Free Association for Mutual Security

Officially abbreviated to FAMS, but more commonly known as the Five Systems Alliance (FSA), the worlds of the Free Association for Mutual Security are committed to united defense and policies for mutual economic security. Collectively they are known as the "Core Worlds" or the "Founding Partners" to distinguish them from the Associate Security Partners

## History

Initially founded during the First Interstellar War against Maradon and associated colonies, it is initially known as the Four Systems Alliance. Following the Second Interstellar War, Maradon is reformed into a Democratic Republic and joins the Alliance. After the founding of the Interstellar Union, member worlds are recognized as Associate Security Partners under the Universal Guarantee of Security.

## Universal Guarantee of Security

The Universal Guarantee of Security is made by the Alliance for the defense of the entire Union; most worlds possess no military force of their own, but are instead protected by Alliance forces as Associate Security Partners. Most contribute financially to their protection, but this is not a requirement under the Guarantee. Larger worlds that do possess military forces generally lack space forces and so are still host to Alliance fleets. Generally speaking, most of these Alliance forces are provided by Earth, Mars, and Arda.

## Members

The Five Systems Alliance comprises the Core Worlds of the Cytherean Commonwealth, United States of Earth and the Federal-Imperial Republic of Mars in Sol; the Ardan Republic in Centauri; the Democratic Republic of Maradon in Ekateren (formerly Wolf 1061); the Constitutional Carolan Union in Kapteyn; and the Drake Democracy in Luyten. Worlds protected under the Guarantee include all Union worlds and are known as Associate Security Partners.

## Charter

The Charter of the Alliance is based on that of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Earth in existence during the 20th and 21st Centuries. It removes several Articles, simplifies much of the language and generalizes several clauses so as to recognize the coequal status of each Member.

### Article 1

The Parties undertake to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that interstellar peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the charter and purposes of the Interstellar Union.

### Article 2

The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between all worlds of the Interstellar Union.

### Article 3

In order to more effectively achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.

### Article 4

The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.

### Article 5

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the independence and security of the Party or Parties so attacked.

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council of the Interstellar Union. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain interstellar peace and security.

### Article 6

For the purpose of Article 5, an armed attack on one or more of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the territory or people of any of the Parties.

### Article 7

The Parties hereby establish a Council, on which each of them shall be represented, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty. The Council shall be so organized as to be able to meet promptly at any time. The Council shall, in addition, meet regularly so as to facilitate coordination in alignment with the purposes of this Treaty.

### Article 8

The Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other World in a position to further the principles of this Treaty to accede to this Treaty. Any World so invited may become a Party to the Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Council established under this Treaty. The Council will inform the Governments of each of the Parties of the deposit of each such instrument of accession.

### Article 9

The Parties shall at any time, if any of them so requests, consult together for the purpose of reviewing the Treaty, for the maintenance of interstellar peace and security.

### Article 10

This Treaty, of which the texts in the languages of English, Chinese, French, German, Latin and Spanish, are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Governments of each Party.