The political structure of the Consortium evolved at an accelerated rate from 28 CE for the next five years until seven companies emerged as the overall financial successes (and therefore political powers) of Humanity. They achieved this by manipulating and causing delays in the Senate, or refusing to wait for their decisions before acting. The Senate objected to the latter, but the precedent had been set by C&C: Colonisation and Construction in the colonisation of Nodens, and it was too difficult to stop under the laws of the Consortium.

They also conducted takeovers of any companies which threatened their monopolies, taking control of their domains by whatever means were necessary. Gradually, they were able to concentrate so much power into themselves that the Senate became virtually powerless, seen by the populace as spending all its time in petty disagreements. The “Big Seven” convinced the population to allow them to become the leaders of the Consortium, claiming that they had proved the Senate was both impotent and incompetent, and promising that under their leadership Humanity would thrive.

From their formation to 446CE, the “Big Seven” consists of:

Hayden Bank, the only licensed financial institute

Smertios Security, the military force of the Consortium

C&C: Colonisation & Construction, the company who build bio-domes

The Mining Conglomerate, in control of all commercial mineral extraction

Hardcastle Haulage, transport near-monopoly

Moritasgas Pharmaceuticals, providing food, medicine and chemicals

Open Technology, leaders in computer and spaceship research and development

Between the various interests and monopolies of these companies, they made more profit than all of the other members of the Senate combined – meaning that, under the laws of the Consortium, they had more political power.