Corporate Liaison
Difficulty: Medium
Supervisors: Weston Yamada Corporate Office
Rank: Junior Executive / Executive / Senior Executive / Executive Specialist
Duties: Protect Corporate interests while liaising with the UNMC.
Guides: This is the guide, Guide to Paperwork
Unlock Requirements: 10 hours in any human role.
Corporate Liaisons are representatives of the Weston-Yamada Corporation, tasked with safeguarding corporate interests and ensuring that Marine operations align with company objectives. Although they hold no military rank, Corporate Liaisons are not bound to follow military orders but must maintain a working relationship with the UNMC. Their primary tool is diplomacy (and paperwork).
- Represent Weston-Yamada interests.
- Not bound by Marine Law but respect UNMC command.
- Use your fax machine to report to Corporate HQ, request updates, or seek guidance.
- Handle survivors, correspondents, and Marines with paperwork or NDAs.
Introduction
Alright, pal, take a seat. First off, congratulations on your new position. But let's be clear - it won't all be sunshine and rainbows; you're with the wolves now.
As a Corporate Liaison, you represent the Weston - Yamada Corporation and its interests. Your mission is simple, but it's not easy: protect the Company's image and assets. Whether that means securing NDAs, ensuring legal waivers are signed, or negotiating confidentiality agreements, the paperwork in your briefcase is just as critical as any weapon in the field.
Wherever you go, you'll face the stigma that the Company is only in it for the percentage. Whether or not that's true, you'll need to use diplomacy - and sometimes a little pressure - to ensure that the Company's interests remain protected. Don't be afraid to throw your weight around, especially when operating at one of our colonies. The Marines may not like it, but remember, we supply them.
You're not just a passive observer, either. You need to be involved in their planning process, staying in the picture to ensure everything goes smoothly for the Company. You don't sit in a chair collecting dust - you're involved, and you need to make sure every contract is signed and every agreement honoured.
Remember, kid, you aren't in the Marines. Sure, that means you're not required to follow military orders, but it also means you can't boss them around. You'll need to play nice and find common ground. After all, you're business partners, and maintaining cooperation is key to achieving your goals.
And if you ever need a little help... fax us. We'll see what we can do.
History and Background
The Weston - Yamada Corporation established the Corporate Liaison role to safeguard its interests across various environments, from military developments to corporate colonies and research stations. As Weston - Yamada expanded, embedding Liaisons onsite became crucial to maintaining control over resources and ensuring compliance with corporate objectives. The Liaison operates as the Company's direct representative.
Roles and Responsibilities
As the Corporate Liaison aboard the UNS Almayer, your primary responsibility is representing the Weston - Yamada Corporation's interests during military operations. Your key roles include:
- Safeguarding Corporate Assets - Ensure that Company property, data, and personnel are protected.
- Managing Legal Agreements - Oversee NDAs, waivers, and confidentiality contracts.
- Maintaining Oversight - Report regularly to Weston - Yamada Corporate HQ in Tokyo, providing updates on-field activities.
- Liaising with Marines and Staff - Navigate relationships with military personnel, balancing cooperation without overstepping into command while protecting corporate interests at all times.
- Working with Survivors and Correspondents - Secure NDAs from survivors and correspondents and control shared information to protect Weston - Yamada's image and interests.
Power and Limitations
As the Liaison, remember that you have no command authority. You cannot issue direct orders to military personnel; instead, you must operate as a corporate representative. The easiest way to succeed is through cooperation with the Marines. Do not be a nuisance, but refuse to be ignored - you are a major player in all operations, and everyone must be aware of this.
To encourage collaboration, leverage your access to resources (such as supplies and Corporate HQ). However, be aware that the Company won't always be accessible via fax, and you'll sometimes need to make do. If the Marines are not cooperating, inform the Company via fax or escalate the matter by submitting a complaint to Marine High Command.
Remember: Weston - Yamada is the backbone of Marine operations — its supplies and funding are the reason the Marines can function as an interstellar force. But this isn't charity; it's a partnership. The Marines are expected to reciprocate favours to keep the supplies flowing smoothly.
It's also worth noting that you cannot force individuals — like survivors and correspondents — to sign agreements. Instead, you must negotiate and consider what they would want, offering incentives such as cash or benefits to secure their cooperation. Ensure things are presented as beneficial to them, as most people could care less about the Company. Your success relies heavily on diplomacy and leveraging your influence without overstepping boundaries. Achieving your goals depends on maintaining good relationships and ensuring mutual cooperation.
