Post-Human Republic

The Post-Human Republic is a society of technologically advanced human cyborgs that broke from the rest of humanity shortly before the coming of the Scourge.

## History

The Post-Human Republic's origins lie with the coming of the White Sphere to Earth in the year 2506. Those who heeded the White Sphere's warning stole or chartered thousands of starships, making foldspace jumps to the rendezvous point indicated by the Sphere - Vega IV. When the EAA fleet sent to bring them back arrived, the Abandonists fired on their pursuers, leading to the infamous Battle of Vega that crippled Earth's defence force on the eve of the Scourge's arrival.

Following the battle, the Abandonist fleet disappeared, jumping off to locations known only to the White Sphere. For over a century, the rest of humanity heard nothing of their fate, until a mysterious ship appeared over the UCM capital of Aurum. The delegation aboard the ship declared themselves as descendants of the Abandonist movement, and emissaries of the Post-Human Republic - a society of technologically-augmented humans.

Understandably, this initial meeting between the PHR and UCM was soured by the actions of the Republic's forefathers - actions that the PHR representatives expressed regret for, but did not apologize for either. As a result, the PHR's advice against the Reconquest was ignored; however, this did not mean the Republic wouldn't involve themselves in the UCM's struggle. Since the beginning of the war, the Republic has conducted varied operations in every theatre, from surface raids against specific and unknown targets all the way up to a full-scale invasion of the Tlalocan moons. Though the Republic has generally avoided direct confrontation with the UCM, neither has it shied away from attacking Colonial forces when necessary.

Most recently, the PHR approached the UCM High Council to offer their assistance for an invasion of Earth. Though this aid came at a cost - the choice of surface targets on Earth, as well as forfeiture of the Tlalocan Moons - the UCM accepted the Republic's aid, leading to the creation of the Triumvirate. The Grand Fleet's actions were instrumental in ensuring victory during the Battle of Sol, though without the timely intervention of the Vega Scrapfleet, even their technological prowess could not have evened the odds.

## Technological Augmentation

A central tenet of PHR society is technological augmentation of its citizens, a process that, while voluntary, is required for someone to be regarded as a full citizen. This process begins with "the Binding," a procedure that is regarded by many in the Republic as a type of coming of age. A network of advanced nanomachines are bound to the relevant biological aspects of the subject, allowing for the addition of future modifications. Though several days of inebriation follow, the process is understood to be painless.

Following the Binding, a PHR citizen is known as "post-human," and may explore additional artificial enhancements, tinkering with their body as one would a race car. This exploration is a deeply personal process, and modifications are never forced on individuals; however the presence of certain enhancements in every fighting PHR soldier implies that some are mandatory for armed service.

Most citizens exhibit extensive use of cybernetic prosthetics and modification, for both injury repair and improved physical performance. These can be as simple as bone and limb replacements, or as complex as bio-artificial melding of living tissue and fabricated nanostructures. Regardless of which choices are made, PHR citizens enjoy a bevvy of advantages over their unaugmented brethren, including superior mental acuity, increased speed and strength, enhanced vision, and near-perfect bodily control. As a result of these augmentations, citizens of the Republic are easy to spot - their too-perfect complexions, piercing eyes, and the occasional flash of silver from below their skin sets them apart in a crowd.

In addition to physical enhancements, many post-humans are further augmented with sophisticated neural-linked communications suites. These not only allow them to control their technology with simple gestures (and often no perceptible input at all), but also to commune with artificial intelligences known as Familiars. These devices take a wide variety of forms, from small domestic robots to personal transports, and are central to the operation of the entire PHR. Developing an affinity to them is considered a vital skill, and often takes years of practice to learn.

## Government and Politics

Though the PHR is nominally a republic, every action or policy it makes is overshadowed by the presence of the White Sphere. Ambassadors from the Republic have stated that the Sphere can only give advice, and that direct orders must be issued by an elected council that interprets its will; however, their choice of language indicated subservience. Either way, the White Sphere occupies a revered and crucial position in the Republic, and likely is the source of the PHR's technological superiority.

The home planet of the PHR is a mystery. Though Republic ambassadors have guardedly mentioned "home soil" during past meetings with the Colonies, all attempts to locate their homeworlds have failed. Recent developments have led the UCM to speculate that the White Sphere led the original Abandonists to another galaxy entirely, though how they made that journey is an enigma. This theory however would explain the Republic's invasion of the Tlalocan Moons - they need supply lines closer to the Reconquest.

The Post-Human Republic and United Colonies of Mankind have an understandably tense relationship. PHR vessels will often attack UCM ships without warning, and surface raids on UCM-dominated worlds are common. The motives behind these operations are frequently unknown, and the PHR do not explain themselves, which has led to many Colonial officers simply firing upon Republic forces after the slightest provocations. Naturally, the Republic being descended from the Abandonist movement further complicates matters, as the UCM has a hatred for those who crippled humanity's defenders on the eve of the Scourge's arrival.

However, the Republic at least appears to have humanity's best interests at heart. Its citizens have just as much hatred for the Scourge as those in the Colonies, and tales of Earth abound amongst its population. The Republic was also willing to commit almost the entirety of the Grand Fleet to the invasion of Earth, despite professing little care for the cradle of mankind.

## Military

As the population of the PHR is estimated to be less than a sixth of that of the UCM, the Republic concentrates on maximizing the survivability and lethality of each unit. As a result - and thanks to their superior technology - PHR forces have a matchless quality of training and equipment, allowing them hold their own even against terrible odds. Man for man, the UCM is no match for the Republic's finest.

### Army

The innate physical advantages granted to PHR soldiers by their augmentations, coupled with superior training and equipment, has made every single one an elite by Colonial standards. The bulk of the Republic's infantry are the Immortals - armoured shock troops of excellent quality - but the Republic can field more esoteric troops as well, such as Valkyries or Medusae. The Republic's armour is concentrated in its Battle Walker formations, which use their durability and superior firepower to make up for their smaller numbers.

### Navy

The PHR's Grand Fleet is one of the most powerful forces in the Reconquest. Though significantly smaller in terms of numbers than both the UCM and Scourge navies, the Grand Fleet possesses superior crews and equipment than their counterparts. PHR ships possess redundant power cores, advanced gravity nullification systems, and thick composite armour that makes them exceptionally tough. Unlike the UCM, the PHR can mount entire batteries of mass drivers aboard their ships thanks to advances in miniaturization, and have even managed to mount burnthrough weaponry on frigate-sized vessels.

It is unclear how large the Grand Fleet actually is, in part due to the unknown numbers of ships the Republic may have in reserve around their homeworlds. As the PHR have not been called upon to mount a major defence of their own territory, it's possible that they have committed all of their fleet assets; however, it is equally likely that they've held back a vast quantity of ships. The largest concentration of PHR ships prior to the invasion of Earth was the battlefleet-sized force that conquered the Tlalocan moons, but taskforce-sized groups have been sighted more often.

The PHR has also routinely been observed operating small and focused fleet elements far from any significant formations, illustrating their abilities to perform effectively far from reinforcements or support for months at a time. Many PHR vessels are designed with such operations in mind, and therefore are created to be as flexible, multi-role, and tough as possible.