Rhadaman

The rhadaman, or 'arch-executive' (plural rhadamanen), was a key role in Orion business and in Orion society in general.

No mundane business executives, rhadamanen were talented leaders of Orion employees in their thousands, who gained their loyalty and confidence. They were the ones who could hold their companies together and on course, and keep internal struggles to a bare minimum and behind-the-scenes, who could get the job done. They were the heroes of Orion culture and commanded great authority and respect. However, they (and their families) were also prime targets for pirates to take hostage and ransom them back to their corporations.

Although rare, they were actively sought out by corporations, preferably from within their own ranks. Like in an Orion family, succession was according to age and seniority. Highest of the rhadamanen was the rhadaman anthus, roughly translated as 'prince of executives'.

Every starship captain, whether a pirate or a trader, was also a specialized rhadaman, as ship hierarchy and actions were largely the same as a business. A captain’s decisions meant success or ruin for his crew, or life or death, and his power was gained from the work he did and the respect he gained.

The earliest reference to the position was before the Orion War, when Nallin the Unconquerable recruited a large force of rhadamanen from the Trade Halls of Rigel IV to help him liberate Botchok (Rigel VIII). Following the war, during the New Days, rhadamanen were renting Orion ‘contract laborers’ to alien worlds and led new colony ventures to other worlds.

Many Orions highly regarded the Human Harry Holcomb, owner of Holcomb's Planet (an Orion Colony) and several corporations, who achieved the Orion dream of rising from poverty to the very top. Some even named him a rhadaman anthus, much to the Holcomb family’s (public) embarrassment.