Holy Sovereign Order of the Nighthawk

The Holy Sovereign Order of the Nighthawk (Also known as The Nighthawks, the Order of the Nighthawks, and the Fellowship of Father Space) is a theocratic sovereign entity based out of the Asteroid Belt. 
 	
The Nighthawks 	The Nighthawks
 	
Motto 	Revolution · Fatherland · Family
Capital 	The Fortress of the Order
Government Type 	Theocratic Monarchy
Legislative Branch Type 
* Representative	
* Archbishop Council
Judicial Branch Type 	Religious Law
Constitution 	
* The Codex of Father Space
Archangel of the Order	Sevi Alkand
Population 	
* Approx: 1,110,267
Demonym 	
* Nighthawk
Official language 	
* Oldspeak
* United Earth Standard
ECONOMY 	ECONOMY
Economic Policy 	State Capitalism
=Overview=
 
=History=
== First Founding ==
Lucius Avazar was born on January 10th, 2030 on Earth. He would grow up in an area described in his writings as "lush, with deep green trees and substantial foliage, and no shortage of fauna." He would see himself traveling as a cargo pilot to and from Earth to the outer reaches of Terran. Through his travels, he would meditate during the long flight time between Terra and the outer colonies. In 2055, he first reached contact with Father Space, whom he described as "A caring figure, who stands for all creatures in space, and the radical defence of their ideas." Lucius resigned from command of his ship and went rogue, taking up an abandoned relay station deep within the asteroid belt. The Order of Father Space set up trade routes to the edges of the Earth's reach, growing to about 400 members by 2060.
The 2140s saw the beginning of the third World War, with thousands of refugees flooding to the outer reaches to escape the horribly bloody combat on Earth and Mars. About 31 families arrived in that cluster of asteroids somewhere in the belt, and quickly took to the orders ideals. The Order had its first Archbishop Synod, creating the first Archbishops of the order. Unfortunately, this wouldn't last long, as Lucius Avazar, now known as Lucius I, Patriarch of the Order, would be killed while proselytizing to people on Mars during the war. This would send the Nighthawks into the darkness, and for 30 years, they remained silent.
==Darkness and the Second Founding==
Lucius I's successor. Matriarch Alyssa I, ascended to the throne immediately following the Archangel's Council vote to enthrone her. Alyssa I was known for her diplomatic and political prowess, matched only by her zealotry and devotion to the faith. Her reign saw the implementation religious fundamentalism that would transition through the Second Founding. It wasn't long before the masterful Alyssa I would slip up. In 2170, she found herself being arrested by the Archangel Guard for charges of immorality and anti-religious activity, a law she placed on the books. She would spend the remainder of her life locked away in the Great Fortress's attic, where she would pray daily to atone for her sins. She died a broken woman in 2181. In 2170, she was replaced by Rodric I, the first individual to style himself Archangel over Patriarch or Matriarch.
Rodric's reign would see the Second Founding. On April 12th, 2177 SY (Standard/Solar Year), Rodric declared the beginning of a new era. He organized the new military and society into a class system to ensure people knew their place in said society. He wished to create idols for the population to look up to in the mortal plane. The Paragon system came into effect, where those in society considered the most pious would undergo genetic manipulation in order to add wings and other mutations. The creation of the Paragon system lead to an overhaul and stabilization of society. The Order saw peace for a great long time.
=Government and Politics=
The Nighthawk Order's governance is based off of two distinct councils that run the Order, both of which are subordinate to the Archangel of the Order. These two councils are the Archbishop Council and the Archangel Council. The amended Father Space Codex describes these two items as the two swords of state, however, the responsibilities and duties of these chambers have changed since the Third Founding.
The Archbishop Council
The Archbishop Council is described in the Codex as "the Council which dictates the affairs of home and internal matters to continue the survival of the Order." There are 107 members of the council, who are elected by various means. The first 50 are known as the Local Members, and are elected in constituencies on proportional lists. The next 50 are the Populii, who are elected under universal suffrage in national lists. The final 7 members are the "Special Representatives" who are appointed by the Archangel to act as a cabinet of sorts, and serve at the leisure of the Archangel. Elections are held every five years, and those on the Populii or the Local Lists may only hold their seats for up to three terms before they are barred from standing again. 
The Council meets in the Order Fortress that floats in the middle of the arranged asteroid shield. 
