One of the most common ways of becoming President is by promising high office to those who support you.
Once again, Presidential elections are a good time for the smaller Stockholders to use their leverage. If a contest is tightly fought, and most are, then smaller Stockholders may negotiate tough deals. More than one Director from an outback district has clawed up to the head of one of the General Departments by this method.
Once the elections for the Board of Directors are over, the Presidential elections begin. This is a time of great maneuvering among the Directors as various candidates threaten and cajole, promise and compromise as they seek the reward of the ultimate office.
The President is elected from the Board of Directors, by the Board of Directors, and as many executive powers relating to corporate finance and overall security. The most important power is being able to appoint the Directors to their departments. One of the most common ways of becoming President is by promising high office to those who support you.
Once again, Presidential elections are a good time for the smaller Stockholders to use their leverage. If a contest is tightly fought, and most are, then smaller Stockholders may negotiate tough deals. More than one Director from an outback district has clawed up to the head of one of the General Departments by this method.
DEMOCRATS AND PLUTOCRATS
The flaw in Capitol's democracy is that there are far more shares than there are voters, and that individual citizens are free to sell all but one of their shares (they are actually free to sell that last share too, but if they do, they cease to be a Capitolian citizen, and only citizens are employed by the Capitol megacorporation). These shares can be bought up by other individuals. This means that there are electoral districts where up to 90% of the vote is controlled by a single individual or group of individuals.
There are plenty of examples of wealthy individuals electing themselves to the Board of Directors. Conversely, there are still areas where the mass of citizens still control their own shares and which elect representatives to speak for them. This has resulted in a Board of Directors that is split into two factions or parties.
The Democrats are the elected representatives of the citizens. Their votes on the Board actually represent huge groups of workers. They tend to support policies and plans that will improve the lot of the workers and the majority of the people.
The Plutocrats are drawn from the ranks of those who have usually inherited their vast wealth. They tend to be conservative and favor cost-cutting measures and plans that will increase their own wealth.
Capitol being Capitol, these lines are not strictly drawn. There are many Directors who have inherited huge shareholdings yet who still support measures to increase the happiness of the many. There are many Democrats elected who support the cutting of health, welfare and security programs in order to increase the dividends paid to Capitol's shareholders.
In general, all Directors support the consensus that Capitol's way of life must be preserved and their own pockets must be lined. In moments of crisis, all Directors can be expected to unite in the face of a common enemy.
The flaw in Capitol's democracy is that there are far more shares than there are voters, and that individual citizens are free to sell all but one of their shares (they are actually free to sell that last share too, but if they do, they cease to be a Capitolian citizen, and only citizens are employed by the Capitol megacorporation). These shares can be bought up by other individuals. This means that there are electoral districts where up to 90% of the vote is controlled by a single individual or group of individuals.
There are plenty of examples of wealthy individuals electing themselves to the Board of Directors. Conversely, there are still areas where the mass of citizens still control their own shares and which elect representatives to speak for them. This has resulted in a Board of Directors that is split into two factions or parties.
The Democrats are the elected representatives of the citizens. Their votes on the Board actually represent huge groups of workers. They tend to support policies and plans that will improve the lot of the workers and the majority of the people.
The Plutocrats are drawn from the ranks of those who have usually inherited their vast wealth. They tend to be conservative and favor cost-cutting measures and plans that will increase their own wealth.
Capitol being Capitol, these lines are not strictly drawn. There are many Directors who have inherited huge shareholdings yet who still support measures to increase the happiness of the many. There are many Democrats elected who support the cutting of health, welfare and security programs in order to increase the dividends paid to Capitol's shareholders.
In general, all Directors support the consensus that Capitol's way of life must be preserved and their own pockets must be lined. In moments of crisis, all Directors can be expected to unite in the face of a common enemy.
