OOC INFORMATION BOX
Welcome to the IC thread.
You must be a Member-Nation or Observer-Nation in the MSU or an approved rep from another alliance in order to post here.
Please visit the OOC thread for details.
- The NS Forum Rules apply here.
- Player disagreements and OOC posts must be done in the OOC thread.
- Don't be a dick. Ask in the OOC if you're unsure.
- Ask the OP and in the OOC prior to launching into a campaign involving your nation. This isn't the thread for it.
MSU Founder: Stormwrath
MSU Charter Author: Swith Witherward
Members of the Commission of Intelligent Species
Head of the Commission: Stormwrath
Deputy Head of the Commission:
Representative of the Humans: Swith Witherward
Representative of the Anthros: Dyste
Representative of the Ponies: Auzkhia
Representative of the Xenos: Cerillium
Ministerial Council of the MSU
Minister-President: *to be elected*
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Anhur
Minister of Intelligence: Tuva SSR
Minister of Internal Affairs: Divergia
Minister of Defence: Uehe
Minister of Economics and Finance: -The Trade Federation-
Much appreciation to Stormwrath for creating the MSU. This IC thread is meant to augment his brainchild; we are establishing MSU HQ and completing work on the charter. This information will be transferred to the MSU OOC thread once completed, and this thread will be locked.The Multi-Species Union Charter
Official Constitution of the Alliance
Preamble
We the Nations of the Multi-Species Union Determinedhave resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.
- to use diplomacy as a means to achieve peace.
- to promote free trade and information to all member nations so long as it doesn't compromise their tech level integrity.
- to champion against discrimination of a nation based upon species, government leadership style or tech level.
- to defend all member nations, whether they are human, anthro, pony or the many others scattered across the universe.
Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled at Pax Concordia Space Station in the Tribus Sector, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the Multi-Species Union and do hereby establish this interstellar Alliance.
The Charter pertains to all Alliance members and serves as the governing principles by which all member nations shall conduct themselves.
Article I
Government Structure and Protocol
Section I - Government Structure
- Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch is comprised of representatives of member nations and overseen by the Commission of Intelligent Species.
- The Commission of Intelligent Species
The Commission of Intelligent Species (CIS) is the administrative body of the Legislative branch; it holds no additional legislative power. The purpose of the Committee is to streamline communications between Member-Nations of differing category, to mediate disputes between nations within a species category, to work with the heads of other categories if mediation is required between bodies, and to function as a hub for information distribution. It is comprised of four representatives, one from each species category (Human; Anthro; Pony; Xeno) overseen by a Head Commissioner. A CIS representative's title is Counselor.In addition, Counselors shall file a monthly report with the Head of Commission's office containing the following regarding Member-Nations and Observer-Nations under their charge: Roll call of active Members and Observers; listing of inactive Members and Observers; Member and Observer requisitions, if any; Counselor directory listing the names of each Member or Observer's representatives to the Congressional Union. Counselors shall be elected every six months. There are no term limits on this position however Counselors can and will be removed for non-performance. Member-Nations may file a request with the Deputy Head for the Head's consideration. Counselors have 48 hours after a Member-Nation files to defend their position. Counselors wave the right to defend their position after that time unless they have indicated previously that they are on leave and unavailable. It is the Counselors 's duty to appoint an assistant should they take leave longer than one week.
- Head of the Commission:The Head will provide or procure government and residency accommodations to suit each species. In addition, the Head's office is charged with maintaining Congressional Union calendars, tracking Floor activities, roll call votes, committee hearing schedules, and dissemination of information to the four Counselors. The Head of the Commission will serve as final mediator if disputes between Member-Nations have not been resolved after Representative mediation efforts have been made. All Counselors are answerable to the Head and must file a monthly status report. These reports will be reviewed by the Head of the Commission before submission to the Minister-President's office for dissemination between the various ministries. The Nation providing Head of Commission is considered a permanent Member-Nation holding a perpetual position until such time as that Member-Nation fails in its duty, ceases to exist, or withdraws from the role. It is so decreed that the Head of the Commission shall be from Stormwrath.