The Archangel Council
The Archangel Council is described in the Codex as "the Council which is comprised of the most honoured members of our society. Their leisure of service is at the behest of this Codex." The Codex is strict as to who may be granted a seat on the council. The Codex says, as follows: "Only those who have served the Order in the Military, in the Priesthood, or in the Political may stand in the council itself. The Archangel of the Order decides who is granted such positions under a secret process described in the true codex." The Codex Ancient, the most prized possession of the Order, details the requirements and limitations. 750 People currently occupy the Council.
==Politics==
==Legal system==
==Religion==
=Education=
=Culture=
=Economy=
=Military=
The Holy Crusading Force is divided up into four different branches: the Terrestrial Force, the Crusading Fleet, the Archangel Corps, and the Archangel Guard. Currently, all forces number close to 200,000 total, nearly 20% of the population. As per Codex Law, all citizens and members of the Order must undergo a period of service of no less than 3 standard years. Members of the Archangel Corps and Archangel Guard are required to serve a contract of 15 years. Most people enter the Terrestrial Force or the Crusading Fleet at age 17, leaving the force on their 20th birthday. Others elect to stay longer, singing contracts of various standard years (3, 6, 10, 15, 20, or life). 
==Terrestrial Force==
The Terrestrial Force oversees all land-based, non-mechanized operations of the Order. Training takes place at Camp Father Space, a specially built contained colony for the purpose of training the armed forces. Members train for 8 months before being deployed on missions, normally as mercenaries officially contracted out by the Archangel Council. The force itself is organized into Companies, with 200 soldiers in each. Companies are divided into Platoons, which there are 3 per Company. It is these Platoons which are deployed on contracted missions unless the Council deems that a Company is needed.
Troops of the Terrestrial Force are armed with what would be considered conventional weapons: kinetic arms that are propelled by some sort of flammable propellant. The standard issue arm is the Mark III battle rifle, but soldiers of veterancy status may file a request to carry their personal arms instead. The entire force is commanded by the Archangel Council, with the next highest up being the Commandant of the Terrestrial Forces, themselves a member of the Archangel Council.
==Crusading Fleet==
The Crusading Fleet oversees all space-based operations, as well as the transportation of the Archangel Corps. The Fleet is trained in the asteroid fields, where pilots and crews hone their skills in piloting and repair as they deal with small, errant asteroids. The Fleet transports all currently contracted troops and pilots around the Solar System. The Fleet is divided between the Nighthawk Navy and the Holy Order Starfighter Corps, who control the small craft of the Fleet. The Commander is the Fleet Admiral, who is a member of the Archangel Council.
==Archangel Corps==
The Archangel Corps is the mobile suit wing of the HCF, made up predominately of pilots who have signed 15 year agreements to continue piloting. The year-long training of the Archangel Corps takes place at Camp Father Space Area Charlie-5, which is off limits to Armed Forces personnel who are not with the Corps or without special permission. Initial selection tests take place every year in the solar month of March. Those who pass will be sent to training, to become the front-line expert forces of the Order. Upon the completion of training (which is a highly guarded secret), pilots are assigned a Squadron to serve in for up to 15 years, their entire contract. As such, units tend to grow strong bonds and this reflects on the care taken to ensure pilots come home. 
Upon achieving 15 kills as a Pilot, the pilot will be granted permission to be "Born Again", where they are sent to the facility to be modified for angelic wings. This is not limited to the Archangel Corps but it is the only way for an enlisted member of the Armed Forces to acquire such status. Their commander is a member of the Archangel Guard.
==Archangel Guard==
Upon the completion of three contracted services (excluding the Archangel Corps, who only have to serve one 15 year contract to be considered), applicants and individuals are put under tests to see if they qualify for the Archangel Guard. The Archangel Guard is the only military unit of the Order that is forbidden from taking part in Mercenary contracts. The Guard is highly secretive, piloting special white and gold mobile suits and being adorned in similar armor. Their purpose is unknown to the general population, let alone the outside world. They swear an oath of secrecy, under punishment of family sacrifice.
=Diplomacy Standing=
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Category:Nighthawks
Category:Nations