The History of Close Endeavors

[Col. StaR]

The Following are exerps from various interviews and published articles.
They are to explain how Close Endeavors, a highly respected galaxy-wide militarized security force, came into being and power.

The following is from an article published in the Planetary Times, 2361 AR, authored by an up and coming feature columnist Ted Burghues:

The origins of the military organization known as Close Endeavors is unknown to many, including some of the highest ranking members themselves. No published journal, written article, or such works pertaining to their background has ever been made. Some say that Close Endeavors never had a start, nor will they have an end; others speculate that they have arrisen through private interest as a way to create the foundation for a new world order: all that is known, is that nothing is known.

    That is until now. I have ventured into the past of Close Endeavors, more commonly refered to as CE, to discover the root of the true mysterious history of this great militarized regime, bent on protecting the various citizens and colonists with pride, honor, and good aim.

    CE had next to nothing about their creation or startup, other than the names of commanding officers, leaders, and investors. Using these little sources, I managed to create a link between them all, managed to put the peices of the puzzle together to finally show the whole picture. The first name on my list was Erik Charvel.

    Erikson Markie Charvel, aged 63 this coming November, was the first founder of CE, the planter of the seed. There are no specific moments or details in his childhood history that would really set him apart from any other English-born American Citizen. His parents moving to the United States when he was 6 years of age, Charvel grew up to be an unsuspecting success, dreaming to become part of the already astounding XEM Initiative, before they became an actual institution. He graduated from college with a Double Masters in Buisness and Politics, and he soon found himself being offered jobs at several corporations. With success practically throwing itself at him, a fiance named Barbra Gerry, and a baby on the way, Charvel's life seemed to be going well; that is, until his job offer towards XEM was turned down. His dreams were crushed, but he didn't accept defeat in such a miserable manner: he accepted the next best job offer he got, an executive board member for one of the largest Private Military Corporations around: Nova Star Security. He hoped to make his name known, still pursuing his dream.

    NSS was a large earth-bound Private Military Corporation, offering protection to the highest bidder. Charvel, fresh out of college, was offered such a high-ranking job because of his profession: NSS had plenty grizzled, stubborn military types, but no one who handled Financial problems and Political issues, especially when it comes to foreign involvement within other countries and other local authority. Charvel was a much needed member for the Corporation, the one who single-handedly saved NSS from crumbling under the financial crisis's and political tension. During which, he befriended Retired Army General Lucas Foreman, another chairman in NSS. Together, Foreman persuaded Charvel to change his dream, ignore XEM, and start a military corporation themselves. An unlikely duo, Foreman being a brute strength and charismatic 51 year old African American, and Charvel being a shrimpy, pale man who excelled in forethought and calculated decisions, Foreman won Charvel's trust, but Charvel refused to give up his position within NSS. He was waiting for the right moment to split.

    That moment came on January 12th, 2322. The military commanders, irritated and possibly envious of Charvel's buisness-like thinking, the tensions rose between the two parties. The commanders began to take action, refusing to follow the orders from such a person, thinking that Charvel was stealing the reputation, prestige, and money they all earned. The tension finally reached a boiling-point when Foreman threw a punch at Charvel, earning him a bloody nose and a trip to the hospital. Foreman was promptly fired, and with the chief military commander gone, the others soon followed suit, leaving their positions out of respect. Lacking the backbone and leadership needed to support their trade, the NSS crumbled within the new year. Some believe that this attack was staged and forethought-out, giving Charvel a reason to leave while also giving Foreman the respect of the other commanders. As quoted in an interview with Charvel, he used the term, "it was all going according to plan".

    Lucas Foreman, aged 68 at the time of publication, gave his side of the story continuation to Planetary Times. After losing his job, but gaining some valuable supporters, he had everything he needed to start his own military, but didn't have the buisness knowledge on how to make money off of it. Charvel, now reknown in his buisness dealings, knew how to make money and build a corporation, but needed a backer to supply the troops, supplies, and training for all troops. Everyone needed eachother, and a near-symbiotic relation developed.