- Deputy Head of the Commission: shall be appointed by the Head of Commission to serve in their stead. The Nation providing the Deputy Head of Commission is considered a permanent Member-Nation holding a perpetual position until such time as that Member-Nation fails in its duty, ceases to exist, or withdraws from the role, or the position is revoked by a two-thirds vote by Member-Nations.
- Representative of the Humans: This elected official shall serve as a liaison between all Human Member-Nations and Human Observer-Nations, and as a liaison between the representative's species class and the CIS Counselors of other species classes.
- Representative of the Anthros: This elected official shall serve as a liaison between all Anthropomorphic Member-Nations and Anthropomorphic Observer-Nations, and as a liaison between the representative's species class and the CIS Counselors of other species classes.
- Representative of the Ponies: This elected official shall serve as a liaison between all Pony Member-Nations and Pony Observer-Nations, and as a liaison between the representative's species class and the CIS Counselors of other species classes.
- Representative of the Xenos: This elected official shall serve as a liaison between all Xeno Member-Nations and Xeno Observer-Nations, and as a liaison between the representative's species class and the CIS Counselors of other species classes.
- The Congressional Union
All legislative powers shall be comprised of one representative from each individual Member-Nation, hereby known collectively as the Congressional Union. Criteria of electing or appointing such representative to the Commission are left up to the individual Member-Nation. Such representatives shall be called Congressmember. Observer-Nation representatives shall bear the title of Representative and are permitted to lobby and produce speeches at Summit, however no voting privileges are granted to any Observer-Nation.- Administrative Branch
The Administrative Branch shall be comprised of Ministries, each governed by a Minister, and all under the authority of a Minister-President.
- Minister-President: Serves as the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of the MSU and is charged with the execution of Congressional Union law, alongside the responsibility of appointing Ministry executives, regulatory officers, and concluding treaties with foreign powers with the advice and consent of the Congressional Union. The Minister-President has the power to call the Legislative Branch to convene, or to dismiss it when business is concluded. The Minister-President may be called upon when the Congressional Union has reached a tie.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: This Ministry handles all incoming Prospective Member-Nation applications. It is the point of contact for all nations not currently serving within the Alliance itself.
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication: The MIAC works in tandem with the Council of Intelligent Species Representatives to address any concerns or needs required by Member-Nations. In addition, this Ministry manages the administrative system and communication matters, and serves as a liaison office between the Alliance and the Pax Concordia Station.
- Ministry of Intelligence: This Ministry will gather intelligence both from within the Multi-Species Union and outside of it; however, it cannot conduct an investigation or mission without the approval of the Congressional Union, but it can conduct surveys and provide studies for the MSU without the Congressional Union's approval provided it does not violate the Article III, Section IV Non-Contamination and Research Clause.
- Ministry of Economics and Finance: This Ministry coordinates the economic and financial work of member-nations as well as regulates MSU spending, and produces MSU cost analysis pre-mission.
- Ministry of Defence: This Ministry will conduct itself as outlined in Article V - Peacekeeping and the Ministry of Defence.
Each Minister is charged with forming the administrative framework supporting the Alliance itself. Ministers shall be appointed by the Minister-President every three months, or their term lengthened an additional three months. Ministers do not have voting privileges nor are they permitted to lobby or produce speeches at Summit. Ministers will be members of Member-Nations, will be in good standing with their own governments, and be vetted prior to position placement.
Section II - Travel For Legislative and Ministry Officials
Travel accommodations will be provided to all Member-Nation and Observer-Nation Officials who currently lack the technology to travel to Summits or Alliance headquarters. These accommodations will be provided by the host government or by fellow Member-Nations at no expense to the Member-Nation in need. Accommodations will fit the species' status as well as physical needs.
