I've dome cultures of all kinds - societies, government types, and even corporate structures. Now, an independent organization COULD be working as an inter-species intelligence agency... hiring themselves out to the highest bidder or simly trying to grab power by means of intelligence.
Note, however, that this was part of the Cultures and Demeanros Add-On, which also explains the 40% maint reduction as it has a modified Settings.txt with 50% standard manintenance.
The full C&D version 1.01 zip file can be found here:
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...t=1&PHPSESSID=