THE ARMED FORCES OF CAPITOL
The Armed Forces of Capitol comprise the largest and most powerful military machine in human history. Capitol believes in protecting itself and its people from any and all external threats. That is the duty of the Supreme Commanders and the Board is laid down in the corporation's Charter. Since Capitol is the largest of the megacorporations, the size and strength of its forces reflect this. The AFC needs to protect a lot of ground and people. The corporation sees that it has the people and equipment to do this.
Despite the fact that most Capitolians would rather pursue a career in business than in the military, the AFC is a volunteer army. It has very high standards of morale. Its soldiers know that they are fighting to defend their way of life, and they are proud to do so. For many of them, the AFC represented a way out of poverty, for a lot of the soldiers are drawn from the poorer levels of society. The AFC provides them with pride, self-discipline and training, and they respond to this.
In addition, as in all Capitol's subsidiaries, the people know that excellence will be rewarded, and that promotion comes to those who deserve it. They know they can better themselves, and they know their leaders are worthy of respect.
In many levels of society, you are more or less required to serve a couple of years in the AFC to mature. If you're successful, lieutenant's bars and a Freedom Star are more worth than a university degree. Many sons of Directors, businessmen and other high-level officials enlist in the AFC purely as a career move. Some drop out, some stay, but most return to the white-collar existence mentally and physically hardened, but also more cynical.
Finally, in times of corporate emergency, the Board can introduce conscription. This means that all able-bodied citizens may be drafted into the AFC, and this can swell the size of Capitol's armies immensely in a relatively short period of time. The Capitol media is particularly good at whipping the citizens into a patriotic frenzy, and is usual, this means that standards of morale are high.
The Armed Forces of Capitol comprise the largest and most powerful military machine in human history. Capitol believes in protecting itself and its people from any and all external threats. That is the duty of the Supreme Commanders and the Board is laid down in the corporation's Charter. Since Capitol is the largest of the megacorporations, the size and strength of its forces reflect this. The AFC needs to protect a lot of ground and people. The corporation sees that it has the people and equipment to do this.
Despite the fact that most Capitolians would rather pursue a career in business than in the military, the AFC is a volunteer army. It has very high standards of morale. Its soldiers know that they are fighting to defend their way of life, and they are proud to do so. For many of them, the AFC represented a way out of poverty, for a lot of the soldiers are drawn from the poorer levels of society. The AFC provides them with pride, self-discipline and training, and they respond to this.
In addition, as in all Capitol's subsidiaries, the people know that excellence will be rewarded, and that promotion comes to those who deserve it. They know they can better themselves, and they know their leaders are worthy of respect.
In many levels of society, you are more or less required to serve a couple of years in the AFC to mature. If you're successful, lieutenant's bars and a Freedom Star are more worth than a university degree. Many sons of Directors, businessmen and other high-level officials enlist in the AFC purely as a career move. Some drop out, some stay, but most return to the white-collar existence mentally and physically hardened, but also more cynical.
Finally, in times of corporate emergency, the Board can introduce conscription. This means that all able-bodied citizens may be drafted into the AFC, and this can swell the size of Capitol's armies immensely in a relatively short period of time. The Capitol media is particularly good at whipping the citizens into a patriotic frenzy, and is usual, this means that standards of morale are high.
THE PURPOSE AND AIMS OF THE AFC
Capitol's overall long-term strategies are built around the principles of deterrence and retaliation.
The first principle means that the Supreme Commanders must ensure that Capitol is seen to be strong enough to fight off any foe. The AFC must be perceived to be mighty enough to ensure that it is not worth any rival corporation's time to attack Capitol holdings or territory. This also fits in well with Capitol's relative openness about its military strengths and equipment.
The second principle means that, if someone does attack Capitol, then the corporation will hit back - hard. Capitol is committed to maintaining the integrity of its holdings and will do everything in its power to reclaim them. There are very few examples of anyone ever taking anything from Capitol by force and then holding it. The Imperial Mandate is one. The Dark Legion incursion at the McCraig Line is another.
So far though, these two principles have ensured the preservation of the Capitolian way of life.
Capitol's overall long-term strategies are built around the principles of deterrence and retaliation.
