Chapter 11: Contacts & Complications

"In this business, today's ally is tomorrow's problem."

Non-player characters who inhabit the criminal underworld.

📖 Expands STA Core Rulebook, Chapter 11: Allies and Adversaries

Crime Bosses

Syndicate leaders and their organizations

Orion Syndicate Leadership

Traditional crime family structures and hierarchies
Modern corporate criminal organization models
Hybrid approaches blending old and new methods
Succession planning and power transition management

Hareth D'jar - The Traditionalist - Old-school Orion crime boss maintaining classical methods - Attributes: Command 4, Security 3, Science 2 - Values: Honor among thieves, family loyalty, traditional methods - Organization: Hierarchical structure, territorial control, honor codes - Relationships: Distrusts modern technology, values personal loyalty

Navaar Orion - The Innovator - Tech-savvy syndicate leader embracing modern methods - Attributes: Science 4, Engineering 3, Command 3 - Values: Efficiency over tradition, profit maximization, technological advantage - Organization: Network structure, information-based operations, global reach - Relationships: Allies with tech corporations, enemies with traditionalists

Independent Crime Lords

Regional power brokers and territory controllers
Specialist operation leaders and niche market dominators
Cross-species criminal alliances and cooperation networks
Resource-based power structures and control mechanisms

Khetara "The Broker" - Information dealer and neutral party mediator - Species: Yridian - Specialization: Information brokerage and neutral territory operation - Resources: Extensive contact network, secure communication systems - Reputation: Absolute neutrality, reliable information, expensive services

Captain Vex Korran - Pirate fleet commander and raiding operation leader - Species: Nausicaan - Assets: Small fleet of raiders, mobile base operations, crew loyalty - Methods: Hit-and-run tactics, protection rackets, salvage operations - Weaknesses: Violent temper, honor-based decisions, crew dependency

Corporate Criminal Leaders

Legitimate business fronts with illegal operations
White-collar crime and regulatory violation specialists
Political influence and corruption network operators
Economic manipulation and market control experts

Director Elias Vaughn - Corporate executive running illegal medical experimentation - Species: Human - Position: Pharmaceutical company research director - Operations: Illegal drug testing, data falsification, regulatory bribery - Resources: Corporate infrastructure, political connections, scientific expertise

Power Dynamics and Relationships

Territory disputes and resource competition
Alliance formation and betrayal patterns
Succession crises and power vacuum exploitation
External pressure response and adaptation strategies

Corrupt Officials

Federation personnel who've compromised their ideals

Starfleet Command Corruption

Career advancement through moral compromise
Resource diversion and equipment trafficking
Information selling and intelligence compromise
Mission manipulation for personal benefit

Admiral Sarah Chen - Starfleet Intelligence officer selling classified information - Position: Starfleet Intelligence strategic analysis division - Motivation: Financial gain, political advancement, ideological disillusionment - Methods: Information compartmentalization, selective briefings, misdirection - Vulnerabilities: Family financial problems, gambling addiction, blackmail susceptibility

Commander Jake Morrison - Supply depot commander running equipment smuggling operation - Position: Starbase 47 supply and logistics coordinator - Network: Civilian contractors, transport captains, black market dealers - Operations: Equipment diversion, manifest falsification, inspection avoidance - Justification: Underfunded operations, crew welfare, system inefficiency

Civilian Government Corruption

Colonial administration and resource management abuse
Regulatory capture and enforcement selective application
Immigration and customs bribery networks
Emergency relief fund diversion and misappropriation

Governor Patricia Wells - Colonial administrator embezzling relief funds - Position: Tarsus IV colonial administration chief executive - Crisis: Medical supply shortage and emergency fund management - Methods: Contract manipulation, vendor kickbacks, audit avoidance - Pressure: Political advancement ambitions, family financial needs

Law Enforcement Compromise

Selective enforcement and protection racket operation
Evidence tampering and investigation misdirection
Witness intimidation and testimony manipulation
Criminal cooperation and information exchange

Inspector Marcus Cole - Security chief providing protection for criminal operations - Position: Station Deep Space 12 security department commander - Services: Advance warning, investigation interference, evidence disposal - Compensation: Financial payments, favor exchanges, threat protection - Rationalization: Harm reduction, resource limitations, systemic corruption