Section III - Appointment of a Minister-President and Continuing Functions
Congressmembers shall conduct a vote to elect a leading Minister-President at the first Summit. This Minister shall be considered the leader of the Alliance much as a Head of State. The Minister-President will act as the head of all Ministries, and will appoint positions that the representative sees fit to do so. The Minister-President has powers not listed thereof and such extra powers delegated to the Minister-President may be revoked or added by majority Congressional Union approval. The Minister-President may be in their position of power until such time as they chose to resign from office, is voted out of power by two-thirds vote of the Congress, or at the end of one year's term. Minister-President elections shall occur annually, each August. The Minister-President may not concurrently hold office within the Legislative Branch as either a Representative or Head, nor can the Minister-President be concurrently a leader of their Nation or heir to that throne, position or title.
Section IV - Role and Scope of Congressional Union
The Congress of the Multi-Species Union has the power to negotiate inter-regional trade and to establish treaties between independent nations or separate regions. The Congress has the authority to intervene, with three-fourths' approval, in member-state nations if such member-state is deemed corrupt by the standards put forth by the Multi-Species Union. The Congress has the power to form a provisional military in order to secure the defense of all member-states and regional possessions, it also has the authority to appoint Generals and conduct all recruitment necessary in order to form such defense. The Congress has the ability to dictate law, in which clauses and articles pertain to regional issues, and not interfere with the sovereignty of member-states.
Should a situation arise pertaining to a specific species class, and should that class lack substantial votes to have voice within the Congress, voting will go directly to the CIS Representatives. Each Representative will vote their species class majority. The Head will serve as a tie-breaker. Species classes may appeal for request through the Minister-President if the resulting decision is, by their estimation, discriminatory towards their class.
Section V - Documentations and Records
The Congressional Union shall keep a public record of all of its proceedings, however, if times that secrecy is required as defined by the Congress then the records may be declared sealed and not public knowledge. The votes of all councilors shall be included in the public record, unless one-fifth of those present decree that such voting records be sealed from the public. The Congressional Union must enable all laws ratified to be announced publicly and be placed in the Alliance's Public Records which shall be a collection of this constitution and all ratified documents. The Ministry, likewise, will operate with full transparency before the Congressional Union although, for security reasons, not all aspects of the Ministry will be transparent before the public.
Section VI - Impact on Member-Nations
Member-Nations shall, in full respect, assist each other in carrying out tasks that are prescribed or generated by this Charter. Member-states shall fulfill the obligations arising from this Charter or the result of any act of institutions of this Alliance. Member-States shall refrain from tasks that may interfere with principles outlines in this Charter or principles created or established by the Congress. Member-States of high tech levels shall not be required to share knowledge regarding that higher tech level with Member-States of lower tech levels.
Section VII - Removal of a Member-Nation
A Member-Nation can be expelled from the alliance should it violate the Charter or commit crimes against other Member-Nations, excluding wars. A tribunal will be held prior to disbarment, should criminal action be suspected, otherwise a Member-Nation may be disbarred via a referendum and two-thirds approval vote. Member-Nations are free to withdraw from the Alliance at any time.
Section IX - Nation Classifications
Member-Nations and Observer-Nations are part of one of four groups overseen by their respective CIS Representatives. A nation cannot occupy more than one group.
- Human: Nations may claim the Human group if the preponderance of their populations are humans. Some nations choose the Xeno group if their populations are mixed. Humans can be located on Earth or abroad outside the Sol system. Humans in this group can be mundane, possess magic or special abilities etc.
- Pony: Pony nations are predominantly Pony in population.
- Anthro: Anthropomorphic nations encompass a wide range of populations. Some anthro nations are humans with animal features (ears, tail, etc). Others are animals with humanoid characteristics. Still others are dragons, or other sapient beings that retain the root of origin ("talking animals"). The latter two groups sometimes opt for the Xeno classification.
- Xeno: this group encompasses an extremely wide range of beings. Many Xeno members are extraterrestrial in nature however there are Fae, Centaur, Elven, Draconic and Dwafish nations that identify with this group.
