Martian Times [FT][CLOSED]

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:46 am

State of the Empire: An Ironclad Empress and the Martian Giant
Her Imperial Majesty delivers the State of the Empire address

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — Beyond the darkened forum and the powerfully placed lighting that accentuated the podium stood a figure flanked by large banners. As she spoke, her voice carried over the silent room of Parliament. Billions had tuned in to hear the speech, to hear her speak, and for the first time in years was there a sense of pride. She is Empress Nerys Gloriana. We know her as the Ironclad Empress.

As the Empress addressed the nation, the tension in the air was palpable. So thick was the anticipation that it could have been carved and chiselled by an expert artisan. It was as though, at that very moment, the entire nation stood still.

''My fellow Martians, we endeavoured ourselves on a momentous challenge to rebuild the glory and pride of our people. We sought to define what it means to truly be Martian. Our Empire now stands as a testament to the sheer strength and will of our people. We are defiant, we are strong, we are the Martian Giant. Mars Invicta.''

It was an opening to a speech unlike any other, and one that saw Parliament erupt into cheering. Mars Invicta — a phrase adopted from the Kadrians, had become the nation's rallying cry. And across the beer halls and gatherings of people who had tuned in to the speech was this ritualistic battle cry echoed.

Throughout the address, the Martian Empress pulled on this renewed nationalism. As it was revealed, the nation had finally recovered from its economic woes and unemployment had since declined. The refugee crisis was mostly over and though the nation had found itself in a new war, there was a sense of optimism among the many citizens of the Empire.

Though humiliated in the Great War, Empress Gloriana's reforms and the economic revolution spurred the nation onward. The term 'Martian' was no longer the privilege of just a single species, but of all citizens in the Empire. And for the first time in the nation's history, was the Empire truly united — not as colonists and mainlanders, or humans and xenos, but as Martians.

The Empress described the age as one of the 'New Martian Order'. And with this, she adopted the regnal name of 'Gloriana'. The speech had reignited the smouldering embers of Martian Nationalism, and Kaseism was on full display during the address. As her remarks drew to a close, she set out the plan to continue to rearm and modernise the fleets. The Empress described a need to maintain a strong military, even as diplomacy was now being routinely engaged with its neighbours, if only to never suffer such a humiliation again like the Great War.

The Empress received a standing ovation by Parliament as they chanted Mars Invicta.

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:37 am

Empress signs Flag Act and Legislation Act into Law
The Empire adopts a new flag as Parliament and Empress agree to amend legislative procedures

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — A new banner will be flown in the Empire after the Empress signed the Flag Act into law. The 'Union Flag' will replace the older 'Black Banner' that was put in place by Van Allen. The Black Banner featured the Martian Star in an orange knot on a black field. Many have suggested either returning to the Martian Tricolour, a flag with black, white, and orange stripes and was the flag of the First Republic, or adopting a new banner entirely. The Empress opted for the latter.

The new design incorporates a Union Cross in the canton and is influenced by the old world's Union Jack to represent the nation's first settlers who were British. The Martian Star sits in a field of blue to represent unity of the nation. The flag's simple design overall is very reminiscent of Martian minimalism. The design was submitted to Parliament alongside the bill, and was later passed after much deliberation. Already the Union Flag can be seen flying atop the Forum.

The Legislation Act amended the legislative process, enabling Parliament to directly petition the Empress, and established a Legislative Committee to draft bills. Before, all policy had to be submitted to the Secretariat to be drafted into a bill, a process MPs have long believed to be inefficient. The Empress agreed and provided her signature for the Act, overturning the original procedures.

MPs will now be able to seek advice from the Secretariat and work with legal experts in the Legislative Committee to codify the language of proposals to be voted on in Parliament. The Empress will also have access to the committee for any imperial proposals. Many hope this'll streamline the process. The Act also addressed terminology and many other features of the process, standardising the convention overall.