Interaction with Key Entities
As a Liaison, you must work closely with key figures aboard the UNS Almayer. Each interaction requires a unique approach to ensure Weston - Yamada's interests are protected while maintaining cooperation. Understanding the dynamics with these key players is crucial to navigating your responsibilities effectively and achieving your goals.
The Officer in Command
The Officer in Command (OIC) of the UNS Almayer oversees all military operations. It can be filled by roles such as Staff Officers, Executive Officers, or Commanding Officers. Regardless, your role is to protect Weston - Yamada's interests while working alongside the OIC. You must cooperate with them, influencing decision-making to benefit the company without overstepping their authority. It's a delicate balance - you can't tell them what to do, but you must ensure that Weston - Yamada's objectives are not overlooked. Building a cooperative, respectful relationship with the OIC is crucial to achieving both operational success and corporate goals.
Correspondents
Correspondents can be either privately contracted or employed within the Marines. Your approach to managing them will depend on their affiliations. If they are private correspondents, you should attempt to negotiate a contract that sees them working directly for Weston - Yamada, ensuring greater control over their reporting. The goal is to ensure that any information shared aligns with corporate interests and remains tightly controlled. Should they work for the Marines, confidentiality agreements, such as NDAs, would typically also apply to them should the OIC sign one on behalf of their faction.
Survivors
Survivors have just endured a traumatic experience, and you must approach them with care. Be hospitable and meet their immediate needs, as building goodwill can help manage them effectively. However, your ultimate goal is to prevent them from speaking out, which could lead to prolonged legal battles against Weston - Yamada and prevent them from getting the prolonged care they need. Offer payouts, benefits, and other incentives in exchange for their cooperation and signature on confidentiality agreements. Position these agreements to help them move forward while protecting corporate interests.
Weston - Yamada Corporate HQ
Your relationship with Weston - Yamada is crucial to your role as the Corporate Liaison. Corporate HQ serves as your main support and decision-making authority. They provide you with directives, supplies, and resources necessary to achieve corporate objectives during operations. Maintaining clear communication with HQ is essential - whether to send up reports, request assistance, or receive updated instructions. You must be precise and professional in your faxes, as the HQ's response will directly influence your success. Remember, a well-crafted message can lead to timely support, while careless communication can mean being ignored.
It is common not to hear back from Corporate HQ, but this should not prevent you from taking action. Use your initiative - focus on your primary duties. These tasks alone will occupy much of your time. Typically, you'll want to inform HQ of your actions ("I'll be doing X; let me know if anything else is needed") and proceed. You are expected to work independently most of the time, relying on HQ only when situations become completely unmanageable.
Note: You cannot take any antagonistic actions without prior approval from Corporate (which means admin approval).
The Divisions
Along with Corporate HQ, the liaison is also able to contact various internal divisions within Weston - Yamada. Each division plays a critical role in Company operations, and understanding their responsibilities is key to navigating corporate interactions effectively. These include:
- Special Services Division - Handles anything not covered by other divisions;
- Corporate Relations Division - Manages relations with external factions;
- Communications Division - Responsible for managing internal and external communications;
- PMC Dispatch Division - Manages the PMCs deployment and related activities;
- Data and Research Division - Focuses on research and data analysis; and
- Economics Division - Oversees financial concerns and budgeting.
Directors of these divisions should be cc'd on reports that are relevant to their scope. If you need something specific, contact the appropriate director via fax directly. Establishing communication with the correct division ensures you can effectively gather resources, escalate issues, or coordinate activities that fall under each division's authority.
Note: The CL is able to request, and thus command, PMCs. Their primary concern is the liaison's safety.
Marine High Command
Your relationship with Marine High Command should be distant and only as a last resort. Marine High Command is not an everyday point of contact; they should only be messaged when absolutely necessary, as reaching out to them is a serious escalation. Ensure you reserve it for moments when all other avenues for resolution have failed, such as when officers refuse to cooperate with you or actively obstruct your duties.
Equipment and Tools
As a Corporate Liaison, you are provided with a fully equipped office aboard the UNS Almayer. Your office includes a fax machine for communication with Corporate HQ, pens, papers, your own room with a closet for a change of clothes, and buttons to control shutters for privacy. You also have access to your own bathroom, a holding area, and a personal life pod for emergencies. Additionally, you carry an Automated Storage Briefcase.
