About
the time of the Nth Interstellar War
(-2235 to -2219), a family of Solomani traders,
the Menderes, established lucrative routes along the Mendan
Main. Later, many Solomani entrepreneurs in the area were appointed planetary
governors when Hiroshi II came to power. A few such posts went to the Menderes
family, among them that of Asimikigir (Amdukan
0223).
Menderes
Establishes Itself: The
Menderes established a commercial dynasty spanning all of Asimikigir that
endured the entire Long Night (-1776 to 0) and
the attendant economic and technological retrenchments. While the Menderes
Corporation never sought a monopoly, it collected so much power that it could
not effectively be challenged in any situation that really mattered. It
maintained this as an objective even when it broke into space again in -247.
Menderes worked mightily to displace Kudukara Lines. But once assured of
dominance, Menderes relaxed its pressure on the aging company.
The
Rise of the Sylean Corporations:
The rise of the Sylean corporations and
their alliance with their Vilani contemporaries presented a most unwelcome
intrusion into the Menderes economic sphere. The Pacification
Campaigns (76 to 120) were paralleled by trade wars that ultimately forced
Menderes to surrender its markets in Lishun, Antares,
and the Empty Quarter. Ever since, the
corporation has jealously guarded its remaining markets and routes among the Vargr
Extents.
Menderes
and Vargr Economics:
Menderes succeeded because of its intimate understanding of Vargr
economics. In contrast, the Imperials proved unable to handle the alien system
on more than a superficial basis. Where it could, Menderes promoted Vargr
companies, but worked against those in the Extents run by humans. These human
companies provided inroads for Imperial corporations and were also too stable,
undermining Menderes' principal advantage. Without bringing resources to bear on
powerful Vargr competitors, Menderes could get nearly anything it wanted just by
waiting long enough; eventually, the Vargr organization would destabilize.
Menderes'
Effect on Julian Society:
The Menderes Corporation has always emphasized its mercantile nature, down
playing its social policies as mere attempts to foster a more lucrative
commercial environment. Nevertheless, Menderes' effect on Julian
society has been profound, and most Julians see the company as a leader in
promoting Vargr-human relations, even if a passive one.
For instance, the company has for centuries promoted kuspar, floater, and
saliball - today the protectorate's most popular sports - in the public media.
Importantly, these sports all make use of mixed Vargr-human teams, deliberately
designed to highlight the two races' complementary abilities and aptitudes.
These sports also reflect the way Menderes functions. Vargr tend to occupy
certain positions within the company, humans others. The organization has
tailored itself to take the most advantage of the strengths of both species.
At the same time, the system bars no one from advancement and easily
adjusts to the proportion of humans and Vargr available in any locale.
Menderes'
Divisions:
The Menderes Corporation's many operations are grouped into divisions, as
outlined below:
Transportation and Communication Division: Operates
the corporation's fleet of interstellar cargo ships and provides courier service
to subscriber worlds as far as Windhorn Sector.
Space Systems Division: Responsible
for the construction of all space related products, from warships to automated
stations to vacc suit components. In the Vargr Extents, it sells more subsystems
and replacement parts than complete ships.
Intelligence Division: Excellent
intelligence is needed to operate in Vargr space without relying on serendipity.
This division also keeps an eye on competitors, particularly Imperial ones, and
engages in covert operations and industrial espionage as necessary.
Weapon Systems Division: Produces
everything from handguns to advanced planetary defense systems. These products
compete well on the Vargr market; Menderes' gauss weapons and mass drivers are
felt to be of superior quality.
Heavy Equipment Division: This
division
manufactures such items as
earth movers, fusion drills, farm machinery, large power plants, and municipal
mass transit systems.
Electronics Division: Markets
all manner of products related to electronics and computers. More than any
other, this division carefully investigates the multitude of Vargr innovations
and incorporates the best.
Resource Development Division: Most
Menderes subsidiaries are attached to this division. Over the centuries invested
in many agricultural colonies, mining settlements, and production centers that
have since matured. Its latest efforts lie in Arzul
Sector.
Imperial Division: The
newest division, the Imperial Division was created in 1085 to administer
operations extending into the Imperium. In that year, Menderes Corporation
negotiated an agreement with Archduke Ngaez of Antares
for trading rights within his domain.