United Systems Commonwealth (U.S.C)

United Systems Commonwealth (U.S.C)
Player	Grif101
Leaders	Monarch: King George XIV Prime Minister: Andrew Cornwallis
Motto	"Numquam iterum"
Species	Human
Inclination	Twilight
Population	32 billion
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
Religion	Multireligious, Christianity dominant
Currency	Commonwealth Pound
Primary Languages	English, French, German, Russian, Chinese
Organizational Alliance	Human Defence Coalition
Trade Agreements	Human Defence Coalition

The United Systems Commonwealth is a Constitutional Monarchy. The Commonwealth is a galactic empire in the galactic Northeast, based from New Earth and bordering the Kurgan Empire, New Covenant and the Empire of Caelum. The Commonwealth is a relative newcomer on the galactic stage, having only recently made first contact with the Kurgan Empire, and shortly after the rest of galactic civilization. Despite its recent entry, the Commonwealth has already begun to throw its weight around, aiding galactic society against the Shadow threat and being a founding member of the Human Defence Coalition. This somewhat brash and bold nature is mostly due to the Commonwealth's origins as the United Sol Government, the government that ruled Earth and a vast empire before the Fall of Earth. Because of this history, the Commonwealth considers itself the sole legitimate government of humanity, though it has been careful to maintain good relations with the other human powers regardless.

With its impressive military strength, economic might and willingness to use whatever means necessary to keep humanity safe, the Commonwealth has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with. The Commonwealth is an odd amalgamation of the old and new, sporting advanced technology but having a society heavily resembling the Victorian society of the old British Empire, along with alien and cybernetic prejudices. The Commonwealth is very prejudiced against aliens, as it was an alien power that caused the Fall of Earth and the near extermination of humanity. As such, while not as xenophobic as the New Covenant, the Commonwealth sees all aliens as a threat to humanity and its military stands ready to fight any hostile alien power, at any time. The Commonwealth currently sees the Crescanian Confederacy as its largest rival and as the biggest threat to humanity, next to the Shadow menace. Even though the Commonwealth fought alongside Crescania during the Shadow War, it made sure to take note of Crescanian tactics, and currently runs wargames to prepare for what it currently sees as an inevitable war with Crescania.

The Capital City of New Earth is Winchester, a sprawling metropolis with a population of forty million people, and the largest city on New Earth. The city of Winchester is a sight to behold, a bastion of clean energy, towering spires and sprawling bridges, underground metro tunnels and a deceptively strong defence grid. To look at Winchester one would think to see a beautiful but undefended city, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Winchester is a verifiable fortress, seeded with major plasma, kinetic and missile installations camoflauged from view, and with strongpoints gaurding major chokepoints and installations. Several major RCA bases are located within the city and on the outskirts, with two RCN Fleet Air Arm bases located in the surrounding area. Each base also serves as a mini-fortress, heavily fortified against attack and sabotage. As heavily defended as Winchester is however, it pales in comparison to the defences of New Gibraltar.

The Commonwealth uses both the old A.D and new G.C calendars (called A.E. or After Earth in the Commonwealth).

History

Centuries ago humanity was experiencing a Golden Age. In the year 2218 AD (0 AE) Earth was united under the United Sol Government (USG), and from Earth the USG controlled an empire spanning dozens of star systems. During the early years of the Golden Age, malcontents and political dissidents left Earth and the USG to unknown worlds, to make their own way in the galaxy. However one day everything changed...forever. It began when a number of the outer colonies went mysteriously dark, with all communications cutoff and with no ships going from the colonies. Suspicious, but only expecting a minor communication blackout, the USG dispatched ships to investigate. Those did not return, and after days of silence, the USG began to grow concerned. Unfortunately the USG was never given a chance to prepare, as a mysterious alien race struck from the outer colonies, sweeping through every colony in their path. The attack took the USG completely by surprise, and within days every outer colony had fallen to the alien advance. The USG, now in a panic hastily organized a counter-attack, and sent their largest fleet to confront the aliens. The fleet was completely destroyed with no survivors, and even worse, it had not even slowed down the alien advance. For the next few weeks, the USG fought a losing battle against the mysterious aliens, until only a handful of colonies and Earth remained. With their major bases and centers of commerce, industry and research destroyed, the USG made the decision to evacuate their few remaining colonies, and make a stand at Earth. Unfortunately, the USG found that it did not even have time to evacuate the surviving colonies, as the aliens were advancing too quickly. The USG as such was only able to evacuate a few thousand, out of a population of billions of colonists. The evacuation and naval ships retreated to Earth, leaving billions to their fate.

