New Suns Republic

The New Suns Republic is a deep periphery state that managed to avoid the ravages of the Amaris Coup and the following conflicts that devastated the Inner Sphere. It did so by cutting all ties to the Inner Sphere and forcing itself to become self sufficient. As a result, its technology did not decline like the reset of the Great Houses, nor did it suffer in-fighting or severe rationing as the Clans did. In contrast, its technology is more in line with what the Star League/Inner Sphere could've achieved had it not slipped into 400+ years of continuous warfare.

## History

*The History of the New Suns Republic*

Originally the New Suns Consortium, the New Suns Republic formed after a long worker led uprising against the ruling corporations. With unofficial assistance from the Draconis Combine, the corporations were forced to concede to the demands of the uprisings leaders and in 2527, the Republic was officially recognized by the Draconis Combine and Star League, with the other Houses following in short order. (See *The Uprising War)*

Recognition did not offer protection as the New Suns Republic found itself harassed by the navies of the Rim Worlds Republic and the Lyran Commonwealth. This forced it to seek aid from the Draconis Combine and the Free Worlds League. In order to stave off conflict in the region, a small fleet of SLDF ships sent to help protect the new periphery state. This SLDF presence would grow over the years to help defend the NSR while it worked on it's own defense force.

The SLDF presence would later be revealed to be more of an occupation force with the Pollux Proclamation in 2575. When the ultimatum to "join Star League" went out in 2577, the New Suns Republic had no means to effectively resist and submitted. Doing so helped it avoid the devastation of the Reunification Wars. However, the citizens and government of the NSR found different ways of turning what Star League thought of as an easy 'win' into a nightmare. Over the course of the Reunification War, the NSR would become a bureaucratic and diplomatic nightmare as officials and citizens alike used every legal and peaceful method to bog the SLDF down. (See *The Soft Rebellion*)

After the Reunification War, the NSR saw a period of steady progress and growth as the SLDF used the remoteness of the state for various testing and exploration programs. This research spilled over into developments that put life in the periphery state easily on par with that of any citizen in the Terran Hegemony. During that time, the SLDF was the primary source of defense for the NSR, with several small bases being built and mech factories being built on San Jacinto, Havana, and Baden Baden.

When First Lord Richard Cameron appointed Stephan Amaris advisor, hostilities with the Rim Worlds Republic began to fester. During this time, Amaris would enact small policy changes toward the NSR that made it hard for them to do trade with the Inner Sphere. These policies would lead to one side accusing the other of piracy and conflicts would occur. A low grade conflict called the Rift Pirate War would last until the SLDF navy was ordered by General Aleksandr Kerensky to escort all NSR ships. (See *Rift Pirate War*)

When the rhetoric against the Periphery States began to increase, and the New Vandenburg Uprising began, in 2765, the leaders of the New Suns Republic and the local SLDF contingent permanently stationed there met. Seeing how the violence was escalating, and fearful of a repeat of the devastation of the Reunification Wars, decided to completely sever ties with the Inner Sphere and Star League.

There were two brief conflicts that happened as a result of this decision. The first was an internal struggle inside the SLDF forces stationed in the NSR. In key facilities there were armed struggles for control over communications and command, but they were over quickly and with little bloodshed. The second conflict came after their announcement to cut ties was broadcast. Shortly after the announcement, First Lord Cameron, at the urging of Stefan Amaris, allowed the Rim Worlds Republic to form an expeditionary for to "liberate" the New Suns Republic from the hands of insurrectionists that had obviously staged a coup. (See *The Trail Massacres*)

Since cutting ties, the New Suns Republic has managed stay isolated, avoiding the Amaris Coup and the decline of the wars that followed. While the rest of the Inner Sphere lost its technology, the NSR continued to advance.

## Government

### President of the Republic

The highest office in the Republic is voted on in a ranked choice election. Each system is allowed to put forth a candidate which then joins the campaign that occurs over the last year of the current president's term. Presidents serve for 15 year terms and can only serve for two terms total, regardless of it they are consecutive or not. Once a person as served as President, they cannot serve in any other government office other than as a Senate appointed Advisor.

The powers of the President are that they may direct and draft public policy, appoint heads to the various Ministries and direct the focus of the ministries. They can also direct the armed forces in times of war or national emergencies.

### Senate

Each star system in the Republic has three senators. One that is appointed by the local governor/ruler, one by the Judiciary from candidates from the local populace, and one chosen by vote from the citizens of that star system. The senate does not have political parties, seeing how that was a recipe for disaster in the past with other states, and each member serves for 10 years with a maximum of three terms.

The Senate can vote to pass and amend laws brought forth from the President, or propose its own, which must be reviewed by both the President and the Judiciary before becoming law. Since the Senate must be an uneven number, an extra Senator is given to the star system with the smallest population. This Senator is chosen by the Judiciary.

### The Judiciary

A court of nine Grand Judiciaries with each star system having a High Court of three Judiciaries. Each serves a single 40 year term. Grand Judiciaries candidates are chosen from the High Judiciary courts by the Senate, then chosen by the President. To avoid the situation of a president simply refusing to seat any senate choices, the president can only refuse 3 choices before the 4th candidate is automatically seated.

The Judiciary decides how law enforcement is allowed to behave and how laws are to be enforced. It can also decide how punishments are to be determined along with sentencing. It's focus often being guided by the principle "is it just? not is it legal?". The entire justice system of the Republic is focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment and use of evidence based programs that yield results. The Judiciary makes a point to study the overarching causes of crime in order to recommend ways of preventing and alleviating the circumstances surrounding it.

