The twenty seven enterprises
The Twenty-Seven Enterprises are a collection of covert agencies operated by the government of Hergom as semi-autonomous organizations with devolved powers and private hierarchies. Their primary function is to manage foreign criminal enterprises for the benefit of Hergom, generating profit, creating secret foreign cash reserves, and facilitating the expansion of state influence and the operations of the H1ensderkos.
Despite their clandestine nature, these enterprises maintain fully commercial operations within Hergom and boast opulent headquarters in the financial district of Nekwehon. The enterprises are organized under the umbrella of continental houses, which facilitates administration and the sharing of support and resources among the various agencies. This structure allows for efficient management and coordination across different criminal activities and geographical areas.
The scope of activities conducted by the Twenty-Seven Enterprises is vast and includes extortion, narcotic production and distribution, loan sharking, prostitution, arms smuggling, kidnapping, local mafias, gang activities, and informal slavery. These enterprises play a dual role by contributing to the state's coffers through illicit means while also serving as an extension of Hergom’s strategic and intelligence operations abroad.
By engaging in extortion, the enterprises exert control over key individuals and organizations, extracting resources and information beneficial to Hergom. Narcotic production and distribution provide significant financial gains and destabilize target regions, weakening potential adversaries. Loan sharking and prostitution generate steady revenue streams and create dependency among the exploited populations, furthering Hergom’s influence. The inclusion of prostitution in their operations underscores the ruthless exploitation of vulnerable individuals, turning human misery into a source of profit.
Human trafficking, including both labour and sex trafficking, is one of the most egregious activities carried out by the Twenty-Seven Enterprises. Victims of human trafficking are often kidnapped or lured under false pretences, only to be sold into forced labour or sexual exploitation. These victims are subjected to horrific conditions, with their autonomy and dignity stripped away, serving as mere commodities to generate income for the enterprises. The use of human trafficking ensures a constant supply of labour and individuals for prostitution, contributing to the enterprises' bottom line while perpetuating immense human suffering.
Arms smuggling supports allied factions and destabilizes enemies, aligning with Hergom’s broader strategic goals. Kidnapping is used both as a means of coercion and as a source of ransom income, while local mafia and gang activities ensure control over key urban areas, facilitating other illicit operations and providing a network of loyal operatives.
The Twenty-Seven Enterprises, through their criminal activities, create a shadow economy that operates parallel to the legitimate state apparatus of Hergom. This shadow economy is crucial for funding covert operations and ensuring the financial independence of the H1ensderkos. The integration of these enterprises within the state's broader strategic framework highlights the extent to which Hergom leverages illicit activities to maintain its power and influence both domestically and internationally.
The presence of opulent headquarters in Nekwehon's financial district underscores the blurred lines between legitimate commerce and covert operations in Hergom. These headquarters serve not only as administrative centres but also as symbols of the power and reach of the Twenty-Seven Enterprises. The luxurious settings belie the illicit activities conducted under their aegis, showcasing the state's ability to mask its darker undertakings behind a façade of wealth and prosperity.
The continental houses under which the enterprises are organized enable efficient management and coordination, ensuring that resources and support are optimally allocated. This hierarchical structure mirrors corporate models, providing a level of professionalism and efficiency to the enterprises' operations.