Fractured Space - The Long War - PuristCoOp

The Purist Cooperative are a diverse culture of people. Commonly mistaken as first generation Purists by outsiders. FGP's, as they refer to themselves, don't like to openly acknowledge the existence of the PCO. They see them as a blemish on their history and a mar against their ever long quest to keep their race pure, free of augmentation and naturally evolved.

The Cooperative does in fact stem from the lower class within Purist society. Their perspectives and approach to life and cultural development may stem from the same roots as the FGP's, however their tree blossomed in a very different direction.

A naturally passive people, this made it easy for the FGP to passify and enslave them. The PCO are naturally adverse to confrontation and violence. Which resulted in a great many generations of persecution and torment at their supposed superior cousins. A slave cast developed over time. PCO members were branded with tattoo to mark not only who they belong to but as a symbol to distinguish them as less pure than the FGP. Little did the FGP realise, the branding is what started the spark that led to the ultimate birth of the PCO. Now they carry their brands as a badge of honour, along with the physical and emotional scars. Be warned, never ask a member of the PCO to see their branding's or scars. More often than not they will only present them in moments of great physical feats and prowess. This is because the freedom for the collective PCO did not come without a price. A great sacrifice was made by the founding fathers, a commitment they vowed they would prevent from happening to as many of their PCO brothers and sister that they could.

As a people, the PCO differ quite a lot to the other factions found within the long war. Not just in beliefs, but in cultural variety. The PCO accept refugees from all known space. They care not for your past. Their goal is to unite all people in a way to remove all suffering, hardship and want. No one life is worth more than another, and no life can be measure in any tangible commodity.

This is why members of the newly formed PCO find themselves at great odds in this new universe laying before them. After centuries of oppression they have come to the realisation that the only way to secure their future, and the futures of the people who's care they have been charged with id through still resistance to oppression, often ending in abrupt violence. To this end, if they are unable to negotiate a peaceable result they will instead dispatch their military, a force who's sole role in life is war. They conflicts tend to be brutal and short, always with the desired result, but each time the weight of conflict weighs on the PCO more.

Not dragged down by a conventional approach to politics. The PCO's objective is to ensure that everyone is comfortable in life and no one wants for anything. To this end they have eradicated illness within the flotilla, they colonies have a zero percent crime rate and everyone works for the improvement of their society. No one asks for more than they get, and everyone receives what they need. A very spiritual people, the general populace very rarely anger, and their temperament is always calm, their eternal goal in life to achieve inner piece, regardless of outward appearance or modification.

They also operate a very open door policy, if someone chooses to join the PCO and decides it isn't what they are looking for they are free to leave (often with more than they brought with them, though leaving is a very rare occurrence). This has lead to some individuals using the PCO as a walk in hostel, giving them enough time to recover from their hardship before moving on. The PCO don't view these people as leavers, as they were never truly a part of the PCO, they were just in need of help, which the PCO were happy to deliver.

The subsequent revolt against their oppressor left the PCO with two choices, over throw the tyrants, remove them from power and assume control, or leave. Having decided that the former would ultimately lead them down the same path as those they stood against for freedom and independence, they instead chose self exile and committed themselves to becoming a nomadic people in search of a place they could call home.

A flotilla of ships house the majority of PCO members. After leaving their home world and taking to space the core of the PCO have never settled on a new home world, preferring to constantly move. Some argue distancing themselves from the classic organisation of their now distant FGP cousins. Most planets and stations colonised by the PCO tend to be inhabited by the refugees who find their way to the PCO. Whilst these people, often fleeing war zones and oppression, seeking to start new lives, prefer the solidarity of a stationary home (very rarely able to adapt to the mobile lifestyle of the PCO flotilla), the flotilla, made of thousands of capital ships and support vessels, choose to make their way slowly through space, bringing support and aid to those places that need it the most, in the hopes that one day they may find somewhere to settle.

In times of peace the flotilla is governed by a body of thirteen people tasked with ensuring everything is maintained and everyone is happy. These thirteen governing members give up all aspects of normal life, including family, and adorn robes to prevent their identities being revealed. This is to remove any chance of corruption or external attempts to taint the flotilla. This tradition traces back to when the PCO was first formed, its members would meet in secret, wearing masks to protect their identities and subsequently each other. There is a long list of volunteers to take on this role, fully aware of the sacrifice required, any member of the PCO would give up anything, including their lives, to protect their society.

In times of war the PCO adopt a very different approach. The council of thirteen stand down and appoint a single member of the military to oversee the war efforts. In this case the role has been appointed to TheKaiKer, who will over see the war effort until completion, at which point he will step down and relinquish control to the council.

As for the PCO military. Very little is known about them even within the PCO. Their blood lines trace back to the original liberators of the PCO. Shrouded in mystery there is a lot of speculation but very little confirmation. A proud force, displaying martial prowess in all aspects of military combat. The military, referred to fondly by the populace as the Templar Purifiers, are a very pious group. Displaying complete self control, they don't mix with the populace, instead they stand in the shadows as silent protectors. However, once the battle lust takes them, and they reveal their true prowess, nothing stands before them. Displaying their ritualistic tattoos and scarring, a mark of respect dating back to their founders. They give up everything, committing themselves to the protection of the flotilla, just as their fore fathers did. Those born to it never ask for anything more, those who volunteer never regret their decision, there is no greater honour within the PCO. So much so that there is a long standing list of Purist Reserves. Civilians who hope to some day be called upon to replenish lost numbers within the rank of the Templar Purifiers. A call that often goes unheard as they very rarely lose.

This brings us to modern day, the here, the now. The flotilla has set its eyes on a new cluster of stars. A series of sectors corrupted by greed, commodities and possession. The PCO never look for a fight, but always end up in the harshest of environments, because frankly, that's where the people who need saving the most can be found in droves.

Welcome to the PCO, captain. May you stay be long and your future be bountiful.