The SMS are one of the original affiliations introduced in the game. They are a charted affiliation of the Imperials. They are the only affiliation truly dedicated to pure exploration and resource gathering, they are well organized, have a lot of resources available and have a spotless history.
As mentioned, SMS is mainly concerned with the discovery and extraction of mineral ores and related products. They are the backbone of human colonization into space and probably that of most other races as well. The SMS see it as there task to successfully supply the governments under which they work with the ores needed to maintain political stability and ensure continued peace and prosperity. The long-term goal of the SMS is to continue and expand the ERD-program; Exploration, Research and Development. This is reflected in all aspects of its business, and throughout its official profile. The SMS, is a commercial company that emerged from the human Inner Empire. It followed the Imperial drive for the peripheries and played a major role in the creation of the empire. They specialize in mineral location and extraction.
Although they do not engage much in military activity, they are able to protect themselves and have been know to support the Imperials in major conflicts. They prefer building to destroying, repairing to sabotaging and diplomacy to treachery but when the threat is to great they will respond with deadly force.
The SMS is very active in the surveying and exploration of unknown or uncharted worlds, there ships have always been there on the frontier, searching for ores, artifacts and intelligent life. The SMS will go to great lengths to avoid or shorten hostilities and we will try to negotiate for peace wherever they may be threatened by violence. This does not mean that they are afraid to strike back if needed though, it merely means that they do there best to try alternative methods first. They will fight hard for there values and interests if they are pressed to do so, there employees value their freedom enough to die for it should that prove necessary. The second Flagritz war showed that the the SMS will not back down, It also showed that they are more then capable of defending themselves - the Flagritz were thoroughly routed after a year of conflict.
SMS history is very diverse due to the way they operate. There easy management structure has meant players are free to work as independently as they like and thus are active throughout the galaxy. The SMS have been everywhere and done everything practically. The most notable is there military record where SMS ships saw service at the alien artifact and at Barbary coast. There fleets have supported the IMP against the confederate onslaught as well as numerous alien conflicts such as with the CLN and FGZ. When not in conflict SMS ships can be seen hunting pirates and coming to the rescue of unlucky traders.
There colonies are always well stocked with rare ores that empires need and are used frequently by peaceful traders to refit there ships or get an upgrade to one of the SMS highly specalised ships. The Belter is one of the best explorers and the Lugger excels at outpost servicing.
In short the SMS may not appear exciting on the surface but the depth and enjoyment of playing them can only be discovered by trying it out.....
SMS Abilities:-
1) SMS outposts produce 20% more ore then normal.
2) SMS players can prospect for deposits at half the normal time.
3) The SMS are the only affiliation able to produce the SMS Mine (weighs half as much as a normal one!).
4) The SMS operate the Belter 8/25/14 B.S. 1.2 It can GPI a sector in 5tu's
5) The SMS operate the Lugger 5/130/33 B.S. 2 It is incapable of space combat. Its main section is limited to Mines, SMS mines, Outpost security, Stargate keys and 1 Mu size items requiring no life support (that means no jump engines in cargo!!)
If you are interested in the SMS contact:-
Phil Davies: phil@istria.freeserve.co.uk
You can find the SMS homepage on:- hhttp://www.pvv.org/~bcd/SMSttp://www.pvv.org/~bcd/SMS
Any comments please send to:- Flagritz@hotmail.com