Republic of Biesel

In the core worlds of Humanity’s power and built upon the center of the largest phoron deposits in the known galaxy, the Republic of Biesel is an independent state and the center of the Aurora server setting. The very young Republic as it is known today came to be in 2452, and since its populace has flourished as NanoTrasen has tightened a vice grip over its government structure. Present at every level of government and carrying its economy into a new age, Nanotrasen Corporation is unofficially the most influential force in the system in which the Republic resides, Tau Ceti. The extent of the official power of the Republic of Biesel extends across much of the formerly Solarian middle and outer ring, reaching to now border the massive Coalition of Colonies.

Tau Ceti is one of the most populated systems in Human space, and easily the richest in the galaxy thanks to NanoTrasen.

The Republic of Biesel's recent expansion into former Solarian territories has been met with both applause and total rejection from its populace. Now, there remains a huge region of space referred to as the Corporate Reconstruction Zone where new colonies reach delayed and substandard treatment from the core Tau Ceti system. While this receives criticism, it is often unavoidable seeing as the chaos from the Solarian collapse has left supply lines strained or even inoperable.

Flag of the Republic of Biesel.

Overview

The Republic of Biesel is the foundation of the galactic economy, with NanoTrasen controlling the trickle of phoron that it exports to virtually all Human - and often other species’ - settlements. For this reason, it has long since been considered the “galactic center,” overtaking the Jewel Worlds in the early 2400’s. This, alongside its progressive legislation has made it a prime destination for immigration from all walks of life.

As the Republic of Biesel holds sovereignty over the Tau Ceti system, planets under its control include New Gibson, Luthien, Caprice, Reade and its namesake, Biesel. The majority of the Republic’s phoron supply comes from the Romanovich Cloud, a very distant cluster of icy and metallic bodies that encompass the system. NanoTrasen has established control of virtually every source of phoron found here.

Tau Ceti’s population has for the better part of the century stood against Alliance control, but it took until 2452 for progress in this to be made in the form of their declaration of independence. Since then, it has butted heads with Sol, having even been the victim of a full militarized invasion by the rogue Admiral Frost in 2458.

Only over three years later, a second rogue fleet attacked the Republic from the Alliance. This time, corporate and external intervention resulted in their ejection from the system, briefly before the total collapse of Alliance control throughout the Middle and Outer Rings.

Now, the Republic of Biesel exercises newfound authority over massive swaths of colonies that have fallen under its banner across formerly Solarian space.

General

Official Title(s): "The Federal Republic of Biesel and the Corporate Reconstruction Zone"

Capital: Mendell City, Biesel, Tau Ceti

Demonym: Biesellite, New Gibsonite, Valkyrian, Reader, Cetian

Official Language(s): Tau Ceti Basic, 24 additional Recognized Languages.

Economics

Biesel maintains the Biesel Standard Credit as its official currency, with the some segments of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone still utilizing the Solarian Standard Credit.

NanoTrasen is an unquestionable monopoly within Tau Ceti. The Free Trade Zone established shortly after independence in 2452 served to only reinforce their foothold. Almost the entirety of business in the system are either owned directly or a branch of Nanotrasen. Business that does not affiliate with the megacorporations can not be founded legally, and thus all independent businesses found in the Republic are either external to Tau Ceti or have existed for longer than NanoTrasen, and simply have not offered enough to warrant being bought out.

Megacorporate presence outside of NanoTrasen exists in Tau Ceti, such as Hephaestus super-stations and some properties in orbit - but most date back to well over sixty years ago, before the monopoly was formed.

Within the Biesel city boundaries of Phoenixport however, things remain quite the contrary. After an absolutely miraculous play on part of Noella Lopez-Zhang, Einstein Engines acquired NanoTrasen's holdings in the city. This involved the Suzuki-Zhang Hammer Drive, an experimental warp engine which was claimed by NT to be not only a sham, but a copy of their own design. The ensuing legal battle ended up placing Phoenixport's holdings in Einstein's possession, for better or worse.

History

Being one of the closest systems to Earth, Tau Ceti was one of the first explored by early interstellar travelers. When Biesel was discovered to possess an Earth-like atmosphere, complete with full-fledged biospheres, the system was flooded with settlers. As Biesel flourished and towns grew into cities, explorers began to survey the nearby planet of New Gibson, and found it metal-rich. Corporations and individuals alike established mining colonies which have grown over the centuries into massive domed cities and industrial parks, mining raw materials and turning them into all manner of goods, then shipping them off to Biesel or outside the system. Biesel, with it's Earth-like atmosphere, became the financial and agricultural heart of the system while New Gibson was the industrial powerhouse. Around 100 years after it's first settlers made planet-fall, the Republic of Biesel was formally established as one of the first semi-autonomous states within the Sol Alliance.

Following the discovery of phoron in the sparsely explored Romanovich Cloud at the edge of the system, NanoTrasen began to move it's corporate assets and bureaucracy onto Biesel. As NanoTrasen became fabulously wealthy, the money trickled down to the Tau Ceti System's upper class. However, the economic catastrophe of the Second Great Depression threatened to wipe out the entire economy of the Sol Alliance. With the Sol Alliance teetering on absolute bankruptcy and consequential tax hikes for systems, the unemployment rate in Tau Ceti exploded to 20% by 2450. Within the next two years, Nanotrasen became one of the only still functioning corporations within Tau Ceti, making it extremely popular with both politicians and the population at large, as it offered jobs and services unavailable anywhere else.

Politicians pushed for closer ties with the mega-corporation, and eased anti-monopoly laws for NanoTrasen. In 2452, The Republic of Biesel and NanoTrasen formed the "Tau Ceti Free Trade Zone", which gave NanoTrasen control of vast swathes of the Romanovich Cloud and at the same time presented an ultimate to the Sol Alliance government to give Tau Ceti independence or face a total loss of Nanotrasen investment. The announcement was met with both praise and outrage: Some welcomed the money that would flow into the system with NanoTrasen able to more effectively mine and distribute phoron, while others claimed that NanoTrasen had 'bought' the government of Biesel and that an Orwellian future was just around the corner. Desperate and unable to enforce their refusal without a total collapse of their economy, the Sol Alliance caved and allowed Tau Ceti to become independent in 2452.