The first principle means that the Supreme Commanders must ensure that Capitol is seen to be strong enough to fight off any foe. The AFC must be perceived to be mighty enough to ensure that it is not worth any rival corporation's time to attack Capitol holdings or territory. This also fits in well with Capitol's relative openness about its military strengths and equipment.
The second principle means that, if someone does attack Capitol, then the corporation will hit back - hard. Capitol is committed to maintaining the integrity of its holdings and will do everything in its power to reclaim them. There are very few examples of anyone ever taking anything from Capitol by force and then holding it. The Imperial Mandate is one. The Dark Legion incursion at the McCraig Line is another.
So far though, these two principles have ensured the preservation of the Capitolian way of life.
THE AFC ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Capitol's battlefield doctrines were forged on the endless, empty deserts of Mars. In those deserts, targets can be spotted from the air from a long way off, and there is very little cover against an airstrike. This means that Capitol places a lot of reliance on air power.
Also, the sheer area of the vast territories Capitol controls have influenced the Supreme Commander's thinking. The railways can move huge armies relatively quickly but are vulnerable to air strikes. This means that air superiority is vital. It also means that Capitol maintains a huge number of airborne troops that can quickly be rushed to any trouble spots.
It comes as no surprise then to learn that the Supreme Commanders are great believers in the use of air power and mobile warfare. The AFC uses few tanks compared to other megacorporations, preferring instead to rely on its aircraft's tank-busting capabilities and the ability of infantry to disperse and take out armor with powerful rocket launchers.
A typical Capitol military attack begins with the CAF establishing air superiority in the region, then is followed with a deluge of airstrikes against key enemy installations. After the airstrikes, a swarm of helicopter-mounted infantry race in and seize key positions. After this, slower moving ground troops and tanks move up to hold the ground taken and relieve the advance troops. All of this calls for very close cooperation between the various arms of the AFC. Great military exercises are often held on Mars and Venus to help establish this coordination.
Capitol's battlefield doctrines were forged on the endless, empty deserts of Mars. In those deserts, targets can be spotted from the air from a long way off, and there is very little cover against an airstrike. This means that Capitol places a lot of reliance on air power.
Also, the sheer area of the vast territories Capitol controls have influenced the Supreme Commander's thinking. The railways can move huge armies relatively quickly but are vulnerable to air strikes. This means that air superiority is vital. It also means that Capitol maintains a huge number of airborne troops that can quickly be rushed to any trouble spots.
It comes as no surprise then to learn that the Supreme Commanders are great believers in the use of air power and mobile warfare. The AFC uses few tanks compared to other megacorporations, preferring instead to rely on its aircraft's tank-busting capabilities and the ability of infantry to disperse and take out armor with powerful rocket launchers.
A typical Capitol military attack begins with the CAF establishing air superiority in the region, then is followed with a deluge of airstrikes against key enemy installations. After the airstrikes, a swarm of helicopter-mounted infantry race in and seize key positions. After this, slower moving ground troops and tanks move up to hold the ground taken and relieve the advance troops. All of this calls for very close cooperation between the various arms of the AFC. Great military exercises are often held on Mars and Venus to help establish this coordination.
CAPITOL GROUND FORCES
Capitol has a huge number of ground troops. These are the people who must get down and dirty with the enemy and risk their lives amid the blood and dirt of actual combat.
Capitol's Supreme Commanders never forget that their soldiers are citizens, and that they have a duty, when possible, to preserve the lives of those very citizens. This comes to the fore in several ways.
Capitol troops are always given the best possible training they can get under the circumstances. They're taught a lot about self-preservation on a battlefield. You won't see any human wave attacks from a Capitolian army. In keeping with this idea, Capitol's troops are usually issued heavy body armor and protective helmets. The cost of such equipment is negligible compared to the cost of training another soldier.
Because Capitol troops are relatively well trained and well organized, and because Capitol's philosophy places a lot of stress on the values of teamwork, self-reliance and initiative, Capitol troops are expected to show these qualities. NCOs and individual soldiers are given discretion on the battlefield.
