The Mining Guild’s Intelligence Division and think tank.

The Mining Guild's Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) was born out of necessity, coinciding with the establishment of the Engineering Corps in the year YE 42. This marked a pivotal moment for the Mining Guild, as they no longer used the New Dusk Conclave’s Department Of Engineering for technological advancements. Prior to this, the Guild had been dependent on external sources for innovation and the development of their tools, machinery, and infrastructure, particularly in their mining operations. This dependence made the Guild vulnerable, not only to the ebb and flow of technological advancements outside their control but also to potential leaks, industrial espionage, and competitive disadvantage.

The creation of the Engineering Corps signified the Mining Guild's need to become self-reliant in developing their proprietary technology. However, with this newfound independence came the realization that they might become a target for those who would seek to exploit their innovations. The Guild's executives, astutely aware of the competitive and often ruthless corporate landscape in which they operated, knew they could not merely focus on creating their technology—they also needed to safeguard it.

Thus, the Stratum Intelligence Group was formed to meet this pressing need. The executives understood that protecting their technological assets went beyond traditional corporate security measures. They needed a dedicated intelligence division capable of identifying and neutralizing threats before they could harm the Guild. The SIG was tasked not only with protecting the Mining Guild’s intellectual property but also with ensuring the Guild could maintain a competitive edge by gathering intelligence on competitors, potential risks, and market opportunities.

In the year YE 45, a pivotal moment unfolded for the Mining Guild when they received an invitation from the Motoyoshi Clan, leaders of the Yugumo Corporation. The Motoyoshi Clan, a trusted ally and trading partner of the Mining Guild, had extended an offer for the Guild to join them on an ambitious expedition to the Kosuke Sector, a largely unexplored region beyond the Kikyo Sector and the familiar boundaries of the New Dusk Conclave. Over the years, the Mining Guild had developed a strong and cooperative relationship with the Motoyoshi Clan, built on shared interests in trade and technological advancements. This invitation, however, marked a significant expansion of their collaboration and hinted at exciting new prospects that the Mining Guild couldn’t afford to ignore.

The Stratum Intelligence Group quickly identified the magnitude of this opportunity. Their operatives, deeply embedded in every corner of the Guild’s operations, understood that there was a growing interest among the Guild’s leadership and workforce. Many were intrigued by the prospect of venturing into new territory, despite the inherent risks associated with leaving behind the established infrastructure of the NDC. The SIG recognized that the Kosuke Sector represented a space of untapped potential—an entire region of space that could offer vast, unclaimed resources for extraction. Drawing on their historical analysis, they recalled the Mining Guild's previous success when the NDC expanded to the Nephis System years earlier, which had led to lucrative opportunities in resource extraction.

While the risks were substantial—ranging from the unknown dangers of interstellar travel to the potential challenges of establishing a foothold in uncharted territory—the SIG calculated that the rewards would far outweigh them. A successful expedition to the Kosuke Sector could open up an entirely new source of valuable resources, securing the Mining Guild's future prosperity. The intelligence analysts worked swiftly, determining that joining this expedition could position the Guild as a pioneering force in the region, allowing them to claim and extract resources before competitors even had a chance to arrive.

The Stratum Intelligence Group also made the calculated decision to allocate some of their own personnel to join the contingent bound for the Kosuke Sector. This move wasn’t just about protecting the Mining Guild’s immediate interests—it was about ensuring the long-term success and understanding of this new, uncharted region of space. The SIG recognized that, by embedding their operatives within the expedition, they would be in a prime position to gather firsthand intelligence on the Kosuke Sector’s economic, environmental, and geopolitical landscape. This intelligence would be invaluable to the Guild as it expanded its operations and navigated the complexities of this new frontier.

These intelligence officers would act as the eyes and ears of the SIG, providing critical updates and real-time reports. This information would be continuously sent back to SIG headquarters, allowing the main group to maintain a detailed and evolving picture of the Kosuke Sector. From there, the SIG could adapt its strategies to ensure the Mining Guild remained ahead of the competition and that any potential threats were neutralized before they could escalate.

Later in the year, a significant event on the interstellar stage took place. The Mining Guild was keen to participate once again, recognizing the importance of maintaining a strong diplomatic presence at this high-profile event. For this year's gathering, they decided to send Alice Sursilvan, their corporate diplomat.

This time, the SIG had a specific objective in mind: to explore the development and acquisition of Aether technology²⁾, a powerful and advanced form of energy harnessed by the Yamatai Star Empire. The use of Aether energy was a highly coveted technological advancement, capable of revolutionizing energy production and applications in both civilian and military sectors. Understanding its significance, the SIG strategized carefully to ensure that the Mining Guild could secure access to this technology while adhering to the diplomatic protocols required for such an exchange.

The Yamatai Star Empire, a technologically advanced and influential nation, was hosting the conference and had long been the gateway to Aether technology. However, they were cautious about how such technology was disseminated. One of the most important conditions of this potential technological exchange was that the Mining Guild would not be allowed to share their newfound knowledge of Aether technology with the New Dusk Conclave, with whom they had ties.