    Just a year earlier, the colonization of space grew exponentially. With it, the unsaid need for Security also arose. Charvel noticed this potential and profitable market, and that is what he decided to primarily base the new corporation on: interplanetary security through military means. When he pitched his ideas to the military commanders, they bought it up completely, astounded for his creativity and managability. The military commanders, primarily retired generals from countries around the world, rounded up all the soldiers that NSS's collapse made unemployed, and offered a job in a field of work they were experts at. Almost everyone quickly rallied under the new flag, and all the steps were in place. All they needed was a name.
     A Private Louis Maddison came up with the winning name: Close Endeavors. The name was quickly agreed upon, and Corporal Maddison attended the celebrational start-up party as a VIP.

    The dawn of Close Endeavors had arrived: everyone who knew who they were, knew it too. CE was destined for greatness in their field, and they would not disappoint.

Update, 1/23/08.
An additional work by Ted Burghues, possibly a continuation, has been recently uncovered in the Times Archives. It is as follows:

Close Endeavors was a near-instant success upon its arrival on the scene. With large corporations lacking proper security for their personnel from the collapse of NovaStar Security, employee and boardmember alike felt threatened by bandit attacks, criminal activity, and worse. Local, lesser known and less efficient corporations, big and small alike, signed onto the payroll, but with limited success; the NSS employees, the best and most valuable in the buisness, were already being employed by CE. With crime running rampant and raids on corporate supply convoys and colonies becoming more frequent, and as the quality of the security force deteriorates to a below-competent level, the big buisnesses were desperate for an answer. Once CE appeared, the dark clouds parted: the messiah had arrived.

     The year was 2324, leaving the world running rampant for two years. Once CE had arrived, boots on the ground, did the world begin to clean up its act. With an initial workforce of over 300,000 worldwide, the need for rigorously trained, battle hardened veteran soldiers was at an all time high. With equipment, training, and numbers that would rival several countries' full scale militaries, CE was a force to be reckoned with; fortunately, they were there for peace, not war. Instantly gaining recognition worldwide for their feats, heroism, and near-perfect success rate, the eyes of the world seemed to gaze at Close Endeavors in a romantic sense of glory.
     
     The world seemed to be in the hands of the two, Charvel and Foreman. Within the same start-up year, they became some of the richest people on Earth. They were awarded several times with several medals for merit and service to community and country, and they were some of the most respected men in the world, even surpassing political leaders. Life was going well for them, that is until Fate brought a gift and a curse to Charvel.

     Married 3 years, the 22 year old fair-haired house wife Barbra Gerry announced she was pregnant, with a daughter on the way. Charvel was ecstatic about the news, learning that his 4 year old son, Ethan Charvel, was soon going to have a sister. Taking time off from work, the proud father took every moment he could preparing for his second child. He hired people to make sure the room and conditions couldn't be more perfect, never passing a single possible luxury up; price was of no concern. When the time came, Charvel was at the CE headquarters, doing paperwork when he got the call. He managed to get to the hospital by using his position to authorize a high-speed armed envoy to rush him to the hospital, where his wife was going into labor. When he got there, he managed to see his baby daughter, crying as she took her first glances into the world. When Charvel asked to see his wife, the doctor looked down and shook his head: 22 year old Barbra Gerry had died in labor.

    "I remember the look on his face," Charvel remembers in an interview we had with him, "he said, 'I'm sorry sir, but she didn't make it.' I looked at him and said, 'what are you talking about you damned fool?! My wife, where is my...' and that's when I saw her. they were... rolling her out on a gurney, and that face... it screamed of pain and agony. It wasn't until they noticed I was sitting in the hallway did they decide to cover her face up. And that... that was the last I ever saw my darling wife, paralyzed in shear pain."

    Ms. Gerry was 19 when she met Mr. Charvel. College sweethearts at different schools, they both supported each other when times got tough. He recalls helping her through her chemistry class as she helped him through his political issues. They were, seemingly, the perfect couple; they believed they would spend the rest of their days with each other

     "Sadly," Charvel recollects, "Fate has a cruel, ironic sense of humor. I made a buisness out of training killers, but I never thought death would come to us."