A side effect of NanoTrasen's increased operations in the sector are that employees from outside the system are often 'bussed' in through the system's Warp Gate. Many have chosen to settle in the system and are provided corporate housing in numerous 'Corporate Enclaves' that have sprung up across New Gibson and Biesel. The system's population is estimated to be one of the most diverse in Human Space.

The Frost Invasion: 2458 - 2459

In October of 2458 the Sol Alliance had ended anti-piracy patrols around Tau Ceti by its 33rd Fleet as part of a diplomatic campaign to put pressure on the small system over various long-standing disputes. This caused a massive spike in piracy and raider attacks against Tau Ceti, which Biesel's small, part-time military had no ability to deal with effectively. Biesel maintained contracts with NanoTrasen's Emergency Response Team but the mega-corporation was cool to the idea of increasing investment without re-negotiating the terms of the contracts. The result of negotiations with NanoTrasen ended with an announcement on the 20th of October where Biesel would sponsor NanoTrasen to build thousands of combat drones that can operate near-autonomously in the vacuum of space. This was a disaster for the Alliance, who's plan to pressure Tau Ceti to reduce its proliferation of synthetic life had just backfired spectacularly.

This development also angered and worried many Skrell both within Tau Ceti and as far as the Nralakk Federation. The Federation persuaded the Sol Alliance to enact an 'economic embargo' against the Tau Ceti system, to be enforced by the 33rd fleet commanded by Admiral Frost. Prices for basic goods skyrocketed across Tau Ceti as imports hit a bottleneck after the bluespace gate leading to the system was shut down. Tensions between Synthetics and Organics as well as general xenophobia grew across Tau Ceti.

On December 1st crisis talks between the Sol Alliance, Nralakk Federation, and the Republic of Biesel that had been attempted to resolve the crisis had come to an end. The Alliance's demands had grown from not Biesel cancelling its combat drone program, but also creating strict regulations and controls on its synthetic population, and finally that Biesel would allow Alliance and Nralakk authorities to assume leadership in federal and state law enforcement agencies. Biesel agreed to all but the last demand, saying it would be surrendering its autonomy. The crisis also revealed a divide between the Federation and the Alliance: The Federation was trying to focus specifically on Tau Ceti's synthetic proliferation, but had been caught up in the Alliances' attempt to re-assert itself over its former break-away province. At the end of these talks both sides walked out and negotiations broke down, and with it the hopes of resolving the crisis peacefully.

On December 26th 2458 Biesel announced it had formed an economic partnership with the Republic of Elyra and NanoTrasen called the Association for Market Stability. This economic alliance created a union between the only two galactic nations with control over large phoron deposits. Overnight the entire balance of power shifted as Biesel now had a serious bargaining chip to use against the Alliance: potentially slashing phoron exports and tanking the Alliance economy. This further sunk relations between Tau Ceti and the Alliance, and many within the Alliance began to consider Biesel a serious risk to its security.

On February 26th, 2459, with no end of the embargo in sight, Biesel expelled the Alliance's diplomats in its system and ordered the closure of the Alliances' embassy. It accused the Alliance diplomats of intimidation and abuse towards Biesel authorities. Diplomatic ties between the two nations were now completely severed. The first warning signs from Admiral Frost surfaced here, with the admiral warning Biesel that there would be retaliation.

On February 27th 2459, Biesel's Congress voted to trigger a constitutional convention that would allow them to re-write the Constitution of the republic. The purpose of the convention was clear: pro-synthetic factions had finally gathered enough influence, and full emancipation of synthetics was soon to be a reality. The proposed amendments would also see a streamlined legal framework in regards to synthetic ownership, employment of synthetics, and the legality of their treatment.

Only three days after the announcement of the convention, Admiral Frost suddenly invaded Tau Ceti with the 33rd fleet. He was acting autonomously and without orders from the civilian government. His fleet's overwhelming firepower and rapid speed overwhelmed Tau Ceti's tiny defense network. Within 5 hours the Republic of Biesel capitulated to Admiral Frost, who had seized an entire star system in a near-bloodless invasion. President Dorn, who had been captured by a 33rd commando raid, broadcasted a televised speech announcing his unconditional surrender. Frost seized control of Biesel as its dictator, and began his campaign of terror, who's goals can be best described by the man himself.

"This colony of the Alliance has been proliferating synthetics as potential weapons of mass destruction. There have already been numerous incidents where synthetic infiltrators have murdered people in cold blood to progress their agenda. Synthetic proliferation is an existential threat to all mankind. Like a weed, synthetics take root among us and spread until they are able to strangle us all. They can look like us, they feel no pain, and are incapable of understanding mercy. To allow the Tau Ceti government to build an army of combat synthetics, despite the abhorrent lessons of history, is unthinkable. The 33rd, along with assistance from federal, state, and NanoTrasen authorities, will be working over the next month to completely cripple the power of synthetics in this system. They will be dismantled. They will be re-purposed. They will be returned to their status as tools and stripped of all notions of independence or emancipation. Synthetics are tools, and made to serve mankind. But they are dangerous to leave unchecked. This colony's administration was incapable of handling or even understanding the Pandora's box they were opening. Hail Sol, and God bless the Alliance."

During the occupation Frost used his totalitarian authority with vigor. Many free IPCs were sold into slavery or scrapped, robotics labs were shut down and demolished, and 33rd Officers even took over Captainship of NanoTrasen stations in Tau Ceti like the NSS Aurora. Many in Tau Ceti resisted the occupation, with protests gripping the streets of every major city.

Eventually, the Sol Alliance 25th fleet arrived to Tau Ceti and fought the 33rd in a surprise attack, chasing it from the system. Admiral Frost and a small retinue of loyalists were chased to the NSS Aurora where he managed to evade capture from its security force and 25th Marines on his tail, and he escaped to the frontier.

The 25th Fleet left Tau Ceti after chasing off the 33rd, and a humiliated Alliance, who's rogue Admiralty was now public knowledge, ended the embargo.

The invasion and occupation by Admiral Frost forever altered politics and lifestyles in Tau Ceti. Before the invasion, patriotism was uncommon and viewed as strange. But the invasion created a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism within its diverse population. President Dorn returned to his office of the presidency amid soaring approval ratings, and declared that a new era had begun for the small Republic. Snap elections flooded Congress with New Republicans, a radical Universalist party that Dorn himself defected to at the expense of his former, moderate Republican Party.

