Charter

The following constitutes the operational agreement of the Free Margin (Spectrum ID: TRADEFREE). It is not a legal document. It is not enforceable by any court. It is a statement of how we operate and what we expect of each other. Members who find it disagreeable are free to fly elsewhere.

ARTICLE I — MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Free Margin is open to any pilot, crew member, or operator who can demonstrate two things: competence over time, and character immediately. We do not screen by ship value, combat rating, playtime, or any stat that a scoreboard generates. We screen by whether you treat people well, whether you show up, and whether the crew you’re joining would trust you with their back in a hot zone.
New members enter as Drifters — observers and participants who are learning how we operate. There is no hazing, no trial-by-fire, no gatekeeping beyond common sense. Veterans are expected to make time for Drifters. That is not optional.

ARTICLE II — CONDUCT

Within the org:
Treat every member with the respect owed to someone who has earned their place. Disagreements happen. Take them out of the field and into a conversation. We do not tolerate sustained disrespect, discrimination, or the kind of behavior that makes someone not want to log in.

In the verse:
Operate within the Free Margin’s ethical framework as described in the Manifesto. You represent this hull marking whether you’re flying alone or in a full fleet action. New players and players in distress are to be helped when help is possible. Org resources — shared intel, shared routes, shared cargo — are not for individual exploitation.

On conduct we don’t adjudicate:
Your political views, your personal life, your religion, your dietary choices, your opinions on which Star Citizen ship is best — these are your business. The Free Margin does not have positions on these things. We have a position on how you treat people. Keep them separate and we’ll get along fine.

ARTICLE III — OPERATIONS

The Free Margin operates across the following primary loops, with personnel contributing based on availability and interest rather than assignment: • Deep Space Salvage & Wreck Recovery — Our heritage and our specialty. We go further, stay longer, and come back with things other crews won’t find. • Mining & Survey Operations — Asteroid, surface, and subsurface. Survey data is shared org-wide. • Commodity Trading & Cargo Hauling — Including routes other operators consider marginal. Especially those. • Industrial Operations — Refinery, manufacturing, and component work as systems come online. The Crucible keeps us self-sufficient. • Combat & Security — Escort, defense, fleet operations. The Polaris and Perseus exist because some cargo is worth protecting. • Exploration & Pathfinding — The verse is not fully mapped. This is a feature, not a problem.

No member is required to specialize. No member is criticized for changing what they enjoy doing.

ARTICLE IV — RESOURCES & PROFITS

Credits earned in org operations are distributed according to participation and contribution as agreed before operations begin. There is no mandatory tithe. There are no hidden fees.

Shared org resources — ships, equipment, intel — are available to members in good standing based on operational need and common sense. Abuse of shared resources is the fastest path to losing access to them.

We do not engage in price gouging, claim jumping, or any predatory behavior targeting players who cannot defend themselves. Full stop.

ARTICLE V — COMMAND & RANKS

The Free Margin is not a military organization, but it operates with enough structure to function in complex multi-crew and fleet scenarios. Ranks reflect experience and responsibility, not authority over how you play the game.

• Drifter – New member, learning the ropes. Full participant, provisional trust.
• Hand – Proven member. Knows the org, knows the work, shows up consistently.
• Operator – Experienced member with demonstrated leadership in operations.
• Crew Chief – Senior member responsible for a team, operation type, or vessel.
• Margin Runner – Veteran. Long service, deep trust, helps set the culture.
• Free Captain – Founder and senior leadership. Sets or direction and major decisions.

Promotions are not applied for. They are recognized.

ARTICLE VI — THE ONE RULE THAT COVERS EVERYTHING ELSE

If you have to ask whether something would embarrass the org, it probably would. Don’t do it.

If you’re uncertain whether something is right, ask yourself whether you’d be comfortable explaining it to a new player you just helped out of a bad situation. If not, reconsider.

The Free Margin is built on reputation. Reputation is built one interaction at a time. Protect it the same way.

End of Charter.

TRADEFREE — Free Margin Fleet — Independent Operations
“The verse owes you nothing. Fly anyway.”