     Crushed by his loss, Charvel took a week off to make arrangements for her funeral. The buisness was standing firm, with good news flowing in every day, but in Charvel's mind, things couldn't get any worse. The baby girl, named Diana, was brought home only two weeks later. Foreman, worried about his friends' mentality and the state of his children, frequently visited the Charvel residence. An honorable and respectable man, Foreman took up his duties as the childrens' godfather, and took care of them as Charvel's condition slowly began to decline. Foreman remembers spending whole days in the Charvel mansion, just watching, playing, and spending time with Ethan and Diana; some would say that this gruff General has a soft spot for those kids, becoming the father figure they needed in such a time.

    "I remembered how those kids used to address me," Foreman recalls his fond memories, "Ethan used to call me Sir, and Genera' (they could never pronounce that last L) Foreman, and then Diana, when she got old enough, started calling me that too. Now, people, and I mean full grown, tough, young cadets, used to call me Mr. Foreman, General Foreman, or just plain Sir, but to hear those kids say it in their sweet little voices was something else. I don't know how they picked it up, maybe their dad taught them it or something, but I remember to this day their little voices say it. Heh, Diana actually visited a while back, all grown up, full grown woman, and she still addresses me by Sir. God, those kids... I just loved them."

    Charvel, on the other hand, did not think it was so cute. In his blind sadness and rage, he became envious about how much attention was given to Foreman, even though he was their birth father. Tensions silently rose inside Charvel, hating every day and every moment he was with the children.

     "I remember how it tore me up inside. It just killed me about how their mother gave her life to give them life, and yet they won't even acknowledge who their real father is."

     After holding that anger inside him, Charvel couldn't handle it any longer. On an unknown date, Charvel attacked Foreman in his mansion. Police reports and a private investigation by CE revealed that Charvel, planning to kill Foreman, attacked him with an edged object, possibly a knife of some sort. Foreman successfully managed to subdue Charvel, but things got ugly as they did so. Foreman recieved minimal wounds, a few scrathes or bruises, but Charvel sustained serious injury during submission. With several broken bones, he was forbidden from moving, working, or partaking in any strenuous activity. Foreman, on the other hand, went back to work the following day. The tabloids and media news outlets from all around swooped into the story of the century.

    This emotional outburst that effected the relationship could not have come at a less oppertune time. As Foreman returned to duty and Charvel recooperates from his injuries, the tensions between mining corporation and the miners themselves grew stiff and stretched beyond capacity. After abuse, exploitation, impossible working conditions, and little representation, the miners had decided that enough was enough, and they would gain what they wanted the only way they could: revolting. Mining Fever was about to start; the greatest test of Close Endeavors' abilities was about to begin.

     The following was a written article by Jorge Carlos, a freelance investigator looking into the origins of Mining Fever. His report is as follows:

Mining Fever was a tough time for everyone. No one was safe, and everyone was scared. Dark underground worlds of illegal acts and weapons trade flourished during this time of mass confusion, and it seemed like nothing could stop it. Many speculate that events that occurred were all orchestrated by an underground group, intent on following Karl Marx's theories of Socialism and Government, and the Proletariat's overthrow of the Bourgeois was put into act by the Miners overthrowing their oppressors. Whether this idea of a Marxist revolution is true or not, it is a possible, albiet overlooked idea. The most popular and wide-held belief is that these were just coincidental events that occurred, one rebellion inspiring another to rebel.
     Mining Fever was a dark time for everyone in the galaxy. Corporations, so rich and powerful, were among the first to colonize other planets, planning to strip them of their natural resources to refine and resell under their company name as a way to gain even more money. Trying to cut costs as much as possible, only the lowest person in society would work in the mines, digging with simple tools for delicate rocks in absolute darkness, all for almost 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. The miners were as expendable as the spare, worthless debris from the caves they worked in. Death rates were high, sometimes reaching up to 300 a day from a single cave-in. Rescue teams were rarely dispatched, considered, "an unnecessary expense," on the company's part. Working conditions were eerily reminiscent of the early 20th century Industrial Revolution era, only a lot worse, and on a scale too large for imagination back then.
     Eventually, the miners began to realize how worthless they were being considered, and how much the executives were making off the exploitation of their human lives. They began to peacefully ask for more: slightly higher wages, better living conditions, and better equipment. The corporations denied their requests, since such an expense would cost 60 Billion Mesi initially, then 400 million every year after; the average corporate profit for the CEO alone was easily 100 Billion: they could easily have afforded it, but they didn't even bother. No matter how hard they tried, the miners failed to get what they were bargaining for.
    Eventually, when peaceful negotiations failed, violent actions took place. The miners, estimated population of 30 million total, far outnumbered their superiors and guard staff. The first mining revolt began on December 3rd, 2354, on Purius IV, a moon orbitting Uranus. Using surprise and numbers to overcome the weak security force, the miners were successful, and were said to have successfully escaped.  Rumor has it that several leaders of the Pursius uprising spread the word to other mining colonies, igniting the fuse to the powerkeg. Soon afterwards, total chaos had erupted on planet and moon alike. Absolute chaos ensued, with miners confident with victory in their numerical strength, and everyone else terrified of a mining revolt sweeping through, mercilessly and savagely murdering everyone in its path, destroying everything till nothing stands but death and ruin. The miners were gaining reputation. Previously armed with either crude instruments of destruction and mining equipment, arms dealers supplied them with weapons, and more motive to win.
     Reports over 83 major rebellions on major colonies took place. Countless lives were taken, the numbers reaching beyond believability. Security investments increased exponentially in the corporations, but only some was to any avail. The end of Mining Fever never truly came, but the number and ferocity of the rebellions decreased to normal levels again. Speculation says that the lead revolutionists died or were killed, or that the miners realized that they had no where else to go in life, so taking what they had was the best way to go. No matter how it ended, Mining Fever is the most devastating unofficial conflict to date, surpassing any official conflict to date by far.
                                                                                       -Jorge Carlos

