Galactic Union

The Galactic Union (commonly referred to as the Union) was an interstellar union of planetary governments that agreed to exist semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, and equality, and to share their knowledge and resources in peaceful cooperation, scientific development, space exploration, and mutual defense.
Existing as one of the most powerful factions in the galaxy, the Galactic Union excompassed thousands of sovereign planets and colonies. The planets of the Union are willing and equal partners, unlike their more imperial neighbours such as the Zultan Empire. 
The Union maintains peace and security through the Galactic Union Military. The military is divided into branches that serve different purposes, such as planetary defense, space exploration and combat, planetary and field combat, and special operations. 
In recent history, the Galactic Union's fairly peaceful approach to galactic events has led to numerous skirmishes and wars with their neighbour, the Zultan Empire. Most recently, a large-scale conflict that took place from 2188 to 2196. The Union has begun a period of rebuilding following this conflict, but serious questions have been asked about the competency of the Union in dealing with enemies who prioritise conflict, and whether the Union will stand the test of time. 
==History==
Main article: Galactic Union historyThe Galactic Union was formally founded on San Maria, Earth in 2136. The Galactic Union initially began as an informal alliance of species called the Coalition of Species that formed in 2128 to deal with the First Zultan Incursion. Following the Zultan's retreat and the coalition victory, the species of the Union: Humans, Florans, Aquians, Empath and Kesshyk gathered on Earth to formalise the alliance, with the Unified joining later. 
The first major test of the newly formed Galactic Union was the First Great War, which began in 2145. A Zultan fleet crossed over into Union territory and began sacking planets. The new Union military, led by the Navy, responded accordingly. The Navy was still a composite of ships from different species, as there was not a unified fleet design as of yet. The war ended in 2151, and the treaty signed stipulated that both sides would cease expanding their territory close to the others. 
The Union began what is referred to by historians as 'the golden age' from 2152, when the Union created a unified fleet and military. The military however, recieved less and less funding as the Zultan Empire began to cease hostilities. However, the Union as a whole began to prosper, with economic growth through trade allowing for Union worlds to grow and develop. The Union began a program of ending poverty and hunger on all Union planets by 2200. It was also during this time that other species were added to the Galactic Union, such as the Dimanshe, the H'ahul, the Crawgen, and the Aederi. 
The Union hit it's second major crisis in 2164, when a phenomenon known as The Darkening began. Between the border of the Zultan Empire and the Galactic Union, a large part of space became uninhabitable overnight. The worlds inside this space happened to be agricultural in nature, on both sides, such as the planet Buran, which was one of the largest net contributors to the Union economy. Access to these worlds was difficult, as FTL travel was no longer possible inside this space. Scientists believed that the Darkening was spreading beyond this sector of space into other sectors, with fears that it would start affecting major worlds inside the core territories. After almost a year, the area had expanded by around 6%, and scientists within The Anthenaeum discovered the origin of the phenomenon. By 2166, the area of space was now inhabitable and navigatable, however, remained in a purple nebula-like cloud that can still be seen today.
For the next twenty years the Union carried on expanding, and in the meantime, drawing the envy of the Zultan Empire. By 2188, this came to blows when the Zultans began mobilising their fleet again. Drawing comparisons to the First War, the Union leadership attempted to respond accordingly. However, years of prioritising planetary development had left the military severely neglected and outdated. The Navy attempted to respond, but the vastly superior Zultan fleet engaged and destroyed several Navy ships. The Navy leadership had appealed to the Union Congress for additional funding for a new class of warship, but dithering and constant amendments led to stalls within the Congress. In the meantime, the Special Operations branch, in partnership with the Marine Corps, deployed their secret weapon. The NX-01 Program, which fielded 300 super-soldiers, was activated. The NX-01 soldiers single-handedly forced the Zultans from hundreds of planets and moons and had effectively turned an un-winable war into a stalemate. The casualities were high however, as NX-01 soldiers were thrown into occupied planets with little support. The most famous battle of the war was the siege of Buran, when the Union attempted to retake the valuable planet from the Zultans. Several NX-01 soldiers, thousands of marines and navy officers were killed during the siege. However, the action of the soldiers allowed the Navy to deploy their new starships that had been under construction, the Odyssey class battleship. Despite all this however, the Zultans were able to maintain their hold on Buran, and the Military was forced to retreat. The war ended in 2196 in an armistice. The document, referred to as the Signal Accords, stipulated a number of directives that both sides needed to follow to maintain peace. The Accords established a vast neutral zone of independent planets along the border of the two powers that neither side could enter without special joint agreement. The Accords also allowed the Zultan Empire to keep Buran, but 50% of all profits generated by the planet would be given to the Union. 
In the aftermath of the war, both sides were devistated economically and militarily. Insurrectionists sprang up in Union worlds on the border of the Neutral Zone, wanting to secede from the Union and become neutral. In 2197, the Union deployed the military and the last remaining NX-01 soldiers to deal with the insurrectionists. This insurrectionist crisis ended in 2199. 
==Union territory==
Main article: Galactic Union spaceUnion territory was approximately 10,000 light years from the galactic core, and was located in the 'western arm' of Convergence. 
