Mission Statement
To uncover the secrets and mysteries of the pre-Rifts world and to shed light on the technological innovations of our forefathers; that is our goal. We seek to expand humanity's understanding of the past by exploring, recovering, archiving, and showcasing the wonders of the Golden Age. No matter the challenge; regardless if it's land or sea, we have the equipment and expertise for any salvage scenario. Each find we unearth is another piece of history that our clients can study and reverse-engineer, bringing us all a step closer to recapturing the glory of the Time Before. The lost treasures of the Neemans are humanity's birthright. And so we dig...
History
Golden Age Salvage was founded by legendary mercenary and treasure hunter Ingram Bostock. Most soldiers-of-fortune, unless they've been living under a rock, should know who the man is. He is an accomplished leader, decorated soldier, self-made millionaire, and peerless salvage expert. Bostock has lived a colorful life. He was once a Coalition soldier from CS Lonestar, resigned from the military to strike out on his own, did several tours with prominent mercenary companies (e.g., Braddock's Bad Boys, the Manistique Irregulars, Murdoch's Murder Machines, etc.), and eventually came to be involved in the salvage industry. He is responsible for some of the most famous finds in the entire history of salvage, including the Watervliet Arsenal in New York and the underwater naval station in Norfolk, Virginia. Bostock's success came from his willingness to excavate in highly perilous places; places where other salvors were hesitant to tread. Thus, he still made lucrative finds even while safer ruins were being bled dry by his competition.
Bostock formed his own salvage company from the usual herd of people: excavators, scientists, roughneck laborers, operators, etc. However, he also recruited a substantial number of individuals with mercenary or ex-military backgrounds. He spent a lot of time and resources training former soldiers to be salvage experts, eventually forging a crack team of men and women who were competent in both the field of salvage and the field of combat. Rather than hiring a security detail, as many other salvage crews do (which can get prohibitively expensive), most of Bostock's crew members already knew how to handle themselves in a fight. They were already battle-hardened and battle-tested, which made salvage operations in high risk locations more feasible. This formula has proven effective for nearly three decades.
Bostock retired back in 95 P.A., the reigns of Golden Age Salvage handed to his second-in-command, Lionel Hudson. And yet, last year the man surprised everyone by coming out of retirement with a proposal to lead one final venture. Not just any venture, mind you, but one that will trek into the heart of a prehistoric hell on earth. At the age of 77, Bostock shows no decline in ambition, and Ishpeming was only happy to bankroll the endeavor of a living legend.
Bostock formed his own salvage company from the usual herd of people: excavators, scientists, roughneck laborers, operators, etc. However, he also recruited a substantial number of individuals with mercenary or ex-military backgrounds. He spent a lot of time and resources training former soldiers to be salvage experts, eventually forging a crack team of men and women who were competent in both the field of salvage and the field of combat. Rather than hiring a security detail, as many other salvage crews do (which can get prohibitively expensive), most of Bostock's crew members already knew how to handle themselves in a fight. They were already battle-hardened and battle-tested, which made salvage operations in high risk locations more feasible. This formula has proven effective for nearly three decades.
Bostock retired back in 95 P.A., the reigns of Golden Age Salvage handed to his second-in-command, Lionel Hudson. And yet, last year the man surprised everyone by coming out of retirement with a proposal to lead one final venture. Not just any venture, mind you, but one that will trek into the heart of a prehistoric hell on earth. At the age of 77, Bostock shows no decline in ambition, and Ishpeming was only happy to bankroll the endeavor of a living legend.
