Jovian League

> "*Many Peoples; Many Worlds; One Jupiter!*"
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> —Official Motto of the Jovian League

Flag of the Jovian League

The Jovian League is a loose federation located in the Jovian System, comprising 3 inhabited moons - Europa, Ganymede and Callisto - as well as dozens of other uninhabited ones. The League formed in 2130 in the aftermath of the Jovian Wars between the US, EU and Luna which federated to ensure stability and provide a joint banner to represent the Jovian System.

Jovian settlement began in the early 2060s. After the US had laid claim to Mars in its entirety after WW3, a lack of available space for colonization meant most Earth powers scrambled to settle the Jovian moons - Europa was primarily settled by the EU and Russia, Callisto settled by the US, Japan and UK, and Ganymede being settled by Australasia, India and China. With such a diverse composition of nations, conflict arose over the rights to the Jovian system and its rich resources.

In 2112, border clashes between China and India lead to a war which devastated Ganymede (known as the Ganymede War, or more commonly the First Jovian War). The battle over Ganymede caused immense damage to surface infrastructure during the 3-day conflict, and only ended with the intervention of the US Jupiter Fleet. The resulting treaty granted limited independence to the moon, which was left under US protection. Increasing decolonial sentiment on the other two Jovian moons also caused the US to grant Callisto independence in 2120 before conflict could arise. in exchange for independence, the US was granted surface bases, civil and military orbital infrastructure and beneficial trade agreements. The UEF also granted independence to its portion of Europa in 2121 under similar agreements. However, Russia quickly took advantage of this, and moved in on the newly independent republic. With UEF forces still in orbit and stationed on the planet, they quickly intervened on behalf of Europa, and pushed back Russian ground forces until the government of Novaya Moskva conditionally surrendered.

The Third Jovian war was fought between the UEF and USA against the Lunar Federation, although conflict was mainly limited to the Jovian system. In 2126, a US research outpost in low Jupiter orbit was attacked by a Lunar stealth fleet, prompting a swift declaration of war. US and UEF fleets quickly blockaded Luna and took over orbital infrastructure, although their reduced military presence in the Jovian system caused a devastating defeat in the Battle of Io. The still-developing governments of the Jovian moons were pressured into surrender to Luna, and the installed puppet governments agreed to federate and declared war on Earth. Cut off from external support, the remaining UEF and US militaries in Jovian orbit surrendered. However, after a counterattack from the US Belt Fleet, Luna was forced to retreat and abandon its puppet regime.

## History

### Settlement

The settlement of the Jovian moons began during Mars' early protests in favor of independence in the 2060s, with the United European Federation, Russian Federation, Japan, Australasia, Republic of India and the Second Republic of China scrambling for settlements and territories in a 10-year period known as the Jovian Rush. Millions rapidly settled the moons, and by 2070, no unclaimed territory was left on any of the three habitable Galilean moons. The US entered the rush late, and only claimed a relatively small portion of Callisto in a joint effort with Japan and Australasia. With the recent history of major wars on Earth, all belligerents in the Jovian system agreed to a non-aggression pact, leaving the newly founded colonies to expand and grow while attention was shifted to newer endeavors, namely the Belt Rush.

Despite the NAP, the Jovian system gradually militarized as the memory of the Third World War faded. Major local fleets were established by the colonizing nations, the most prominent of which were the US Jupiter Fleet, UEF Europa Taskforce, Indian Ganymede Flotilla and the Chinese Mùxīng Fleet.

### Jovian Wars

The Jovian Wars was a series of brief conflicts taking place between 2112 and 2123, which ultimately resulted in the independence of the Jovian system. The conflicts largely emerged from traditional political rivalries on Earth which had influenced the development of the Jovian system.