The ideal Capitol infantry unit is a team. Its members know and trust each other. Its leaders are trusted to be given their orders and then to carry them out by whatever method seems most appropriate at the time.
Capitolian commanders know that the people at the sharp end often have a better idea of what is going on than those further back, and they rely on the discretion of the front-line officers and NCOs to see that objectives are achieved.
Capitol has a huge number of ground troops. These are the people who must get down and dirty with the enemy and risk their lives amid the blood and dirt of actual combat.
Capitol's Supreme Commanders never forget that their soldiers are citizens, and that they have a duty, when possible, to preserve the lives of those very citizens. This comes to the fore in several ways.
Capitol troops are always given the best possible training they can get under the circumstances. They're taught a lot about self-preservation on a battlefield. You won't see any human wave attacks from a Capitolian army. In keeping with this idea, Capitol's troops are usually issued heavy body armor and protective helmets. The cost of such equipment is negligible compared to the cost of training another soldier.
Because Capitol troops are relatively well trained and well organized, and because Capitol's philosophy places a lot of stress on the values of teamwork, self-reliance and initiative, Capitol troops are expected to show these qualities. NCOs and individual soldiers are given discretion on the battlefield.
The ideal Capitol infantry unit is a team. Its members know and trust each other. Its leaders are trusted to be given their orders and then to carry them out by whatever method seems most appropriate at the time.
Capitolian commanders know that the people at the sharp end often have a better idea of what is going on than those further back, and they rely on the discretion of the front-line officers and NCOs to see that objectives are achieved.
THE CAPITOL AIR FORCE
Not surprisingly, the Air Force is seen as the elite of the AFC. Its pilots are selected from the best of the best and then put through a long and comprehensive program of training to ensure that they know what they're doing. It costs a lot of money to train a pilot, and the planes cost even more, so the CAF wants to ensure that both come back. Pilots are also given basic military combat and survival training, too, in case they have to bail out over enemy territory and find their own way home.
Strike Command is responsible for ground attack missions. It is the arm of the CAF that works most closely with the Ground Forces. Its pilots must learn to fly everything from the giant Condor bombers to the Puma ground attack aircraft. While they lack the glamour of Fighter Command, Strike Command pilots are often even better pilots in their own way. It takes nerves of steel to bring a Puma in at low level, dodging enemy anti-aircraft fire and unleashing your missiles with pin-point accuracy.
Transport Command provides the pilots and planes that shift Capitol's airborne armies around. Its pilots are looked down on as the donkeys of the CAF, but their job is one of the most necessary of all the CAF's roles. Transport Command also provides all of the pilots and helicopters for Capitol's Ground Forces. This can be exciting work, dropping the troops off at the sharp end of the battle then flying around to provide supporting fire.
Not surprisingly, the Air Force is seen as the elite of the AFC. Its pilots are selected from the best of the best and then put through a long and comprehensive program of training to ensure that they know what they're doing. It costs a lot of money to train a pilot, and the planes cost even more, so the CAF wants to ensure that both come back. Pilots are also given basic military combat and survival training, too, in case they have to bail out over enemy territory and find their own way home.
Strike Command is responsible for ground attack missions. It is the arm of the CAF that works most closely with the Ground Forces. Its pilots must learn to fly everything from the giant Condor bombers to the Puma ground attack aircraft. While they lack the glamour of Fighter Command, Strike Command pilots are often even better pilots in their own way. It takes nerves of steel to bring a Puma in at low level, dodging enemy anti-aircraft fire and unleashing your missiles with pin-point accuracy.
Transport Command provides the pilots and planes that shift Capitol's airborne armies around. Its pilots are looked down on as the donkeys of the CAF, but their job is one of the most necessary of all the CAF's roles. Transport Command also provides all of the pilots and helicopters for Capitol's Ground Forces. This can be exciting work, dropping the troops off at the sharp end of the battle then flying around to provide supporting fire.