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:45 pm

Mars to conduct 'police actions' in Delta
Parliament authorises the use of expeditionary forces in Delta to combat piracy

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Hypatia, Martian Delta — Hypatia's legislature passed a joint resolution to petition the imperial government for a coordinated response to piracy in and around the Martian Delta. Concerns about raiding of commerce by safe harbours of piracy has continued to grow as Hypatians and others make note of the lack of manpower and resources for their security by local forces. Hypatian PM Doris Oakland told the MT that her cabinet was deeply concerned about security in the region, and hoped that the IMN's presence would deter further raids.

The Martian Parliament deliberated on the resolution before finally passing a 'Security Bill' authorising the Empress to deploy 'expeditionary forces' in the Delta to 'patrol and secure the frontier and sphere of the Empire against pirates, marauders, raiders, smugglers, and privateers.' The Hypatian Police Action Act also enables the Empress to 'make use of what force may reasonably be required to dispatch such elements associated with piracy.' The Empress directed the Department of Defence to mobilise naval assets in the region, such as those of the Fourth and Fifth fleets, to conduct anti-piracy operations following the vote.

Pundits have remarked that a crackdown of this sort was inevitable as the Empire recovered. Under the Piracy Act of 2153, the Navy has the authority to 'carry out the sovereign's justice in pursuit of peace and commerce.' This has long been interpreted by the Courts as giving the IMN the capacity to detain and execute those that have been caught while in the act of committing piracy.

In Ragnarson v. Martian Conglomerate, the Supreme Court ruled that maritime law was the sovereign's law under the Imperial Prerogative and thus certain crimes were acts against the State. Such 'State Crimes' were capable of being elevated to capital punishment such as execution. The SCOTHIM wrote in their opinion:

[...] the maritime region as defined as the interplanetary and interstellar space out to one (1) lightyear of the heliopause is firmly within the sovereign's domain (Maritime Act of 2073; Imperial Prerogative). All activities by agents foreign or domestic are thus subject to the Law of the sovereign and this right shall not be abrogated by any court, legislature, or other assembly except at the written affirmation by the sovereign. Such consequences as detainment, arrest, indictment, and capital punishment are thus subject to the sovereign's agents as deemed appropriate at the sovereign's discretion.

Since law originates with the Empress, any 'agents' such as the IMN that operate under her are thus capable of dispatching the 'Empress' Justice' when required and this can be done so without a trial. Courts cannot challenge the Imperial Prerogative or the Empress as she is the source of their authority, and thus a trial would technically be in violation of the Law.

That being said, the Empress' Maritime Code lays out in depth procedures and the legal process applicable to crimes committed in these maritime regions. Most crimes committed in maritime space will enable one to seek due process of the law, which required the Empress to affirm such to SCOTHIM, while others such as those 'State Crimes' mentioned do not necessarily guarantee due process. The exceptions to this rule are those cases where the individual has only been suspected of committing a State Crime, in which case they are guaranteed the right to due process and a jury of their peers rather than a tribunal by the IMN.

The DoD noted that they would be working in conjunction with local forces of Hypatia and other stellarates in the region to create a comprehensive plan to rein in the frontier.

by **Lady Scylla** » Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:26 pm

2 million Marstralians sign petition amid diplomatic row
A diplomatic row in Mars' UN organisation, the Martian Forum, has led to 2 million signatures by angry Marstralians

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Marstralia, Martian Empire — What's in a name?

That question can apparently be quite loaded and even lead to some tense stand-offs according to the State Department. 2 million residents of the newly incorporated Province of Marstralia, which comprises the southern pole of Mars in the Empire's territory, have signed a petition on the Government's web portal — Marspeaks.

The issue at hand is a recent vote passed by the Martian Forum that was created by the Eridani Imperium rejecting the use of 'Marstralia' for the Forum's official functions, and instead using the areographical name Planum Australae to refer to the region. The resolution doesn't enforce anything on the Martian Empire, and the province's name will remain unchanged, but many have taken this as a slight, according to Marstralian resident Cora Helsinki.

''We've always called this place home, Marstralia. It's a quirky name, and we love it. Kadrians just don't know any better, the resolution is ridiculous!''

Marstralia is a portmanteau of the words 'Mars' and 'Australia', an old world nation and Latin term meaning 'Southern Land'. It's unclear who first coined the term 'Marstralia' but it gained prominence in recent decades, and eventually became something of a loved oddity for the nearly 5 million residents of the region.

