TerraCorp
From Azuwiki
The following is an excerpt from The Present in Our Past.
“The time is now to rebuild what has been lost. It is our duty as the humanity of today to secure a world for tomorrow. We will fight those forces, those foes, those Blights in our lives that harm us, that destroy us, that erase us. We can overcome. We will overcome. With the American people and TerraCorp by my side, I shall lead you forth to that shining tomorrow.” - President Janice Carver on the Future of the United States of America, January 13, 2124
TerraCorp stands as a beacon for the now forgotten American Dream. Rising from the Boom of the mid 21st century, TerraCorp has all but completed its rags-to-riches course, summating to the juggernaut of production and influence that it is today. This megacorporation currently spans its influence throughout the former Western Hemisphere, including the United British Emirates, the Japanese State, and Saudi Arabia. As current TerraCorp President George Hurd casually remarked, “TerraCorp has it all; the money to fund it, the power to make it, and the lives to throw at it.”
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[edit] The Makings of TerraCorp
TerraCorp began as a mere notion in Kenneth Anderson’s mind. In 2043, Anderson, along with two other businessmen, incorporated a new proprietary distribution business known simply as TerraCorp. Although the actual nature of the business was a mystery, TerraCorp billed itself as a distributor of consumer goods, such as home electronics and paper products. Contract after contract fell to Anderson and his shrewd business tactics, soon amounting to the company’s first take-over, United Electronics, on September 3, 2051. Although the merger appeared to be the product of Anderson’s astounding business tact, the merger was actually the result of a large series of black-mail and undercutting. With the takeover of United Electronics, the chief supplier of electronic goods to most major retailers in the United States, TerraCorp suddenly and firmly established itself as a mainstay in the economic landscape of the West to everyone’s shock and surprise. Despite the new turmoil and the endless stream of questions and accusations, a new venture was on the horizon.
On December 7, 2051, TerraCorp officers received a message from Westin Aeronautics, Inc.. The message, although simple and curt, stood to secure TerraCorp as the player of all international markets in the future:
terracorp officer: we want in. interested? –h.westin
Herbert Westin was interested in a merger. In return for fueling TerraCorp with its massive sums resulting from the Boom, Westin only wanted TerraCorp to continue expanding its operations (which would later include producing the modules for Westin’s colonies). News of the proposed merger spread quickly. Many were suspicious of the reasoning behind it. Economists were baffled at why such a giant as WAI would offer itself up to TerraCorp. Politicians screamed foul play. The public stood puzzled and disinterested. The media assailed the deal. As it was so eloquently put by media personality Bill Gathers, Herbert Westin was making an ‘idiotic move, poised to ruin not only Westin Aeronautics, but the Boom itself. There [was] absolutely no good reason for this beyond Anderson and his corrupt schemes.’ Despite pressure and allegations, both parties were still very willing to complete the merger in a timely fashion. The truth of the reasoning behind it was that Westin was interested in the growing industrial capacity of TerraCorp. There had been no corrupt deals. This ‘idiotic move’ would prove to be the shrewdest business move of his time.
Anderson, now 53, jumped on the opportunity to acquire such a giant. The expansion that would result, he felt, was sure to usher in a new age for TerraCorp. It would be the last decision Anderson would make. On December 15, two days after the official announcement of the merger, Kenneth Anderson was leaving a board meeting when he was approached by an assailant. The assailant, identified as ‘Rowlings’ in the investigation, charged Anderson as he withdrew his antique Colt .45 Army Special, firing two shots before being taken down by Anderson’s guard. Anderson had received the brunt of both shots, hit once in the chest and once in the neck. Anderson was rushed to a company hospital, but died before he arrived. To replace him, Jeffrey Allan Hurd, one of TerraCorp’s co-founders, took the stage.
The merger went off without any hitches (Anderson’s death aside). TerraCorp’s stock skyrocketed. Billions were poured into new acquisitions and factories. TerraCorp established a massive new division in Japan as well as the Korean Republic. Hurd also began purchasing publication companies as well as the rights to a couple of broadcasting stations. Hurd believed that ‘a hand in the media’s worth five in the [White] House.’ The acquisition of these media companies allowed Hurd to expand TerraCorp’s consumer base all across the world, leading to TerraCorp’s domination of the American and Western European consumer markets. Entering the year 2071, TerraCorp stood as the single largest, most prosperous corporation the international business community had ever seen. Hailed as the first ‘megacorporation,’ TerraCorp, under Hurd’s control, all but owned the entirety of the North American market. Furthermore, it was creeping into the same position in northern Asia, held a steadfast hold on the United Kingdom, and was laying the cornerstones towards humanity’s conquest of the heavens. Even the American government had become dependent on TerraCorp, especially with regards to military production and public opinion. TerraCorp was on the verge of complete dominance; all it needed was a crisis.