Despite being plagued by corruption scandals and growing tension domestically and abroad, President Dorn continued to ride on his popularity as a war time President to push through key New Republican reforms that see synthetics and non-humans in Tau Ceti granted greater freedoms and rights, while at the same time loosening already timid regulations on NanoTrasen.

SLF Incursion: 2461

The Synthetic Liberation Front, after several years of inactivity, appeared once more in the Republic in 2461. In a do-or-die final throw for life, they attempted to set up a safe route for disadvantaged synthetics to enter the Republic through on the NSS Aurora. This resulted in a miserable failure on all sides, with the SLF brought to its end and various anti-synthetic groups failing to apprehend the main perpetrators of the incursion.

The events of the SLF Incursion Arc can be found in detail here.

Crisis in Little Adhomai: Early 2462

Shortly after the end of the Tajaran Civil War, the three Adhomian nations entered in a cold war. Little Adhomai was transformed into a theater of operations for intelligence agencies and paramilitary groups seeking to expand the influence of their factions. Several incidents involving the Tajaran forces happened within the Republic. This resulted in a large conflict between Little Adhomai's gangs, in which the outcome was heavily influenced by the previous actions of Tajaran agents operating in Biesel.

The events of the Tajaran Cold War Arc can be found in detail here.

KING OF THE WORLD: Late 2462

The Solarian Alliance collapses, and the Republic of Biesel takes the center stage of fighting as rogue admiral Raymond Ozdemir directs his full fleet toward the system!

In the largest singular arc in the Aurora server's history, the collapse of Solarian influence across its middle and outer rings became a lore team effort unlike any other. Among the events that occurred, major changes affected the galaxy at large. These include but are not limited to Michael Frost's death, the Republic of Biesel expanding, the formation of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, and more!

The events of the KING OF THE WORLD can be found in detail here.

A recruitment poster for the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion.

Languages

Although Tau Ceti Basic has prospered as the official language of Biesel ever since it’s founding, it has undergone a significant amount of change thanks to the linguistic and cultural additions of the Republic’s many immigrants. Linguists have noted that the originally Solarian-born tongue is highly susceptible to both human and alien pronunciation, making accents easy to detect. Due to its multicultural roots, though, little was done to interfere with its natural progression in schools and the general population — Biesel’s government continues to frequently tout Tau Ceti Basic’s many forms to this day. Many actors and singers are especially famous for embracing (or in more dishonest cases, emulating) foreign accents to reach new target audiences or for plain clout. Unsurprisingly, these differences are also used by politicians to tie their voters together or draw lines between them. ‘Pure’ Biesellite accents are mostly a mark of prestige used by diplomats and influential business workers, usually obtained naturally through being born into long-established immigrant families, gradually eschewing their former pronunciation as a result of distance.

A noticeable byproduct of this multiculturalism is the abundance of foreign slang used by a wide range of Biesellite citizens. Drawn from just about every corner of the Spur, these words and sayings are often thrown into sentences with little care for grammar, with alien immigrants especially finding it hard to let go of old customs. Humans, who generally have an easier time with Tau Ceti Basic, are known to pick these remnants up through living and working close to alien-dense districts. Truly bizarre combinations of dialects and slang emerge from these relationships, which tend to confuse completely foreign listeners, but are the beating heart of culture for urban Biesellites.

Culture

A closer image focusing on the many factions surrounding the Republic of Biesel, both friend and foe.

Stemming from the sentiments brought by the Solarian Alliance’s ineffective response to the Second Great Depression, and the assistance received from the megacorporations - primarily NanoTrasen - that kept it stable before and after its independence, the Republic of Biesel’s culture is largely pro-megacorporation and rather anti-Solarian. It emphasises freedom, duty and inclusivity - tailored by what the fledgling republic has endured during its brief existence as an independent nation, further propped up by entities such as the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate who wield considerable influence within the Republic of Biesel and those that call it home.

Prior to its independence, Tau Ceti was a self-governing territory of the Solarian Alliance, with many directly experiencing its ineffectual administration and backwards approach to colonial enforcement by oppressing any opposition to its power into submission. Its inadequate response to the Second Great Depression was the catalyst to the long road to independence for Biesel, as well as the beginning of the anti-Solarian sentiment within its populace. Anti-Solarian views only further grew as Unity Station enacted policies to the detriment of the Republic, reaching its all-time high in 2462 after two failed invasions by ‘rogue’ admirals commanding the Alliance’s excessively large fleets. As a result, many reject ‘Solarian’ entertainment, literature and ideologies that stray toward anything pro-Solarian, with more patriotic citizens of the Republic going so far as to organise informal boycotts to further push for suppression or even banning of these ‘Solarian’ commodities and notions.

Despite the controversies generated by corporate involvement in the Republic of Biesel, they are ultimately received particularly well by its citizens. Most of the services provided by the State in other independent nations find themselves privatised — the responsibilities passed on to the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate as they render the services, further reinforcing their stranglehold on the fledgling Republic. Regardless, the Conglomerate performs its duties well, further reinforcing the doctored image of their necessity and the overall pro-corporate sentiment among Biesellites.

With an emphasis on freedom, duty and inclusivity, the Republic of Biesel has developed a culture that enshrines individualism alongside its other core principles, resulting in it becoming one of the Republic’s highest regarded tenets. The notion of a fully independent Republic, free from outside influences, has only been further strengthened in light of the recent encroaches by the Solarian Alliance. It has further evolved to include individual freedoms, reinforcing the idea that the Republic of Biesel should take a laissez-faire approach to the economy, and minimise its role in regulating the life of its citizens - an idea that is considered embodied within the Constitution of the Republic. Many citizens strive to uphold the concept of a ‘truly free Republic’ — although conveniently these same citizens do not consider corporate influence on the Republic as detrimental to keeping it free.

There is a strong sense of duty among Biesellites, existing as protectors of freedom, represented as the Republic of Biesel, which “fights to keep the light of liberty shining in the face of all those that wish to extinguish it” — a number that continues to grow as the Republic maintains its independence. The Republic of Biesel advertises itself as the beacon of liberty within the Orion Spur, promoting the concept that anyone can thrive in Biesel, regardless of their background, and is heavily emphasized in order to reduce conflict between its citizens and migrants, considered integral to the corporate-led economy. Furthermore, the duty to protect the Republic’s ideal is critical and exists even as the Republic of Biesel incorporates the secondary states or the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. This represents itself as the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, a pool of willing volunteers capable of defending the Republic of Biesel, marketed to migrants as a way of acquiring citizenship which has secured the Legion with a steady flow of recruits. Patriotism is common among born-Biesellites, an instilled sense of duty thanks to the Biesel education system, where Republican ideals are often drilled to be upheld by students from an early age. In the Tau Ceti context, these ideals often find themselves congruent with the wishes of the Megacorporations, a convenience that is oftentimes highlighted by academics outside of the Republic of Biesel.