#### First Jovian War

The First Jovian War began in 2112, when a border dispute on Ganymede escalated into a skirmish, when both sides claimed that border outposts were attacked. The resulting conflict escalated further when Admiral Jai Singh ordered a localized orbital bombardment of military facilities on the Chinese side of the border. Despite attempts to limit collateral damage, the breaching of portions of China's underground colony caused the deaths of over two dozen. Taking this as an act of war, the Chinese fleet around Ganymede fired on the Indian fleet, resulting in a short orbital engagement. It is widely believed that the respective high commands on Earth were unaware that this had taken place, and both rapidly entered negotiations to resolve the dispute. Within 2 hours, a ceasefire was agreed and negotiations arranged for a future settlement.

However, the respective commands of both navies around Ganymede did not end their battle (later discovered to be an intentional decision by Ad. Singh), forcing India and China to request US intervention to end the brawl. After 2 days of transit, the US Jupiter Fleet entered Ganymede orbit and positioned themselves between the two battling navies. The surviving commands of both navies were detained by US marines, and sent back to Earth.

With both the Chinese and Indian navies in ruins above the surface of Ganymede, the US rapidly diverted resources from Callisto to support the surface colones, which were in dire need of food, medical supplies and oxygen filters. This philanthropic act gave much weight to the US' proposal during peace negotiations on Earth, where it was suggested that Ganymede be granted independence under US protection. Under the Treaty of New New Dehli, the Republic of Ganymede was granted full independence.

#### Interim Period

Between the first and second Jovian wars, Ganymede enjoyed its independence under US protection, rapidly outgrowing even the most optimistic estimates for its development. Ganymede's success was the envy of the Jovian system, and soon independence campaigners arose on UEF Europa and Callisto. Fearing another Martian situation, the US and UEF elected to grant their colonies independence under their patronage. Thus, plans were made to transition Callisto and Europa to independence by 2120. Although Callisto gained independence on schedule, constitutional debates within Europan political circles delayed the process by several months, leading to independence in 2121. With this peaceful transition to independence, the UEF and US were able to retain many of their orbital assets, and retained strong diplomatic relations with the newly independent republics.

#### Second Jovian War

The second Jovian war was fought between the newly-established Republic of Europa and the Russian Federation. In 2121, Russia made a bid to claim the entire moon shortly after its independence. However, with UEF assets still being transferred off the moon, an attack on a civilian freighter caused the UEF to join Europa in declaring war on Russia. Both sides quickly agreed to limit combat to the Jovian system in a bid to prevent excess damage on Earth. Despite initial progress, the lack of local Russian air or space assets caused the offensive to slow. With close air support being provided by the garrisoned UEF Europa Task Force, an piecing offensive caused Russian forces to fall back to defensive positions, although many simply chose to surrender. With falling local manpower and the main Russian fleet being months away, the colonial command of Novaya Moskva conditionally surrendered in exchange for their immunity and protection from their government.

With the entire moon de facto under the Republic of Europa's control, peace negotiations soon commenced, ceding the entire colony to Europa and enforcing a temporary DMZ in the outer planets for Russian forces.

#### Third Jovian War

The Third Jovian war was fought between the UEF and USA against the Lunar Federation, although conflict was mainly limited to the Jovian system. In 2126, a US research outpost in low Jupiter orbit was attacked by a Lunar stealth fleet, prompting a swift declaration of war. US and UEF fleets quickly blockaded Luna and took over orbital infrastructure, although their reduced military presence in the Jovian system caused a narrow defeat in the Battle of Io after the full lunar fleet arrived - US and UEF ships were forced to retreat to Jupiter's Lagrange point stations while Lunar forces were able to freely roam around the Jovian system. Cut off from external support, the remaining UEF and US militaries in Jovian orbit surrendered. With very few domestic defense capabilities themselves, the weak fleets of the Jovian republics retreated to the Lagrange stations and the civilian governments surrendered.

After installing occupational governments and beginning construction of new fleets in the Jovian system, the lunar fleet burned towards Earth in hopes of breaking the blockade and forcing the US and UEF to retreat from all their extraplanetary outposts. Before this climatic battle could occur however, a counterattack from the Jovian republican fleets, US Belt Fleet and repaired elements of the Jupiter Fleet devastated the token navy the occupational governments had assembled. After the occupation governments surrendered, the Lunar government entered negotiations with the US and UEF.