According to officials, the vote ignited a row in the chambers of the Forum, with Martian Ambassador Belmont accusing Eridani Tribunus of attempting to run 'roughshod' by abusing the Forum's power. Belmont subsequently left the chambers in protest as the vote passed, and this didn't go unnoticed among the Marstralians. Marstralian Governor Ian McCoy celebrated Belmont's patriotism against what he called a 'gaggle of wannabe debutants'.

Belmont stated that the incident struck a chord, herself a Marstralian-borne resident, who thought the name of her home province was 'silly and even whimsical' but was appalled that the Forum would be used in such a manner. Belmont's office commented:

''The Forum Ambassador believes that the Forum, as the international organisation that it is, should be reserved for serious considerations of utmost international importance, and was appalled at the disregard for international norms and unprofessional behaviour of colleagues. The Forum Ambassador, who is Marstralian-borne, agrees that the name is silly and even whimsical, but acknowledges the results of the vote by her fellow residents when the option to name the territory was presented to them. The Forum Ambassador chose to walk-out in protest, not over whether the name should be marked on official Forum proceedings, but because of the facetious behaviour the Forum has taken to its own proceedings.''

The State Department likewise echoed the sentiment of Belmont, with Secretary of State Ria Solomon stating that she was 'deeply disappointed' in the organisation. When asked of any reprisals by Her Imperial Majesty's Government, Solomon stated that was 'not on the table.' Solomon went on to state that the incident has undermined HIM's Government's faith in the organisation, but ultimately was not an issue of such importance to require retaliatory measures or any other sanction.

This has not stopped Marstralians, however, from signing a petition condemning the Forum's resolution, and instead has emboldened them. Marstralia United, an organisation created by Mayor Dave Carrigan of New Brisbane, petitioned the State Department to send a basket of goods to the Eridani Ambassador, Tribunus Thelen Greycloak, commemorating the independence of Ironforge and Eridani independence. Ironforge was the former name of present-day Solitude when it was still a Martian settlement.

''Some people are deeply upset, and others have found it amusing. I think we can take the time to appreciate the moment and laugh at ourselves. We opted to send a gift basket with an improperly named card, and items marked as having been 'Made in Marstralia' at a drive for a little humour in all this. Just a light-hearted gift, and I hope Tribunus Greycloak enjoys the items,'' Carrigan said.

Several Marstralians put forth donations for the basket and a few manufacturers stepped in to produce an ornate bobblehead of the Tribunus along with a t-shirt and some other items. Carrigan said that the region would always be 'Quirky Marstralia' to its residents, and ultimately didn't matter whether the Forum was going to use the areographic name or theirs. New Brisbane is expected to change its name to DeRensBane for a few days in a humorous jab at Lord deRenci, who is the Forum Ambassador from the UIK, and Elms Avenue will become Menelmsvenue during that time as well.

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:48 pm

Empress appoints a Prime Minister
Cora Rowland is sworn in as Empire's first Prime Minister

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — Cora Rowland has been sworn in as the Empire's first Prime Minister as she forms a government with permission of the sovereign. The change comes after Parliament passed the Government Act of 2200, overturning the Government Act of 2182 that established the Secretariat.

Under the new law, the Prime Minister and their cabinet (PM&C) will be held accountable to both Parliament and the sovereign and will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of government as Her Imperial Majesty's Government (HIMG). The issue has been debated in Parliament for several years now about creating a formal office for the Head of Government rather than relying on the former Secretariat to maintain unity in decisions.

It'll be the PM's responsibility to continually advise the Empress on matters of State, and to execute her national policy directives when they are made. It's expected that HIM will be able to rely on the PM, who will maintain confidence of Parliament, to effectively manage the Empire under her authority. PM Rowland was considered a stable choice by the Empress' own ministers given her bureaucratic career in the government.