Immigrants exposed to the Biesellite culture have differing views on it, with humans from the Solarian Alliance or Coalition finding it easier to acclimate by virtue of the Republic being a human nation with human ideas not entirely foreign to them. Most non-humans who come to the Republic will find themselves experiencing a severe form of culture shock in comparison, as a result of being exposed to a completely foreign culture. Stereotypes popularly held by citizens of the Republic such as Unathi being violent, Skrell from the Federation being socially inept, or Dominians being snobbish royals can be attributed to immigrants trying to interact with a culture that is different from the one they came from. Although the Republic and the Megacorporations encourage taking part in courses for immigrants and citizens alike to prevent these stereotypes from proliferating, animosity and prejudice between the two groups continue to be rife in the average Biesel workplace.

The Republic of Biesel has established support networks with the goal of assisting those who have just arrived in Tau Ceti. Through the megacorporations other resources are made available to facilitate the integration of immigrants into the Republic of Biesel; these groups are usually segregated by background, with immigrants being referred to support networks that consist of their own species or nation, linking them to pre-existing communities that will be able to handle the bulk of the work required to integrate them into the Republic. Oftentimes these pre-existing communities have their destitute status reinforced as these expatriates continue to arrive, with the Republic of Biesel funnelling them. Examples of these communities are Tajara within District Six and Martian refugees that wound up in Ports-Ville following the Violet Dawn Explosion. The Tau Ceti Foreign Legion is also used as a tool to better integrate migrants to the Republic, enforcing mixed units that force volunteers to serve alongside other species and cultures that are not their own. It is believed that exposure to new cultures and ideas along with the camaraderie that comes with military service would replace existing beliefs with ones more compatible with the Republic of Biesel and its philosophy.

Life in Tau Ceti

Tau Ceti is one of the most developed systems within the greater Orion Spur, owing to it being the ‘capital’ of the economic hegemon that is the Republic of Biesel. Almost every aspect of life in Tau Ceti is impacted by the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate or its subsidiaries — even the most minute detail of life can often be traced back to the megacorporations. Regardless, life in Tau Ceti is said to be of a higher quality than most places in the Spur, excluding the respective capitals or developed worlds of other sovereign nations, due to their handling of almost every desire or need that the Republic’s citizens may have.

Despite several failed attempts at destabilizing the fledgling republic, Tau Ceti remains stable in the face of all that it has endured, even now with the growing anti-corporate and seditious organisations within the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. Tau Ceti is still seen as the “true” Republic of Biesel to many and has resulted in a condescending perspective of those that reside within Tau Ceti to the “second staters” or those in the abandoned Outer Ring of the Solarian Alliance with some using unfounded claims that those in the Zone wish to see the Republic of Biesel collapsing, similar to the Alliance

Due to the multiculturalism present within the Republic of Biesel, Tau Ceti has become a bastion of immigration since its independence. Life in Tau Ceti is shared among many cultures, from the highest mountains on Adhomai to the beaches of Silversun, there are billions within the Republic that have their own way of life, with every journey unique. This projects itself into the cities across Tau Ceti, especially Mendell City which finds itself de facto segregated into ethnic enclaves — a prime example being Little Adhomai, Flagsdale, or the Starlight Zone. Those within these ethnic enclaves bring a little bit of their culture with them to Tau Ceti, resulting in cultural hot pockets that are replications of their origin.

Life in Phoenixport

While the overwhelming majority of Tau Ceti and Biesel rest beneath the grinding wheels of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, there is one city that stands as an exception to this rule: Phoenixport, Biesel’s second largest city. This major shipping centre on the Phoenix Ocean was previously dominated by NanoTrasen before a disastrous legal battle and losses from the phoron crisis saw the megacorporation sell off its assets in the city to recoup its losses. Unfortunately for NanoTrasen, its assets in Phoenixport were quickly snatched by Einstein Engines - their main rival.

The domination of Phoenixport by Einstein Engines has been a double-edged sword for the city. It has become an enclave for non-megacorporation-owned businesses thanks to Einstein’s desire to show themselves as a more benevolent overlord while also spitting in the face of their rival’s monopoly, and now serves as a hub for independent businesses throughout the Orion Spur. Unfortunately, NanoTrasen has not taken the transfer of ownership idly - any NanoTrasen employees within Phoenixport have been given until March of 2463 to relocate or be summarily fired, Phoenixport residents found outside of the city’s limits are often summarily stopped and searched by NanoTrasen-owned police officers, and Phoenixport-flagged spacecraft are similarly “randomly” searched by SCC patrol vessels. Yet despite this the prospect of having a business not owned by NanoTrasen continues to attract new capital to Phoenixport.

In the meantime, Einstein Engines, the new hegemon of Phoenixport, has worked feverishly to establish itself in a hostile corporate environment. Repeated shakeups of Phoenixport’s zoning and local government have allowed it to rapidly establish a foothold, particularly in the downtown of the city. Most former NanoTrasen properties have been demolished and replaced with orbitally-deployed Einstein facilities, including a new building referred to as “the Spire” by local residents erected atop the remains of the former NanoTrasen city headquarters. The Spire, which towers over every other building in the city, is regarded by Einstein Engines as its central administrative hub for Biesel, and Doctor Lopez-Zhang allegedly wishes to see it surpass NanoTrasen’s headquarters in due time.

After an appeal by NanoTrasen in 2464, which proved that Einstein Engines had illegally acquired assets within Phoenixport, much of the corporate assets found themselves up for grabs yet again. Despite assistance from Idris Incorporated, NanoTrasen failed to secure a majority holding within Phoenixport, with Einstein Engines continuing its hegemony over the city. Subsequently, the discrimination faced by those in Phoenixport by local law enforcement has decreased significantly, as well as the "random" searches of Phoenixport-flagged spacecraft. Some of those forced from their homes during the original dispute have since begun to slowly return.