Union territory is vast, and upon entering it, individuals are expected to follow the laws of the Union, such as Primary Law. The Primary Law dictates that no individual in Union space is permitted to interact with species that have not yet developed FTL capabilities. Although there are laws that need to be followed, species also have guarantees when entering Union territory, such as access to healthcare and aid, and protection by the military. There are also notable goods that are banned and will be seized upon discovery, such as Zhen'kethi Rum and narcotics such as Sp'lig. 
By 2206, the Galactic Union encompassed hundreds of inhabited systems and over 26 member species. All species are considered equal partners and have equal representation in government. 
==Government==
The Galactic Union is governed as that of a representative republic, with much of its facilities located on Earth. Much of the systems of governance have come from previous Earth governments. 
===The executive branch===
The executive branch was responsible for the day-to-day management of the Galactic Union. The democractically-elected Union President was the head of this branch. The President served as both head of state and head of government. The President was responsible for determining most of the Union's foreign policy, managing budgetary concerns and served as commander-in-chief of the Union Military. The President's office, referred to as the Maison, was located in San Maria, on Earth. The President has two Vice Presidents, with one normally being the opponent of the President in the election, and the other selected by the President. Their roles differ depending on the President.
The Galactic Union Cabinet was a special committee serving the President, who oversaw different areas of governance of the Union. 
The current President as of 2206 is Star-shiner Evermore, a Floran male. The two current Vice Presidents as of 2206 are Vale Jymp-Hyrune, a Kesshyk male, and Alexandra Maria Krostov, a human female. 
=== The legislature ===
The Union legislature is divided into two 'houses'. The senior or 'upper house' of the legislature is the Union Council, and the lesser 'lower house' is the Union Congress. Despite the names, the two houses have roughly equal authority and importance. 
==== Union Council ====
The Union Council is a body that is made up of elected individuals from all member worlds of the Union, these individuals being referred to as Council-members. Each member world is entitled to send two council-members to represent their interests. The responsibility of the council is to take bills from the Congress and turn them into laws that can be sent to the President to formalise. The council's duty is to scrutinise bills and ensure that they are fit for purpose. The council is also responsible for formally certifiying the election of the President and Vice Presidents following an election.
The head of the Council is one of the Vice Presidents (usually the one selected by the President). The current head is Vice President Alexandra Maria Krostov.
==== Union Congress ====
The Union Congress is a much larger house made up of representatives from all over the Union. Unlike the council, the Congress is made up of an uneven amount of Congresspeople from each member world. Currently, the member world with the highest number of congresspeople is Earth, with over 231 congresspeople, this is due to Earth's many colonies and large population. Congress is where bills are proposed that might become law. If the sitting President wishes to get anything done, they will need the support of Congress more than the Council in order to set their agenda and get bills onto the floor. Congress is made up of hundreds of members, and a full sitting of congress is rare due to the number of congresspeople. 
Congress is led by an elected congressperson, referred to as a Speaker. The Speaker chooses four deputies to preside when they are absent. The second Vice President who does not lead the council is responsible for setting the Government's agenda in Congress as the Leader of the Congress. The current Speaker as of 2206 is Nancy Masters, and the current Leader of the Congress is Vice President Vale Jymp-Hyrune. 
=== Union Law ===
Much of the laws and principles of the Galactic Union derive from two important documents:
* The Union Charter, was the document ratified by the original member states of the Union. The charter, amongst other things, prohibits racial discrimination and stipulates the equality of all members.
* The Constitution of the Galactic Union was created as a series of rights entitled to every Union citizen. These rights were referred to as guarantees. For example, the First Guarantee protected the rights to free speech for every citizen. While the Twelfth Guarantee protected citizens from self-incrimination. 
=== Membership ===
Admittance into the Galactic Union is a lengthy process made more difficult by the Signal Accords, which limits the expansion of the Galactic Union. To gain admittance, a prospective world would either have to be invited or from successful petition. The government of a prospective member would have to submit a formal application to the Galactic Union Council, outlining its desire to join the Union. The Council would then begin proceedings, starting with a lengthy and invasive investigation into the culture and history of the prospective member. This investigation would take at least a year to complete, and was to ensure that the prospective member shared the Union's values. The Empathi people were brought up as a notable example of a species that did not always follow this criteria, as they carry out routine kidnapping and torture of individuals who show any psycho-kinetic abilities; these individuals are considered second-class citizens and are kept in special 're-education' camps until they are 'cured', however, no action has been taken against Tyrene as of 2206 for violations of Union Rights.
Before an investigation can take place, several criteria must be met by the prospective member for the council to consider their request. 
* It had to have sufficiently advanced technology that is considered almost on-par with other members. This is usually demonstrated with access to Faster than Light technology.
* The Government must have established a level of planetary unity, demonstrating the elimination of social and political differences and a respect for the rights of the individual.
* There was no form of caste discrimination present.
This has also been brought up against Tyrene by critics, as the Tyrene government has violated at least two of these requirements, but seem to be exempt as they were a founding member of the Union. 
== Exploration and defense ==
Main article: Galactic Union Military