A second continuation of Ted Burghues' article was found along with the second work. A two page gap exists between the the the last and this article; they have been lost, assumed destroyed.

Everyone old enough to experience it knows the fear that it struck in people. Two words symbolized both fear, and the most important event of the decade. Within the few years it occurred, lives in massive quantities were taken without remorse, and irreparable amounts of damage were inflicted, both physical and emotional. It was also during this trying time did the true heroism of CE and its soldiers become apparent. Even during the darkest of times did CE lead the way.

    Close Endeavors had been a largely present force in the galaxy, now consisting of several hundred thousand combat-ready troops, and several thousand other noncombat and medical personnel. Equipped and ready for war with a snap of the fingers, CE was highly respected, and feared. With superior training, vehicles, training, discipline, and maneuverability than any official military, the only downside they possessed was that they were only present when the money was there.

    One of the reasons the Mining Revolutions were so successful was because of how suddenly devestating they were at first. CE hardly had the time to respond and stop the threat, and by the time word got out, it was too late to respond. Corporations, in addition to stepping up security and detection, also requested CE outposts and strongholds near mining colonies for rapid response, in hopes of preserving all they could before the miners destroyed it. The CE strongholds may have deterred some rebellions, they did not prevent them all; those that did occur with a CE stronghold nearby had approximately 58.3% success rate, as compared to the 1.3% without.

    The Garrisons, however, were not enough. CE ships were ordered to patrol around planets, and when the call goes out, they were to drop a rapid response unit to quell the uprising. The DropShip method was ultimately successful, delivering a second option as a last resort to failure: The Scorched Earth Policy. Issued by Supreme Commander Foreman himself, the policy mandated that once a colony, town, or entire region is under miner control, the ship was to completely destroy the captured region, as well as any craft attempting to escape. Many colonies were obliterated, showing CE's unrestricted might through an impressive display of firepower. The Scorched Earth Policy was put into action many times, but each time the costs justified the means.

    As previously mentioned, Mining Fever brought about many instances of heroism among CE soldiers and civilians alike. While the list of names of valiant individuals who did their part goes on to infinity, we must never forget what they have done. A full record of those gallant individuals is available for public record on the Close Endeavors Database.

    "I remember Mining Fever," said CE Colonel Johnathon Winters; A gruff individual, he has seen much combat in his 11 years, one of the most highly decorated soldiers still in service, and he even holds a title in the Gallant Heroism record. "I can recall a lot of horrors that occurred during those times. I was just a 2nd and 1st lieutenants during those times, far too young to have seen what I did. The miners were crazed, almost fanatical. They would charge at you, their drills revving in their hands, their mouths screaming in a blind rage. You really couldn't do anything but stand and shoot, and that's what most did. By standing still, too though, did they lose their lives. I've... I've seen horrible things done to my men, simply slaughtered they were."

