ChiwaTech

ChiwaTech

(Organization)

Type

Starship manufacturer

Goals

Build starships to adapt to the Drift Crash

Source: Drift Crisis, pg(s). 31

ChiwaTech is a consortium of five starship manufacturers established to respond to the Drift Crash.

History

In 422 AG, Compiler Enterprises, Hivonyx Industries, Idari Crucible Works, Weyfarers Expeditions and ATech entered a partnership to overcome the challenges posed by the Drift Crash.

Goal

The Aballon-based CompEnt sees the necessity of faster-than-light travel in taking up the First Ones' mantle to colonise new planets. Hivonyx finds it essential to spread peace, diplomacy and first contact, values promoted by their patron Hylax. Idari Crucible Works was pressured to do what is necessary to survive difficult times, knowing that it made up a significant part of the Idari's economy. ATech was tasked by its parent company AbadarCorp to restore reliable goods transportation for the galaxy.

Structure

ChiwaTech quickly managed to develop sensor and guidance systems to improve the reliability of post-Crash Drift travel, but has been unable to make any other breakthrough. The leadership has been capable of reining in critics who opposed the merger, though this will likely become more and more difficult over time unless another breakthrough can be discovered. Realising that another substantial improvement to Drift travel might be impossible, ChiwaTech has established a research facility on Akiton to research other forms of faster-than-light travel, though this has been opposed by a group of vocal Hivonyx employees, who do not want their peaceful company's concept to be shared with warship-manufacturing competitors.

Relationships

In addition to internal dissent, ChiwaTech's progress has been opposed by competitors who do not want a monopoly to dominate the market, and have begun a media smear campaign to attract the attention of politicians and the Stewards. In order to fend off this threat, AbadarCorp has mobilised its considerable PR department, including rebranding ATech's customer service network as ChiwaTech Assistance Centers, which offer free transport and cheap towing services for stranded ships.

Several ChiwaTech test vehicles were attacked during test flight, and an explosion at the Akiton facility is suspected to be sabotage. ChiwaTech has responded to this by aggressively hiring security personnel, investigators and counterintelligence agents, and contracting armed escorts for its vehicles.