The Consortium... a secret organization that has never appeared in the news or reports. The organization isolates what is commonly "non-existent", confines it somewhere beyond the laws of physics, and studies it in a safe and unique way. The Consortium believes that whatever exists is real. Instead of eliminating humans, events, objects, and even phenomena posing a threat, The Consortium more often classifies, isolate, and contain them.
In a world of satellites, lasers, computers, briefcase weapons, precision targeting, and a choice of viruses with which to attack people or computers, nations as we now know them may well find themselves up against potent adversaries, some no more than a millionth their size.
The next time you see a movie about a renegade cop going off on his own to take down the cartels single-handedly, Punisher style, keep that in mind. These organizations are formidable enough that entire countries have failed to take them down.
— Cracked, on Drug Cartels.
In some countries, a civil government still ostensibly holds power while E.D.E.N. is the body that actually runs everything, in one way or another. In many countries, flags bearing the E.D.E.N. logo fly above capitol buildings. The fact is, whether or not public officials admit it, E.D.E.N. effectively governs the world. In third world countries, it runs all the factories and keeps all the profits. In democracies, it decides who wins office. Europe, Russia, China, Japan — their economies are E.D.E.N. In the US, E.D.E.N.’s attorneys write the legislation, and its board of directors decides what passes. George O’Bannon and E.D.E.N.’s board of directors are, without a doubt, the most powerful and influential people ever to live.
— "The Night Of The Meteor - Post-Apocalypse," The End of the World: Zombie Apocalypse.
Atlas has the single largest standing military in the world, but we answer to no country. Unlike the government, we don't keep secrets of our capabilities. We don't sell policy. We sell power. We are a superpower for hire.
— Jonathan Irons, describing his PMC in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
[Sovereign]'s a company. For-profit, legally incorporated on every civilized world. I get why you're asking, though - they're big, right? Most governments get one planet, Sovereign has 35. First company to rank in the galaxy's biggest militaries. It's not a government, but it sure makes governments nervous.
— Mirfak Lagrange, Heat Signature
Saul Barnato: Furthermore De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited is empowered to control and manage railways, tramways, roads, telegraphs, canals, harbours, to acquire any such—
Barney Barnato: What does he need bleedin' harbours then?! (snatches the paper off him) ...in the development and government thereof, to spend on secret services...secret services? And he wants my signature! He's flipped Saul. He's really gone and done it. These aren't the articles of a mining company—oh no. We're going to take on the whole bleedin' world!
— Rhodes (1996)
Fischer Morrow has the regulators in their pockets. We're the last company standing between them and total energy dominance and we can no longer compete. Soon they'll control the energy supply of half the world. They'll be able to blackmail governments, dictate policy. In effect, they become a new superpower.
— Saito, Inception.