Organization & Hierarchy
Golden Age Salvage operates in a similar fashion to a company-sized army unit. This isn't a surprise when one remembers that Ingram Bostock and most of G-Sal's management are ex-military. Membership in G-Sal fluctuates between 60 and 80 personnel, which is an ideal size (by Bostock's estimation), since units of 100 individuals or less present the greatest efficiency and effectiveness of control in operational and battlefield situations. Much like an army company composed of subordinate elements such as platoons and squads, G-Sal breaks down into specialized sub-units during active salvage operations. The primary division of crew and resources takes the form of sub-units called Sections. A Section is a "department" of the salvage crew that has a particular set of responsibilities or specialized functions. There are six Sections, each of which is under the authority of a "Section Head." The Sections are as follows:
A crew member is assigned to a Section based on his or her particular skills and abilities. The crew composition of each Section is generally homogenous, representing personnel of similar backgrounds and training (for instance, everyone in the Engineering Section is likely an Operator, Headhunter, or otherwise proficient in repairing technology). The number of personnel varies drastically by Section; Medical only has 5 core members, while Excavation has 22. Personnel are only ever assigned to a single Section at a time, though members from different Sections regularly collaborate and assist one another when overlapping issues happen to arise.
In addition to the Sections are sub-units referred to as teams. These are very small, ad-hoc sub-units (usually only 2-5 personnel; equivalent to a military fireteam) that are formed, on an as needed basis, in response to notable situations or threats. They operate independently of the Sections, and may consist of members from several different Sections. Whereas a Section focuses on an entire category of salvage duties (all excavation, all security, all medical needs, etc.), a team is charged with accomplishing a singe, specific task. A team may be a temporary formation put together to deal with a one-time problem, or it may be a recurring sub-unit within Golden Age Salvage. In the case of the latter, the personnel comprising the team resume their regular duties in between their work on the team.
Command of a team tends to fall to the most appropriate Section Head, yet sometimes a crew member from outside of management is selected to be "Team Leader" if he or she is particularly suited to deal with the task at hand. Some examples of G-Sal's teams include "Alpha Team" and "Damage Control Team."
Unlike some less professional salvage crews that have a casual or egalitarian power structure, Golden Age Salvage has a very clear chain of command. While perhaps not a rigid as a true military unit, Golden Age Salvage's management demands and expects loyalty, obedience, and discipline from its crew. Being former soldiers, most of the company's personnel are well-suited to a hierarchical command structure. There are several formalized ranks and positions within the salvage crew. The company doesn't use military ranks, though it borrows a few army terms such as "Mess Officer" and "Quartermaster" to describe its own equivalent positions; this is done for convenience. Some members are also known to affectionately refer to each other by previously held ranks and titles; Bostock himself is often called "Captain Bostock" by his men, despite the fact that he hasn't been a CS Army Captain for almost forty years.
The managerial command structure is as follows:
Everyone else in Golden Age Salvage who is not part of management is considered a "salvor." In terms of authority, all of G-Sal's rank-and-file crew members are on the same level, regardless of whatever rank or standing they might have previously had outside of the company. Consequently, a regular salvor has no authority to command another salvor.
Promotions are determined by the Master of Salvage and the General Operations Manager. G-Sal tries to promote from within as much as possible. However, sometimes urgency or a lack of options makes it necessary to assign management positions to individuals who are not formal members of the company - freelancers and Subcontractors. Non-members of G-Sal are sometimes known to be awarded positions as Team Leader or Section Head; Dr. Miles Cochrane is a good example of someone who holds a management position in Golden Age Salvage but is not, technically, a member. Still, such appointments are almost always temporary, lasting only until the end of the current operation or expedition.
Company Roster (circa late 101 P.A.)
*To see a full company roster, click Here.
Management
Salvage Master & Company Founder: Ingram Bostock
General Operations Manager: Lionel Hudson
Head of Appraisal & Restoration: Melvina Trevino
Head of Engineering: Jacqueline "Little Boots" Tahari
Head of Excavation: Sigmund Holt
Head of Maritime Ops: Dozer "Big Texas" Conway
Head of Medical: Dr. Miles Cochrane (Subcontractor)
Head of Security: Silas Breckenridge (Subcontractor)
Specialist Positions
*These are not ranks in the command structure of G-Sal, but rather, specific jobs that fill unique and important support roles.*
Long Range Reconnaissance Scout & Expedition Envoy: Jean St. Jean
Mess Officer: Buster "Cookie" Rathburn
Quartermaster: Emmanuel Pogue
Communications Chief: Reginald Conklin
Demolitions & Demolitions Disposal Specialist: Cutter Delgar
Medics: Wilson Batista, Paulette Sans Souci, Hector Marin, and Nola Bernier
Damage Control Team: Du'koon, Leonard Couldn't, Christina Ming, Rip Mercer, Anton Collier, Bryce Radke, and Daniel Cole.
