Chiron Incorporated

**Chiron Incorporated** is an organization in the world of *Observer*. It is one of the world's largest corporations and the current governing body of The Fifth Polish Republic. It is presided by the Chairman and the National Board of Directors, acting as the executive and legislative powers respectively. The Chairman is elected by the Board every ten years, although the electors can opt to reelect, or impeach a Chairman via a unanimous vote.

Lower tier of the organization is comprised of five departments: The Board of Internal Affairs, The Board of Culture and Information, The Board of Defense, The Board of Resources and the Board of Justice. Although the individual Boards are mutually independent, they are collectively subordinate to the National Board of Directors, as well as the presiding Chairman.

## History

### Early history

Following the Grand Industrial Reform of 2024, corporations became the leading economic power of the Fourth Polish Republic. The reform allowed the five largest corporations to absorb minor companies in what some commentators called 'a state-ordained hostile takeover of unprecedented scale'. By the end of 2028, they controlled every major branch of industry and their combined income surpassed the country's GDP. The 'fearsome five', as some would refer to them, continued to compete with one another. Their struggle for power often resulted in casualties, as corporate spies and mercenaries engaged in acts of violence, intimidation and sabotage.

In 2052, when the war broke out, corporate chairmen saw it as an opportunity to expand their control beyond the realm of business and industry. They held a meeting, during which it was decided that they could achieve much more by working together than fighting over power and influence. And so they created a new governing body - The National Board of Directors, with a Chairman to be elected at a later date. This new conglomerate was given the name Chiron Incorporated. Although the decision was ultimately unanimous, it did not come easily - it is said that, out of the five chairmen who arrived at the meeting, only three left the building.

### Rise to power

In 2053, the Great Decimation entered its second phase - attrition. The Board could not have asked for a more opportune turn of events. Since corporate-owned military forces formed the backbone of the Polish army, the government would have to agree to any and all demands in order to ensure a swift resolution. However, they did not. This impasse resulted in a grueling war of attrition fought at the country's Eastern borders. Finally, once the national military potential was all but spent, the Board of Directors decided to act. They blamed the failing war effort on the indecisiveness of the government and staged a coup d'état, knowing they could do so with the silent consent of the majority of citizens.

Following the nuclear devastation of Eastern Europe in 2059, Chiron used its privately funded military power to establish its new order in what was now the Fifth Polish Republic.

### Current status and public perception

Chiron Incorporated has been the governing body of the Fifth Polish Republic since 2059. The current Chairman is Marius Opolski, who has been in office since 2068. He is the official state leader and also acts as the supreme military commander and supreme judge.

Although per capita, the general public perception of Chiron is negative, judging by the meritocratic system applied to opinion polls, which assigns each vote a rating based on citizen status, the corporation still garners the trust and support of 84% of the electorate.

Arguments raised against corporate rule tend to focus on the growing social and economic disparities between citizen classes, as well as the alleged breaches of civil liberties. Voices of dissent can usually be heard from class C districts, however the corporation also had several major detractors among upper classes - most notably, the social activist and aspiring politician Martin Parys, who died in a tragic accident in January 2076.

An underground insurgent movement is said to have been operating within several major metropolitan areas, but Chiron officials have repeatedly denied its significance and supposed level of organization. Board Member Pikula famously referred to them as 'a small and disjointed group of frustrated lunatics'.