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Post by CMDR saltysamx on Oct 20, 2015 15:56:23 GMT
In 2898, Griggs Pemberton, genius chemist but inept explorer, crash-landed on the fourth planet of the Pand system, a water world. While awaiting rescue, he learned a great deal about the ecology and pharmacology of the planet. Pemberton noted that the water of the planet contained trace amounts of crystalline structures that could neither be analyzed nor duplicated with equipment available at the time. These crystals, he learned, had interesting properties when imbibed. While certainly refreshing, Pemberton discovered the water influenced body chemistry and mental states in some interesting ways. The most straight-forward effect of the water on the drinker was fostering a mild sense of contentment, well being, and self confidence. Even more interesting was the fact that metabolic byproducts were excreted through the skin vs. being filtered through the kidneys. The cutaneous excretions, while not visible, behaved like a pheromone; people within smelling distance of someone who drinks Pandian water are more likely to perceive them as being more pleasant, agreeable, and sub-consciously sometimes even more attractive. Even with his skill as a chemist, it took Pemberton quite a while to figure out a commercially viable process for extracting the crystals.
Pemberton sold all of his exploration data and collaborated with his rescuers to set up bottling operations. Marketing consultants suggested the water to best be marked in distinctive purple crystal bottles, which are still used to this day.
Pemberton marketed the product in Pand to a predominantly middle class market but the qualities of the water was also noticed by corporate executives and celebrities alike who stood to gain from improved perceptions in public. Pemberton advertised the water extensively, advertising on GalNet established the brand and profits skyrocketed – Purple Central Industry was born, but founder Griggs Pemberton would not live to see the success of his company, he died of a degenerative disorder, thought a result of prolonged exposure to stellar radiation, at the age of 178.
As new CEO, Fermin Lucas stepped forward to claim leadership in 3033. PCI’s product purity and perception suffered a blow when a laboratory alleged to have discovered Pandian water also had natural psychologically addictive properties. The rumors took off like wild-fire and sales plummeted. PCI’s CEO stated the alleged rumors about their product causing psychosis in its consumers were untrue and generated by the Cosmic Cola Company with the intention of destabilizing PCI market share, which had nearly grown to galactic cola beverage sales. The laboratory data and findings were never shared however as the laboratory and researchers were destroyed in a mysteriously tragic explosion shortly after the allegations were made. Lucas asserted that the lab was destroyed and researchers killed to keep the data from the laboratory from ever being verified. The damage was already done.
Ryder Horton murdered Lucas in 3192. Horton's wife had left him for another man and believed she was influenced to do so by her lover's heavy consumption of Pandian Water.
Another huge blow was landed when the Federation and Empire both banned the sale and consumption of Pandian water as it was believed that the properties of the water threatened fair trade and negotiations across the galaxy by unfairly influencing transaction decisions and communication if they involved someone 'enhanced' by the waters consumption.
The next 100 years of Purple Central Industry were a dark time where the corporation underwent myriad battles for controlling interest, with little in the way of profits as consumer confidence plummeted following verification of earlier claims that there were indeed mildy addictive properties in the water. The defense that the addiction was on par with caffeine or nicotine addiction fell on deaf ears. Fallen to ruin, Purple Central Industry largely disappeared, catering to small niche markets in anarchy systems that would still purchase the water. Corporate ownership changed hands many times until 3292, Wallace Pemberton brought PCI from the ashes.
Over the next nine years, “Little” Pemberton consolidated PCI’s assets and restarted bottling and distribution of Pandian Water to the network of small systems that had found consumption of the water was a net benefit. Utilizing his great grandfather’s personal notes, Pemberton was able to make 'enhancements' to the flavor of the water that were hidden as 'trade secrets'. Civil War ravaged the Pand system in 3300, setting back his timeline on expansion another year, however, “Little” Pemberton capitalized on an opportunity to secure complete control of the Pand system. A breakthrough occurred in 3300 as the Federation and Empire both decided to lift their 'ban' on Pandian water and no longer treat it as a controlled substance. Exactly what instigated this turnaround in policy position is not known but some believed that generous donations to Federation politicians had something to do with the Federation change of heart. The change in position of the Empire may have been related to a belief that the water would increase morale (and pliability) among the Imperial slave population.