Corruption Network Structures

Hierarchical command and control systems
Cell-based organization and compartmentalization
Mutual blackmail and assurance mechanisms
Recruitment and expansion methodologies

Rival Crews

Competition in the criminal marketplace

Direct Competitors

Similar operation types and market overlap
Territory disputes and resource competition
Client base competition and reputation rivalry
Skill-based competition and capability matching

The Quantum Runners - High-tech smuggling crew specializing in information theft - Composition: Ex-Starfleet communications specialists and computer experts - Advantages: Superior technology, clean records, insider knowledge - Weaknesses: Limited combat capability, technology dependency, moral constraints - Relationship: Professional rivalry, occasional cooperation, mutual respect

Chakotay's Outlaws - Maquis veterans turned professional criminals - Composition: Former resistance fighters with military training - Advantages: Combat experience, loyalty bonds, tactical expertise - Weaknesses: Emotional decision-making, vendetta priorities, limited adaptability - Relationship: Ideological conflicts, territorial disputes, honor-based cooperation

Specialist Operations

Niche market dominators and unique capability providers
Cross-training potential and skill exchange opportunities
Subcontracting relationships and partnership possibilities
Knowledge sharing and technique development networks

The Healers - Medical supply smugglers and black market surgery providers - Specialization: Medical equipment, pharmaceutical distribution, emergency surgery - Leadership: Dr. Lyssia Dax (Trill medical researcher) - Ethics: Hippocratic oath interpretation, patient care prioritization - Services: Emergency medical care, restricted drug access, surgical procedures

Ghost Squadron - Stealth insertion and extraction specialists - Specialization: Infiltration, surveillance, covert operations - Leadership: Unknown (compartmentalized command structure) - Methods: Advanced stealth technology, psychological warfare, clean operations - Reputation: Perfect mission record, high prices, selective client acceptance

Hostile Competition

Violent rivalry and elimination attempts
Sabotage operations and reputation warfare
Resource denial and market manipulation
Personal vendettas and revenge cycles

The Red Hand Syndicate - Violent criminal organization focused on elimination of competition - Methods: Intimidation, assassination, territory seizure, brutal reputation - Leadership: Kar'toth (Klingon exile seeking honor through violence) - Resources: Heavy weapons, combat veterans, fear-based loyalty - Conflict: Zero-sum mentality, violence-first approach, honor-based decisions

Cooperation and Alliance Potential

Mutual benefit identification and partnership development
Resource sharing and capability complementation
Information exchange and market division agreements
Emergency assistance and professional courtesy protocols

Informants & Contacts

Your network in the underworld

Information Sources

Bartenders and service industry workers with access to gossip
Transport personnel and cargo handlers with shipping knowledge
Government clerks and administrative staff with bureaucratic access
Technical specialists and maintenance workers with system knowledge

Quill - The Bartender - Ferengi bartender operating information exchange - Location: Drozana Station neutral trading post - Information: Shipping schedules, passenger manifests, crew gossip, local politics - Payment: Latinum, rare spirits, exclusive information, facility access - Reliability: Accurate but expensive, profit-motivated, neutral stance

Chief Petty Officer Lisa Park - Starfleet transporter chief providing inside information - Position: Personnel and cargo transport operations supervisor - Access: Transport logs, security protocols, personnel schedules, cargo manifests - Motivation: Financial gain, family medical expenses, system disillusionment - Risk: High exposure potential, moral conflict, loyalty divided

Technical Specialists

Computer system experts and security bypass specialists
Engineering professionals and equipment modification experts
Medical personnel and pharmaceutical access providers
Communications specialists and surveillance equipment operators

"Splice" Kowalski - Computer systems specialist and security bypass expert - Species: Human augment (hidden background) - Skills: Computer intrusion, security system analysis, encryption breaking - Services: System infiltration, data extraction, security consultation - Price: Technology trades, intellectual challenge satisfaction, anonymity protection

Dr. Neria Kell - Bajoran physician providing restricted medical supplies - Position: Emergency medical services coordinator - Access: Pharmaceutical supplies, medical equipment, patient information - Motivation: Humanitarian concerns, profit supplementation, authority resistance - Risk: Medical board oversight, supply audit exposure, patient safety compromise