Automated Storage Briefcase
The Automated Storage Briefcase is designed to efficiently store and selectively dispense small items, with a maximum capacity of 50 points. This briefcase is an essential tool for securely organizing and accessing confidential documents and critical supplies during operations.
| Company Equipment | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Weston-Yamada's Automated Storage Briefcase |
A suitcase-sized automated storage and retrieval system. Designed to store and selectively dispense small items efficiently. Vendables
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The Fax Machine
The Fax machine is your most crucial tool as a Corporate Liaison - a true "weapon" for maintaining control and influence. It allows you to contact Corporate HQ in Tokyo, Corporate Division Directors, Marine High Command, and any other fax machines aboard the UNS Almayer. This communication link ensures you can request resources, report incidents, or seek guidance. The power to escalate issues or coordinate with headquarters makes the fax machine indispensable for safeguarding Weston - Yamada's interests and navigating complex situations effectively.
Note: Receiving a response depends on a real person being available, such as admins or moderators whose main focus is maintaining smooth server moderation. Not all faxes will get a reply—actually, you shouldn't expect one, at all. Most of the time you will go without an answer for a long time. Becoming frustrated or angry over unanswered faxes will only get you in trouble. However, admins may reward liaisons who consistently send detailed, well-organized reports. Patience and professionalism go a long way, even if responses are rare. Well-structured faxes can also make a difference. Always get Corporate approval before making bold moves, and never act independently.
Notable Incidents
Notable Incidents are situations that occur relatively often and serve as practical examples to help you prepare. They are presented to give you a rough idea of how to handle the challenges effectively. Understanding these scenarios can help you develop strategies to overcome obstacles while maintaining corporate interests.
Non-cooperative Command Team
In this incident, the Corporate Liaison approached the command team with three important documents. The documents were designed to ensure confidentiality for Marine operations conducted on a corporate facility, hold Marines accountable for any negligent decisions resulting in death or damages, and grant the Company access to all intel collected during the mission. The Liaison justified these documents: confidentiality was needed to protect sensitive company secrets, accountability was required since the mission took place on corporate property, and access to intel was vital as post-operation investigations might not always be feasible.
The command team refused to cooperate, dismissing the Liaison and telling them to return to their office. Recognizing the unacceptability of this response, the Liaison informed Corporate HQ, who then escalated the matter to Marine High Command. High Command intervened and ordered the officers to agree to the terms.
The Liaison successfully leveraged Weston - Yamada's position as the primary supplier and owner of the operational area, implying that continued refusal might result in the company withdrawing support and supplies.
Remember: Weston - Yamada is not a charity organization. They are business partners to the Marines. The lesson here is clear — use your leverage wisely, communicate effectively, and don’t hesitate to escalate when necessary to ensure corporate interests are respected. Always be prepared to defend the Company’s position, even involving higher authorities.
Disgruntled Survivors
In this incident, the Corporate Liaison met with survivors of an alien infestation at a corporate facility. The liaison began by being hospitable and tending to their immediate needs. Then, the liaison presented them with a deal: benefits like cash payouts, medical coverage, a return-to-work program, and legal support in exchange for signing a confidentiality agreement and a waiver preventing them from pressing charges.
Initially, the survivors refused, viewing the offer as extortion and threatening to go public. The Liaison reassured them, explaining these agreements were in place to avoid lengthy legal disputes that would delay their treatment. The Liaison also reminded them that a court-ordered NDA would likely be implemented anyway, dragging out the court process for years and costing them more in the long run.
With this information, the survivors ultimately agreed and signed the documents.
The lesson here is clear - balance compassion with corporate interests while using your leverage wisely. Communicate effectively and ensure the survivors understand the advantages of cooperating rather than resisting. Provide clarity on the benefits and consequences, and be prepared to defend the Company's position firmly but fairly. In this incident, a well-placed reminder about the realities of legal processes turned a potential conflict into compliance, demonstrating the importance of a strategic and empathetic approach when dealing with survivors.
Hesitant Correspondents
In this incident, the Corporate Liaison approached a correspondent who was covering a recent alien infestation at a Weston - Yamada facility. The correspondent intended to develop and sell a story privately, which could be detrimental to the Company.
The Liaison began by stating that the Marine operation was confidential and any attempt to release information would result in legal action. The reasons for this were clear: the operation involved proprietary corporate assets, sensitive military engagement, and potential liabilities that could affect corporate stability.
Instead of facing legal repercussions, the Liaison offered an alternative: The Company would purchase the rights to the footage, edit the content to protect corporate interests, and then release the modified version back to the correspondent. This edited version could then be sold, with the narrative shaped to align with Weston - Yamada's objectives.
