Albatross

The Albatross were (as classified by Union) an autonomous nomad state spread across the Orion arm. They dedicated themselves as a first responder and triage force, responding to interstellar distress calls at the shortest notice possible.   Maktebas were the almost sole non-mobile territories controlled by the Albatross (though some were capable of limited movement). Maktebas were small enclaves (usually moons or stations) that acted as points of diplomatic convergence for detachments, as well as resupply and recuperation spots for detachments in between their patrols, which were typically around a realtime century in length. Most maktebas were the dedicated hosts of a single active detachment, but particularly large instances could host as many as three.   Maktebas were the foremost link that the Albatross had to the rest of the galaxy, due to being the only stationary population centers open to the public. Albatross members were entirely permitted to temporarily leave their makteba and even return to their homeworld if they had one, but the Albatross' culture and recruitment standards meant that doing so was rarely considered worth the effort.[2]   List of maktebas MK Kano MK Levant MK Siha   Detachments Operational detachments were the primary military unit that Albatross members were deployed in. Each detachment was centered on 100-200 chassis (mostly piloted by Loyal Wings), supported by armored infantry and strike craft. These detachments and their support personnel were based out of capital ships ranging from frigates to carriers in size, with each detachment generally fielding four to five such vessels and a commensurate amount of subline ships.   Detachments specialized in rapid engagements, typically in zero-gravity environments such as space stations and boarding actions. In addition, they were known to undertake limited surgical strikes from an orbital position onto terrestrial bodies.[3]     Petrels Were grouped together (at most 12 in number) to act as teams of squires and apprentices for specific Loyal Wings, who educated them alongside a small group of lesser advisory personnel. Once a Petrel had served as such for multiple years, they were permitted to petition a council of their detachment's Wings for promotion to Loyal Wing status. This process generally took another several years of further evaluation over the course of subsequent deployments and training periods, at the end of which the Petrel, should they have completed the trial period, was accepted as a Loyal Wing.   Senior Petrels Senior Petrels were Petrels approaching the end of their evaluation period for Wing status, which usually placed them in the (subjective) age range of their late twenties. Although there was no concrete difference in authority or responsibility that set Senior Petrels apart from their immediate "subordinates", they usually received priority treatment when a role typically reserved for Wings was left vacant, which strictly speaking, only needed to be filled by "the most qualified Petrel for the job". In practice, this meant that Senior Petrels were most often found as commanding officers aboard subline escorts, senior officers aboard capital ships, and pilots for strike craft.   Loyal Wings Loyal Wings were the only members of the Albatross normally allowed to pilot mechs (though many of them did not do so) and took on a collective leadership role for their makteba and the Petrels beneath them. Loyal Wings were expected to train and shelter the Petrels in their direct service and work in tandem with the other Loyal Wings of their detachment to perform the senior duties of their group.   Commander The Wing-in-charge of a single makteba or one or more detachments.   High Commander The ultimate leader of the Albatross.   Honored Wing Especially experienced or virtuous Loyal Wings worthy of deference when situationally appropriate.   Senior Wing Although facilities existed outside the Albatross' personal stewardship for retiring members to take up residence in, the standard procedure for aging or otherwise indisposed members was to assume permanent habitation in their makteba, where they performed domestic duties and reared its adolescent members.