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The Martian State


Bound by Honor, Breathed by Duty


Founded by Orionic General Goliath Polema, the Martian State is a small but powerful Military Junta which controls the Sol System and a chunk of the surrounding Orion's Belt; the historic heartland of the Orionic Empire, with most of the population centered in Sol, Alpha Centauri, and Sirius. All citizens must serve in the State's military, and due to the unproportionally large size of the military, it is often seen as an 'Army with a State'. The Martian State also leads the Martian Coaltion; a military and economic coalition of Imperial Successor States.



Government

The Martian Government is ruled by its military, and headed by the Commander General, who at this moment is Alexandra Ornata. The Commander General is elected from and by the Council of Generals (and Admirals), who gather every five years and decide whether to renew the current Commander General or elect a new one; General Ornata was elected a year ago for her first time. The military keeps the peace and creates and enforces a set of laws, however they only actually govern the Planet of Mars, the dwarf planets Ceres and Pluto in Sol and Hercules and Aeneas in Alpha Centauri, Augusta, Borea, and Salacia, in Sirius, the Starforts, and various colonies and military bases around the State. The rest are governed by the Domains, which, while still are part of the state, also create their own laws and have a degree of autonomy. Each Domain is assigned a governor general by the Military, who acts as an executive, but the domains also elect a senate democratically, and from that Senate a Speaker, to represent the people of the Domain.

The Domains exist as follows;

Domain of Mercury
Terrestial Planet Mercury
Domain of Venus
Terrestial Planet Venus
Domain of Jupiter
Gas Giant Jupiter
Moon Io
Moon Europa
Moon Calisto
Moon Ganymede
Minor Moons
Planetary Ring
Domain of Saturn
Gas Giant Saturn
Moon Titan
Moon Rhea
Moon Iapetus
Moon Dione
Moon Tethys
Moon Enceladus
Moon Mimas
Minor Moons
Planeary Rings
Domain of Uranus
Gas Giant Uranus
Moon Titania
Moon Oberon
Moon Umbriel
Moon Ariel
Moon Miranda
Minor Moons
Planetary Rings
Domain of Neptune
Gas Giant Neptune
Moon Triton
Minor Moons
Plantary Rings

Domain of Apollo
Terrestrial Planet Apollo
Moon Daphne
Moon Hyacinth
Domain of Bacchus
Terrestrial Planet Bacchus
Minor Moons

Domain of Juno
Gas Giant Juno
Moon Jason
Moon Janus
Moon Eris
Moon Juventas
Moon Bellona
Moon Lucina
Minor Moons
Planetary Rings
Domain of Vulcan
Gas Giant Vulcan
Moon Thalia
Moon Lemnos
Moon Euthenia
Minor Moons
Planetary Rings

Domain of Diana
Terrestrial Planet Diana
Minor Moons
Domain of Minerva
Terrestrial Planet Minerva
Moon Aegis
Domain of Vesta
Gas Giant Vesta
Moon Romulus
Moon Remus
Moon Tellus
Moon Servius
Moon Silvia
Minor Moons
Planetary Rings


History

Goliath Polema was one of the Orionic Empire's greatest generals during its collapse, and sought to embody Imperial values. In the age of the Empire, one of the generals was traditionally named the Protector of Mars, and was assigned to command the Tenth Army, the most elite army in the Empire, who, for the past few centuries, usually was used to defend the Sol System. General Polema was the Protector. Ego I, the final Emperor, decided that, in the face of destruction, the Tenth could be put to better use at the front lines against the Zuukids, and General Polema was sent along with the Tenth to face the enemy.

The Warp Gate to the front lines had been broken, so the transport fleet was forced to use their warpdrives, when, after a couple weeks, they find their lines of communication to be gone, and the fleet was set upon by marauders. Being forced to land, The General found out that the City of Olympia had been sacked, and the emperor was dead. Polema found himself stranded, alone with his army, no orders to follow, no empire to defend. But he remembered that he still had one title that still meant something, and so the fleet fought their way back to Sol.

The local forces left behind to defend against the Scorpine Marauders were fresh-faced and unprepared, and the Marauders were pushing out further and further into the planet. Upon Polema's return, the Marauder forces were obliterated, and the General took charge of the local forces. Realizing there was no government left, he took control of civilian affairs as well, not only of Mars, but of the rest of the population of Sol. From there, his forces shot out to take control of what is today the Martian state.