Unfortunately, this would not prove to be enough, as the alien forces eventually found Sol. The USG took stock at what remained of their fleets, and were dismayed by the results. 90% of all USG forces had been wiped out by the alien advance, and the USG realized that any defence of Earth would be hopeless. So the USG, with heavy hearts, made the decision to evacuate Earth and abandon the Sol System to preserve the human race elsewhere. The remaining USG naval ships, excepting those tasked with escorting and guarding the evacuation ships, made a last stand over Mars to buy the evacuation as much time as possible. The two fleets met over Mars orbit, and for two hours the USG Navy held off the alien advance, throwing themselves at the enemy knowing that every minute was precious for the evacuation. Eventually however, the USG was overwhelmed at Mars, and they had run out of time. Having only been able to evacuate a few thousand from Earth, the USG made the decision to save what they could, and just like the colonies they were forced to abandon billions. The remnants of the USG left the Sol System in time, and watched as the Earth burned behind them, lost to them forever.

After abandoning Earth and the Sol System, the remnants of the USG would spend years jumping from system-to-system, putting as much distance between them and Sol, as well as attempting to throw off any pursuit. Eventually, when the USG had deemed it safe they began to search for a new home, and eventually a planet that was remarkably similair to Earth. After settling down on this planet in 2221 AD (3 AE), the people of the USG named it "New Earth", in honour of their lost homeworld. When the remnants of the government began to take a full census of the survivors, they were shocked at how few survived the Fall of Earth. Only a few thousand from the Colonies, and a few thousand from Earth itself, had survived. In total, the survivors numbered no mre than 50-65,000 people, and the USG realized it would have to take drastic measures to survive. To that effect, the government banned all genetic, cybernetic, chemical and biological enhancements to preserve the gene pool and allow the population to recover unhindered, and banned abortion and provided incentives to people to have large families. This was in addition to the continuation of Martial Law and the prohibition of anyone leaving the planet. While no one disagreed to continuing Martial Law or keeping the population on New Earth, the ban on enhancements and abortion did not go without some protest, but despite this the bans were put into effect.

When the survivors finally began to settle in, the remnants of the USG reformed themselves as the United Systems Commonwealth, and vowed to never again be the victims of alien aggression and to ensure the survival of humanity, whatever the cost.

As the decades passed, the population eventually began to recover, and in time humanity began to colonize worlds once again. However this would prove to be but a lull in the storm. In the year 2528 AD (310 AE), the Commonwealth had expanded and was once again prospering. However with this prosperity and time of peace, the people began to question the various bans and restrictions still in effect. When the government had initially banned enhancements and abortions, the population had just escaped genocide, and were on the verge of extinction. Drastic measures had to be taken to ensure the survival of mankind. However after 307 years, human population numbers had not only recovered, but had exploded. With no sign of the mysterious species for over 300 years, the population believed they were safe, and therefore began to pressure the government to remove some or all of the old restrictions. However while the population believed themselves safe, the government remained wary and paranoid of letting their guard down, believing the alien race to still be hunting them. As such the government refused to lift the bans, and population grew more frustrated. Eventually after massive protests and riots, tensions finally exploded with the secession of two enhancement-friendly colonies, and with groups of pro-enhancement radicals launching a guerilla war against the government. The war lasted for 50 years, with fully 2/3 of the population killed in the fighting. Eventually the rebel factions were defeated, and the government stood victorious, but the cost was high. The devestation caused by the enhanced rebels in the war had finally turned public opinion against enhancements, and the government retained the ban. The war had also resulted in a massive social upheaval within the Commonwealth. With the Fall of Earth and the recent civil war, the population had lost all faith in modern society, seeing the failings of modern society to prevent two genocides and such devestation. With a determination to change, people began to look to the past for inspiration, searching the records of Old Earth. Eventually they came upon the records of the old British Empire, specifically the British Golden Age under Queen Victoria, and became inspired by the old Victorian values and beliefs. Almost overnight the population underwent a social transformation, taking up the old values and beliefs, and intefrating them into society. This event became known as the Victorian Revolution, which saw changes not only in the social sphere, but also the political and military spheres. The Parliamentary Republic was replaced with a Constitutional Monarchy with the crowning of Queen Victoria II, a descendent of Queen Victoria I. The military was also reformed, valuing training and professionalism over brute strength, just like the British Army and Navy of old.

