Baltera Union

## History

### Origins

Originating from a species of **Balaenoptera musculus** (more commonly known as the **"Blue Whale"**), the Baltera Union originate from the planet of Balnera in the **Lambda Quadrant**. Originally a form of marine life on the planet, the Baltera's evolution was drastically accelerated due to contact with an unknown **Cetacean Probe**, which remained in orbit over their world for almost a thousand years, directly communicating with them through aquatic transmissions.

However in the process of this communication, the **Cetacean Probe** destroyed many other species of animal life that resided on the surface of the planet, ionizing the atmosphere in the same way that another probe, encountered in 2286 attempted to do to the surface of Earth.

After this contact with the probe, the Baltera's evolution were drastically altered, gaining an impressive technological and evolutionary development, gaining the ability to be truely amphibous, being able to live both on land and in Balnera's vast cold oceans.

The probe had also provided the Baltera with knowledge of science, which led to the creation of Baltera vessels and permitted them to leave their home planet, all within the impossibly small timespan of just 100 years after the probe's departure.

After a disasterous first contact with the **Bassari Socialist Republics**, the Baltera became somewhat cautious about exploring space, fending off attacks from both Bassari, **Kabbalis Consortium**, **Gol Anocracy** and some elements of the **Black Eye Consortium** vessels which would hunt their species for their unique form of **blubber**, which could be processed into a powerful biological fuel source.

A solitary species, preferring to explore space alone, many members of the Baltera would be attacked while travelling from their homeworld and Balnera itself has been attacked by different species many times, causing the Baltera to become extremely distrustful of outsiders.

Unlike conventional species, the Baltera spend most of their lives completely alone, only returning to specific spots on their homeworld to breed once ever 20 years, compelled by a powerful biological drive.

Physically, the Baltera are extremely powerful, with some known to work as mercenaries for the Bassari and other species. However these Baltera are considered to be *"traitors"* by other Baltera and are exiled from Balnera, never allowed to return and mate, ensuring that their genetic heritage will die out.

First contact with the **United Commonwealth of Planets** was made in July 2421, when the **U.S.S. Republic** transported a young Balteran back to their homeworld for *"The Gathering"*, the mating ceremony of the Baltera. The Union elders were extremely impressed with the Commonwealth's technology, with an elder returning back to **Commonwealth (Commonwealth I)** with the Republic in order to open diplomatic talks.

### Comintern Occupation

In mid-**2453**, the **Balnera** was conquered by the **Bassari Comintern**. Interestingly, the **Baltera Government** known as the **"Water Conclave"** offered no resistance to the Comintern, much to the ire of many of their population that fled the planet. Reacting to the Balteran passivity, the Comintern agreed to assimilate Baltera into a **Satellite State** to the Comintern providing them with reasonable autonomy in exchange for regular tribute to the Comintern that were interested in accessing **Balteran Building Techniques**, a style of internal architecture which rendered Baltera buildings up to twice as durable under **High-Pressure Environments** as conventional Comintern techniques.

As a result of this fairly peaceful exchange, Baltera Engineers were given lavish positions within the **Comintern People's Army**, helping to construct many new lines of Comintern starship such as the **Bassari Novorossiysk Class**, reinforcing its hulls with their impressive **Self-Healing Algae Membranes**. A unique mix of traditional sealant and biological **Algea** harvested from the oceans of Balnera which can autonomously repair cracks and minor damage, reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of Comintern facilities.

However some Balteran saw the Conclave's decision to capitulate as treason and left to join the **Halouvan Resistance** on **Halouvan** in order to resist the Comintern occupation of both their worlds. This move was exceptionally popular amongst the younger of the **Pods**, going against the decisions of the elders to not resist the Comintern. Some young Balterans openly joined the Comintern, agreeing with their ideology of providing worker's rights to the rest of the **Black Eye Galaxy** and have since taken up positions in the Comintern state, with Balteran **Zharr** of **Pod E'k** becoming an important advisor to Comintern Party Head, **Lev Giurgiu**.