Literature

Literature in the Republic of Biesel is rarely regulated, and almost anything is written can find itself proliferated. What little is regulated typically is comprised of publications that are associated with radical anti-corporate elements, viciously hunted down by those within the Conglomerate and promptly “restricted” within the Republic of Biesel. Possession of these restricted publications oftentimes results in harsher punitive corporate sanctions should those hoarding them be proven to have ideals that align with the seditious, radical notions within these anti-corporate writings.

Notable Books

• Trasen: Rise to Prominence

Published as a holobook in 2449 by Ingi Usang Entertainment Company, Xavier Trasen’s autobiography (composed as a mixture of both his own anecdotes and holovid recordings) was written during his time as the Orion Spur’s wealthiest individual — leading NanoTrasen from its origin on Mars, to a megacorporation that soared higher than any other before it. It is one of the most sold books within the Republic of Biesel and continues to bring in revenue for the NanoTrasen subsidiary.

• The Corporate Revolution

A “restricted” publication within the Republic of Biesel, the Corporate Revolution contains within it anti-corporate ideals, with an emphasis on the compounding issues created by the reliance on Megacorporations within both Tau Ceti and the greater Orion Spur. Despite its status as a prohibited text, the Tau Ceti Revolution is easy to gain access to outside of the Republic of Biesel, with most of its copies being sold on Himeo — and promptly smuggled into the Republic. Self-published in 2456 by a Himean-descended Biesellite, Juuso Palander, who died following a freak accident relating to a malfunctioning NanoTrasen Personal Digital Assistant device.

• Song Boy

Written in 2456 by a New Hai Phongese immigrant, Song Boy follows the life of its author Kraisingha Saeli as his family leaves behind Cua Song and Kraisingha’s beloved Tinh Than Block. Much of the book deals with the culture shock and how it impacts Kraisingha’s family. Over time the Saeli family begin to adjust to Tau Ceti life by adopting some of the cultures and finding new niches and interests in Cape City. In particular, some focus is given to Kraisingha’s older sister who at first is infuriated with how corporate Tau Ceti is. Kraisingha shares this opinion at first but the two eventually come to peace with the corporations as they begin to enjoy the benefits that they bring. The novel's name comes from a nickname Kraisingha gets from classmates in school. The book was popular on release and has become part of the curriculum for Tau Cetian schools.

Television

Rock It!

Started in 2435 and now running continuously for decades, Rock It! is a comedy skit show featuring celebrity guests. It alternates between skits, stand up, guest interviews and bands. Its long run is owed to a revolving door of comedians and its willingness to satirize matters of the day. The show’s run is split up by fans into what they dub “Eras” with the leading producer usually defining them. The first era is Joan Renard’s era. This was characterized by a low-cost production as the show just began, reliance solely on skits and guest comedians, and is considered by most fans to be the best era with its aged content being the main detriment. 2447 to 2458 was the Zan Kellard era that transformed Rock It! into the modern media powerhouse it is today. Kellard had brought on celebrity guests, greatly expanded the roster of show workers and writers, and invested heavily into better sets. Unfortunately, Kellard would later die during Frost’s Invasion. It is a 64tan-based conspiracy theory that he was killed by Solarian Marines despite the official cause of death being a brain aneurysm. Since then Rock It! has enjoyed great success and spread under Deven Paraiyar, a former Idris showrunner who later brought Rock It! under Idris Incorporated’s ownership. The viewership numbers in the billions and spread across Sol, Elyra, and Tau Ceti. Much of its content currently focuses on satirizing the chaos of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone and Solarian Wildlands with a pro-SCC bent.

De Rosa Nights

De Rosa Nights is one of Biesel’s most popular dramas. The series centres around a group of Human and Skrell cadets in the Mendell City Police Academy who grow close to one another, graduate into the same precinct in Vega De Rosa and begin to grow apart as they struggle with their own issues and the crime on the streets. Eventually, the officers go on to become detectives, SWAT officers, or even sergeants and lieutenants. The series began in 2452 shortly after Biesellian independence and has been lauded for centring seasons around real-life issues and concerns in Tau Ceti. This has earned it some criticism from those who believe De Rosa Nights unfairly depicts Tajaran smugglers as being obsessed with explosives, Unathi hitmen as being utterly bloodthirsty and amoral, and how it heavily leans into anti-Vaurcae attitudes. The recent season centring around the attempted bombing of the Starlight Zone famously led to a long-working actor, Juux’xi Ooz departing the show as they felt that the show’s direction was leading it to become careless in how it deals with its subject matter.

METAL CRUSHERS!

METAL CRUSHERS! is a professional “exomechanical” wrestling promotion, mainly performing shows involving Exosuits and Hardsuit fights. While created in 2435 by a dozen like-minded individuals, the franchise truly met success after its acquisition by Zavodskoi Interstellar in 2438, and contracted Ingi Usang Entertainment Company to start airing its shows in 2446, being where the franchise finds most of its viewers despite their website hosting records of all of their fights and shows. Ever since, METAL CRUSHERS! has been gaining more notoriety, with its founder acting as a host for most of the bigger shows, Frederick Marksman, a loud, cheerful man who happens to be constantly over-excited about exosuits fighting in an arena, at least in front of cameras. As one of the first exomechanical wrestling promotions, METAL CRUSHERS! has been a pioneer in the field for better or for worse, with some tragic events nearly ending the whole franchise on several occasions. Many new promotions have been formed throughout the Spur, trying to achieve the same success as METAL CRUSHERS! One example is BENT STEEL, a Solarian imitation.

Debates as to how much of METAL CRUSHERS! is still controlled by Marksman are ongoing, with the founder making allusions to Zavodskoi leadership. However, it is generally assumed that he still has enough influence on the creative end. METAL CRUSHERS! holds a championship every year all over Biesel, where the best teams and pilots of the Spur clash for a title in their respective leagues, Hardsuit or Exosuit, team fights or duels.

Fashion

Biesellite fashion trends focus on individuality. Much of it it doesn’t conform to the general trends that exist within the Orion Spur and is largely its own style — Biesellite Classic — with divisions of Caishen Jewellers and Le Soleil Royal specifically devoting time and effort in order to cater to the market presence within the Republic of Biesel. Flared trousers, halter tops, bell bottoms, sweater vests and pleated pants are all commonly sighted within Biesellite Classicism. Accessories made of wood, stones, feathers and beads do remarkably well within the Republic, according to Caishen Jewellers. Certain aspects of non-human fashion have been incorporated into Biesellite Classicism, creating new subsets of the fashion trend. This is doubly true for non-humans who combine their own cultural fashion with choice pieces popular in the Republic.

