Lian Confederation

A loosely aligned group of colonies that split off from the Human Republic, just after the Shuvanaljis Revolt. The Lian Confederation is named after the original name of it's core world Capitol.

Most of these colonies were adamant in their opposition against corporate rule after the republic government was overtaken. As a result, they banded together to form their own government, but with greatly weakened powers. The Confederation exists largely to manage defense, and inter-colony trade. Just about every other facet of life is managed at the colonial level.

At the end of the revolt, Shuvanaljis forces were exhausted. Lacking the resources to continue the fight into the outlaying systems of the Confederation, the Hegemony decided to consolidate power, and take them on when they were ready.

One of the deepest and darkest secrets of the Confederation is that the leaders are resigned to the eventual victory of the Hegemony. Currently, plans and equipment exist for when the Hegemony makes their rush.

The Confederation's government is made up of a single legislative body (The Senate) and a popularly elected executive (Prime Minister). The Confederate courts are small and few in count, and take on only the most contentious of colonial issues. The courts operate within the purview of the minister of justice (in the executive branch) and are not considered equals to the legislative or executive branches.

Currently, the Confederation's Prime Minister is 43 year old Sarah Brennan. Sarah's approval ratings are stubbornly stuck at 40%. This is Sarah's third consecutive term (there are no term limits). A career politician from the colony simply known as Brown, Sarah served as her colony's executive (on Brown known as the Governor) for two terms then went on to serve as a representative of Brown to the Farma Prefecure. After several years at the prefecture, Sarah distinguished herself by helping to negotiate and gain passage of several contentious trade negotiations that brought development and money to several impoverished colonies. Sarah is not married (divorced), and has a daughter who is approaching college age. Sarah has hinted that she would possibly retire at the end of her current term, of which, two years remain.

Each system within the confederation is responsible for policing and defense within its own borders (usually defined as the ort cloud of that colony's star(s)). Trade between the systems is common and usually peaceful. Infrequently a colony or allegiance of colonies (called a prefect) will grow too aggressive to control in the courts. As a result, the Confederate Navy will respond to help negotiate and (if needed) quell with force, the rouge prefect.

Only once has the Confederate Marines needed to use force to keep a colony in line. Technically a small civil war, the world known as David's Colony, violently attempted to blockade trade vessels (in an attempt to tax), traveling through their system from neighboring colonies. After several months of attempting to negotiate, the Marines finally landed on the world and after several weeks of light skirmishes, manged to subdue the government of the colony and bring them to trial. Ever since, most colonial leaders will use violence as an absolute last resort, and even then, only to serve as a wake up call, to Confederate forces, that action is needed.

Colonial Governments are agreed upon by the inhabitants of the colony itself. Almost all are democratic in structure, and typically have the three branch government that mot of us are used to seeing today. Only one colony (named Barynthia) is governed by a monarch, (even so, by the consent of the people) and three colonies are approaching an anarchist form.

Each colony operates its own police and militia (to provide for its own defense, as well as assist in the defense of of the Confederation if needed). Also, the courts of a colony are called upon to serve on disparate worlds to provide a neutral forum for inter-colonial cases.

Of all the colonies, only one, Capitol, is considered big enough to count as a core world. Capitol serves as the home of the Confederate government (all branches), and is equal parts agrarian and commercial in it's industrial activity. There are four major prefects (and many smaller, less influential ones) within the Confederation, each of various sizes. A single colony may belong to as many different prefectures as it deems useful.

Prefect Appolonia is centered around four worlds in the heart of the Confederation and includes Capitol. This prefect represents the most economically viable colonies, and has an impressive amount of monetary strength.

Farma Prefecture is made of many, disconnected and smaller colonies, that are mostly newer (less than 15 years in age) and are still centered around an agrarian economy. Once a colony begins to develop it's own heavy industries (mining, and big equipment manufacturing) they typically leave this prefecture for one local to them.

Paceum Prefecture is a collection of five colonies that have agreed to passively (non-violently) exist. Additionally, all citizens of this prefecture are barred from military service (in either the militia or the Confederate forces). Interestingly, none of the member worlds of this prefecture, are on the border with the Hegemony.

Prefect Sierra is a localized collection of five colonies that is adjacent to Appolonia. These colonies are comparatively sophomore to the others, and collectively represent a significant percentage of the Confederation's heavy industries.