THE RIGELLIAN COLONIAL CONSORTIUM represents the interests of the inhabitants of the Rigel system, known collectively as the Rigellians or the Orions. The Rigel System is in the Echo Cluster and contains 4 stars and 13 planets. Rigel systems Two and Four are the ones with M-Class planets, numbered I- XIII. Rigel V is 'Rigellia' the home of the Vulcanoid subrace specializing in pharmaceutical research and development (both legal and illegal) Rigel VIII is 'Orion" the home of the 'Orions' A ruddy orange-skinned humanoid race with a female green-skinned recessive subtype. They have advanced propulsion technologies and are organized in 'Trading Cartels' under a nominative unified leadership. "Privateers' and smugglers are still commonplace and the Orion Tactical ability, to survive in the Outlands legendary. Rigel VI and VII are colonized worlds, with Federation trading posts on them.

Orions are held in contempt by many in the Federation as pirates, cheats, slavers, liars and worse. In as unbiased a view as possible, the Orions are an extremely practical people. They are factionalized into a great many political groups, the Ral-Utak (which is alternatingly translated as `clan' or `cartel'). The Orions have a family centered society. They tend to have little respect for institutions or laws, but rather regard them as a necessary evil. The Orions are an ancient culture, who have been around for much longer than most other currently starfaring species. They have had FTL technology for over six centuries - more than three times as long as humans. Prior to that, they had terraformed and colonized several planets in the Rigel system; and had contact with the remnants of a earlier Rigellian civilization. They have had a long history of genetic manipulation. (Incidentally, they have all but eliminated disease among their own population -- however, their strong immunity has led to very powerful pathogens. Many strains of 'Rigellian fever' are deadly to other humanoids, and frequently represent a real problem.) The Orions show little interest in local civilian governments. To them, governments are for cleaning streets, maintaining ports, and hauling away garbage -- neccessary activities that pay too little for a cartel to bother with.

The fact that humanoid life could not arise anywhere in the Rigel system, the common belief is that the Orion race as we know it is a lost colony of another people, who terraformed Rigel VII and VIII and transplanted some animal and plant life.

Orions were reported to have transported half the population of a village on BRINDA V to work as slave labor in mining camps, another example of a space-faring race -- like Cardassians -- who have relied on manual labor rather than technology for tasks considered menial.

Slave Races
The Orions have several classes of people who are genetically engineered for subservient positions. These account for about 20% of the population, but they are rarely entrusted to jobs of any importance, being generally used as house servants rather than menial labor. They differ racially from the free Orions quite markedly. Free Orions typically have a ruddy complexion from a dark orange to close to a Mediterranean tan. Their hair is short and only covers the back of their scalp (much like a human male receded hairline), colored blonde, brown, tan, and white (in order of frequency). Slave Orions include the fabled green slave girls; short, caucasian-colored humanoid servants, grey-skinned Vulcanoid Rigellian technicians, and several others. Slave races are generally made dysfunctional in some way such that they cannot function on their own in society. The green slave girls have low intelligence, and are hormonally unbalanced. Grey technicians are socially inept and generally are wracked by chronic illness which requires they stay in well-controlled environments.

Star Fleet has curtailed the slave trade within the Federation, but few slaves had been freed in the Rigel system itself. They were raised well, and taught their place in society - few rebelled or tried to escape.

Cartels
The true center of Orion politics is in the Ral-Utak, which is alternatively translated as 'clans' and as 'cartels'. While the Ral-Utak are centered around families, they are merged and bound by other contracts than marriage, so it is hard to say which translation is most fitting. However, while they are rivals, the cartels freely trade and support each other, since they generally gain by doing so. Their joining the Federation was a clear example of this. The Federation, in general, was violently opposed to the Orion Colonies. The Colonies had equal starship technology, and were extending their smuggling and slave trade into the Federation. The Federation was gearing up for conflict when suddenly the Orions petitioned for membership. As UFP members, their convoys are protected; they have free trade with other members, and a vote in the Federation Council. When they had first been offered membership in 2261, they had demanded the payment of 3 billion credits before they would 'consider' it.

The pirate cartels are the most prestigious and militarily powerful, although not neccessarily the most dominant economically or politically. Several government recognized 'corporate' ones exist as well. It is believed that these were originally a clandestine area of the Orion government, using ships provided to them and manned by regular officers and crewman of their own fleet. Since the early years, however, the Orion pirates have extended their operations to cover most of the known areas of the galaxy.

About 2/3 of all Orion pirate ships are 'independent' ships not owned by any cartel. These ships 'lease' an operating territory from the cartel. Until the Orions joined the Federation, the slave trade was rampant until the crackdown and end in the 2270's. The Orion black market was also known for Dilithium crystals and rare minerals raided from the Coridan system. This was stopped with Coridan's admission to the Federation in 2267 after the 'Babel' conference. The Orion black market ceased to exist around 2280 with Federation interruption of all their goods. The Orions are also known for the Issik, a common currency that originated on Rigel VIII.

Dragon Cartel: The Dragon cartel are the pirate cartel in the territory of the homeworld, and thus have automatic prestige. They have often harried Star Fleet and the Federation, from hijacking a Starliner in 2219 to other acts of piracy They attacked a Star Fleet Heavy Cruiser in an effort to stop certain delegates from reaching the Babel conference. They also attacked another CA carrying delegates to an anti-piracy conference. It is generally accepted that they crossed the line, and Star Fleet began to make it increasingly hard on all Orions since then. In 2298 Star Fleet began an operation called 'The Hammer' which destroyed a Dragon Battleship and several ships. Several ex-Rigellian Naval officers hold positions in this cartel. While the Consortium Government denies any all knowledge of the group, Federation investigators have found evidence of Dragon Cartel leaving 'paid' Rigellian CC member properties alone while raiding 'enemies of the state' on a daily basis. Dragon is a major contender within the Halls of Trade. They operate mostly in Federation space with occasional forays into Romulan and Klingon territories. They usually have a 'lettre of marque and reprisal' from the Rigellian Consortium to justify their actions.

