Xenocon Conglomerate

Snailians have, throughout their history, always favoured trade and recreation over political intrigue or violent conflict. This attitude crystallized as they achieved spaceflight, eager to trade and be merry with whatever intelligent life might be out there. All while turning a healthy profit, of course.

To this end, space exploration and establishing relations with aliens was made the purview of the massive Xenocon Conglomerate, a corporation in which every Snailian is naturally considered to be a shareholder. Unfortunately, the TAWN was not interested in trade, and the Snailians all suffered a great deal under their occupation. Under Yohzhu occupation, however, the Conglomerate found a way to flourish. The YE's love of xeno arts and artifacts gave the Conglomerate a powerful inroad with their would-be oppressors, as Xenocon excelled in mass-producing such things. Although they were originally intended to be trade goods, not tribute, Xenocon was nevertheless more than happy to provide, especially if it meant their safety.

The only point of contention was the Yohzhu demand for slaves, which the Conglomerate sated by shipping off poor and heavily-indebted Snailians, a move that greatly pleased the wealthiest Snailians, as the enslaved Snailians were considered legally dead and thus their shares in the Conglomerate were able to be bought at a very low price. Additionally, as the Snailians found out, once their trust could be gained, Yohzhu loved to party, and they loved to spend their money.

While many Snailians refused to sacrifice their dignity to service their occupiers, many other Snailians seized upon the opportunity to profit and to ingratiate themselves to their overlords. When freedom came, some shareholders actually tried to persuade the Yohzhu to stay, a move that remains controversial both within and without the Conglomerate.