Trade

While there is no information relative to the budget of the Antarian Rangers organization, it seems quite easy to guess that it must be consequent. Travels, weapons, Rangers and support staff (transport pilots, technicians, communication experts, core group of medics), insurances, building-maintenance, general equipment would weigh heavily on the financial balance. Since the Antarian Rangers “offer” the Jedi their services, it seems highly unlikely that they receive compensations in return – as a matter of fact, Hero’s Guide explicitly mentions “not (…) supported by the Jedi”, and therefore ruling out financial help from the venerable institution.

Kaskutal is described as the chief financial architect for the organization, having “raised funds and resources” from “donors and investors”, as well as having made “good investment decisions” and some “savvy business deals” enabling the organization to be “financially stable, if not overly wealthy”.

The extent of the “savvy business deals” may be quite consequent. The Rangers were able to have an arms manufacturer willing to customize a rifle for their sole purpose – and given the Rangers’ low numbers, one may assume that negotiating such a deal would not have been a small feat.

In addition, the way the text is written suggests that the economic decisions taken by Kaskutal created the financial legacy of the Rangers long after Kaskutal’s death – again, something quite commendable and displaying an impressive amount of foresight. Although, it may also help to remind that the Antarian Rangers have intelligence-gathering capabilities, which, in the investment world may come as an asset, if only, to keep track of the state of the economy.

Other sources, such as The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide hint at additional revenues for the Antarian Rangers, ranging from “bounties” to material donations “supplies or weapons”. In this particular instance, status in gained for donations up to 50 000 credits in worth – enough to save on the purchase of some vehicles or other expensive equipments.

While, Hero’s Guide hints at the “entrepreneurial skills” of some Antarian Rangers branches to partake in commercial ventures once they disbanded and became “freelance mercenaries”. This may imply that an entrepreneurial culture was developed within the Rangers – though there are no evidences to this claim.
Finally, the implied government-backings of the words “soldier” and “civvie cop” may nod to the occasional subsidies or government contracts.

Sources: The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide, Hero’s Guide, Imperial Commando 501st, Star Wars Gamer #9