Pharoah Cartel: Pharaoh pirate cartel is impoverished at this point. While once important, vital resources were destroyed by the Tholians. Their territory now surrounds the Tholian Holdfast, and includes Klingon, Federation, and Romulan space. They are a minor group, chased and oppressed even by Rigellian Naval units.

Hamilcar Cartel (House of Korgath): Hamilcar is a powerful and ambitious semi-pirate cartel. Their territory centers on the Klingon empire, extending into Hydran and Federation territory. They have love-hate relations with the Klingons: scouting Hydran territory for them, then attacking a Klingon convoy the same year. They are as much a Klingon House as an Orion Cartel, being shunned by the Klingon High Council but still holding several worlds in the Empire borders. They have used these worlds as the base for their raids and smuggling activities into and out of the Empire. Kol Korgath, the founder, is an Ex-DSF commander who has 'plans' on the Klingon High Council and is using the Orions to facilitate his dreams of replacing Kahless. They are unique in that they are a fusion between the usual pirate cartel and a military force. They even employ Klingon vessels from time to time.

Daven Cartel: is a lesser but well-organized cartel. Their territory centers in Klingon space, but spans Lyran, Kzinti, Hydran, and Federation space. They are a powder keg ready to blow. They are a collection of Lyran and Kzinti criminals who hate their former empires more than they hate each other. Human, Orion, Andorian and other members of the cartel act as a 'buffer' between the Kzinti and Lyran members. This cartel hates everyone they meet, and favor a 'slash and burn' policy. Their indiscrimiate slaughter and petty bickering is what the Klingons have in mind when they sneer at the 'rabble' of pirates. Where Hamilcar favours a more stealthy mode of business, Daven is truely the 'pirates' of the pirate sets.

Cluster Cartel: Cluster is rich but limited in scope. An Orion raider fleeing from the Klingons (Iago 'Wild Bill' Spencer) entered the WYN cluster and found a prosperous band of Kzinti renegades desperate for supplies from the outside. The Cluster cartel was quickly organized.

Lion's Heart Cartel: is an active but not too strong cartel. Their territory centers on the Federation, but extends to the Kzinti frontier. 2377 was a disastrous year for the cartel. Star Fleet destroyed an Cruiser and two Slavers in a baited trap, and later raided the base 'Hole in the Wall', capturing the cartel lord "Mad Jack." In the subsequent scamble for power, the enforcer Gullwind deserted after an unsuccessful bid by her captain to become Captain-General.

Penzance Cartel: is a lesser cartel. Their territory bridges Federation and Romulan space. Theyare mostly 'legit' preferring to shake down smaller trading convoys for 'protection' monies.

Rigellian Colonial Navy: is a Government sponsored navy of sorts. Ill funded and ill equipped, they specialise in training 'officers' who serve for three yers on their ships 'chasing' pirates, and their usually retire and find service with one of the cartels. They have exposure to most weapons systems in existance,a and Orion power plants are reknowned for their superior power distribution nodes and abilities. it is not unusual to find an active RCN officer serving on a cartel ship.

Omega Corp: is a distant and little-known operation. Their territory centers in Gorn space, extending into the Ferrengi Alliance. they are a legit company who dabble in weapons running and information brokering.

Beast Raiders: is a well-off but not very powerful cartel. Their territory centers in Lyran space, extending into Gorn and Romulan. Other Orions are not sure if this is a true cartel of a religious cult, dedicated to the return of 'OO-long' thr ancient lawgiver and god of the Rigellians., With the slave trade gone, it is rumoured that the Beasts are looking for a new cash cow.

Cirentus-Ta Cartel: is a smaller but wealthy operation. Their territory centers at the edge of Romulan space and extending into the Federation.

Prime Industries: Is different in that fact they run more like a business than as a Pirate band. theya re very organised and accept only the most profesional of pirates. They do not tolearte sloppy operations and will, if necessary, remove their own members by force if they are not performing tot eh expectations. They deal mostly with the Federation and the Romulans, and are an accredited Rigellian Corporation, with offices not too far from teh HAlls of Trade.

The O'key Syndicate: is perhaps the best known to Non-orions. Deth O'Key was the greatest Buccaneer to ever sail the interstellar seas. He carved an empire out of a single ship, the Falcon. He raided for years though Klingon space, always escaping in the nick of time. He happily provided both the Federation and Romulans with information about Klingon Fleet deployments. His son, Deth O'Key the II is also believed to have been the broker between the Romluan 'cloaks for ships' swap with the grudging Klingons. The Syndicate has always attracted the more flamboyant but talented cream from the Rigellian/Orion navies and pirate fleets. Teh more hairbrained a scheme, the more likely an O'key was involved somewhere. Anyone with any sort of ship can enter the compact, with the caveat that they must have captured or stolen their ship. Deth O'KEy the III flies the "Insatiable Falcon" a merger of his grandfather's Falcon with the boom of a K-7 K'tiNga class ship that the elder O'key had defeated, tot eh Klingon's chagrin. Perpetually ont eh edge of the law and usually a hop and skip in front of trouble, the Syndicate is the curretn Captrain GEneral of he HAlls of Trade, and teh focus of every other Cartel to replace. While not the prettiest fleet, they are the craziest and bravest.

CURRENT FEDERATION STATUS: MEMBER