Merchant Free Master
The community of freighter captains is more than just an association of professionals; it is more like a siblinghood, with its members feeling strong bonds for others who have chosen the same professional path in life as they have. Nevertheless, there is a sort of hierarchy within this siblinghood - intended not to create a pecking order, but rather to provide increasing levels of respect for its members to aspire to. The three levels that exist are defined by the ships themselves, or more specifically their ownership:
A few large corporations are dedicated to the freight-hauling business, and the largest of the industrials maintain their own fleets as well. Within the merchant community, the captains of these ships are called Corporate Masters.
Most freighters not part of working corporate fleets are instead owned by businesses that lease ships to independent captains. These Bond Masters have more freedoms than Corporate Masters, but are still bound to and limited by their contracts and the lease holders in many ways.
By far the fewest in number, there are the captains own their vessels outright. They have no corporations to direct them, and no lease contract terms to limit their options. These are the Free Masters.
Whether outwardly expressed or not, it is the dream of every freighter master to one day be achieve the success (and luck) it takes to become a Free Master. While they must still be concerned with paying for crews and ongoing ship maintenance, they do not have the onerous lease payments of a Bond Master and thus have the opportunity to retain far more profit. They are free to travel wherever their ships can take them, and free to carry whatever cargo they choose - even perhaps a bit of black market contraband from time to time if the risks and rewards are right. The occasional Free Master has also been known to engage in a bit of "salvage and rescue" (i.e. piracy) from time to time.
Most Free Masters are Bond Masters who, rather than a standard lease, opt for a "buy option lease", and manage to stay in the business long enough to make the final payment. In the starship business, buy option leases are essentially mortgages, except that they often still contain terms limiting the range and/or cargo limitations in order to "protect the ship". The completion of a final payment is a major milestone in the life of a freighter captain. This day, when they finally achieve the status of Free Master, is like a second birthday to most.
Corporate Masters
A few large corporations are dedicated to the freight-hauling business, and the largest of the industrials maintain their own fleets as well. Within the merchant community, the captains of these ships are called Corporate Masters.
Bond Masters
Most freighters not part of working corporate fleets are instead owned by businesses that lease ships to independent captains. These Bond Masters have more freedoms than Corporate Masters, but are still bound to and limited by their contracts and the lease holders in many ways.
Free Masters
By far the fewest in number, there are the captains own their vessels outright. They have no corporations to direct them, and no lease contract terms to limit their options. These are the Free Masters.Whether outwardly expressed or not, it is the dream of every freighter master to one day be achieve the success (and luck) it takes to become a Free Master. While they must still be concerned with paying for crews and ongoing ship maintenance, they do not have the onerous lease payments of a Bond Master and thus have the opportunity to retain far more profit. They are free to travel wherever their ships can take them, and free to carry whatever cargo they choose - even perhaps a bit of black market contraband from time to time if the risks and rewards are right. The occasional Free Master has also been known to engage in a bit of "salvage and rescue" (i.e. piracy) from time to time.
Most Free Masters are Bond Masters who, rather than a standard lease, opt for a "buy option lease", and manage to stay in the business long enough to make the final payment. In the starship business, buy option leases are essentially mortgages, except that they often still contain terms limiting the range and/or cargo limitations in order to "protect the ship". The completion of a final payment is a major milestone in the life of a freighter captain. This day, when they finally achieve the status of Free Master, is like a second birthday to most.
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