A hundred years ago, the Martian Coalition was formed. While order and prosperity has been brought to the state, it became time for the State to bring the same to the rest of the Galaxy. Today, the ongoing question has been raised as to whether the State should exist as a permanent nation, or if it is only a temporary solution until the Empire is reformed.

Military

All citizens must join the Military of the State in order to retain citizenship. In addition, anyone who joins the military is allowed to receive citizenship. While the State is somewhat xenophilic, certain species are barred from citizenship. As of now, these are Parasitians (who still live in relatively large populations in some of the domains), all Zuukind, and Scorpines. Cultors are seen as better put to use in food production, so rather than directly be conscripted, they instead pay off their service in rations.

The Harpy is the State's primary Starfighter, and provides the backbone of Martian Naval Power. In space combat, Harpies are used to swarm enemy fleets en masse. This strategy evolved from the variety of opponents the Martian navy would face; whether they were Zuuks or Marauders, the use of Starfighter swarms is versatile to make on many types of foes.


Unlike the slower Harpy, the Pegasus Starfighters are equipped with basic warp drives, and are often used for scouting missions, interception, and almost exclusively used by the most elite pilots.


The Falcon is the State's bomber, used to cripple and weaken enemy ships in space combat and destroy enemy positions on land. Though Falcons are outfitted with turrets and laser cannons, they are usually protected by Starfighters such as harpies when bombarding enemy positions.


Carrying both Starfighters and land troops, the Carrier, while able to provide support on its own, are also responsible for both the storage and protection of Starfighters.


Though the emphasis of the Martian navy lies in its Starfighters, Destroyers provide a valuable role in naval defense, especially in transport fleets.


The heaviest Ships in the Martian arsenal, Cruisers are largely used in the transportation of troops, as well as for capital ships, and to weaken defenses to allow Starfighters to finish their job.


A crucial aspect of Martian society, Starforts are massive satellite objects placed around the stars of the uninhabitable border systems in the Martian State. They act as border defense, as well as customs and trade stations, with foreign ships not allowed to enter Martian space unless they've gone though a Starfort. Starforts are also the center of whatever mining colonies or research stations exist in the nearby area, and because of this, as well as the large military presence and the importance for trade and transportation, Starforts not only have seasonal civilian workers, but also maintain year-round civilian populations. While Martian laws still apply in the Starforts, the governing of the local civilian population and management of the Fort's military lies solely in the hands of the Fort Commander, and because of this, these commanders are very influential in Martian Space, and the position of Fort Commander is highly coveted, often being seen as a first step on the road to becoming Commander General.


The standard infantry of the Martian State. Martian infantry tend to use bullets rather than laser weapons.


Recon is used to scout out enemy positions, as well as snipe enemy targets.


Martian Drop Troops are special forces dropped from above behind or inside enemy lines to clear out areas, often as an alternative to bombing.


The M-4 mech is used to pound into enemy lines though both artillery and machine guns. Heavy armored and armed to a teeth, mechs are found at the front lines of any Martian military operation.


Unlike most Martian ground troops, Walking Artillery uses a powerful laser cannon, largely in air defense against bombers and other threats from above. That said, Artillery is still useful against enemy ground troops.


The Cavalry are the elite of the elite, drawn from the best of all fighters in the Martian military. The Cavalry wear powered armor, and are used in a wide range of special missions, utilizing both weapons they carry such as rifles and pistols, as well as weapons that are a part of their armor systems.

Religion/Culture

Most in the Martian State are Kineticist, with Divine Kineticism dominating followers as in most places. Home to most Kinetic holy sites, and as a compliment to Martian militarism, there exists many devout in Martian society, however, there is also a good deal of secularism, and a fair amount of separation of church and state. Freedom of religion is largely present, although you'd be hard pressed to find an Anchorist who's saying he's having a good time. While many would see the conscription present in Martian society as authoritarian, this is coupled with free and quality education and healthcare services, as well as free utilities.

Inter-species relations are strange in the State, where certain species such as Ulala and Janari are seen as completely equal to humans in every way, shape, and form, whereas other species like Scorpines and Rodorphins are looked upon as the literal scum of the Earth. Many in the State view themselves as the successors to the Empire, and as such, many old Imperial customs are still alive and well in the State. Due to their stability during the Collapse and Migration Period, there was a large influx of migrants to the State, creating a massive urbanization, however, the Military made sure to keep most migrants human, or at least of a species they found to be acceptable.