THE NAVY
Capitol's Naval Command has a wide bailiwick. The admirals are responsible for the Space Fleet and the huge naval task force that guards the Graveton Archipelago on Venus. In addition, the Capitol Navy maintains its own small armies of Marines which are used in amphibious assaults. The Navy crest shows the Capitolian eagle over an anchor and a floating mine.
Capitol's Naval Command has a wide bailiwick. The admirals are responsible for the Space Fleet and the huge naval task force that guards the Graveton Archipelago on Venus. In addition, the Capitol Navy maintains its own small armies of Marines which are used in amphibious assaults. The Navy crest shows the Capitolian eagle over an anchor and a floating mine.
MARS AND SAN DORADO
Mars is less than a third of Earth's size, and it's characterized by barren, rocky wastelands with a few deep, black almost lifeless oceans. This is not an entirely true picture, however, since the greater part of the northern hemisphere is irrigated by the gigantic canal system that crisscrosses the entire Freedom Lands. However, further development on Mars has come to a halt because of the corporate wars and the Dark Legion presence around the Citadels of Saladin and Absalom.
It should also be mentioned that the Solar System's largest steel industry is located on Mars, in Valley Forge.
Cradled between the mighty Kirkwood Mountains, the slopes of the gigantic Mariner Crater and the shores of the Sea of Tranquility, lies San Dorado, Capitol's capital. After Luna, it is the largest city in the Solar System, containing most of Capitol's assets.
It is impossible to set a certain profile to San Dorado, except maybe by calling it a well-rounded city. It contains all kinds of industries, factories, service establishments, official buildings and offices. The northern outskirts and the areas some hundred miles north of San Dorado are characterized by thousands of oil wells, their pump-towers stretching hundreds of meters toward the clear-blue sky. Bordering these oil-fields are the Effenberger Mines, which contain a lot of Capitol's vital raw materials.
San Dorado is said to be the most well-organized megacity in the system, but when you are standing in the street, it is impossible to see how anyone could make that claim. Looking up, the sky is barely visible due to the elevated highways, intersections, passages and rails running between the buildings. The street beside you is completely jammed, if you can see the street at all. Normal conversation is impossible. Car horns, whistles, shouts and screeching tires are heard everywhere. San Dorado is the heart of the largest corporation in the Solar System, and you can feel it.
Mars is less than a third of Earth's size, and it's characterized by barren, rocky wastelands with a few deep, black almost lifeless oceans. This is not an entirely true picture, however, since the greater part of the northern hemisphere is irrigated by the gigantic canal system that crisscrosses the entire Freedom Lands. However, further development on Mars has come to a halt because of the corporate wars and the Dark Legion presence around the Citadels of Saladin and Absalom.
It should also be mentioned that the Solar System's largest steel industry is located on Mars, in Valley Forge.
Cradled between the mighty Kirkwood Mountains, the slopes of the gigantic Mariner Crater and the shores of the Sea of Tranquility, lies San Dorado, Capitol's capital. After Luna, it is the largest city in the Solar System, containing most of Capitol's assets.
It is impossible to set a certain profile to San Dorado, except maybe by calling it a well-rounded city. It contains all kinds of industries, factories, service establishments, official buildings and offices. The northern outskirts and the areas some hundred miles north of San Dorado are characterized by thousands of oil wells, their pump-towers stretching hundreds of meters toward the clear-blue sky. Bordering these oil-fields are the Effenberger Mines, which contain a lot of Capitol's vital raw materials.
San Dorado is said to be the most well-organized megacity in the system, but when you are standing in the street, it is impossible to see how anyone could make that claim. Looking up, the sky is barely visible due to the elevated highways, intersections, passages and rails running between the buildings. The street beside you is completely jammed, if you can see the street at all. Normal conversation is impossible. Car horns, whistles, shouts and screeching tires are heard everywhere. San Dorado is the heart of the largest corporation in the Solar System, and you can feel it.