IO / IOX

IO was founded in the shadows of the Cold War, forged in the early 1970s under the covert alias Skull Industries to conceal its rapidly expanding military production. From the outset, IO’s structure was deliberately fractured and compartmentalized a sprawling network of specialized divisions, each isolated and purpose-driven.

Skull Industries serves as IO’s weapons and vehicle manufacturing arm. Known for ruthless efficiency and cutting-edge design, Skull produced the VRA-1 and VRA-1S combat jets, the brutal Valkra-1 series, and a wide arsenal of advanced firearms and tactical vehicles. These instruments of war are not theoretical—they have been tested in blood, proven in conflict, and quietly funneled into global hotspots under strict secrecy.

Providence operates in even darker territory. This clandestine division specializes in human cloning, engineering emotionless, hyper-efficient killers bred exclusively for contract work. These living weapons are stripped of identity, empathy, and loyalty—perfect agents programmed to execute high-value targets without hesitation or remorse.

The ICA, or International Contract Agency, stands as the apex of professional assassination services. Operating beyond the bounds of any nation-state, the ICA commands a global network of elite killers. Despite its illicit operations, it maintains a coldly professional relationship with intelligence agencies such as the FBI, CIA, MI6, CSIS, NSA, and shadowy factions within the UEE. Its reach spans continents and planets alike, executing surgical strikes with ruthless precision.

Behind every layer of this labyrinth is IO itself—a shadow entity operating on a strict need-to-know basis. Its operatives remain isolated, often unaware of the full scope of their actions. Most interact solely with a designated “Caporegime,” a handler who serves as their only point of contact.

IO is whispered about as a shadow government with seemingly limitless resources, deep political influence, and access to Earth’s most advanced technologies. Its holdings include cutting-edge robotics, regenerative medicine, rogue military units, and international terror cells under contract. Its funding is believed to have backed figures like Ort-Meyer, infamous for genetic experiments that produced clone assassins with enhanced physical and mental faculties.

Operating from the shadows is IO’s private militia, known as the Militra. Armed with Skull Industries’ most advanced weaponry—the MP4-X, Valkra-1S, and more—the Militra acts as IO’s silent enforcers. Beyond military ventures, IO owns three racing teams and a separate vehicle manufacturer, Ra Designs, renowned for dominance in F1, WEC, and the Murray Cup. Collectively, these assets form IOx: the largest and most powerful covert empire in the known systems, invisible to governments and the public alike.