Insight

### Description:

Formerly a subdivision of VoidCorp, betrayed them in the GW2 by selling intelligence. They are the best Gridpilots and hold the free flow of information as their highest virtue.

Insight is the youngest stellar nation, born only 40 years ago. On the surface, it barely deserves mention. It boasts the fewest star systems and the weakest military. But as the saying goes, knowledge is power.

### History

Insight’s history is inextricably entwined with VoidCorp and the Grid. Although systems for electronic data transfer existed in the 1960’s, the first true Grid came into use in 2032. The Earth-Grid linked all of the planet in a sophisticated virtual environment, and the computer-focused corporation that eventually became VoidCorp had its hand in the Grid from the Beginning.

While claiming massive areas of space in its early days, VoidCorp  made technological leaps. In 2193, the first drivespace communication relay – commonly known as a drivesat – was designed. Initially limited to simple data exchanges, in only seven years VoidCorp  Employees integrated Grid  technology with the drivesats. While real-time interstellar Grid  exchanges remained impossible, gridpilots developed the use of shadows to cross drivespace and interact in the interstellar Grid .

Profits and fortunes could be made from this medium, and VoidCorp  hastened to realize that goal. Most stellar nations licensed creation and even maintenance of Grid  systems to VoidCorp  Employees. No independent corporation could compete with the stellar nation. After two decades of VoidCorp  dominance, competitors sensed the opportunity for profit, and VoidCorp  saw the need to maintain a division devoted to advanced Grid  design and shadow programming.

Insight was incorporated as a VoidCorp  division in 2198. From its inception, Insight produced success after success. VoidCorp  technology and implementation became the standard for the interstellar Grid . With a near monopoly, sale of VoidCorp  computers skyrocketed as the corporation integrated proprietary hardware and software systems. Insight’s achievements gave its vice president unprecedented influence, and Insight was granted unheard-of independence.

Insight was the closest thing that VoidCorp  had to an institutionalized forum for artists. As hefty profits continued to roll in, the Inseers, as they came to be known, got whatever they wanted. No Inseer held lower than N rank, and top designers were Q’s or higher – the equivalent of a subdivision manager. The unique environment became an accepted part of Insight’s organization. Free intellectual exchange blossomed in one small division of VoidCorp .

#### *The Second Galactic War*

A year before GW1, Insight marked its centennial as an incorporated division. Generations of Insight Employees had been born, educated, and even died as members of the division. The top-notch computer professionals had unrestricted access to the Grid and all the information it could provide. Insight Employees enjoyed not only the liberty to exchange ideas internally, but also channels that connected them to all of humanity. Insight’s intellectual freedom manifested itself in a multitude of ways. Their freedom led to revolution and betrayal.

Insight’s revolt started with small things. Often difficult to manage, the Inseers were allowed to choose one of their own as their division’s new vice president in 2314. The practice of promoting gridpilots from inside the division to leadership soon became an Insight tradition. Under their own leaders, Insight gridpilots popularized radical systems of thought. The Grid , Inseers posited, is not an artificial reality, or even a secondary reality. The Grid was, waiting for us to find it. The Grid is, more real than real, the haven of conscious minds embracing one another. The Grid will be humanity’s ascension.

Information born free became the Insight motto. To this day, the Inseers still believe that data has a natural inclination to disseminate, and no government, religion, or corporation has the right to restrict the flow of information. Given this difference in attitude, the break with VoidCorp was foreordained. Aware of how VoidCorp executives would react to any statement of Insight’s principles, the Insight revolution stayed underground. The gridpilots expanded the audience for their messages but found the typical VoidCorp Employee uninterested. Most non-Insight Employees were consumed by corporate ambition and unfamiliar with free thought. The Inseers realized their lonely situation, and kept looking for the proper means to achieve independence.

While Insight Employees kept up the image of loyal, productive servants, Vice President ZV237 82WBR (Stalker) met with representatives of the FreeSpace Alliance in 2394. The clandestine gathering set in motion a plan for the next 50 years. In those 50 years, Insight was the most valuable intelligence asset in human history. Insight gridpilots uncovered key elements of the Expansion Pentad’s strategy, plans, and military placements. Unaware of the source of their intelligence reports, the Orion and Orlamu militaries were remarkably well prepared for the Pentad’s offensives. Time after time, FreeSpace attacks found VoidCorp weaknesses – without significant damage to Insight assets.

