Comstar and Word of Blake

Unique among the “Major Teams” of the Inner Sphere, these two Teams do not begin the Campaign in control of large numbers of planets, yet they can receive monetary incomes equal to some who do. This is accomplished through the incomes that can be received from each Team for operating their HPGs, (Hyper Pulse Generators) used for faster than light communications in the Inner Sphere. All Inner Sphere Teams require the use of HPGs to communicate, and pass orders quickly across space. An Inner Sphere Team shall have the option to employ either Comstar, or the Word of Blake to control operations of these vital assets. At the beginning of the Campaign, The Free Worlds League and the Capellan Confederation will have their HPGs operated by the Word of Blake. Comstar will operate the remainder of the Inner Sphere Teams (including Clan Nova Cat, and Clan Wolf in Exile). Payment for these services is completely voluntary, and if a Team opts to pay Word of Blake/Comstar for their services, operation of HPG facilities will normally be maintained. The cost to a Team for each Turn of HPG operation will equal 10% of that Team’s Gross C-Bill income and 10% of their RawM production. Word of Blake/Comstar Teams can also receive a “Commercial Income” from HPGs on planets upon which they have a garrison of 2 Level II Units (12 Mechs). This income shall not come out of the pockets of the Team Leaders, and represents the “Commercial Operations” of the HPGs carried out on behalf of the civilians on those Planets. Inner Sphere Teams must accept these garrisons (which will in no way effect the ownership of the planet, unless of course the Word of Blake/Comstar garrison actually wishes to attack the owning Team’s Planetary Garrison) if they wish to retain the services of these Organizations.

Protectorates

Presently, the FRR (Free Rasalhague Republic) is under the “Protection” of Comstar, following the Invasion of the Clans, and the subsequent Truce if Tukayyid. When Comstar or Word of Blake attack and capture a Planet, they will become “Protectorates” of those Teams. Comstar and Word of Blake shall receive a planetary income from any planets they claim as protectorates, the same as if they were actually owned by these Teams. Mech Factories located on Planets under their protection shall be considered the property of these Teams for Game Purposes. The Free Rasalhague Republic is slightly different, however, as it is an independent Team, with it’s own Automation Interface, controlled by Comstar Team Leaders. Comstar and Word of Blake may also acquire additional Planets through Planetary Assault, and place these too under their “Protection”. For the purposes of the League, the Kungsarme of the Free Rasalhague Republic will be placed under the ownership and command of Comstar until such time as the Free Rasalhague Republic falls to an opponent, and its assets are claimed.

Interdiction

While Teams will have the option of retaining the services of either the Word of Blake or Comstar, they can also choose to either pay for their services or not. Since the income for HPG operations will make up the overwhelming bulk of the income for these two Organizations, it can be risky to refuse payment. Actions taken directly against Comstar or Word of Blake (in any form, including the halt of payment), or even contrary to their political objectives has the possibility of resulting in an Interdiction, if they operate the HPGs in your territory. Interdiction not only affects the Team against whom it is levied, but also against the operators of the HPGs. The effects of an Interdiction upon Word of Blake, or Comstar will be that they will gain no income from that Team, nor “Commercial Income” (even if a garrison is present) for any of the planets in the territory they are interdicting, for as long as the Interdiction is in effect. The effects on the Team against whom the Interdiction is levied, is far more devastating, however. On the Turn that a Team is placed under Interdiction, all RawM and C-Bill incomes for that Team will be reduced by 50%. These restrictions shall remain in effect for as long as the Interdiction is in place.

Changing Long Distance Carriers

A Team may choose to “change” service providers, similar to switching from AT&T to Bell for Long Distance Phone Calls. Unfortunately, the process is not entirely as simple as it is today. During the Submission Phase of a Turn, a Team may choose to “change providers”; however they must endure 1 Turn of “non communication”, beginning on the next Turn’s Submission Phase, with results as per an Interdiction. Payment to the new supplier must begin during the Submission Phase of the Turn the switch is made, and communications will restart on the following Turn.

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