For more information read the Commonwealth Civil War and Victorian Revolution

The massive changes took around a decade to be fully implemented, but when they were Commonwealth society was changed forever, and little remained of the society that came before. The government eventually compromised with those that still valued enhancements, so while extensive enhancements remained banned, minor modifications to the body were allowed, but users still had to be recognizably human. The new Neo-Victorian society that developed also abhorred abortion, so the ban on abortion was allowed to remain without protest. Centuries passed as the Commonwealth once again recovered, expanded and eventually exceeded the pre-civil war Commonwealth. However one final challenge remained for the Commonwealth, which came as the Vindari War. The war was the result of the Commonwealth's first contact with an alien civilization since the Fall of Earth. The Commonwealth attempted to make peaceful first contact, but the minute the exploration flotilla opened communications, they were targetted and destroyed. The Commonwealth mobilized their forces, but the Vindari had taken the outer colonies by the time the Commonwealth could react, and were already invading the mid-range colonies. The Commonwealth was astounded at the speed of the Vindari advance, and scrambled to cut off the Vindari before they reached the Core Worlds. The Commonwealth was fortunately finally able to meet the main Vindari Fleet over Proxima. The Battle of Proxima proved to be the turning point in the war, as the reforms made in previous centuries proved their worth. The Commonwealth was able to outmaneuver and outsmart the larger and more advanced Vindari, and the Vindari were repulsed from Proxima and later the mid-range colonies. The Commonwealth soon discovered the reason for why the Vindari advanced so quickly when they retook the Outer Colonies. The Vindari struck quickly and without warning in a blizkrieg-style attack using overwhelming force, but only left a bare minimum garrison, letting the full-strength of the Vindari Fleet to advance to the next colony. Fortunately this tactic backfired, as when the Vindari attempted to regroup for a counter-attack, they found they could not defend their positions and were forced out of Commonwealth space. The war ended with a cease-fire brokered over long-range comms, as the Vindari refused to meet Commonwealth dignitaries in person. The Commonwealth never encountered the Vindari again, and to this day many speculate the reason for their disappearence, and what happened to them.

Territory

The United Systems Commonwealth is located in the Northeast quadrant of the galaxy. The Commonwealth has over a hundred settled colonies. The Commonwealth is also ideally situated, their territory bordering the Union of Kurgan and the former New Covenant, both major allies and founding members of the Human Defence Coalition.

Race

The Commonwealth is soley made up of humans, and does not allow alien immigration. Humans within the Commonwealth have managed to preserve and maintain the cultures of Old Earth. As such there are humans of many colours, races and languages. Humans of the Commonwealth, like other humans prefer temperate nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres, but are capable of colonizing a wide range of different ecologies. Certain humans within the Commonwealth have also developed telepathic abilities, though whether these abilities are connected to the Warp, or developed seperately remains unknown.

Society

Commonwealth society is a dominantly Steampunk-inspired Neo-Victorian society, though the Commonwealth has preserved and maintained many of the Old Earth cultures and religions. As such within the Victorian envelope, the Commonwealth remains a multicultural society, and though Christianity is dominant many religions still remain. Many of the Old Earth cultures have been preserved and have flourished both on New Earth and the colonies. New Earth is divided into many provinces, each province having a distinct dominant culture related to the region. Examples would be the Province of Sino Nova, which is a Sino-centric region within the Orient Subcontinent.

The people of the Commonwealth, called "Victorians" believe in a strong code of personal honour, one that must be defended from even the smallest slight. Because personal honour is so valued among Victorians, duelling is common among Commonwealth society, as to a Victorian to lose one's honour is worse than death. Commonwealth society also values a strong and absolute loyalty to the Monarchy, who are seen to enshrine the very values and traditions of the Commonwealth, and unlike politicians are not out for personal gain, but work tirelessly for the best interests of the whole Commonwealth. Not all Victorians share this view however, instead viewing the Monarchy as an archaic or impersonal institution, that only cares for its wealth and comforts. Such republican and anti-monarchist sentiment is rare however, and often scorned by the rest of society. Society in the Commonwealth also shares an imperialistic view of the galaxy, believing all aliens, alien-sympathizers and cyborgs to be untrustworthy, and that all other human powers rightly belong under the banner of the Commonwealth, considering themselves the "true government and protectors of humanity". Many Victorians share the belief that the Commonwealth should exterminate the "alien and bionic menace", and "liberate humans such as the Unani from alien influence, and to educate them under the superior culture and benevolent governance of the Commonwealth". Such beliefs are known as the "Pure human's burden". The common Victorian remains heavily prejudiced against aliens and so-called "enhanced humans", believing the latter to be no longer human and wanting nothing to do with them, while believing the former should be outright eliminated.

Commonwealth society also greatly values and praises His Majesty's Armed Forces, seeing them as the valient bulwark against alien and bionic domination, and the means to ensure human dominance and survival in a hostile galaxy. Most of the praise however goes to the Royal Commonwealth Navy, who present the most dashing and glorious image of the military, while the common infantryman is only moderately recognized. Because of how important the military has become to the Commonwealth, the military has become deeply-rooted in Commonwealth society, becoming a part of everyday life. Quasi-Military formal attire is quite popular in upper Commonwealth society, with the wearing of light sabres a highly fashionable practice, especially among serving officers.