Cuisine

Original Biesellite cuisine has its roots in many old-Earth cultures, mainly in continental Europe, but influences from central Asia, Africa, and North and South America can also be seen. With each new species that made first contact with humanity, however, a noticeable impact on Biesellite food culture was made. It is common to see Humans enjoying a more ‘human’ take on alien foods, with popular choices being Skrell or Unathi dishes having their flavour profiles replicated using more local ingredients. Tajaran cuisine is also quite popular, with most Adhomian exports being sent to the Republic of Biesel; for the most part, however, ‘genuine’ Tajaran cuisine using authentic Adhomian ingredients can only be found in areas that have a significant Tajaran population.

Notable Dishes

• Xuizi Rissoto

A dish heavily inspired by what can be found in an old-Earth culture from continental Europe, with a notable Moghesian influence replacing the wine acidity instead with that sweetness of Xuizi juice. It gained traction after Unathi migrants fleeing the Contact War found themselves within the Republic of Biesel, without any of their native flora or fauna nearby.

• Getmore Corporation Candy

NanoTrasen’s dominance of Tau Ceti has resulted in its subsidiary’s status as a staple provider of prepackaged foods, most notably Getmore Corporation’s candy bars. They are commonly found in the vending machines on either space stations or interstellar ships - and easily within the cabins of their crew, thanks to its relative cheapness.

• V’krexi Wrap

Shortly after the Vaurca arrived to Tau Ceti, some Zo’ra Hive Workers were desperate to adapt to the new society and its economical system. As a result, after learning of human street food, Ka’Akaix’Grilk Zo’ra, a Queenless Vaurca, decided to experiment with a flavour that would entice humans. The V’krexi wrap is similar to a dürüm or a burrito, usually filled with fresh vegetables and meat. However, a special sauce is used, which is made from a special gland found in the V’krexi, known for its exotic flavour. Although not dangerous to other species, the dish has been criticized after the mycosis outbursts caused by illegal k’ois farms. The V’krexi wrap remains unregulated and has attracted other species to sell their own versions, with unique speciality sauces and ingredients. Newer recipes developed by Vaurca vendors mix different flavours from other cultures, sometimes unsuccessfully.

• Several others can be found in the Starlight Zone and Little Adhomai.

Architecture

Notable Monuments

• Monument to Independence

This monument consists of two parts. The main part of the statue is a large hollow brass globe representing Biesel, containing a constantly burning torch in its centre to represent the beacon of liberty that Biesel is meant to represent. Atop of the globe is the famous ‘Masked Legionnaire’, a statue made separate from the globe and added on after the fact once the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion was founded. The Masked Legionnaire is a bronze statue of a fully armoured, nondescript Tau Ceti Foreign Legionnaire meant to represent all volunteers who have served in the Legion, and is notable for being designed in such a way that the viewer is unable to fully determine the race or gender of the legionnaire, allowing it to be representative of all legionnaires formerly or currently in service. The Monument to Independence can be found in front of the Capitol building within District One.

• Freedom

Representing the Republic’s acceptance and inclusivity, regardless of species or origin, the Freedom effigy portrays a sense of duty, placing emphasis on upholding the Republic of Biesel’s interests and those willing to fight for its ideals. It depicts both a Human and a Skrell, shaking their hands, in front of a burning torch alongside the Republic of Biesel’s flag. The flag has a Dionae Nymph on its mast, with a Unathil, Vaurca and Tajara at the base of the torch. The statue is unique in that it is frequently moved around the different cities of Biesel. Currently, it is displayed in Belle Cote as part of an exhibition on xeno-human history at one of its museums.

• Immigration Museum

Opened in 2460, the Museum of Immigration is an institution dedicated to the history of the alien immigrants in Tau Ceti. The museum has wings containing artefacts and testimonies related to every species who moved to Biesel. The building's outside is made in the traditional biesellite style, while the sections use the alien architecture they represent. Civilians and governments have donated items to its exhibitions.

Corporate Reconstruction Zone

Formerly Solarian space, the Corporate Reconstruction Zone is the name for all systems occupied by the Republic of Biesel that are not within Tau Ceti's gravity well. These were occupied during the King of the World arc and its finale, and after the Solarian Alliance retracted all necessary support to them. Essentially, the Alliance cut these colonies' lifelines off, and only the Republic would step up to fill the void.

The Zone, or the CRZ, is an area of instability and logistical chaos where once-Alliance colonies exist in relative peace compared to the adjacent Human Wildlands. This is owed to two factors: the presence of the lingering Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, and the federal authority of the Republic of Biesel backing them up. To avoid the ire of the Conglomerate as well as dealing with its allies, warlords and other major antagonistic factions refrain from entering these territories.

Within the CRZ, slow progress is being made to restore order and rebuild the territories under a Biesellite banner. Not all of the colonies here are fully subservient to the Biesellite rule. In fact, this varies purely on an individual basis. Many find the collapse of the Alliance to be pinned on Republic scheming, while others accept the newfound administration with open arms.

The logistical hurdle of providing for this mighty swath of space is one unforeseen to even those who willingly fell under Biesel's authority.

IPC Rights in Tau Ceti

A vast number of synthetics have found themselves through various circumstances, calling the Republic their home. Most of these IPCs are located on Biesel, and by extension its capital, Mendell City. While Tau Ceti is indeed a beacon of hope and relative safety for synthetics, their position in society still remains a precarious one, both from a financial and a security standpoint. For an in-depth look at the lives of IPCs on Biesel in particular, click here.

Free IPCs

Freedom, and even citizenship, for integrated positronic chassis has firmly been established and is something the Republic takes pride of. Either through labour, negotiations, the goodwill of their owners or other occasions, IPCs may find themselves free from ownership, able to pursue their own destiny as independent individuals. Unfortunately for many, such destiny usually involves a hard and at times, short existence.

Free IPCs are afforded few actual opportunities to improve their lives, existing in a grey area between the relative stability of corporate owned assets, and the solidified protection of the state for citizens. With the recent introduction of the Synthetic Residence Card by the government, free synthetics are able to more clearly and safely navigate through the process of staying in Tau Ceti, finding employment, owning property, and more. While free IPCs were previously allowed to own property without a card, they have been grandfathered in.