The correspondent, unwilling to face a lengthy legal battle, agreed to the arrangement.
The lesson here is clear - The Company secured the footage, ensuring control over the narrative and mitigating any potential reputational damage. The Liaison maintained a cooperative relationship by offering an edited version for sale while protecting Weston - Yamada's interests. The incident underscores the importance of leveraging and incentives to navigate complex negotiations effectively.
Key Takeaways
The notable incidents highlight key lessons for handling challenging situations: when faced with resistance, use the Company's leverage effectively to ensure collaboration and escalate if necessary; balance empathy with corporate interests by offering incentives to turn resistance into cooperation, especially with survivors; and when dealing with external parties like correspondents, use confidentiality agreements to assert control while providing reasonable incentives to protect the Company's narrative and maintain cooperation.
Tutorial
This tutorial aims to teach you how to play the role effectively, ensuring that both you and the server have an engaging experience. Unlike other roles, the Liaison is a roleplay-focused role, intended to enhance the atmosphere and dynamics of the mission. You are not an antagonist by default, nor are you meant to disrupt Marine operations unless explicitly instructed by the Company. Instead, your goal is to protect Corporate interests while supporting ongoing missions.
Your primary responsibility is to represent Weston - Yamada's interests, guiding events to benefit the Company without obstructing reasonable military actions. If Marines decide to bomb an infested facility, understand that it may be a logical course of action. Work alongside them to uphold corporate interests while fostering cooperation rather than confrontation. You have the ability to use incentives, such as offering bribes or negotiating benefits, to secure the cooperation of Marines, correspondents, survivors, and so on. Use these tools to ensure the Company's objectives are met, always working diplomatically to achieve your goal.
Starting the Round
At the start of each round, your will wake up next to your Cryo-pod. Immediately, it's time to get organized. Head down the hall to your left to reach your office. Once inside, take a moment to change into proper attire -- you want to look professional, as first impressions matter. Make sure you collect your briefcase and any essential paperwork you'll need for the day. I also recommend getting some folders and a labeler (utilize the five-finger discount). A labeler will enable you to label documents clearly. This helps others quickly understand what they're looking at and prevents everything from being generically named "Paper".
Once you're presentable, your next priority is to meet with the Officer in Command (OIC). This initial meeting is crucial for establishing your role and boundaries. Bring along important agreements -- such as preservation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and cooperation agreements -- and be prepared to explain their importance in supporting both Marine and corporate interests. This will help set expectations and create a working relationship built on collaboration.
Legal Documents
Legal Documents need to be brief, visually appealing, and professional. Well-crafted paperwork earns respect and helps you be taken more seriously. While it isn't mandatory, setting aside some time to create original, polished templates can go a long way in making your role more effective.
Make sure to include clear spaces for signatures, as well as other important details, to make the documents easy to understand and complete. Professional-looking paperwork reflects positively on the Company and reinforces your credibility.
Here are some tips:
- [h=1/2/3][/h]: use these tags to increase the size of the text;
- [bold][/bold]: use these tags to bold text;
- [italic][/italic]: use these tags to italicize text;
- [color=red][/color]: use this tag to adjust the colour of text. You can use colour names like "red", "green", "blue", or hexadecimal colour codes (e.g., #002AAF);
- [bullet/]; use this tag at the start of a sentence to make a bullet-point; and
- Unicode Block Elements: Use these elements to create shapes and visually organize content.
Reports
Reports are similar to legal documents, but they are intended for Corporate HQ. As the Liaison, you can report on anything - whether it's the Command Team's actions, the progress of an operation, or simply what you're currently doing. These reports keep Corporate informed and help maintain alignment with Company objectives.
Keep your reports brief and professional. A clear, concise report is more likely to be read and taken seriously. Focus on essential information, such as major developments, noteworthy incidents, and any actions you've taken to safeguard the Company's interests.
A Generic Round
A typical round will see you starting off by meeting the OIC and sending initial reports to Corporate HQ. Once the Marines begin their operations, you'll likely keep Corporate HQ up-to-date. Eventually, survivors will be brought aboard the UNS Almayer, and you'll need to work with them -- offering assistance and guiding them through documents.
Occasionally, you may work with correspondents if time allows, but dealing with survivors will often take up the majority of your time in a standard round. If the round progresses longer than usual, you can also begin filing reports on Xenoids, provided corpses or samples have been recovered.
