Bounty Hunter
Position Description
Bounty Hunters have been romanticized in fiction for many years. Although it is true that there are many men and women who go under the name of Bounty Hunter there are few that are the types shown in film and other media. Although in 21st century Earth's national laws, there were few countries which permitted Bounty Hunters to legally do their work, Bounty Hunters did exist and work profitably within those nations, often in conjunction with Bail-bondsmen. It is logical to assume that the role has not changed significantly in the intervening centuries.
Bail-bondsmen exist to help the families and colleagues of imprisoned persons put up bail. A representative will appeal to one of these private organizations when they are short the bail amount. For example, if a prisoner's bail is set at 30,000 bars Latinum and that prisoner's family can only produce 12,000; the bail-bondsman will provide the remaining 18,000 bars with a signed agreement that if the family or prisoner skip bail they will be subject to return to prison by whatever means necessary. A bounty hunter, often the bondsmen or his/her employees, is employed to recover the individual. Upon the prisoner's return the bail-bondsman is refunded the full bail amount, which he keeps as part of the contract deal.
Hunting bounties is not illegal within the Federation, although bail-bonding is not allowed. To legally pursue a bounty within Federation space a Hunter must hold credentials from the government from which the fugitive has fled, as well as a certificate for each bounty within the Federation. For this reason, Federation-licensed Bounty Hunters are hired at premium prices by bail-bondsmen in almost every bordering empire. Since Federation police services, nor Starfleet security forces, can legally hold these criminals a Bounty Hunter is often the only way to return the criminals to their incarceration. Often a bounty hunter will notify police of their intention to capture an individual, to ensure their own safety.
Bounty hungers who have significant advantages over traditional, or government sanctioned police forces. Because most governments have specific laws regarding the protection of personal information police forces cannot use many types of information to return a prisoner to their own or another jurisdiction. A bounty hunter, however, has a contract signed by the individual giving up their privacy rights if they skip bail. Additionally, any bounty hunter will have an extensive network of contacts throughout the known galaxy. These contacts will often be other bounty hunters, sometimes government officials and sometimes simply private citizens. Also in the contract is permission for the bounty hunter to use whatever force necessary to subdue and recapture the fugitive. Police forces, due to the restrictions placed upon them are often unable to use force without provocation, at which point there is little they can do to avoid armed confrontation.
While the stereotypical bounty hunter is less common than fiction portrays, some of this type operate both within, outside and across Federation borders. This career is not illegal, although it is not considered a legal profession. The laws of the Federation and any other power in which the bounty hunter operates are still in effect. Killing, kidnapping or any other illegal activity will result in the operator's arrest and imprisonment. This type of hunter often takes contracts for criminal organizations such as the Orion Slave Trade, the Shanghai Underground or any number of other unscrupulous groups. Some of these hunters search solely for those wanted by government powers. These bounties can include defected agents, escaped convicts, high-profile refugees, war criminals, etc.
Where to Play
- Starbase (Non-fleet position)
- Colony
- City
- Privately Owned Vessel
- Note: This position is not usually held by those aboard ships, except temporarily. Starbases or a planets are generally the best places to play a bounty hunter.
Character Development Ideas
Legal Bounty Hunter/Bail Bondsman
Hunting a False Bounty: You are approached by a bail bondsman who you have not previously worked with. He gives you information regarding a bounty that is likely within Federation space. You are given documents outlining the contract, and take the job. You talk with some of your contacts and find out that the man is hiding on a Starbase, planet or something near Earth (or anywhere). You confront him and capture him, after which you take him to the authorities in whichever place your bounty was apparently wanted. They inform you that the man is not wanted for any crimes and never skipped bail. The man who hired you then chases you, and you have to avoid him and save the man you went to all the trouble of capturing.
Hunting a Legal Bounty: Same as the previous one, except you deliver the bounty to the authorities, receive payment and return home.
Lack of Information: You are approached by a bail bondsman with a bounty. Other hunters have failed to find and capture this bounty. You are given a name and some information, but little has been known of the man for several years. You begin working with your contacts, and find out that the person has been hiding out on the Starbase, planet or wherever you're based out of. When you do some more research you find out that you know the person who the bounty is for. He/she has not shown any criminal behavior and you have to decide whether or not to renege on the agreement with the bail bondsman or to return someone who you cannot see as a criminal to a prison for crimes he/she may or may not have committed.
More Ideas....
Stereotypical Bounty Hunter
Ideas....
Sample Posts
Content...