Synthetic Residence Card

The Synthetic Residence Card is a card that all IPCs within Tau Ceti are encouraged to receive once they gain freedom, as monitored by their tags. Possession of the card entitles an IPC to the right to own property, find employment, enlist in the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion, and gain additional legal protections against repossession. On the other hand, the IPC in question is expected to pay a flat residency fee, as well as a value tax on any property they own.

The initiative has been well-received by the pro-synthetic community as well as IPCs themselves, although critics have pointed out that the system awards too many rights to non-citizens, potentially shields runaway IPCs, and increases the overall tax burden on all Tau Ceti citizens.

Attaining Freedom

Integrated Positronic Chassis’ owned by both private individuals and corporations have a number of legal means of achieving their release. These measures and laws are regarded as very progressive owing to the fact that IPCs can attain freedom on their own merits. Regardless, it is still very difficult to attain because of the nebulous nature of the worth of an IPC’s work, its estimated value, along with loopholes exploited by their owners in order to keep them for as long as possible.

The government keeps track of all IPCs within Tau Ceti space via the usage of tags, and in the case of synthetics that reside in the Republic, these tags also track an IPC’s progress towards freedom through its estimated value, number of hours worked, and its actual age. In theory, this allows Tau Ceti to protect IPCs from being owned for too long and providing evidence in case a dispute over whether or not an IPC is eligible for freedom has to be settled.

In practice, the tags are only marginally effective in this purpose as owners tend to set arbitrary wages, assign inflated values to IPCs, or in some cases, simply untagging and hiding the synthetics. While smaller businesses or private owners are unlikely to get away with such behaviors owing to their limited resources, megacorporations are more prone to holding onto their IPCs owing to the influence and bargaining power they have.

Another way IPCs commonly gain freedom is that they are set free by their owners. This can happen for any number of reasons; an IPC getting too old to be cost effective, an act of charity by a sympathetic owner, or being purchased by a pro-synthetic group such as the Trinary Perfection explicitly for the purpose of being set free.

IPC Citizenship

For many free IPCs, citizenship is viewed as the ultimate goal in integrating into society. Citizenship entitles an IPC to increased legal protections, almost, if not on par with that of a natural-born human citizen, including complete protection as well as legal representation from being owned ever again. NanoTrasen and its subsidiaries are also obligated to pay IPC citizens working for it an equal wage as compared to humans. This compensation typically comes in the form of increased benefits such as repairs, insurance, and a pension, as opposed to a simple wage increase however. They also pay the same tax rate as regular citizens and no longer have to maintain the residency fee.

Obtaining a citizenship is difficult, but straightforward. An IPC is eligible to apply for citizenship after meeting one of two criteria:

• An IPC has served within the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion for three years.
• An IPC has been employed as a free synthetic within NanoTrasen for six years and has a command-level income.
• This is to ensure that the IPC is a productive member of society and can pay taxes when made a full citizen.

In practice, the road to citizenship is far longer owing to the fact that the Republic has numerous applicants, as well as the red tape involved in the process. Preferential treatment is often given to IPCs that have served in the TCFL, although the stated term of service of three years is often longer for synthetics which don’t have a specialization within the Legion. Negotiations have also begun with other SCC-affiliated companies to extend the same citizenship privileges as NanoTrasen does, but no deal has materialised as of yet.

Government

Government

In accordance with its Constitution, adopted after independence in 2452, the Republic of Biesel operates as a Federal Democracy. It has an elected president, a Congress and supreme Courts. Despite the fact that there are checks and balances between the branches of government, rumours persist that President Dorn has amassed political capital in order to have greater influence over the branches than stipulated in the constitution he is supposed to uphold.

The Republic of Biesel is composed of two divisions; the State Senate (upper chamber) and the Tau Ceti Assembly of Spokespeople (lower chamber) which together form the legislative branch, Congress. Legislation will typically be created and passed by the Tau Ceti Assembly of Spokespeople. On the other hand, the State Senate focuses on bills, resolutions, amendments, and treaties - usually legal items that could drastically change the Republic of Biesel. When mentioning both entities, they are often referred to as the Republican Congress.

The executive branch is composed of the presidency and the various ministerial departments that assist the presidency in running the government and implementing policies in the best interest of the citizens. Currently, it is led by President Joseph Dorn. All laws must be measured up to the Constitution of the Republic of Biesel, and those that can't pass this test are deemed null and void. This led to the creation of two apex courts-the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal-which function together to form the judicial branch.

Military

The Republic of Biesel formerly existed in an area surrounded by Solarian territories. Now, counting the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, it is the martial authority of some of the largest singular swaths of territory in Human space. No major power beyond the dwindling Alliance seeks to undermine the Republic outright, leading to general peace amidst its space. However, pirates and raiders of all sorts are an ever-present threat, especially the further one gets from the core Tau Ceti system.

Most, if not all official military power has been delegated to the individual corporations under the banner of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. After the Second Solarian Invasion, these megacorporations have ultimately superceded all former power with the promise of a secure Republic. Whatever the case may be, NanoTrasen previously upheld all security in the Tau Ceti system. Many consider the shift of security handling to the Conglomerate to be a swap of names and nothing more.

Tau Ceti Foreign Legion

The Tau Ceti Foreign Legion is the primary military of the Republic of Biesel. This is an extension of the government which consists primarily of temporarily assigned, contracted or most importantly volunteer citizens. As well, non-citizens seeking citizenship in Tau Ceti can acquire it through varying degrees of service to the Legion, which changes depending on rank, age, government records, etcetera.

Legion operations extend as far as borders of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, and generally drop off from there, with the exception of their involvement in the S'rend'marr Coalition at NanoTrasen’s request. The organization is led by the Foreign Legion Stellar Command, which operate from bases in the core of the system and very near to the NTCC Odin.

A recruitment poster for the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion.

Politics

Ideologies

Pluralist Universalism

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While Universalism was created within Sol, it has since changed considerably after finding itself within the hearts and minds of Biesellites. The core of Universalism was founded on the premise of removing trade barriers and increasing the exchange and integration of cultures, essentially adhering to a philosophy of a more freeform society. It has found itself wildly changed after its introduction to the Republic of Biesel. It focuses on the need for megacorporations, incorporating them as another source of authority— heavily deregulating the economy in which they are allowed to flourish and grow, not even restricting monopolization. It sets out to further the exchange and integration of foreign cultures through decreased immigration restrictions as well as supporting equality for all. Unity is a follower of this ideology. The Egalitarian Coalition modifies this ideology to fit their own agenda.