That crisis came in October of the same year. The SHIFT Incidents provided more than enough of a shock. The second blast had occurred in the heartland of the United States. The public was afraid. The world wanted answers. TerraCorp immediately deployed its private guard as well as the United States Military (under executive order CK71-3) to provide aid and relief to those impacted by the blast. President Carl Kucan, in a forced move by the American public, handed over a special executive order allowing TerraCorp to circumvent any obstacles to the relief by allowing them special jurisdiction over any company and agency needed to coordinate the relief. Hurd seized at the opportunity, taking as much as he could. President Kucan and Hurd were quick to blame the two incidents as initial attacks from the European Union (despite Hurd knowing very well that the incident was, in fact, a manufacture of Westin Aeronautics). The public, searching for answers, quickly clung to the story. Hurd officially drafted the Terra Corps Declaration on July 4, 2074, establishing a private army of volunteers under direct control of TerraCorp. Hurd quickly deployed his troops all across North America and Asia in order to defend ‘the peoples of the world from the oncoming storm.’ The move came with convoluted criticism, but few were willing to stand against the tide of the public and its fears.
The Blight only served to strengthen TerraCorp’s hold. With the death of Jeffrey Hurd in 2106, his son, George, was raised to the top at the age of 26. George was shrewd and ruthless, just like his father. He continued to propagate TerraCorp’s reach, which was made all the easier with the Blight threatening all. TerraCorp, resting on its promises of a cure and a solution, plotted behind their curtain to take out its long-time rival, Halloway Industries. Launching a campaign through the United States in 2129, the conflict has reached a stalemate, despite the horrendous fighting that occurs on the Western European border. At home, TerraCorp has established itself as the sole instrument of authority, ruling with an iron fist. Martial law is a constant. The citizens, however, live in some comfort. They praise TerraCorp for its continued efforts, and remain as supportive to the destructive regime as ever. Despite the daily beatings on the sidewalks, the constant slough of propaganda, and ever-expanding eclipse brought on by the Blight, citizens retain their hope, trusting absolutely in TerraCorp’s promise and progress.
[edit] Current Officers
The following is a list of current influential officers in TerraCorp
George Hurd – President, CEO
Lucile DeSales – Chairman
Herman Kucan - CFO
[edit] Military Status
TerraCorp employs its own army, “contracting” it out to the United States. The Terra Corps is currently the second largest standing army in the world, lagging Medica East's forces. Terra Corps soldiers wear characteristic black ‘powersuits’ designed by Westin Aeronautics, as well as steel helmets that hang around four inches behind the wearer’s skull. The Terra Corps typically employ practical, powerful weaponry to accomplish its aims. This configuration suits the roles of police and mass-production well. The Terra Corps answer directly to the current TerraCorp President, allowing the President authoritative power over all aspects of his company and the peoples under it. Below are a few selected excerpts from TerraCorp’s open-listed weapons specifications on Terra Corps equipment;
AR30-K Infantry Assault Rifle: The AR30-K represents the finest in practicality that TerraCorp has to offer. This short, medium-bore assault rifle has the ability to use 5.5, 7.5, and 9mm caliber shot, allowing soldiers to use most common forms of ammo almost interchangeably. The rifle itself is made of durable plastic composites. This coupled with its simple and lightweight design makes the AR30-K the single most versatile and reliable weapon on the field.
TCT-4 “Anderson” Tank: Hit fast and hit hard; that is the mantra behind the TCT-4 “Anderson.” The Anderson, named lovingly after Kenneth Anderson, is the backbone of the Terra Corps. This light tank moves remarkably fast for a treaded vehicle, topping at 83mph. Although lightly armored, the TCT-4 packs whopping 80mm main cannon, allowing it to shred through almost any opposition with ease. Regrettably, due to the size and the rhomboidal configuration of its treads, the cannon cannot be fired safely while the tank is moving at speeds about 5mph. Although this has been known to cause issues, the extensive training each member of the crew participates in solves this problem with drilled knowledge of advanced movement tactics. Length: 5.10m Height of Tank: 3.05m Height of Body: 2.20m Width: 2.5m Tread Configuration: Rhomboidal, 0.3m Weight: 24t Crew: 2 Gun Crew, 1 Driver, 1 Commander
TCT-11 “Murphy” Tank: When the Anderson simply cannot deliver, Terra Corps employs the use of its largest tank, the TCT-11 “Murphy.” The exterior of this tank screams power. From the 87mm wide, 3m long barrel to the 10 inch armor plating, this tank was made to both give and take a beating. Although hard to use in cramped environments, the Murphy stands as the single most powerful gun-powder tank of the times. The Murphy has become an iconic symbol of TerraCorp itself; power with finesse (the latter of which, many argue, does not exist). Suffice it to say, when a Murphy is on the field, it spells almost absolute doom for those who dare to stand before it. Length: 7.00m Height of Tank: 4.17m Height of Body: 3.35m Width: 5.03m Tread Configuration: Linear, 1m Weight: 92t Crew: 4 Gun Crew, 1 Driver, 1 Spotter, 1 Commander
WA F-B262 Fighter/Bomber: The Westin Aeronautics F-B262 Fighter/Bomber is one of the most versatile crafts that Westin has to offer. A marvel of engineering, the double-chevron design allows for precision control at speeds upwards of mach 2. This coupled with its plasma-state weaponry and scatter-bomb ordinances make for a formidable foe to any opposing craft. Length: 2.67m Wingspan: 5.5m Configuration: Double Chevron Plating: Aluminum Composite Crew: 1 Pilot
[edit] Current State
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