Due to the low overall death toll of the war, relatively few concessions were extracted from Luna - orbital stations were ceded and war reparations enforced. However, with most of the core Lunar navy intact, Luna remained one of the systems paramount powers.

### Formation of the League

In the aftermath of the Third Jovian war, the recovering governments of Jupiter embraced cooperation, forming the Jovian assembly in 2127 which was intended to promote civil development, diplomatic cooperation and military coordination. The Assembly jointly constructed Unity Station, a rotating city station in Ganymede orbit intended to be neutral territory. In the following months, legislation creating an internal customs union, joint research division and central military command. Plans to create a unified currency were also drafted, although negotiations fell through. By 2129, the foundations of the League were cemented, and throughout the 2130s, representatives of all three republics voted to unify and strengthen the position of Jupiter in the solar system. On January 1st 2131, the Jovian League was proclaimed.

Despite claiming sovereignty over everything within Jupiter's gravity well, preliminary negotiations with Jupiter's allies in the UEF and US allowed them to lay claim to many of Jupiter's outermost moons, with which embassies, military installations and scientific outposts were established. Many of these were in cooperation with the League, and a strong tripartite alliance was fostered.

The young league was quick to establish its prowess in the solar system, claiming a substantial portion of the asteroid belt for mining, and gaining partial ownership of Ceres. With assistance from its allies, Jupiter constructed its own fleet, able to police its trade lanes. In the 2140s, Jupiter began sending expeditions to the Saturnian moons, establishing small colonies on Enceladus and Rhea.

### Interstellar Expansion

In the post-FTL era, the Jovian league was in a prime position to exploit the new opportunities the Dunajski drive opened. Although early attempts to use FTL were lackluster, the League eventually secured access to the US' jump ships in the outer system, while keeping several of its own attached to its outer planet fleets.

## Demographics

### Population

The Jovian League is host to an extremely diverse population, with a vast array of languages, ethnicity and religions - the Jovian system is widely regarded as the melting pot of the outer system. The population currently stands at around 38 million as of 2150, with an annual growth rate of 0.74%. As the Jovian republics have grown closer, migration between the moons has occurred and populations from Europe, Asia and America can be found in almost every Jovian community. The League also encourages migration from Earth to further diversify its populace, which has been a major success especially in developing nations. Large Arab, Swahili, South African and Siamese communities are now well-established in the League.

The population has been changed by their environment however - naturalborn Jovian citizens are on average 20% taller than the average Earth citizen due to the effects of the moons' low gravity, although recent developments in medical technology and artificial gravity generation have somewhat reversed this effect. Despite most embracing this healthier method of raising children, some traditionalists have elected to maintain their unique physiology

### Language

The Jovian League does not have any official language, choosing to recognize all as legitimate methods of communication in official matters. Despite this, Mandarin, English, Russian, and Hindi speakers make up the majority of the Jovian population. To help smooth the process of government, universal translator devices enhanced with artificial neural networks have been created, and are provided to all citizens of the League.

With the amount of assimilation occurring in Jovian communities, several creole and pidgin languages have emerged. Due to their isolation from inner system linguistics, unique dialects and accents are also pronounced in the Jovian system, causing many inner planet visitors confusion even when speaking to individuals in the same mother language.

### Religion

Religion is a complex affair on the Jovian moons - there are large communities of all major religions, as well as a substantial portion of irreligious people. Religion is left alone by federal policy with small exceptions towards dangerous religious practices. With such a laissez-faire approach, interfaith dialogue in the Jovian system has developed organically, and several blended faiths have emerged in recent years - notable examples including the Unified Church of Abraham & Later Prophets, the Church of the Outer Worlds, the Islamic school of *al-Masīḥ* and the Karmic Church of Christ

## Government & Politics

### Political Divisions

The Jovian League is made up of 3 composite nations - The Republic of Europa, the Republic of Ganymede and the Republic of Callisto, each of which maintain their own individual systems of government; and maintain much autonomy outside of the League itself. There are very few unified institutions within the league, although it does maintain a distinct legislature to create unified law applicable anywhere in League space.