Recent History and the '12 Minute War':
In late 3300, as PCI began an ambitious period of growth following the re-opening of Federation and Empire markets, missteps were made. The previous CEO, under the influence of unrefined Pandian water crystals, deliberately misled Purple Central Industry’s Board of Directors regarding corporate direction. Additionally, the previous CEO misled and antagonized leaders of rival organizations in a blatant attempt to lure them into open conflict against each other. The oppositional response led to a swift invasion by angered factions and destruction of the, as yet fledgling, Purple Central Industry defense forces in what came to be known as the '12 Minute War'. Learning the truth just in time, the Purple Central Industry Board of Directors quickly re-convened and held a vote; electing CO-CEOs to replace the previous CEO in an effort to assure that the actions of one lone lunatic could not bring the good people of Purple Central Industry to the brink of disaster once more. CMDR Eliath and CMDR Barefootbandit showed quick thinking and grace under fire in quickly resolving the animosity during the 12 Minute War, all of which demonstrated leadership qualities the board wished to promote. The horror at the fate so narrowly avoided drew the remaining Purple Central Industry commanders closer together as allies working together to tame their sector of the outer rim. PCI-Syndicate re-established diplomatic ties with the offended factions and refocused efforts both on the expansion of the corporate assets into neighboring systems.
Current:
In early 3301, Purple Central Industry expanded bottling operations into the neighboring Orokudumbla system to keep up with growing demand and founded a new Syndicate security force to protect its assets and interests. Tensions rose when the Orokudumbla Rats, the controlling faction in system, initially contracted as security forces by PCI, attempted to appropriate PCI bottling and distribution operations for themselves. PCI would not allow another faction to pinch their assets and set their Syndicate to attack the Rats directly, destabilize the system, and ultimately take control of the system for PCI. PCI-Syndicate quickly ousted the Rats and has solidified control of Orokudumbla and taken control of Palmer Prospect station.
As with many corporations, a change in leadership led to a change in vision and direction. With legalization of Pandian Water, PCI realized that their infrastructure and distribution, and therefore profits, would grow much more quickly through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions of complementary corporate entities. PCI quickly started looking away from Pand for opportunities in other systems, favoring those systems outside the purvey of larger factions, as this allowed for more robust 'negotiation' tactics with no Federation or Imperial politics involved. The systems targeted contained companies that were able to provide additional distribution outlets for Pandian Water as well as bundle other products that enhanced the value of Pandian Water products. The intent was that these systems, once acquired, would realize the economic advantages of being led simply and freely with unfettered capitalism and freedom of trade, even allowing for open trade in goods often illegal in other systems. PCI's free market philosophies didn't allow for discrimination or unfounded emotional bias against goods and services. PCI envisioned their new structure as a 'Syndicate' of like-minded corporate entities, working towards a brighter future (and profits) for all those involved in the manufacture and consumption of their products.
PCI started their expansion with the Ebana system. The expansion began by renewing all contracts of independent contractors and then negotiating with Blue United Corporation for a controlling share of the company, which currently produced several snack lines and distributed these products through a robust vending operation. The other factions in the system, including one mafia faction were quick to become hostile to the acquisition and open conflict appeared likely.
Pemberton sold all of his exploration data and collaborated with his rescuers to set up bottling operations. Marketing consultants suggested the water to best be marked in distinctive purple crystal bottles, which are still used to this day.
Pemberton marketed the product in Pand to a predominantly middle class market but the qualities of the water was also noticed by corporate executives and celebrities alike who stood to gain from improved perceptions in public. Pemberton advertised the water extensively, advertising on GalNet established the brand and profits skyrocketed – Purple Central Industry was born, but founder Griggs Pemberton would not live to see the success of his company, he died of a degenerative disorder, thought a result of prolonged exposure to stellar radiation, at the age of 178.
As new CEO, Fermin Lucas stepped forward to claim leadership in 3033. PCI’s product purity and perception suffered a blow when a laboratory alleged to have discovered Pandian water also had natural psychologically addictive properties. The rumors took off like wild-fire and sales plummeted. PCI’s CEO stated the alleged rumors about their product causing psychosis in its consumers were untrue and generated by the Cosmic Cola Company with the intention of destabilizing PCI market share, which had nearly grown to galactic cola beverage sales. The laboratory data and findings were never shared however as the laboratory and researchers were destroyed in a mysteriously tragic explosion shortly after the allegations were made. Lucas asserted that the lab was destroyed and researchers killed to keep the data from the laboratory from ever being verified. The damage was already done.
Ryder Horton murdered Lucas in 3192. Horton's wife had left him for another man and believed she was influenced to do so by her lover's heavy consumption of Pandian Water.
Another huge blow was landed when the Federation and Empire both banned the sale and consumption of Pandian water as it was believed that the properties of the water threatened fair trade and negotiations across the galaxy by unfairly influencing transaction decisions and communication if they involved someone 'enhanced' by the waters consumption.
