The Bruchtafel Kompanie - engl.: Broke Tables Regiment (BTR) is an ancient and very mysterious mercenary group that operates in various nations. Some examples of many are the Threshold, Covenant of Edom and Star Trading Conglomerate.
Publicly the official goal is to "Preserve Stability and Strength all Throughout Human Space" (sic). They are known to perform a relatively wide range of missions and objectives, while their true motivations are often unclear. There have been instances of unpredictable behavior since their founding in 2794. Stories of convoy missions abandoned, planets supported with disaster relief and battles ended by shooting down both parties exist from all periods of time.
Their trademark symbols include a V-shaped corvette with large wing-like side structures and local headquarters created from two roughly triangular buildings facing away from each other while touching with their back sides.
Table of Contents
Etymology
It is believed by some historians working for the HCP that the BTR was founded in 2794 after a rather heated diplomatic encounter between two delegations from the Threshold region of the Intersystem Alliance and Covenant of Edom, originally trying to discuss a trade deal for the import and export of artisanal woodworks and ceramic appliances, escalated into a very complex brawl. After both delegations called for reinforcement and the growing frontlines between the two parties slowly consumed the entire hosting colony, a local mercenary group was simultaneously contacted by Threshold and Covenant officials. The group accepted the contracts of both parties and ended the fighting by stomping in and arresting all individuals involved. After they collected ransoms for the diplomats and their entourage, they reorganized under the new name "Bruchtafel Kompanie" - referencing the furniture destroyed during the incident - to avoid legal prosecution.
History
Besides its more or less mythologized founding legend, first confirmed accounts of the BTR operating date back to 2895, when their name is referenced in some payment agreements for mercenaries helping to defend the Kingsway Naval Yard and revolutionary Threshold forces against two incoming Intersystem Alliance destroyer squadrons. Since then, the groups' name has crept up here and there all over human space, naturally less in the more reclusive nations and more in larger and generally more pluralistic nations.
Structure
Not much is known about the internal structure and hierarchy of the group. As most information are kept secret for safety purposes, observation from outsiders and speculation are often the only option to evaluate much about how the BTR internally works. There are a few things that can be said with certainty.
The group works mostly with independent ships that interfere only when sent on group missions.
There are no special rules or objectives for what kind of missions are performed.
If a mission's context changes or new relevant information are revealed during a mission, members sometimes abandon their contracts or even switch sides based on either unknown outside orders, a yet unknown codex, or individual ethics.
To make contact and have legal representation, the group operates local headquarters on many planets that can easily be distinguished by their design.
Members of the group travel with ships designed specifically for the needs of the BTR,
Usually equipped with advanced and highly capable technology, with variations often attributed to individual preferences of the people owning the ships.
Funding
As mercenary groups often do, the Broken Tables Regiment is at least officially entirely funded by their paying customers. Who is included as a customer for the group is unknown, also if and how much individual nations are contributing to the organizations' efforts. As their member and ship count is unknown - estimates range from low 10s to 1000s of ships all throughout human space - their income and budgetary needs can not be reliably stated.
Criticisms
The group's sometimes unpredictable behavior during or after a mission in regards to hostility or general willingness to aid individual people or organizations is often pointed out in critical statements when the group is involved in events of public interest.
They earned themselves a rather infamous reputation because of this even though there are few nations or governments who do not let them operate in their territory.