Article II
Economics and Trade
Section I - Free Trade Policies
Per individual Member-Nation discretion, a free-trade policy between member-states shall be in effect at all times while the nation is a member of the Alliance. Such policy includes that member-states shall be preferred, but not mandatory, trading partners of other member-states. Member-states may not embargo another member-state without popular approval of the Congress. No tariffs shall be placed on any member-state by another member-state, unless special approval is given by the Congress.
Section II - Industry Clause
In the industries of pharmaceuticals, livestock and/or other food-related industries, or any other high-care industries, or military grade industries, Member-Nations may elect to bar other Member-Nations from trade of such industrial products due to individual safety concerns, thus the Multi-Species Alliance shall not interfere with the industries thereof. Caveat: some Member-Nations might consume non-sapient versions of Member-Nation species; no judgement will be passed upon them for the livestock they keep.
Section III - Trade Routes
Land, aerial, naval and/or interstellar trade routes between Member-Nations will be defended by individual nations' active military personnel. Threatened trade routes which Member-Nations are incapable of protecting may be defended by a joint force supplied by the Alliance itself which is comprised of Member-Nations' military; however such an action can not be undertaken without two-thirds vote by the Congress. All protection of such trade is voluntary, if a Member-Nation wishes to be excluded from protection or for a certain transaction then the Alliance shall oblige. Protection within the exclusive economic zone shall be guaranteed as well as protection of private vehicles outside of such, all attacks on such shall be deemed a declaration of war.
Section IV - Exclusive Economic Zone
The aforementioned exclusive economic zone (hereafter, 'EEZ') is to be established at a future time and date, in a neutral location to be selected by the Minister of Economics and Finance, subject to approval by the Minister-President.
Article III
Species Rights
Section I - Inherent Species Rights and Non-Interference Directive
It is the Right of each sapient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural and physical evolution. This Right is considered sacred. No MSU Member-Nations are permitted to interfere with the normal and healthy development of life and culture. Such interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely (to include Member-Nations of lower tech levels), or to impose its bias on cultures outside of its Member-Nations, or to force Member-Nations to conform to standards only applicable to a given species, culture or governing body. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation.
Section II - Civil Rights
The Multi-Species Union shall respect the equality, independence, and sovereignty of Member-Nations including their species differences and national identities. Likewise, the Congressional Union recognizes that some aspects of species' culture are not akin to Human culture and thus the Alliance will not seek Member-Nation conformity when such practices are proven by the individual Member-Nation to be conducted in a 'humane manner'. Examples of such practices would includeSection III
- "slavery" by hive-mind species, by species that are inherently and naturally prone to this hierarchy, or species which have sentient organic or artificial machines. Let all be aware that slavery, in its cruelest form, is frowned upon by Member-Nations who oppose it however the Alliance itself maintains at all times an unbiased definition of "slavery" as a whole, and chooses to examine allegations of slavery on a case-by-case basis to determine whether or not it will step in to intervene. The MSU will not violate Article III, Section 1 of this Charter on civil matters.
- female and male rights as they pertain to species who may be patriarchal, matriarchal, non-gendered or hive-minded.
- dietary consumption of creatures that have sapient, but biologically unrelated, counterparts in Member-Nations.
The Multi-Species Union shall not be subject to the laws, bylaws or articles found in other alliances. It will defend its Member-Nations from foreign nations or alliances that attempt to interfere with the rights of Member-Nations to keep their customs and culture.
Section IV - Non-Contamination and Research Clause
The Multi-Species Union shall not risk contaminating any species with its presence. This would include interfering with species that have not progressed enough to contact this alliance, or species still evolving towards sapience. The MSU, in conjunction with other alliances, will establish a protective perimeter around developing species home systems to deter accidental contamination. This would include: no identification of self or mission, no interference with the social development of said planet, no references to space or the fact that there are other worlds or civilizations, and no exposure to species or devices not indigenous to that planet. Researchers wishing to study species must submit a detailed writ of intent and all research teams will be strictly monitored by the MSU. In the event of a disaster whereby accidental contamination occurs, the MSU and its Member-Nations may not violate the Article III, Section I directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. Such missions will not be launched without the knowledge and authority of the MSU, Xeno CIS Representative and CIS Head.