### Executive

The Lunar executive branch consists of the elected heads of state of the three Jovian republics unofficially known as the Jovian Tripartite. This body is virtually powerless normally, and can only gain executive power with prior approval from the Combined Senates in emergency situations. Currently, the Tripartite has never been granted emergency powers.

### Legislative

The Combined Senates of Jupiter is the main legislative body of the League. It consists representatives elected in League-wide elections, with around one representative for every 100,000 voters. This gives Europa and Ganymede a large majority over Callisto, but due to the divided electorates on the larger two moons, most populations are represented equally.

#### Political Parties

Political parties within the Combined Senates are extremely diverse, representing people from the vast array of cultures, languages and social groups. However, most parties have agglomerated into coalitions which represent collective interests in the legislature. Several of the largest ones include:

* Federalist Coalition - Centre-right bloc advocating for increased integration of the Jovian republics, a stronger stance in solar politics and economic liberalization
* Social Democrat Alliance - Centre-left bloc advocating for a more reserved diplomatic policy, internal development, the establishment of universal welfare and a balance of power between the republics and the League
* Alliance of Liberals & Democrats - Centrist bloc advocating for economic liberalism and maintaining the current status of the league. Often acts as the kingmaker party between the SD/FC dichotomy
* Jovian Conservatives & Traditionalists - Right wing bloc advocating for partial decentralization, economic liberalism and diplomatic openness, especially with nations such as Luna and Mars.
* Independent Democratic Bloc - Right to far-right-wing bloc advocating for the decentralization of the league
* The Left - Bloc of far-left parties advocating for diplomatic isolationism, total integration of the Jovian republics and the establishment of a powerful welfare state, including measures such as Universal Basic Income

### Judiciary & Justice

The League currently lacks any unified court, instead ruling cases on a republic-by-republic basis. This has caused the process of amending joint Jovian law a slow one, and federalist parties advocate for the creation of a joint court in which the republic courts would be subordinate to.

Criminals are prosecuted by whichever republic they have citizenship and residence in. Exceptions are in place for those on Unity Station, who run an independent court based roughly around Ganymede law.

### Foreign Relations

The Jovian League maintains strong diplomatic relations with both the UEF and USA, with their independence being achieved on far more amicable terms compared to Mars or Luna. Although neither country now owns surface infrastructure, orbital bases and military shipyards are still owned by Earth nations, and both are exempt from the League's tariffs on slingshot maneuvers.

Relations with Luna are more icy, given their history of conflict. However, due to the League's reliance on Lunar Helium-3 imports, limited trade relations exist. Jupiter is also a member state of the Intersolar Assembly.

### Military

The armed forces of the Jovian League consist of two branches - the Navy (Including Marines and Naval Air) and Army. The Armed forces are administered and controlled by Jovian High Command, which is subdivided into linguistic command groups. As of 2128, the Jovian republics currently have no independent control over their armed forces, although they are the ones funding and manufacturing military equipment.

The Jovian Navy is the cornerstone of Jupiter's defense capabilities - maintaining large stationary railgun placements in orbit around Jupiter and its moons, as well as controlling several dozen destroyers, frigates and light cruisers while also having 5 capital ships, mostly heavy cruisers. The navy is used to patrol Jupiter's trade lanes in the inner and outer system, as well as maintaining a large standing defense of the Jovian system itself. The Jovian navy also owns 4 Dunajski ships, deployed mostly in outer planets task forces.

The navy also has a separate air and ground forces (colloquially called Marines), mainly employed for theoretical ground incursions throughout the solar system. The Jovian Naval Air force currently utilizes the European designed E-37 "Starjet" multirole fighter as its main aircraft.

The marine corps is mostly theoretical, with only command staff and training officers being permanently employed. Nonetheless, the corps maintains more than 2000 Armored Assault Suits and has a shortlist of 10,000 reservists. The army is also in a similar situation, with more than 100,000 reservists, and equipment intended to arm 200,000, but only around 5,000 permanent ground troops are employed, as well as command staff.