Financial Services

Money laundering and credit washing specialists
Banking professionals and transaction facilitation experts
Currency exchange and precious metal dealers
Investment advisors and asset protection consultants

Gorneth the Golden - Ferengi financial services provider and money laundering expert - Services: Credit washing, currency exchange, investment laundering, asset protection - Network: Banking contacts, investment professionals, regulatory officials - Methods: Complex transaction chains, legitimate business fronts, regulatory loopholes - Fees: Percentage-based, premium rates, exclusive service tiers

Supply Chain Contacts

Equipment suppliers and black market vendors
Transportation providers and cargo smuggling services
Safe house operators and temporary facility access
Emergency services and crisis management specialists

Captain Sarah Mitchell - Independent freighter captain providing transportation services - Vessel: Modified cargo hauler with hidden compartments - Services: Passenger transport, cargo smuggling, emergency evacuation - Routes: Border regions, neutral zones, low-security systems - Terms: Cash payments, no questions asked, passenger safety guaranteed

Law Enforcement

The people trying to stop you

Federation Security

Starfleet Security and investigation services
Colonial law enforcement and local police
Customs and border protection services
Intelligence agencies and surveillance operations

Lieutenant Commander Alexandra Torres - Starfleet Security investigations specialist - Position: Criminal investigations unit senior investigator - Specialization: Organized crime, smuggling networks, corruption cases - Methods: Thorough investigation, network analysis, long-term surveillance - Personality: Dedicated, intelligent, morally inflexible, detail-oriented

Inspector General Patricia Hayes - Internal affairs investigator focusing on corruption - Position: Starfleet Inspector General office senior investigator - Focus: Internal corruption, abuse of authority, ethical violations - Resources: Broad access authority, investigation immunity, political backing - Approach: Systematic, relentless, morally uncompromising, politically naive

Independent Law Enforcement

Private security firms and corporate protection services
Bounty hunters and fugitive recovery specialists
Vigilante groups and citizen justice organizations
Insurance investigators and loss prevention experts

Jaxon Reed - Professional bounty hunter and fugitive recovery specialist - Species: Human (former Starfleet Security) - Methods: Investigation, surveillance, non-lethal capture, legal compliance - Resources: Ship, weapons, tracking equipment, legal authority - Motivation: Professional pride, justice seeking, financial gain, rule adherence

Corporate Security Division Alpha - Private security firm providing protection and investigation services - Services: Executive protection, facility security, asset recovery, investigation - Resources: Trained personnel, advanced equipment, legal authority, corporate backing - Limitations: Jurisdiction boundaries, legal constraints, corporate interests, cost considerations

Specialist Units

Anti-terrorism and organized crime task forces
Technology crime and cyber security divisions
Economic crime and financial investigation units
Inter-agency coordination and information sharing groups

Task Force Obsidian - Inter-agency organized crime investigation unit - Composition: Starfleet Security, civilian law enforcement, intelligence agencies - Focus: Major criminal organizations, corruption networks, cross-border crime - Resources: Combined authority, shared intelligence, coordinated operations - Methods: Long-term investigation, undercover operations, network infiltration

Enforcement Challenges

Jurisdiction limitations and authority boundaries
Resource constraints and priority allocation
Political pressure and interference management
Corruption susceptibility and internal security measures

Innocent Bystanders

Civilians caught in the crossfire

Civilian Populations

Colony residents and station inhabitants
Merchants and business operators
Families and community members
Workers and service providers

The Martinez Family - Colonial family affected by medical supply shortage - Situation: Father critically ill, mother desperate for treatment, children afraid - Resources: Limited finances, community connections, emotional appeal - Role: Moral test for crew decisions, humanizing stakes, consequence demonstration - Agency: Active help-seeking, community organizing, political pressure application

Station Merchant Collective - Small business operators threatened by crime organization protection rackets - Composition: Various species small business owners and family operations - Problems: Extortion demands, security concerns, economic pressure, family safety - Resources: Community solidarity, limited financial means, political connections - Response: Mutual support, negotiation attempts, authority cooperation, resistance organization

Vulnerable Groups

Medical patients and emergency care recipients
Children and dependent populations
Refugees and displaced persons
Elderly and disabled community members