Article IV
War
Section I - Member-Nation Essential Nation Functions
The Congress shall respect individual essential Nation functions, including ensuring the territorial integrity of the State.
Section II - Declarations of War by Member-Nations
Member-Nations have the right to declare war against nations without Congressional Union approval and they have the right to organize their foreign relations to their liking, except as regulated by Article III, Section 4. Member-Nations may wage armed conflict against foreign nations. Member-Nations will not involve the Alliance in its war, nor invoke the Alliance's name as a form of determent or weapon, nor falsify information in order to spur the Alliance into assisting their cause.
Section III - Duties and Responsibilities
The Multi-Species Union shall not maintain a standing army. The MSU may call upon Member-Nations to assist in peacekeeping missions however acceptance of the MSU's proposal and participation on that peacekeeping mission are at the Member-Nation's discretion and said Member-Nation will not be held accountable or disbarred for refusing to render assistance. The structure shall default to positional authority determined by the Congressional Union. MSU military personnel can be called upon toMSU forces will not be used for disputes between Member-Nations.
- Monitor a disputed border
- Monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas
- Provide security across a conflict zone
- Protect civilians
- Assist in-country military personnel with training and support
- Assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed
Article V
Peacekeeping and the Ministry of Defence
Section I - Ministry of Defence
In accordance to the Multi-Species Union Charter, and with respect to the individual governing bodies that comprise the alliance, the Ministry of Defence is empowered to defend the Alliance to the ability permitted so by the Congressional Union. The Minister of MoD cannot act on its own accord, nor use the department as a leverage to coerce, intimidate, or threaten foreign nations or member-nations for its own purposes. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence to coordinate with member-nations that do contribute its military forces and see to that no member-nations are acting in their own interest ahead of the alliance. MSU forces will not be used for disputes between Member-Nations.
Section II - Member-Nations
The MSU may call upon Member-Nations to assist in peacekeeping missions however acceptance of the MSU's proposal and participation on that peacekeeping mission are at the Member-Nation's discretion and said Member-Nation will not be held accountable or disbarred for refusing to render assistance. Member nations are under no obligation to contribute to the defense force, nor be subject to retaliation for being a non-participant. Member-Nations with higher or more advanced technology will not violate the Article III, Section 1 Inherent Species Rights and Non-Interference Directive nor will the MSU, Ministry of Defence or Minister-President override this directive and coerce those Member-Nations into contributing.
Section III - Scope of Mission
The Multi-Species Union shall not maintain a standing army nor will it receive "donated" resources to include troops, equipment or vehicles. The MSU may call upon Member-Nations to assist in peacekeeping missions however acceptance of the MSU's proposal and participation on that peacekeeping mission are at the Member-Nation's discretion and said Member-Nation will not be held accountable or disbarred for refusing to render assistance. MSU peacekeeping forces can be called upon to
- Monitor and observe disputed borders
- Monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas
- Provide security across a conflict zone
- Protect civilians/aid in missions of mercy
- Assist in-country military personnel with training and support
- Assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed
- Defend the alliance from overt military action by foreign powers
- Coordinate with the Ministry of Intelligence with information pertinent to the situation at hand
Section IV - Standard Policy
Member-Nations are responsible for their own borders and territories however, in extreme circumstances, a Member-Nation may request emergency assistance from the Multi-Species Union. Such requests must properly drafted and submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This ministry is charged with communicating the Member-Nation's needs to the other Ministries and the Minister-President. The Minister-President must present the request and any accompanying initial data to the Congressional Union for vote. Requests are accepted with two-thirds majority vote.