Star systems are allowed to have their own laws and law enforcement, and may operate with minimal interference from the Federal level. However, Federal standards supercede system ones, and Federal Rangers have jurisdiction throughout the Republic. The average citizen of the Republic may expect legal representation at no cost as well, as this is provided by the state.

### The Ministries

* Defense: this is the civilian arm that manages the different branches of the New Suns Republic Armed Forces.
* Travel: manages the K2 Gates and the commerce laws/regulations between systems
* Communication: sets broadcasting standards and maintains the SLC Network
* Sciences: known as the National Academies of Sciences, this ministry helps direct the progress and study of various fields.
* National Health: not strictly in charge of medical matters, this ministry looks at the broader factors that affect health for citizens
* Diplomatic Relations: this is a new created ministry that's sole focus is to learn about the various other states and how best to interact with them.

## Politics

Regional politics between the Trail, the Republic, and the Frontier worlds is a source of conflict. Settlers rights vs government. Corporations vs oversight. Government vs Military. Diplomatic relations with outside vs isolationists.

The current political climate is in turmoil as there are several issues that are new to the Republic and pose very real threats to its existence. With the advances of the Scorpion Empire, there is a push to build up the military. Several senators have put forth building a standing army similar to that of the Inner Sphere houses while others are wanting to avoid falling to a military industrial complex. Currently the compromise upon reopening relations with the Inner Sphere has been to hire contractors while slowly building up the NSRAF, and relying on the Navy to defend the borders. These contractors have included a small number of house units "on loan" to the NSRAF for diplomatic missions.

The next political hurdle is how to approach trade with the Inner Sphere and relations with the various states while they are in a state of chaos. The HPG network being in disarray has created a problem in trying to get an accurate assessment of what states are stable and willing to trade. The President in not willing to see his state pulled into the various conflicts that are plaguing the region. This puts him at odds with various blocks in the Senate that want to start commerce again. A push to begin trade with the Draconis Combine has already begun to form and is gathering in opposition to his measured stance. The only compromise that has been agreed to is the shipment of aid to various NGOs that have requested it and the allowance of diplomatic missions from the various IS states.

The most recent and most troubling event is the Clan Wolf invasion of Terra and Alaric Ward's declaration of a new Star League. This is worrisome to the entire Republic who fears that the Star League reborn, especially one at the hands of someone they see has a zealot like Ward, will try to reunite the Inner Sphere and Periphery much in the same way the Camerons did. The Reunification Wars have not been forgotten by the Republic and even though they were spared the devastation, they received many refugees from states that did not. This is another reason that many in the Senate are pushing to strengthen the NSRAF's ability to fight on their own.

## Military

(See New Suns Republic Armed Forces)

The Protectors of the People are chosen by Senate/President/Judiciary/Governors

Naval/Army/Intelligence/Militia

* Grand Admiral of the Republican Navy
* Field Marshal of the Armies of the Republic
* Director of United Intelligence Corps
* Coordinator-General of the Militias

These appointments are reviewed by others and rotated so no one branch is always selecting the same position. Appointments are staggered so as not to happen at the same time. Each position serves for 10 year term, with a 1 term limit

## Economy

After cutting ties with the rest of the Inner Sphere, the systems of the Republic had to learn to be self sufficient while relying on each other for survival. Convincing each system not to horde supplies was a monumental task and it was only with the establishment of the Ministry of Travel and Ministry of National Health that this attitude changed. Establishing consistent travel between systems and the means for each system to support themselves allowed for trade of surplus goods between systems. Over time, this became less about profits and more about simply experiencing the goods produced on other worlds. When the Jump-Drop Ships came into use, this increase trade and finally the construction of the Krasnikov Gates created a network of travel that was no longer reliant on jump drives, causing trade to increase exponentially.

As the Republic opens up to the Inner Sphere, it is hoped that the this network will give the Republic an advantage in trade with the various Inner Sphere states, while letting them control the flow of that trade as well.

## Society and Culture

The New Suns Republic is made up of various groups all originally brought here as part of a workforce that was exploited by Corporate interests. These groups all found common cause during the Uprising, uniting under a banner of creating a more equitable state that works for all of the citizens, not just an elite class. As a result, citizen participation in events is highly encouraged from a young age.

Personal freedoms are also encouraged as long as they do not cause harm to others. As a result, many things that both the Inner Sphere and Clans would find strange or see as unnatural are commonplace. Cybernetics, bioforming, and genetic engineering have become the norm, and while taken to extremes by some groups, it is common to find bio-sculpted humans with various adaptations for the environments they live in.

This acceptance has lead to some advances that are unique to the New Suns, as there are many post-biological citizens and A.I. living and working in all sectors of everyday life. The advancement of A.I. and robotics has lead to those individuals being granted citizenship with the same rights as biological ones. It is not unheard of for a university to have post-biological professors teaching since their lifespans and knowledge are much more extensive.

Over all, the common view of the average citizen is one with the long term in mind and the well being of all the citizens living in the Republic. Everyone being able to benefit from a policy or program is key, and individuals often see it as their personal responsibility to make sure no one gets left out of the prosperity and growth the Republic gains. Same with hardships, as Republic citizens have learned from the years of isolation that they must help each other to survive.

(See New Suns Republic Systems)