Refugee Camp Delta-7 - Cardassian war refugees seeking permanent resettlement - Population: War survivors, displaced families, traumatized individuals - Needs: Basic supplies, medical care, security protection, legal assistance - Vulnerabilities: Legal status uncertainty, resource dependency, trauma effects - Agency: Self-organization, skill contribution, community leadership, advocacy efforts

Professional Civilians

Medical personnel and emergency responders
Teachers and education providers
Engineers and technical specialists
Administrative staff and government workers

Dr. Elizabeth Warren - Colony chief medical officer struggling with supply shortages - Position: Medical facility leadership and patient care coordination - Challenge: Insufficient supplies, overwhelming demand, ethical triage decisions - Resources: Medical expertise, staff loyalty, community respect, political connections - Approach: Patient advocacy, resource creativity, political pressure, ethical flexibility

Moral Complexity Factors

Competing needs and resource limitations
Unintended consequence vulnerability
Agency and decision-making capability
Long-term impact and recovery potential

Recurring Relationships

Building ongoing NPC dynamics

Relationship Evolution Patterns

Trust building and erosion cycles
Mutual obligation development and fulfillment
Conflict resolution and relationship repair
Dependency creation and independence assertion

Development Stages 1. Initial Contact: First impression, basic interaction, mutual assessment 2. Relationship Building: Trust development, mutual benefit establishment, cooperation 3. Deepening Bonds: Loyalty demonstration, sacrifice acceptance, emotional connection 4. Testing Phase: Conflict navigation, loyalty testing, trust verification 5. Mature Partnership: Mutual dependence, shared risk, long-term cooperation 6. Evolution/Dissolution: Relationship change, growth, decline, or transformation

Obligation and Favor Systems

Debt accumulation and repayment tracking
Favor exchange and reciprocity expectations
Service provision and compensation negotiation
Emergency assistance and crisis support protocols

The Favor Bank - Tracking system for mutual obligations and debt relationships - Favor value assessment and exchange rate establishment - Reputation impact of favor fulfillment or default - Emergency favor calling and crisis assistance protocols

Conflict and Reconciliation

Disagreement navigation and compromise development
Trust violation response and repair processes
Betrayal recovery and relationship rebuilding
Forgiveness earning and redemption demonstration

Reconciliation Process 1. Conflict Recognition: Problem identification and impact assessment 2. Communication: Perspective sharing and understanding development 3. Accountability: Responsibility acceptance and harm acknowledgment 4. Amends: Concrete action and behavior change demonstration 5. Rebuilding: Trust restoration and relationship reconstruction 6. New Normal: Adjusted relationship and boundary establishment

Long-term Character Development

NPC growth and change over time
Life event impact and adaptation response
Career advancement and status change
Personal relationship and family development

Betrayal Mechanics

When allies become enemies

Betrayal Warning Signs

Behavioral change and communication pattern shifts
Resource hoarding and information withholding
Relationship diversification and loyalty division
Stress response and pressure reaction patterns

Detection Methods - Behavioral analysis and pattern recognition - Communication monitoring and information verification - Third-party intelligence and external confirmation - Direct confrontation and loyalty testing

Motivation Categories

Financial pressure and economic desperation
Ideological conflict and value misalignment
Personal safety and family protection needs
Ambition and advancement opportunity pursuit

Financial Betrayal: Economic desperation, debt pressure, better offer acceptance Ideological Betrayal: Value conflict, moral awakening, principle prioritization Safety Betrayal: Threat response, family protection, survival prioritization Ambition Betrayal: Advancement opportunity, power seeking, status improvement

Betrayal Impact Assessment

Immediate danger and security compromise evaluation
Information exposure and network vulnerability analysis
Relationship damage and trust erosion measurement
Operational capability and future planning effects

Response Options

Confrontation and direct resolution attempts
Counter-intelligence and damage limitation efforts
Preemptive action and threat neutralization
Adaptation and operational security improvement

Confrontation: Direct discussion, ultimatum delivery, relationship clarification Mitigation: Damage control, information security, network protection Neutralization: Threat elimination, capability removal, influence negation Adaptation: Operational change, security improvement, lesson integration

Recovery and Reconciliation Possibilities

Forgiveness conditions and trust rebuilding requirements
Mutual benefit reestablishment and cooperation restoration
Professional relationship maintenance despite personal betrayal
Complete severance and enemy relationship acceptance