The galaxy’s corporate landscape shuddered this cycle as Orion Industries (OI), one of the most powerful and far-reaching corporate entities, announced a sweeping new policy condemning what it terms “Aggressive Expansion Practices” (AEP) and imposing immediate sanctions on the unnamed perpetrators.
The stunning declaration was made by OI CEO Alpheus Orion Cirie in a high-profile broadcast from The Ocular, beamed across the station of Aegir via corporate-owned holoscreens and to the wider galactic market.
A new definition of ‘aggression’
Cirie, adopting a commanding and measured tone, stated that the OI Board of Directors had voted to impose a political condemnation sanction. The core of the new policy is a starkly specific definition of AEP: “AEP will be defined as the colonising of systems beyond 2 FTL jumps from current borders of an empire/nation.”
This unprecedented move elevates the concept of “responsible expansion” from a political debate to an enforceable corporate metric.
“As a galactic brand, dedicated to peace and stability, Orion Industries takes it upon itself to ensure smooth expansion of national borders,” Cirie affirmed, painting the corporate giant as a guardian of galactic order.
Enforcement and consequences
The CEO announced that Orion Industries will now forward all AEP cases to the OISF (Orion Industries Security Force) for “consideration of further discouragement.” While the exact nature of this discouragement remains unconfirmed, the OISF is known to possess significant defensive and projection capabilities.
Cirie did not mince words regarding the consequences for defiant nations.
“Those who chose to continue to practice Aggressive Expansion will face economic and military sanctions. If you disregard this clear explanation of choice and consequence then I pray you hold the necessary strength to enforce your control across those vast FTL lanes...”
The veiled threat suggests that OI is prepared to leverage its immense economic power and security forces to disrupt the supply lines and logistics of any entity deemed to be engaged in AEP, fundamentally reshaping the risks associated with rapid territorial growth.
Political implications and praise
While one major galactic power was the target of the immediate sanction, Cirie made a point of explicitly commending others for their conduct, offering a glimpse into OI's geopolitical alignment:
“Orion Industries recognises and values the controlled, and responsible expansion of the Crimson Collective and Eagle Republic...”
Political analysts suggest this move is a clear attempt by Orion Industries to solidify its standing as a powerful, non-aligned regulatory force, capable of defining and enforcing norms in the absence of a unified galactic government.
“This is more than a sanction; it's a declaration of autonomy,” said independent economic strategist Vela K'Tarr. “Orion Industries is telling the galaxy that its balance sheets and freight routes are more important than any sovereign border. By defining AEP, they've set a galactic speed limit for conquest.”
Markets weigh the fallout
Cirie concluded his broadcast by urging all nations to join the company in condemning aggressive practices: “Let us go forward together for a better Galaxy of tomorrow today.” The market reaction has been mixed, with OI stock prices showing a marginal increase but interstellar trade indexes dipping slightly as traders nervously assess the risk of widespread corporate-political conflict.
What remains certain is that the age of unchecked expansion may be over, replaced by a new corporate mandate enforced by the galaxy's largest brand.