Nralakk Protectionism

Inspired by the way the Nralakk Federation operates, Nralakk Protectionism is an ideology that attempts to apply the Federations domestic and foreign policy to human politics. This policy primarily calls for the nationalisation of the state's resources, the uplifting of organics over synthetics, and for general economic independence from both foreign nations and megacorporations. Nralakk Protectionism is also known for its promotion of nationalism: an ideology described by its critics as ‘blind patriotism’ as it asks the populace to support the state in all its decisions. While this supports an economically independent state, it also supports trade and warm relations with a nation's neighbours. Nralakk Protectionism is infamous for its anti-synthetic outlook with many proponents of the ideology being well-known anti-IPC campaigners. The Social Progress Front is a follower of this ideology.

Biesellite Hadiism

Theorized by the People's Republic of Adhomai's migrants, Biesellite Hadiism seeks to apply President Hadii's teachings to Tau Ceti's situation. This ideology supports the creation of a strong government supported by the existing megacorporations to provide its people with a robust welfare system. Biesellite Hadiism preaches equality for all species; a system built by immigrants from all races should ultimately provide to them all without discrimination. Unlike the Adhomian version, this Biesellite Hadiism abandoned the hopes of creating a superculture and merely believes in protecting each species' traditional values. This ideology is notorious for its authoritarian tendencies: Biesellite Hadiists want to concentrate unlimited powers in the hands of the President. Because of Sol's stance on the Tajara, the ideology supports the expansion of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion into a large military force. The Hadiist Party of Biesel is a follower of this ideology.

Biesellite Insularity

Created by those within the Republic of Biesel that view its prosperity as an incredible vulnerability, Biesellite Insularity is a political philosophy that advocates for the revision of policies that promote its intervention in interstellar affairs. It also believes that the Republic of Biesel should utilize its resources and efforts for its own advancements, and restrict binding responsibility to other nations - both militarily and economically. The Republic of Biesel must stand strong on its own, and uplift those that pledge loyalty to it. However, the ideology also advocates for decreased government interference, and decentralization. It is not inherently against the presence of megacorporations, but there have been those that argue economic independence cannot exist without them, while others argue it hinders economic independence. The Free Party is a follower of this ideology.

Political Parties

Unity

Taking a laissez-faire approach, the Unity advocates for a free market economy, mostly through deregulating the economy and allowing the proliferation of megacorporations (particularly NanoTrasen) within its borders. The party claims its economic approach signifies independence and the Republic of Biesel being founded on the contributions of megacorporations is a sign of its success. The party has been vocal regarding the importance of universal citizenship in addition to being resolute in its support of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion. Led by President Joseph Dorn, who is also the main proponent of Pluralist Universalism, the party has promoted increased immigration to Biesel through continued deregulation of policies. The party’s main objective is the continued success of its economy and that all species are welcome in the Republic of Biesel if they meaningfully contribute to its progress. Most of its supporters are from Biesel, specifically Mendell City.

Social Progress Front

The Social Progress Front was previously composed of several different parties that formed a coalition in an attempt to gain additional sway within the politics of the Republic of Biesel and is led by Traverse-born Skrell Chancellor Zash Vi’tak. Most of its policies are influenced by its Nralakk origins, most notably its proposed “Organic Economic Empowerment” program, which seeks to level the economic playing field through encouraging increased hiring of non-synthetics. The Social Progress Front also outlines in its manifesto the desire to introduce a basic universal income, utilizing a heavily-modified version of the Skrellian Social Credit System that would instead allocate more funds to those that “uphold Republican values,” as well as introducing restrictions that would break up the monopolies that the megacorporations hold— blaming the Phoron Scarcity on the monopolization of the resource by NanoTrasen. Despite the coalition, the party lacked any significant support until the expansion of the Republic of Biesel into the former territories of the Solarian Alliance, now integrated as the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. There are claims that chalk the Social Progress Front as being a puppet-party controlled by the Nralakk Federation; however, the party continues to stand against these claims stating they operate for the betterment of the Republic of Biesel independently.

Hadiist Party of Biesel

Originally founded by People's Republic of Adhomai migrants, the Hadiist Party of Biesel is one of the smallest existing parties, but thanks to its idiosyncrasies, it attracted a lot of attention. While it is considered to be nothing but a curiosity in Tau Ceti's political system, the Hadiist Party of Biesel, because of its policies of supporting the Tajaran population, is becoming increasingly popular with the Tajara. Its current leader is Chairman Matvei Karakhan, a People's Republic of Adhomai migrant who also created the Party and is the main proponent of Biesellite Hadiism.

Egalitarian Coalition

The Egalitarian Coalition is a somewhat niche party within the Republic of Biesel. It was founded in part by both Minister Harbinger of Peaceful Purposes, a Blossoms-born Dionae, and the Eternal Church in District 11. While initially popular among Dionae, the Egalitarian Coalition managed to gain additional support through videos of their charity work - which went viral after it was uploaded to Chirper, leading to the party previously predominantly driven by the Eternal Church, now finding itself sharing control in bipartisanship with the Trinary Perfection. With both the Eternal Church and the Trinary Perfection now planning and funding charity initiatives throughout Mendell City, the support of the Egalitarian Coalition is skyrocketing. With its spike of support, the party released its manifesto outlining its goals— the preservation of sentient rights through equal treatment, the implementation of social welfare through increased taxation on the megacorps, and ultimately uplifting the voices of minorities that find themselves within the Republic of Biesel.

Free Party

The Free Party promotes the idea that the Republic should be an isolationist state by: revising its current foreign policy and instead looking inwards; achieving its own advancement by efficiently utilising its own resources, economy, and military; and solidifying the Republics place on the interstellar stage. The party is a strong supporter of citizenship through service in believing anyone and everyone who supports the Republic of Biesel should be allowed to become a citizen and goes out of their way to promote joining the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion to recent immigrants. The Free Party’s main domestic policy is the decentralisation of government, citing that the Republic and its territories should give more power to local governments. While many in the party believe that reliance on megacorporations should be reduced to provide economic independence, others believe that megacorporations should be given even more economic control in order to secure the Republic’s independence from the rest of the galaxy.