Primary Convoy Pilot: Dorien Six
Indigenous Guide for Dinosaur Swamp: Jebediah Stone
Power Armor Strike Team: Howland Kelley, Manfred Osterkamp, Emmett Piers, Bart Kincaid, Beth Abbatelli, Caleb Sharpe, and Leonard Couldn't.
First Response Team (a.k.a. "Alpha Team"): Clara Tinn, Ty LeNhall, Lapis, Rush Kazemori, Ryloth, Artyom Chebyshev, and Bob Newman.
Morale Officer (unofficial): Shakes
- Appraisal and Restoration - Responsible for studying new finds to determine their importance and value, and to repair/restore them, if possible.
- Engineering - Responsible for the maintenance and repair of all equipment, vehicles and technology.
- Excavation - Handles the bulk of the principle, land-based salvage work, including digging, construction, demolitions, debris removal, and salvage recovery.
- Maritime Ops - Responsible for coordinating and performing all salvage activities taking place in, or under, the water.
- Medical - Provides for the medical needs of the crew.
- Security - Provides for the protection of the crew, as well as the assessment of potential or imminent threats.
A crew member is assigned to a Section based on his or her particular skills and abilities. The crew composition of each Section is generally homogenous, representing personnel of similar backgrounds and training (for instance, everyone in the Engineering Section is likely an Operator, Headhunter, or otherwise proficient in repairing technology). The number of personnel varies drastically by Section; Medical only has 5 core members, while Excavation has 22. Personnel are only ever assigned to a single Section at a time, though members from different Sections regularly collaborate and assist one another when overlapping issues happen to arise.
In addition to the Sections are sub-units referred to as teams. These are very small, ad-hoc sub-units (usually only 2-5 personnel; equivalent to a military fireteam) that are formed, on an as needed basis, in response to notable situations or threats. They operate independently of the Sections, and may consist of members from several different Sections. Whereas a Section focuses on an entire category of salvage duties (all excavation, all security, all medical needs, etc.), a team is charged with accomplishing a singe, specific task. A team may be a temporary formation put together to deal with a one-time problem, or it may be a recurring sub-unit within Golden Age Salvage. In the case of the latter, the personnel comprising the team resume their regular duties in between their work on the team.
Command of a team tends to fall to the most appropriate Section Head, yet sometimes a crew member from outside of management is selected to be "Team Leader" if he or she is particularly suited to deal with the task at hand. Some examples of G-Sal's teams include "Alpha Team" and "Damage Control Team."
Unlike some less professional salvage crews that have a casual or egalitarian power structure, Golden Age Salvage has a very clear chain of command. While perhaps not a rigid as a true military unit, Golden Age Salvage's management demands and expects loyalty, obedience, and discipline from its crew. Being former soldiers, most of the company's personnel are well-suited to a hierarchical command structure. There are several formalized ranks and positions within the salvage crew. The company doesn't use military ranks, though it borrows a few army terms such as "Mess Officer" and "Quartermaster" to describe its own equivalent positions; this is done for convenience. Some members are also known to affectionately refer to each other by previously held ranks and titles; Bostock himself is often called "Captain Bostock" by his men, despite the fact that he hasn't been a CS Army Captain for almost forty years.
The managerial command structure is as follows:
- Master of Salvage - The chief executive officer of the company. The Master of Salvage (or Salvage Master) has ultimate authority; he gets final say on all decisions and can overrule other management at any time. Golden Age Salvage is financed by Bostock and his earnings, so there are no shareholders or investors to which to answer. That said, G-Sal is a member of the IMCN, which means that the Salvage Master must still adhere to the IMCN's regulations.