The Commonwealth is also heavily class divided, with the lower class living off a minimal wage in the factories, or the more finacially stable position of serving in the armed forces, where the majority of them go. Lower class Victorians also live in squalor, packed conditions often being on par with the Kurgan working class's standard of living. As such, the crime rate is high, and many learn at an early age to thieve, murder and fight in order to survive, though education is accessible enough that most of them can read and write...to a degree. The middle-class of Commonwealth society however is vastly different, many of them having more varied jobs as merchants, managers, bankers, officers and even some serving as enlisted men, though often standout much from their rougher and more cutthroat lower-class counterparts in the latter. The middle-class often live in seperate and well-off communities, often in sub-urban Victorian settings. The upper-class and elite of Commonwealth society, make up the smallest but also the wealthiest and most powerful percentage of Commonwealth society, making up the grand majority of the MP's, Lords, Ministers, Colonial Viceroy's, Officers, CEO's and nobility. The upper-class often live in enclosed, high security estates and employ indentured servants for menial tasks, and are also the most educated, having the means and money to gain access to very prominent universities.

There are exceptions to the highly established hierarchy in Commonwealth society however, such as Fleet Admiral Nelson and Vice-Admiral Picton, who both started as lower-class enlisted sailors, but rose up through the ranks to become the head of the RCN and the Comonwealth representative to the Coalition respectively. Both still carry the scars they earned through their trials and rise through the ranks, and it is said that Fleet Admiral Nelson has no equal in the art of duelling.

Government

The government of the United Systems Commonwealth is a Constitutional Monarchy and also a Parliamentary Democracy. The Monarchy, though bound by constitutional protocol, still holds much power and influence. The Monarch has the power of veto over the Parliament, appoints members to the House of Lords, appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister, and has the power to declare a State of Emergency. During a State of Emergency, the Parliament is dissolved and power is invested within the Monarch, who is advised by the Prime Minister and the Joint Board of Defence. Nominally during times of peace, the Monarch remains highly involved in the day-to-day running of government, and works closely with his/her Prime Minister, and constantly remains informed of government affairs.

Economy

The economy of the Commonwealth is a capitalist-based economy, promoting free trade with its allies. However the Commonwealth does follow a human-preference trade policy, making it a semi-mercantile economy.

Military

The military of the Commonwealth is an all-volunteer, professional force under a unified structure called the Royal Commonwealth Defence Forces. The RCDF is made up of four branches, the Royal Commonwealth Army, the Royal Commonwealth Navy, the Royal Commonwealth Research and Exploration Corps and the Commonwealth Special Operations Command. The Royal Commonwealth Army is the largest branch of the RCDF, made up of around 3,600,000,000 personnel and is made up of multiple armoured, mechanized, light divisions. The Royal Commonwealth Navy is made up of around 1.7 billion personnel and thousands of warships, divided up into multiple fleets, each charged with certain responsibilities and sectors. The Royal Commonwealth Navy also houses the RCN Fleet Air Arm, which serves as the Commonwealth's airforce, and the Royal Marines which serve as naval security, commando's and shock troops. The Royal Commonwealth Research and Exploration Corp, though a military organization does not focus on combat, but focus's on military research and exploration of new territories. However the RCREC has combat ships of its own, and requisitions use of the Royal Marines. The RCREC is also the smallest branch of the Commonwealth, having a personnel strength of only 300 million. The Commonwealth Special Operations Command is made up of two of the three special forces in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Special Air Service and the Hazardous Environment Combat Unit. The size of the force is classified.

The RCDF uses a wide variety of weaponry, ranging from plasma, particle and laser based DEW's, to Rail and Coil based kinetics, to nuclear and antimatter based weapons of mass destruction. The RCDF also makes use of Helium-3 as its primary fuel source for ground vehicles, and fusion/antimatter reactors for its fleet and fighters.

The RCDF chain of command starts with the Monarch, who acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the RCDF, and whom all recruits swear allegiance too. The next in the chain of command is the Chief of Defence Staff, who reports directly to the Monarch, and is always a full general or admiral. The head of the RCN is always a full admiral, and is given the title of Fleet Admiral. The head of the RCA is always a full general, and carries the title of Field Marshall. The head of the RCREC is always a Vice-Admiral, and is given the title of Director of the RCREC, and during times of war reports to the Fleet Admiral. The head of the CSOC, is always a Brigadier-General and is given the title Director of Special Operations, and coordinates with the Army and Navy. The Fleet Admiral, the Field Marshall, the Director of the RCREC and the Director of Special Operations report to the CDS. The Wing Commander of the Fleet Air Arm, equivalent to a navy commondore, and the Commander of the Royal Marines, always a Brigadier-General reports to the Fleet Admiral. Altogether this group makes up the Joint Board of Defence, which run the daily operations of the RCDF, form strategy during times of war, control placement of the budget and advise the Monarch directly along with the Prime Minister during a state of emergency.