Element: Space – Where Does Your Loyalty Lie?

Captain,

I assessed our situation and – to put it bluntly – things look grim. We don’t have many resources, and we can’t be sure who we can trust. That said, we need to find a way to uncover and combat this new terrorist threat before it carries out its plans.

The most valuable currency in the galaxy is loyalty. Forget about money, mastering Sixth Vowel abilities, or commanding giant starships. You won’t get far without a loyal crew and powerful allies. If you build a following, you’ll gain the power to shape the galaxy.

You’ll need support from the other factions, starting with the minor ones. Only they can provide the resources we need to combat the upcoming threat. Aligning with them gives us access to weapons, technology, and certain planets. But you must show loyalty to get loyalty, and that means taking on missions to earn their trust. Gaining favor with minor factions is the only way to impress the major ones they’re allied with.

As we head out, you should consider each major faction’s benefits and whether their ideologies suit you. That way, we’ll know which minor groups to approach first.

Let’s start with the Mankind Expeditionary Armed Forces (MEAF), the oldest organization of them all. Earth still has a strong presence in the galaxy and its influence stretches to the most distant colonies, even after 100 years of war.

The MEAF and allies such as the Slavic Union and the Kingdom of Heaven control immense armies. They also happen to be the strongest advocates for an autocratic system of government. But granting a single individual absolute power doesn’t necessarily mean tyranny. An enlightened leader could bring humanity to a new golden age. With enough support, you could try to become that leader, guiding humanity’s future with the largest army in the galaxy at your back.

On the opposite end is the Society of Nation Planets, which represents the colonies and a number of minor factions through a democratically elected Senate. They are hosting the Galactic Congress, and are strong supporters of a bureaucratic system where all people have the right to vote, working together toward a common good. But as history has shown, bureaucracy is a slow process, and it’s usually a struggle to get Senate representatives to agree.

These allied factions, which include The European Bureaucratic Directorate and Federation of North American States, have cutting-edge technology. Earning their loyalty would mean better equipment and shields.

Next is the Congregation of Sensates, which represents the galaxy’s Sixth Vowel practitioners. They exert considerable influence, given how quantum tunneling for interstellar travel isn’t possible without a Sensate’s ability to manipulate matter and space. Their backing would mean access to high-grade melee weapons.

Sensate factions such as The Most Serene Republic of the Mediterranean and Empire of the Sun value humanism above all. They believe that the species as a whole should take priority over individual concerns. However, who decides what’s best for humanity is a matter of debate.

Last are the Independents, which is comprised of a loose collection of pirates, mercenaries, merchants, and other unaffiliated organizations. The majority of them are anarchists who prize freedom and liberty. They care little for a centralized government, so aligning yourself with the Independents won’t win you any favors with the other factions. But they do offer technology that can’t be found anywhere else. Their equipment relies heavily on trickery and subterfuge to gain the upper hand.

Whichever factions you choose to align yourself with, remember to consider your crew. Although I doubt any of them would mutiny, they’re not likely to stay for the long run if their beliefs are completely opposed to yours.

Everyone has their own ideology. It doesn’t matter if they’re Sixth Vowel practitioners who can summon fire from their hands or space pirates looking for the next score. They all believe in something. The only question is whether you share their beliefs.

If so, then gaining their trust should be relatively straightforward. The most loyal crew members will reach their highest potential, unlocking powerful new abilities.

You might have a harder time impressing those who don’t share your beliefs, but it’s not impossible. On rare occasions, you may convert someone’s ideology if you’re convincing enough. But you won’t have time to change the hearts and minds of everyone you encounter, so give your actions careful consideration.

However, you’ll need to decide your next move quickly to deal with this threat. With that in mind, who do you trust?

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