The Minister-President is charged with coordinating the various ministries to form a delegation that will establish lines of establish lines of transportation, demarcate locations for bases, relief camps and/or demilitarized zones, and any other data needed to support peacekeeping operations. This data will be compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs and presented to the Minister-President. The Minister-President will work with the Council of Intelligent Species Head of Commission to request aid from Member-Nations best suited to assist in a given scenario.
All forces sent by Member-Nations, to include any resources or equipment or manpower, remain under the control of their homeland. Each participating MSU nation is responsible for the upkeep of their forces. The highest ranking commander of those forces will retain command. If there is more than one nation in the peacekeeping force, then the MSU will appoint the highest ranking officer for all combined forces as the commander. All resources, personnel, vehicles, weapons or other accoutrements will be returned to their Member-Nation at the conclusion of each mission.
Article VI
Referendum and Amendments
Section I
This Charter may be amended by the Congressional Union via Referendum whenever two thirds of all representatives shall deem it necessary. Should a Referendum pass two-thirds vote, the Congressional Union may bring the Referendum before the Minister-President. The amendment shall be defined as a ratified amendment and be deemed law after Minister-President approval. The Congressional Union may bypass the approval of the Minister-President if they have a unanimous decision otherwise then, if so, the amendment shall be ratified.
Section II
Referendum may be brought before the Congressional Union by any Member-Nation or Observer-Nation. The Congressional Union shall vote on only one referendum at a time. Referendum must be framed property and carry the support of one other Member-Nation before being presented before the Congressional Union.
Article VII
Official Motto
The official motter of the Multi-Species Union will be: Joining our hands in unity.
Article VII
Ratification
The Ratification of the Multi-Species Union, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Charter between the Nations so ratifying the Same and done in convention by the unanimous consent of the Nations present this 19th Day of September, 2014 C.E., and In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names,
Credits:
UN Charter
The Judea Sanctum
User Wargod
Author:
Swith WitherwardMultispecies Union Headquarters - Pax Concordia Station, Tribus Sector
Shipping Lanes:
Visitors can expect heavy traffic in and around the demarcated shipping lanes. Visitors are asked to verify flight plans and to allow traffic control to advise them on final approach. Massive transport ships are given right of way provided they are preregistered as commercial-only vessles.
Docking:
There are several docking options available. Primary docking for small vessels is permitted in internal docking bays. These bays are available for short term use only unless the individual or government has delegate status. Arm docking is available for ships too large to enter the station. This docking is limited to only the time it takes for passengers or cargo to transfer between station and ship.
Security - external:
Don't be a dick. No one likes it when people take it upon themselves to bring strife or a nemesis to an RP, least of all me. Plots to blow up the station or have your battle cruiser roll in to cause havoc must be approved by me. Unapproved attacks will be ignored by all players. In this instance, the OP is God rule applies.
Security - internal:
Security forces are mainly comprised of Thade warrior caste (OP discretion to keep the game flowing) although the teams are supplemented by personnel from every nation tied to the MSU or the MC. Please ask me how to include some of your NPCs onto the security detail. Please treat the station as a glorified airport - people aren't going to be walking around heavily armed unless they belong to security, there are explosive-detecting devices located throughout the station, everyone that enters has either a passport, ID card or other documentation declaring their place of origin, and so on. There is a black market but it strays on the side of sensible for gaming purposes (yes, one can find pirated tech there, if one knows who to contact. Those contacts are NPCs)
Promenade - market and food districts:
The Promenade features shops such as you'd find in a small community. Some are integrated into the Promenade walls much like a mall while others are kiosks similar to a bazaar or open air market. Bear in mind that nearly everything is shipped in; prices are high, especially for fresh produce or meat. You can find tailors, tech repair/mechanics etc.Applesauce
Money:
It's a Pony establishment because somepony asked for one. It caters to Ponies, has facilities set up for Pony patrons, serves Pony food and drink, and is run and staffed by Ponies.