Insight’s treachery can account for many of the FreeSpace Alliance’s successes. Still trapped in the corporation’s grasp, the Inseers anxiously awaited the opportunity to leave VoidCorp behind. Their philosophy abhorred the secrets they found themselves keeping. In 2454, the Inseers met face to face with President Hale of the Orion League. Knowing the value of Insight’s inside information, Hale advised patience. Long tired of this message from the Orions, the Inseers made their final preparations. On February 5, 2460, independence was declared. Insight positioned its strength in what was formerly Dreth Commonwealth space, and seven defecting VoidCorp fortress ships gave the new stellar nation a fierce bite.

VoidCorp was stunned. Insight’s treachery was the best kept secret of the century. Ignoring Insight warnings, VoidCorp massed their fleet to crush the upstart state. On May 10, 2460, the VoidCorp Grid crashed. Entire datacores were erased, and star systems found their networks unresponsive. Many VoidCorp drivesats simply vanished. The damage to the VoidCorp economy and infrastructure couldn’t be measured; VoidCorp is still recovering today. The invasion of Insight was aborted; buttressed by FreeSpace assistance, Insight survived until the war’s end.

#### *Today*

With their freedom established, the Inseers shed most relics of the VoidCorp organization. Inseers were declared private citizens, no longer held accountable by management and the board of directors. No formal government has emerged to replace the old system. Governors exert nominal control over Insight planets and systems, but the only term to describe the current situation is institutionalized anarchy. To outsiders, no order can be discerned. Inseers admit the administration is unconventional, but point to a clear pecking order set by reputation and gridpiloting ability.

Insight leads much of the computer industry, specializing in Grid hardware, software, and interfaces. While VoidCorp Grid systems remain universal and fixed – boring, say the Inseers – Insight Grid systems are beautiful, unpredictable works of art. Despite their complexity, the Insight environments allow greater individuality and creativity. When used by a skilled gridpilot, Insight systems provide the best performance known. Insight’s relentless advances into VoidCorp ’s markets has fueled the hatred VoidCorp feels for its rebellious child.

VoidCorp has refused to recognize Insight’s independence except to the extent required by the Treaty of Concord. VoidCorp often refuses to attend diplomatic conferences where Inseers are expected, and VoidCorp Employees are taught that Insight is composed of deviants and traitors. For their part, most Inseers believe that VoidCorp represents a step in mankind’s evolution that they have transcended. In the Grid , the war quietly rages on, as VoidCorp uses its greater resources to test Insight skill. The guerrilla warfare remains largely invisible to all save its players, and the Galactic Concord is powerless to stop the giants of the industry from tearing at one another’s throats.

Most Inseers have adopted the doctrine of the Insightful. The Grid represents the first environment in which minds can exchange information uncluttered by hindrances. Free information is a natural state to which the Inseers believe all sentients will ascend. Of course, the demands of a successful economy mean that Insight endorses free information but markets the technology to receive, manipulate, and send information. Like all stellar nations, Insight is invested in a range of industries from agriculture to weapons manufacture; in all of these, though, the Insight bent toward advanced technology is visible.

Nowhere is Insight’s technophilia more apparent than on its capital planet, Vision. The Insight homeworld boasts a systemwide Grid network with a complexity rivaling the ancient Grid of Sol. Implemented using only the best equipment, the Vision Grid has both the fastest carrier rates and the highest carrier load. Even those unfamiliar with gridpiloting admit its frenzied splendor; gridpilots, hackers, and reality entertainment junkies come from around the galaxy to behold Vision’s wonders.

The Insight military remains one of the smallest in the galaxy. It lost one of its fortress ships in the war and has not rebuilt it, but six fortress ships still bear the Insight banner. Plans call for only a modest increase in the Insight defense forces; the fledgling stellar nation continues to rely on its ability to successfully wage an information war against any foe.

In the Verge, Insight took over the VoidCorp colony at Walin III in the Walin system by a bit of logistical sabotage, sending only Insight employees to found the colony. Elsewhere in the region, Insight techs are busy building or rebuilding the local Gridspaces. Curious Inseer Grid tourists are a common sight in the Aegis, Oberon, and Karnath Grids, and the planet Bhruu in the Karnath system is a major Insight settlement.

Inseers gain a -1 step bonus to all computer activities, including design, use hacking, programming and any Grid -based actions. All Inseers suffer a +1 step penalty on real-world action checks.

### Game Benefits:

Inseers gain a -1 step bonus to all computer activities. Insight heroes and their shadows gain a - 1 step bonus on Grid action checks. They also have a +1 step penalty to real world action checks.

### *Sources*

*Star\*Drive Campaign Setting - ISBN 0-7869-0738-X*