The Military seeps into every aspect of Martian life. Whether it's due to civic pride or propaganda, most don't see anything wrong with the conscription system, or the militarism of the government. Private weapon ownership is also something most Martians take into great pride, and going to shooting ranges is a common leisurely activity.

Due to both the stability and safety ensured by the Military and the autonomy and freedom offered by Domain governments, the Domains are extremely prosperous, and are in many ways a glimpse into old Imperial life, having become beacons of economic prosperity and cultural advancement. The Dwarf Planet of Ceres, contrastingly, is a rural area under complete control of the Martian government, existing entirely to produce food for the military, just as Pluto is to produce minerals and Hercules is for manufacturing. In these territories, local populations are extremely patriotic, but the areas also offer a more bleak and realistic appraisal of post-Imperial life.

Mars itself is a planet unlike any other in the Galaxy, with a strange air of both the ancient and futuristic. The capital city of Olympia is built on the volcano Olympus Mons, whose lava production is controlled by Orionic technologies, and is used to power the city. With both ancient Imperial flavor and modern Martian State militarism and futurism, Mars is a popular tourist destination, as well as a pilgrimage site for many faithful Kineticists.

Demographics:

50 Percent Human
13 Percent Janari
10 Percent Ulala
10 Percent Xuhajann
4 Percent Aldzir (Concentrated in the dwarf planets of Sirius and in Pluto)
2 Percent Cultor (Concentrated in Ceres)
1 Percent Parasitian (Non-Citizens in the Domains)
10 Percent Other

Characters



An old military dog, Major Astari is the commander of the 1st Cavalry.

While most Ulala nobles will choose to spend their time in military service behind a desk, Captain Oko is instead the Captain of the MSS Polema, a cruiser often used for independent missions.

A commander within the secretive Praetorian Guard, the activities and whereabouts of Commander Oculto, often known under the codename 'No Man', are quite classified. Operating both in espionage and the more clandestine of Martian military operations, Oculto and the Praetorians act as an intelligence organization, and are often the subject of many conspiracies and protests against modern Martian society.


Relations

Martian Coalition: The Successor States of the Martian Coalition are the State's clear military allies in the face of adversity. The expansion of the Coalition, both in the number of members and the power of the current members, is a key goal to State.
Zsresriir: The more temperate factions of both nations have found a strange alliance of sorts, both using each other to keep their more expansionist factions at bay.
Zuukid Empire: The State, of course, hates the Zuukids, and deeply fears them, and will eagerly seek war given any provocation.
USS: Though they are both human dominated, the State often finds itself at odds with the USS, religiously, in their outlook on their resident Alien populations, and, more than anything, their view on the Orionic Empire.

Habitation


Most of the inhabited Martian planets are extremely urban, with upwards of ten billion people on each of them on average (the dwarf territories being the exceptions). Because of this, much of the State's food is imported from the Coalition allies. One thing the state has no shortage of is mineral wealth, with large mining colonies all over the state, including in non-terraformed space. Barren planets even have many colonies dotting the landscape, but of course the population of these colonies is nothing even close to the terraformed planets and moons. Colonies also exist inside the gas giants in strange floating towns, usually to harness electricity and gases.

Chapter I: Era Imperium

Mars, Year 5000

The Emperor walked down the sanguine halls of the Imperial Palace, treading on a path taken by hundreds before him. On either flank were his guards, the Praetorians, who stood resolute with rifles in hand while their liege stopped and gazed out a wide palatial window at the city of Olympia. Gathered in front of the palace was a consortium of citizens and subjects, eager eyes of many species gazing up in wait of their emperor, the Son of Orion, the Lord of the Stars and the Bringer of Milk. He looked to them with a smile, a knowing-yet-unknowing smile, a confident smile which yielded weakness, the smile of the learned fool on the face of the most powerful being in the Galaxy. And the Man-God went from the window to greet the eager-gathered pilgrims, so that the ants may nibble at the sap of his virtue.