The next 100 years of Purple Central Industry were a dark time where the corporation underwent myriad battles for controlling interest, with little in the way of profits as consumer confidence plummeted following verification of earlier claims that there were indeed mildy addictive properties in the water. The defense that the addiction was on par with caffeine or nicotine addiction fell on deaf ears. Fallen to ruin, Purple Central Industry largely disappeared, catering to small niche markets in anarchy systems that would still purchase the water. Corporate ownership changed hands many times until 3292, Wallace Pemberton brought PCI from the ashes.
Over the next nine years, “Little” Pemberton consolidated PCI’s assets and restarted bottling and distribution of Pandian Water to the network of small systems that had found consumption of the water was a net benefit. Utilizing his great grandfather’s personal notes, Pemberton was able to make 'enhancements' to the flavor of the water that were hidden as 'trade secrets'. Civil War ravaged the Pand system in 3300, setting back his timeline on expansion another year, however, “Little” Pemberton capitalized on an opportunity to secure complete control of the Pand system. A breakthrough occurred in 3300 as the Federation and Empire both decided to lift their 'ban' on Pandian water and no longer treat it as a controlled substance. Exactly what instigated this turnaround in policy position is not known but some believed that generous donations to Federation politicians had something to do with the Federation change of heart. The change in position of the Empire may have been related to a belief that the water would increase morale (and pliability) among the Imperial slave population.
Recent History and the '12 Minute War':
In late 3300, as PCI began an ambitious period of growth following the re-opening of Federation and Empire markets, missteps were made. The previous CEO, under the influence of unrefined Pandian water crystals, deliberately misled Purple Central Industry’s Board of Directors regarding corporate direction. Additionally, the previous CEO misled and antagonized leaders of rival organizations in a blatant attempt to lure them into open conflict against each other. The oppositional response led to a swift invasion by angered factions and destruction of the, as yet fledgling, Purple Central Industry defense forces in what came to be known as the '12 Minute War'. Learning the truth just in time, the Purple Central Industry Board of Directors quickly re-convened and held a vote; electing CO-CEOs to replace the previous CEO in an effort to assure that the actions of one lone lunatic could not bring the good people of Purple Central Industry to the brink of disaster once more. CMDR Eliath and CMDR Barefootbandit showed quick thinking and grace under fire in quickly resolving the animosity during the 12 Minute War, all of which demonstrated leadership qualities the board wished to promote. The horror at the fate so narrowly avoided drew the remaining Purple Central Industry commanders closer together as allies working together to tame their sector of the outer rim. PCI-Syndicate re-established diplomatic ties with the offended factions and refocused efforts both on the expansion of the corporate assets into neighboring systems.
Current:
In early 3301, Purple Central Industry expanded bottling operations into the neighboring Orokudumbla system to keep up with growing demand and founded a new Syndicate security force to protect its assets and interests. Tensions rose when the Orokudumbla Rats, the controlling faction in system, initially contracted as security forces by PCI, attempted to appropriate PCI bottling and distribution operations for themselves. PCI would not allow another faction to pinch their assets and set their Syndicate to attack the Rats directly, destabilize the system, and ultimately take control of the system for PCI. PCI-Syndicate quickly ousted the Rats and has solidified control of Orokudumbla and taken control of Palmer Prospect station.
As with many corporations, a change in leadership led to a change in vision and direction. With legalization of Pandian Water, PCI realized that their infrastructure and distribution, and therefore profits, would grow much more quickly through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions of complementary corporate entities. PCI quickly started looking away from Pand for opportunities in other systems, favoring those systems outside the purvey of larger factions, as this allowed for more robust 'negotiation' tactics with no Federation or Imperial politics involved. The systems targeted contained companies that were able to provide additional distribution outlets for Pandian Water as well as bundle other products that enhanced the value of Pandian Water products. The intent was that these systems, once acquired, would realize the economic advantages of being led simply and freely with unfettered capitalism and freedom of trade, even allowing for open trade in goods often illegal in other systems. PCI's free market philosophies didn't allow for discrimination or unfounded emotional bias against goods and services. PCI envisioned their new structure as a 'Syndicate' of like-minded corporate entities, working towards a brighter future (and profits) for all those involved in the manufacture and consumption of their products.
PCI started their expansion with the Ebana system. The expansion began by renewing all contracts of independent contractors and then negotiating with Blue United Corporation for a controlling share of the company, which currently produced several snack lines and distributed these products through a robust vending operation. The other factions in the system, including one mafia faction were quick to become hostile to the acquisition and open conflict appeared likely.