Alice, navigated these delicate negotiations expertly. After weighing the potential benefits and risks, she agreed to the Yamatai Empire's terms, understanding that access to Aether technology could provide the Mining Guild with a significant edge. Following her successful negotiations, Alice Sursilvan quickly communicated the details of these developments back to the Mining Guild’s leadership—Astrid Kurosaki, CEO; Aeta Kurosaki, Chief of Operations; and Vilkas Kurosaki, Supreme Commander of the Night Guard.

Thus, the International Relations Conference of YE 46 marked a turning point for the Mining Guild. Under Alice Sursilvan’s diplomatic leadership and the strategic oversight of the SIG, the Guild not only secured a pathway for eventual access to revolutionary Aether technology but also laid the groundwork for future growth within one of the galaxy’s most powerful empires. This achievement demonstrated the Guild’s growing influence and its ability to navigate complex international relations, all while positioning itself for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and technologically driven landscape.

Especially when Alice had later further negotiated with Hanako and finally negotiated the Guild's joining Yamatai, and becoming part of the Star Army Military Industrial Complex with access to technology such as aether.

The Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) is the intelligence division of the Mining Guild, functioning as a crucial link between the Marketing Division, Engineering Corps, and Corporate Security (the Night Guard Security). SIG's responsibilities extend beyond standard intelligence gathering, acting as a strategic advisory body that provides a broad, integrated perspective on the Mining Guild's internal operations and external challenges. It plays a key role in identifying potential risks, analyzing competitor activities, and guiding long-term planning to safeguard the guild's assets and interests.

From a marketing standpoint, the Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) anticipates how competitors' actions could affect the Mining Guild's market position and helps formulate strategies to minimize risks or seize emerging opportunities. With in-depth knowledge of cross-sector market dynamics, SIG enables the Guild to stay responsive by adjusting its operations, products, and services to match shifting consumer preferences and technological developments. This ensures the Mining Guild remains competitive and adaptive in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

In collaboration with the Engineering Corps, the Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) is tasked with identifying and evaluating emerging technologies across sectors such as mining, resource extraction, robotics, artificial intelligence, and energy generation. SIG's role includes conducting risk assessments related to the adoption of these technologies, considering factors such as environmental impact, financial risk, and technological viability. Their analysis ensures that new innovations are strategically integrated into the Mining Guild’s operations while mitigating potential risks.

The Stratum Intelligence Group works in close coordination with the Night Guard Security, the Mining Guild's elite security division, to safeguard the Guild's assets, personnel, and sensitive information from external threats. SIG is responsible for identifying and countering espionage attempts, including cyberattacks, insider threats, and infiltration by hostile agents. SIG personnel are trained in both offensive and defensive intelligence tactics. Offensive operations involve gathering intelligence on potential threats, analyzing their motives, and implementing preemptive strategies to neutralize risks before they materialize. Defensive measures focus on strengthening the Guild’s security systems, ensuring that unauthorized access to classified information and sensitive technologies is prevented.

In addition to its intelligence-gathering operations, the SIG is responsible for conducting thorough risk assessments that influence long-term planning. These assessments cover a wide range of potential risks:

“Knowledge Defends, Innovation Prevails.”

The Stratum Intelligence Group can be found within the Headquarters of the Mining guild, as well as the Branch Headquarters. They operate within their own space, located with In the same wing as the Night Guard. The Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) operates from the core of the Mining Guild’s Headquarters, as well as from strategic Branch Headquarters across various sectors. Within these locations, SIG maintains its own dedicated space, reflecting its importance and autonomy within the Guild's organizational structure. These spaces are specifically designed to facilitate SIG's multifaceted operations, from data analysis to covert surveillance and technological research.

The Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) operates from several strategically located facilities, each designed to support the organization's multifaceted intelligence and security operations within the Mining Guild. Here’s an overview of their facilities, leadership, and purposes:

The Main Facility info

About the Intelligence Division's branch info

About The Surveillance Units

How it counters corporate Espionage

The Stratum Intelligence Group (SIG) is structured to optimize its intelligence-gathering capabilities while ensuring efficient operation across various domains within the Mining Guild. The organization consists of several key divisions, each with specific roles and responsibilities, supported by a diverse range of personnel with specialized skills. Here’s an overview of the structure of SIG, including its key divisions and personnel:

Executive Leadership

This division focuses on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to market trends, competitor activities, and potential threats.

Personnel for this subdivision.

Focused on advancing technological capabilities, particularly in areas such as psionics and emerging technologies.

Personnel for this subdivision.

This division manages all field intelligence operations, including surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Personnel for this subdivision.

Tasked with protecting the Mining Guild from external threats and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Personnel for this subdivision.

These support the Stratum Intelligence Group

Charaa created this article on 2024/10/02 18:21.

• Art by Charaa using copilot

This was approved by Andrew on 2024/11/06.³⁾