The sirenian mob cried out when Catus gifted his presence, and those of the gathered who were closest to the Emperor did not notice the dark figures whose rifles were aimed at their cerebrum, who would assuredly end them without remorse upon the slightest movement towards Spiritus's chosen leader. The Emperor checked his amplification, and he spoke.

"Citizens of Orion!" As he addressed the porifera, a shrill cacophony came in response. The edges of his mouth curled up, but his palm was raised to bring them to silence. "As you may have heard, the Northern Exiles have been forced back to their expulsion, and our borders are secure. Peace has been restored, and Milk may flow again!"

"This victory, this triumph of our military, was no small feat. For our security, for our children, for our Empire, we sacrificed. Lives were lost, homes were burned, but still, we are victorious! We have built for ourselves a beacon of civilization in the Vast Empty, a great power that will stand the test of time."

"Five millennia ago, our human predecessors, those who laid down the path on which we trod, declared the Common Era. An era in which all Men were of equal stature, an era when all mortality stood beneath what they called 'God'. But we, children of Orion, we have proven them wrong! Now is not the era of commonality, and the Age of God has since expired with our terrestrial-bound existence. We have surpassed the brotherhood of men, as we sit at a table with countless peoples, countless races, in a limitless universe." The Emperor, blind in his farsightedness, stared out into those gathered below him. "No, now is the Era Imperium!"

The living corpses below cheered as buzzards gathered overhead which they could not see. For a will had been decreed, and their inheritance was a dead Earth.

Today

The transport descended slowly above a long-dead Imperial Dreadnought, specks of spacedusts and ash covering the warship. Inside, Ghanzi was rattling off from within his helmet.

"And to think that the Commander General would let these fucking bugs-" The Xuha sniper was red with both frustration and the natural color of his skin.

"Scorpines have every right to be a citizen as you do, soldier," replied Lt. Animo. She was getting tired of his self-loathing alien conservativisms, leaning tiredly against the wall of the ship with her rifle in hand. The rest of the squad, aside from Major Astari, were behind them, too inexperienced to be rid of their anxiety going into a mission.

"Pft, of course you think that, human. Your family was never kicked from their land by Resser-"

"I am your superior and you will speak to me as such!" Animo shot back as she straighted her back, standing threatingly against the sniper. Suddenly, their commander interjected.

"Both of you, calm down," Astari said. "I'm both your superiors, and my head hurts too much to deal with your politics." The two soldiers slowly calmed before Astari nodded to the wreckage below. "We're here."

The First Cavalry descended slowly with their jetbacks as Animo cut a whole in the top of the ship with her wrist laser. Their lights were all turned on, and one by one they fell into the abyssal darkness of a Dead Empire's grave. The Major led the group, finding themselves in what must've been the quarterdeck, although not much was left to prove it. The squad slowly walked through the ruinous ship, until finally the newest recruit, a Janari, Private Koaga, shouted out, "Major, think I found something!" Quickly, Astari walked over to him, and looked at the wall he was pointing to. Happy Birthday, Captain! Astari glared at the private. "Might be a clue..." the young man timidly said, but the Major shook his head and walked away.

The Cavalry split into teams of two, and Astari was with Animo searching through the old arsenal. The Lieutenant was thumbing through Orionic rifles, when she said, "You know, you shouldn't undermine my authority like that, Commander." It took him a second to respond, as he was reading through some quarermaster's journal.

"What authority?" He replied, reading over a line about a malfunction in the escape pods. Animo shot up and looked at him.

"I am your second in command! Couldn't you at try and respect as such?" Astari grumbled, gently placing the journal in a front pocket of his armor.

"You shouldn't care about my respect." He crossed his arms. "I'm not who you're commanding. Care about your men, and maybe they'd respect you a little more, because right now, they do NOT." Animo inhaled deeply, then, exhaling, said,

"Permission to speak informally?"

"Permission granted."

"You're a dick."

Josephus was about to reply, when he received a signal from his transmitter. Allowing it through, he saw Koaga, who seemed...out of sorts. "Major," he said, "There's something you should see."

"Private, if this is another-"

"Just...come here."

In the hold, near the escape pods, an array of skeletons were floating against the ship's roof. The entire squad was gathered before them, looking at the perfectly maintained Imperial Navy uniforms adorning the corpses. They watched silently, some of them noticing the claw marks covering the escape hatch. Finally, Major Astari spoke up.

"Alright, let's get out of here, there's nothing to see."

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