Blackline Industries / BKLI

April, 2947:
After retiring from the UEE Navy after 27 years of service Rooster decided to try out several different industries before deciding how he wanted to move forward with his career.

July 2949:
Seeing opportunity in the Mining, Salvaging, and Hauling industries, Rooster starts to come up with a business plan for a family of companies to fill the gaps within Stanton’s supply chains that have left Corporations without the needed minerals and salvage materials. He collectively names the businesses Blackline Industries, and organizes the 3 branches into divisions which he names Regolith Division, AstroHaul Division, and the Salvage Division.

He then draws up proposals for the company, and sets his aim for investors, though with little success at first. With large corporations unwilling to bankroll an older man with a criminal history, and primarily military experience over business experience.

November 2949:
Frustrated with these potential investors not seeing the value of the operation he was trying to run, Rooster seeked to lift his spirits. How better to do this than to join his old navy comrades at a UEE Navy Ball? Rooster brought out his formal uniform and made his way to Orison where the ball was being held.

This is where Rooster met Atlas Coen, a then 25 year old Ensign within the UEE and they immediately hit it off. They spent the night telling stories about their time in the service over cigars and whiskey. Eventually this led to Rooster mentioning his idea about BKLI, and Atlas was all ears.

Unbeknownst to Rooster, Atlas had some credits that he had been saving specifically for an opportunity such as this. Atlas didn’t share the reservations the big corporations had. In fact he thought Rooster’s rough background would come in handy as a leader venturing into pirate infested areas to complete contracts of one type or another. After a few more cigars and whiskey, they shook hands on a 50/50 investment to get the company its first ships for each branch of operations, licensing fees, and a modest budget for an extra employee or two. With the stipulation that Atlas would be able to be a hands on investor after finishing his current enlistment with the navy.

January 2950:
After months of jumping through hoops, Rooster acquires the business license for BKLI.

March 2950:
After copious amounts of researching, searching for and negotiating prices of the first ships, Rooster signs the papers to purchase the ships, officially setting his vision into motion.

April 2950:
Rooster sets his aim towards hiring the first employee. The original plan was to hire a couple, but due to being slightly over budget on other necessities, compromises had to be made.

Rooster put a “Help wanted” ad out on spectrum and had several people reply. Although, out of all the people he interviewed over MobiGlass comms one man stuck out to Rooster. This man’s name was Cyprus Draeven, a man in his 30s with a great deal of ambition himself. Rooster trusted his gut, and hired him.

BKLI officially starts operations accepting their first contract on 04/20/2950.

December 2950:
Rapidly accepting contracts, BKLI sees steady growth allowing for the company to expand and hire additional employees.

March 2951:
During a risky salvage run near Grim Hex, the BKLI crew was set upon by a fleet of outlaws that only had one objective: take all of the cargo, disable the ships and the crew and salvage its remains. At the time BKLI had a fully manned reclaimer so they were able to fight back. Even with the manpower on the ship, the pirates had them outnumbered and they barely escaped with their lives.

This encounter showed a need for a security team, with the size of operations and the amount of cargo that was being regularly transported across the system it was clear that it was needed. This led to Rooster forming the DriftWatch, a group of experienced fighters dedicated to escorting and ensuring security on BKLI operations.

April 2951:
BKLI celebrates 1 year of operations.

November 2951:
BKLI wins Shubin Interstellar’s “Startup of the Year” award.

December 2951:
Atlas completes his enlistment, and relocates to the Stanton system to join BKLI operations.

April 2952:
BKLI celebrates 2 years of operations.

February 2953:
After years of saving up, Cyprus Draeven came to Rooster and Atlas seeking to invest in the company to gain partial ownership.

With Cyprus Draeven’s hard work, dedication, and loyalty it was an easy decision. They discussed numbers and had reached an agreement before the end of the month. Officially securing Cyprus Draeven’s partial ownership. Also securing Rooster the title of majority owner with the acquisition of some of Atlas’ shares.

April 2953:
BKLI celebrates 3 years of operations.

April 2954:
BKLI celebrates 4 years of operations.

November 2954:
BKLI completes its first inter-system contract, mining minerals in the Pyro System and delivering the refined product to the Stanton System.

April 2955:
BKLI celebrates 5 years of operations.