The Chimera Corps
An international organization that's existed since 600 B.C. Originating in Greece, the Corps was comprised of philosophers, politicians, soldiers, and others who wanted to change the world for the better. In order to do this, they kept their existence hidden and manipulated events in secret, constantly spreading across the world. Over time, the different parts of the Corps divided depending on what region they were in, leading to occasional infighting. What any given branch is doing varies, but one thing can be certain. If something important happens, no matter where it is, the Corps is either responsible or aware of it.
Main Details:
Divisions: The Corps operates in three groups per region. These divisions are the Assault Group, Observation Group, and Research Division. The Assault Group acts as the Corps' muscle, using force to get things done. It's mainly composed of fighters, mercenaries, and assassins, though other particularly strong and skilled individuals can join too. Assassination, kidnapping, sabotage, and simple intimidation are the main functions of this division. The Observation Group are the Corps' eyes and ears, as they can gather information any time, anywhere. Fittingly enough, this group is the largest since many associates and lower ranking members are average people. Literally anyone can join this division, making them spies and sleeper agents. The main members of this division are hackers, politicians, professional spies, and anyone else with the capacity to gain and manipulate important information. Blackmail, espionage, and information leaks are what this division mainly does. The Research Division acts as the Corps' R&D, as they're responsible for the high end equipment, implants, and serums the Corps uses. Due to this division's members being composed of scientists and engineers, it has the least infighting in exchange for the highest standards. Aside from making, modifying, and repairing important equipment for the Corps, this division also sells their creations to other groups after going through a screening process to decide what gets sold and to who.
Ranking: Within the Corps, there are technically only three ranks. Associates, Members, and the Head of each division. Associates are typically new recruits, and are occasionally given assignments that are mostly optional. Depending on the individual, some Associates can be particularly powerful and well respected, but simply don't become full members to avoid certain necessities. Members are the main people within each division, and are the ones responsible for completing assignments. What separates Members and Associates is the difference in pay, the fact that they have to complete missions assigned to them, and the standard of having a tattoo (usually a chimera) to show their loyalty, though some branches and individuals don't emphasize tattoos as much. The Head of a division is the leader, and needs to be the best in their branch at what that division does. A Head of The Assault Group needs to be the most powerful and skilled, an Observation Group Head needs to have the most influence over information, and Heads of Research need to be capable of organizing and leading important projects within the division. While the standards and rules involved with becoming Head vary depending on division, the Assault Group is known for being the most difficult to reach and maintain the position in.
Branches: Each branch of the Corps depends on what region of the world they're in. Examples include the North American Branch, the Mediterranean Branch, the East Asian Branch, and the Oceanian Branch. While plenty of branches cooperate with each other, competition and division between them can lead to occasional infighting. This aspect of the Corps is what gave it the name it has, since the composite of different groups doesn't always work together, but can be especially dangerous when it does.
Funding: The Corps is funded by its Members, who each give a small part of the paycheck gained from their job. Newer members typically pay more, but the amount decreases as they become more respected and valued. Associates and Heads don't need to pay, and the latter decides how much their members and associates make.
Extra Details:
The Assault Group is the hardest division to lead, since the main method of becoming Head is to kill whoever has the position. If a member or associate kills the Head, they're given the position instead. Being chosen as the Head's successor or second in command can also guarantee the position when the Head either dies or retires. Because of this, the longer a person remains in this position, the more powerful and dangerous they are.
Some branches are more powerful or feared than others. The North American Branch is an example, since it's often one of if not the most influential branch, due to their overseas influence. The Mediterranean Branch is the largest and oldest, possessing a similar level of power. This branch existed before the current mainstream regions of the world were made, which is why it isn't divided depending on continent. Other examples of a similar naming scheme can be found as well, such as the Scandinavian Branch not being known as the Northern European Branch, and Mexico being part of the North American Branch rather than the Central American Branch.
Organizations outside the Corps tend to be either connected or manipulated in various ways. Gangs and crime families having members that are in the Assault Group, governments, federal agencies, and media outlets being controlled by the Observation Group, and major medical and tech companies being connected to the Research Division.
Different divisions have different rules, such as infighting being illegal in the Research Division and monitored (like everything else) in the Observation Group. One universal rule is that despite blackmail being an option to use against other members, exposing the Corps itself isn't. Those who do are quickly punished and silenced through various means.
When someone deserts the Corps instead of retiring or resigning, they're considered an Enemy of the Corps. People in this status are quickly dealt with to ensure they don't leak information, whether by killing them, forcibly bringing them back in, or making them disappear in another way.
Since pragmatism is an important thing within the Corps, some individuals and groups are considered off limits. Particularly strong and dangerous individuals are to be avoided at any cost, as well as people who are likely to try and expose the Corps. Sometimes, individuals can also be avoided due to liabilities they'd have, such as a fighter with too much negative publicity being unsuited for the Assault Group.
Corps members keep in contact through a special chat app that each member is given access to. This app allows them to share information, assign and accept missions, and request help at any time and place. Since the app is constantly monitored to avoid any data breaches, whether or not a person has it is a good way to tell if they're a member or not. Those without a phone or internet connection are given other methods of communication.
If a member or associate is exceptionally skilled at more than just what their division does, they can be in multiple at a time. A person in multiple divisions can't become Head of more than one however, and will need to choose based on which they're more suited to. Because of how rare it is for anyone to be in more than one division and how difficult it is, only a handful of people have ever been in all three at once.
When a member moves from one region of the world to another, they retain their rank in the new branch. An exception is if they're on a mission, in which case they'll be considered a member of their original branch regardless of location.