Cloud 9
It started as the station's main (and only) R&R room for troops and grew into a fully fledged pub. Cloud 9 caters to all species but seems to be a watering hole for most humans and xenos. The establishment was purchased several years ago by a witherward (per player request) and now provides a full line of beers and ales, wines, hard liquor, and cocktails. There's pub food if you're hungry. NPC staff belongs to Swith. The pub sees the occasional brawl but it's mostly a sedate place to hold conversations.
Grind
We have strippers. Lots and lots of strippers. No touching the fems. Visit at your own risk. It caters to all species - remember, that which has been seen cannot be unseen.
IHOP
Yes, IHOP. Someone wanted one. It's there. It has pancakes.
Wolframs
It's an anthro establishment because an anthro player asked for one. It caters to anthros. It is not a singles bar where players meet up as a prelude to TG sexting (per anthro player request, and also because sexting/cybering isn't allowed on NS.) It's run by an old Wolf anthro named Wolfram. He keeps a loaded shotgun behind the bar and has a low tolerance for fights in his establishment.
Visitors can exchange their currency for Credits. Credits are kept on a stick (there isn't any such animal as paper money or coins on the station) which can be scanned by merchants etc. For sake of play, 1 credit - 1 NSD.
Medical:
There are medical bays and a primary hospital ward.
Transportation:
The station has a "rail" system as well as various lifts. Certain areas contain more machinery than others so it's not always a wise idea to use personal transporter devices because the machinery tends to interfere with the process.
Living in Space:
A station is an enclosed environment. Some restrictions are necessary. Combustion engines aren't permitted. Smoking is done is designated filtration areas. All water is reclaimed so be careful what you flush - you won't be able to retrieve it. Every resource is precious. Private quarters are extremely small. The station is set up to reflect Earth but the Xeno decks have environment-controlled quarters that are toxic to humans and/or other Xenos; most use respiration aids or full body suits to travel outside of their "native" environment.
Getting to HQ:
Many MSU members and observers don't possess the technology necessary to transport to and from the station. The MSU has member-nations willing to give those delegates a lift. Nations based in the Sol system can arrange transport with any member-nation located there; the Technocracy of Cerillium offers free passage for those on official MSU business (mass is limited so anything beyond one body/one bag will require the payment of shipping fees.) Be reasonable: the MSU is an organization and delegates are usually not heads of state therefor no nation requires a heavy security team. Extra personnel put a drain on the environment.
Station Tech Level:
I'm old. I don't have patience for childish player pissing contests and tech trumping. The Station's tech level is extraordinarily advanced compared to nearly all nations (including my own). That's why we have artificial gravity, and sensors that can detect explosives, and comms links that can access a person nearly anywhere on the station provided they carry a device, and atmospheres/gravity/environment controls for xeno quarters. It's why we can have a station apart from a solar system. It's why we can refuel just about anything out there. It's why player-generated attacks on the station would have the same affect as a toddler taking on Chuck Norris. Because science is nice but common sense is sometimes lacking in II. Is it utopia? Nope. The artificial gravity sometimes fails. Occasionally some moron accidentally blows out a cargo bay. Merchants quarrel over who should be allowed to dock first. Some upstart ambassador rolls in with his sleek ship and feels entitled to take up an entire shipping lane. Typical things that strip away the "untouchable" to remind us that Mondays still exist.
In other words, it's a game mechanic that allows us to combine techs and canon without clashing over stupid things.
So why all the "limitations"? Because we aren't here to have a bunch of nonsense adventures! We're here to complete Summit work, establish HQ and get to know the nations and their delegates better. This means that players are welcome to explore the station and have conversations, or sit in the pub, or shop the promenade, but our primary concern is MSU business (especially if you're a CIS Rep) - if you don't participate in it, you can't possibly have any objections to alliance bylaws or procedures later on. Also, we needed a place in a pinch, and the station was already available. Others game in this setting; we don't want to destroy their stuff.
