The AFT were introduced when the game began back in 1992. At that time they was no confederacy and so the AFT were classed as a Imperial affiliation like the SMS, GTT etc.

When the EEM discovered the Capellan periphery there was a major rush to begin exploration and exploitation of these new worlds. Unfortunately the cost of setting up a colony to act as a jump point to the rest of the galaxy was too much for most and only the Mega corporations or those companies backed by the emperor had a chance. A group of Inner Empire traders banded together and began pooling there funds in order to pay for the initial cost of moving there operation to the outer galaxy, they realized what a great opportunity it was and that they could easily under price there closet competitors the GTT once they got out there. Upon setting up and purchasing ships the AFT were ready for business and began a major exploration and colony building program, they had purchased many of the EEM's Supra Freighters and performed Transport missions for other groups to raise more cash. Other traders flocked to join the AFT and get in on the action and the AFT began to expand. A major blow to there plans was when the Imperials refused there proposal to use there ships for transport instead of the Galactic trades ships even though it would be significantly cheaper. This led to rivalry between the GTT and AFT and a rift between them and the empire. As things heated up the AFT kept a low profile staying out of the FET/SSL war and the following FET/DTR conflict. Luckily for the AFT when the FGZ appeared they were relatively left alone with only a few trade ships targeted. Upon hard evidence that the DTR was working with the FGZ and the threat the FGZ made on the rest of humanity the AFT began arming ships for war. The AFT fought in many fleet engagements in support of the empire and helped in lifting the DTR/FGZ blockade of the IMP colony Mitchell. During this conflict the AFT managed to capture a Baseship which they removed to one of there colonies and were able to make operational and run for a while. It was not long before the war ended with peace once again resorted to the galaxy and the AFT could go back to what they like best, trade. It was decided however to maintain a small fleet which maintenance would be paid for by all members in order to protect AFT assets and just in case the FGZ decided to make war again. As the periphery began to enjoy being at peace a new area of space was discovered called Darkfold, in it was several human affiliations that had fled the empire supporting the illegitimate half brother of the current emperor. Among these human affiliations were the DIE, RAT and RIP. They began focusing there attention on Capellan Ships they came across which included the AFT. Luckily over time only the RIP were left and for the time being there stalking capabilities were not that bad. Affiliations began to perform research into new ship designs. when the GTT launched the Indiaman design they began to have the upper hand over the Free trades, able to offer cheaper prices and the ability to produce the ship for other groups to use affected AFT business significantly. Unable to produce a ship that was larger the AFT decided to build a ship that was significantly faster to carry out trade between colonies that were further apart but where the profit would be greater. The Free Trader was born. using the EEM Supra freighter initial design the AFT obtained plans of a new Jump technology that the government had dismissed. This technology made the ships 25% more efficient in performing jumps. They sacrificed some cargo space to increase the engine section making the ship as fast as some exploration ships and increased the command slightly to allow more life form capacity and the free trader design was complete. As the ship required a class 7 ship yard the AFT were forced to go to a IND colony to build the prototype. It was a great success and soon AFT colonies everywhere were refitting to build these ships. the AFT began working to gain access to Darkfold in order to become the go between for the IMP and the CNF. There was a small dispute near the end of 193 over a AFT colony captured by the BHD (when the x AFT PD took over the BHD) that had been sold to the FGZ. Acoma caused a massive dispute with the AFT demanding the IMP interfere. The matter was dismissed as no one wanted another war, this lead to m,embers leaving the AFT to go IND. The AFT focused itself on colonization, it was found to be more profitable operating markets then doing the actual trading. when the alien artifact was discovered the AFT could only send one warship to support the IMP/GTT/FET ships there, the increased threat of the RIP was beginning to cause troubles for them. For the next few years the AFT remained neutral staying out of the countless wars that took place. They focused there warfleet on countering the RIP threat. As there colony base increased they began research into production of restricted items. Soon the AFT became one of the best Aff's to go to when you required items not commonly available. There liberal trade policy meant they could sell to both IMP and CNF. As the wars with the FGZ intensified the AFT halted trade with them, it was decided that at this point in time the need for the AFT to intervene in support of the Humans was unnecessary and there warships remained relatively inactive within this conflict. They supported the war effort by trading and offering lower prices to the combatants. When Class 8 ships were introduced the AFT saw a need to create a ship that was large but could also be used in combat. The free trader was good but in the end it was a dedicated trade ship. The AFT desperately needed to be able to field more warships yet they could not afford to maintain these ships indefinitely. After some false starts the final blue prints for the Carrier was born. Based loosely on the initial idea the GTT had for the Indiaman the Carrier was a large durable ship that as the name suggested could easily double as a Fighter carrier when needed. It took a while for the necessary shipyards to be built but soon the Carrier was being massed produced. Even today due to the liberal AFT policy carriers are the most popular trade ships around. The AFT continued to expanded there influence and began to setup colonies in alien systems to increase there range. They became the first group to have access to every part of space and became completely neutral. with the introduction of the Super carrier The AFT could offer discount haulage and literally move whole colonies for people with just a few ships.

And so the AFT continue to this day, offering trade opportunities, transport and unbeatable prices on produced items. There colonies are located throughout space welcoming peaceful traders to rest, refit and carry on there way. There ship yards are always open for business offering you for a fair price a choice of 2 excellent trade ships.

AFT Abilities:-

1) All 4Tu transactions take 3Tu's due to the AFT expertise at moving stuff around.

2) Market Reports and Market receivers only cost half the normal tu's (5tu's and 10tu's respectively).

3) The AFT operate the Free Trader 6/40/15 B.S. 1.4 which can jump for 15tu's

4) The AFT operate the Carrier 12/90/22 B.S. 2.0 which each player can run one as a super carrier which carries 3 times the normal cargo.

If you are interested in the AFT contact:-

Richard Williams:- rbw23@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Any comments please send to:- Flagritz@hotmail.com