- General Operations Manager - This is the company's second-in-command. The General Operations Manager (or G.O.M.) is a vital individual, for he supervises the day-to-day activities of Golden Age Salvage, coordinating the company's many teams and Sections to ensure that things are running smoothly and on time. It's through the G.O.M. that the various Sections converge. Although it's the Master of Salvage who gives the orders, it's the Operations Manager who makes sure that those orders are carried out.
- Section Heads - These six individuals are sort of like "department heads." Each is responsible for the productivity, timeliness, and safety of their Section. Generally, Section Heads have authority over personnel who are considered part of their Section (i.e., the Head of Excavation commands the other excavators, etc.), as well as authority in matters related to their Section. For instance in medical emergiencies, the Head of Medical effectively outranks nearly everyone in the company, including other Section Heads. No matter the circumstance, however, the authority of a Section Head never supersedes the power of the General Operations Manager or Master of Salvage; they can override a Section Head's orders at any time. All Heads report directly to the G.O.M.
- Team Leader - This is equivalent to a squad leader; someone who commands and oversees one's of G-Sal's teams. It is a temporary rank that gets established as needed. Some teams are not assigned leaders, while on other teams, the leadership may change each time the team is assembled. A Team Leader only ever has authority over his own sub-unit, and he is always outranked by others in management (with the exception of other Team Leaders). All Team Leaders report directly to the General Operations Manager.
Everyone else in Golden Age Salvage who is not part of management is considered a "salvor." In terms of authority, all of G-Sal's rank-and-file crew members are on the same level, regardless of whatever rank or standing they might have previously had outside of the company. Consequently, a regular salvor has no authority to command another salvor.
Promotions are determined by the Master of Salvage and the General Operations Manager. G-Sal tries to promote from within as much as possible. However, sometimes urgency or a lack of options makes it necessary to assign management positions to individuals who are not formal members of the company - freelancers and Subcontractors. Non-members of G-Sal are sometimes known to be awarded positions as Team Leader or Section Head; Dr. Miles Cochrane is a good example of someone who holds a management position in Golden Age Salvage but is not, technically, a member. Still, such appointments are almost always temporary, lasting only until the end of the current operation or expedition.
Company Roster (circa late 101 P.A.)
*To see a full company roster, click Here.
Management
Salvage Master & Company Founder: Ingram Bostock
General Operations Manager: Lionel Hudson
Head of Appraisal & Restoration: Melvina Trevino
Head of Engineering: Jacqueline "Little Boots" Tahari
Head of Excavation: Sigmund Holt
Head of Maritime Ops: Dozer "Big Texas" Conway
Head of Medical: Dr. Miles Cochrane (Subcontractor)
Head of Security: Silas Breckenridge (Subcontractor)
Specialist Positions
*These are not ranks in the command structure of G-Sal, but rather, specific jobs that fill unique and important support roles.*
Long Range Reconnaissance Scout & Expedition Envoy: Jean St. Jean
Mess Officer: Buster "Cookie" Rathburn
Quartermaster: Emmanuel Pogue
Communications Chief: Reginald Conklin
Demolitions & Demolitions Disposal Specialist: Cutter Delgar
Medics: Wilson Batista, Paulette Sans Souci, Hector Marin, and Nola Bernier
Damage Control Team: Du'koon, Leonard Couldn't, Christina Ming, Rip Mercer, Anton Collier, Bryce Radke, and Daniel Cole.
Primary Convoy Pilot: Dorien Six
Indigenous Guide for Dinosaur Swamp: Jebediah Stone
Power Armor Strike Team: Howland Kelley, Manfred Osterkamp, Emmett Piers, Bart Kincaid, Beth Abbatelli, Caleb Sharpe, and Leonard Couldn't.
First Response Team (a.k.a. "Alpha Team"): Clara Tinn, Ty LeNhall, Lapis, Rush Kazemori, Ryloth, Artyom Chebyshev, and Bob Newman.
- Former Members: Jebediah Stone, Leonard Couldn't, Damian Mihrick, and Korban Greyson,
Morale Officer (unofficial): Shakes