    "Those miners and their crude but terrible weapons instilled fear into the younger replacements, brought into the CE lifestyle by the same way I was: with honor, glory, and exotic places. Heh, guess those poor kids, probably only 17 or 18, never thought their honor, glory, and exotic landscapes would come at the death of others, and eventually themselves. Of the origional 1,000 or so men in my drop pod outfit, only me and 4 others are left from the origional outfit. Those were... terrible times, and hopefully we, as a people, will never have to repeat them again."

There is only one final article recovered and written by Ted Burghues. With this concludes the written and published history of Close Endeavors.

Today, people and places are recovering from their Mining Fever status and fears. Property that was destroyed in the infighting is now being rebuilt to their previous functions, and in districts where the most brutal of fighting occurred, monuments and decorations will stand in their place, reminding the people that even after the most intense of fighting, beauty will still spring from the ruins. Some are dedicating their statues and monuments to the local heroes who fought valiantly against the evil for the good of the rest, others will be set to remember the suffering and loss that had occurred: others will be the dedicated to the soldiers of Close Endeavors, those who stepped into danger without fear or weakness, only concerning themselves with the safety of others'. Today, the most monumental of monuments stands in Bugarrin Square, where 6 gallant regiments of Close Endeavors soldiers took their last stand against a wave of miners to protect the ruling family of Karik Prime, formerly owned by the Russian Earth Government. There, the square is littered with bronzed statues of soldiers and miner, reenacting and immortalizing the battle for future generations to experience.

    Erikson Charvel currently resides in a private nursing home. Developing cancer throughout his lungs, he fights daily with his affliction; he currently is one of the largest sponsors to finally create a cure for cancer, and thanks to his help, the lead medical science officers of the Xenon Entities Manegment Organization are currently close to a breakthrough. He still runs the political and business side of Close Endeavors, although he is now home-stricken, and acts his part behind the curtain. His current connections with his children, Ethan Bernard Charvel, 39, and Dianne Barbra Patrickson, 35, is unknown.

    Lucas Foreman, at the age of 67, retired from his position as Supreme Commander after 16 years of that position. After retiring, he says, he got bored of sitting around all day, and missed the busy rush and activity of the command center; "a game of chess was too hard for some of those other old guys I hung around," Foreman commented, "I probably couldn't even get a good conversation outa those guys, they were just so dull." Working unofficially alongside current Supreme Commander Harrison Gooding, he still commands troop movement, and yearns for the day when he will again be able to suit up, and show the new recruits how "work got done in his day". He still maintains strong relations and friendships with both Ethan Charvel and Dianne Patrickson, becoming "more than just a father figure" to them. Foreman still dons the blue beret he earned on his first day at NSS everyday he goes to work; "It's my signature. What can I say?"

John Winters, interviewed earlier, is currently on assignment.

    Close Endeavors stands tall, even as crime and tension rise throughout the known universe. With well over 2 million members in uniform, and 2.5 serving non-combat purposes such as engineering, medical, and social purposes, evil cannot stand against them. Their whole role and purpose being to protect the innocent and prevent harm to others, CE is known, respected, revered, or loved by the peoples of the galaxy.
Close Endeavors: They Fight for a New Day.
And Fight on they shall.

Ted Burghues, executive feature columnist for the Planetary Times.

Close Endeavors sprouted from dark ruins during a time when the galaxy was going insane. Like a ray of light to clear the path, we have striven and succeeded in weeding out evil wherever it may stay its ugly head. From the bright days of simple security, to the dark times of Mining Fever, CE has stood its ground, and held fast against the current, even changing them altogether. Accepted as more than just a private military corporation, CE has been superfluously worshiped as divine protectors. However, Close Endeavors, whether seen as simple buisnessmen or God-Sent Soldiers, will never cease in the march for freedom from the menacing evil. And, one day, we shall reach that new day, the day when evil will cease to exist.


This concludes the History of Close Endeavors.

[Cutch]

Epic.

[Chaos]

That took a while to read. It seems like a history book in the future, except that was a lot more interesting.