PM Rowland was also very popular among Parliament for her impartial role as Speaker prior to her appointment as Prime Minister. For now, Rowland has chosen to retain the current secretaries of the former Secretariat as her cabinet, who will serve her now as ministers.

by **Lady Scylla** » Sat Sep 26, 2020 12:39 pm

Report: Martian Armed Forces, Road to Empire
Record recruitment, more ships, new technologies — A look into Mars' modernisation

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — If space had sound, this facility would be alive with the roaring of machinery and the bustle of ships. Over ten thousand workers are tiring away as they work on engines of war. Dozens of these warships are being assembled with new technologies and designs, and dozens more have already been completed. And like this facility, there are many others. It's a mobilisation on a scale unseen in Martian history.

When the Empress laid down her Industrial Mobilisation Plan, there were many questions that had to be answered. Who was going to be affected, what was being built, and perhaps most importantly, where. The IMN sat out with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Defence to determine just that. Expeditions and surveys were conducted across the Empire and sites selected, these would be the beating heart of a Martian war machine.

Mining out asteroids using automated miners at a rapid pace, and large logistical trains moving these materials to massive new foundries and refineries became the arteries of this machine. Citadels, the largest mobile structures ever produced in the Empire, dominated the void where all of these things: resources, manpower, and ships meet. They became the nerve centres for this effort, an effort that has now culminated in millions of workers across the Empire now building, supplying, and engineering the largest modernisation program in the nation's history.

The Navy on top of this has launched a new recruitment campaign, blasting adverts across media and the void, urging citizens to join their ranks. A special prosthetic program orchestrated under the Consolidation Plan has already seen over two million refugees and amputees apply, eagerly awaiting the necessary surgeries that they can work off with their service. And it's not just humans or nalari.

Autofoundries have been hard at work tooling up and pushing out automated units from vehicles, ships, and combat droids. This process has taken the Imperial Marines from a few hundred automated battalions to a few thousand over the last several years. Technological advances in construction, ship design, and combat are driving what some are calling a Golden Era in Martian mobilisation.

Admiral Serano, who serves as the Secretary of the Navy, stated in an interview that the effort has been a long and arduous process. ''Our goal is simple. We are going to ensure we have the defences and security we need. We've had many hard lessons from the Great War, notably conflict with the Kadrians, and we've taken the time to analyse every bit of data we could get. We've looked at allies, we've looked at foes, we've examined what they're doing, and we've applied those lessons here,'' Serano said.

This process has been done through dozens of analytical and investigative programs under the Department of Research and Development, which serves under the Ministry of Defence and collaborates with the Department of the Navy, also under the MoD, and departments under the Ministry of Technology. Among the many reforms of the Empress, transparency and greater cooperation between the various facets of the bureaucracy were implemented.

And many of these new technologies are getting tested, according to Serano. ''We have deployed much of this in Nicea, and we are demonstrating what is working and what is not, and it is providing us the necessary information to go back to the drawing board and rework theories and plans.''

The Ministry of Labour reported that nearly 10% of the working population as of 2200 was now being employed in some manner by the Ministry of Defence under the Department of the Navy. This has made the MoD the largest national employer in the Empire. And this workforce isn't just building machines of war, according to Serano, they're also working in civil engineering constructing infrastructure such as gateworks and communications services, and creating the starways connecting systems.

Just ten years ago, places like Hypatia or Caracalla were considered a frontier backwater. Much of the colonies in Delta and elsewhere were under-developed and dependent on goods and services coming from Mars. The Consolidation Plan changed this. Millions were driven to these settlements across the reaches and massive infrastructure programs were undertaken to support the population. The result was an explosion in culture, industrialisation, and manpower.

Hypatia became the industrial heartland of the Delta colonies, with a population that quickly swelled to rival the capital. This new economic juggernaut now dominated trade in Delta. ''It became the epicentre of development,'' Professor Octavia of the Institute of Technology in Port Anseris stated.

Overall, the IMN has added new fleets bringing the total to ten now. Millions have answered the call thanks to recruitment efforts, and with them will be the many automated combat units and systems designed by corporations like Yokohama and Sato. It's the beginning of an Empire.

''What we have done is made our Empire smaller,'' Her Imperial Majesty announced during her State of the Empire address. ''Not just literally, but figuratively. There are three things an Empire needs — Communication, Commerce, and Control. It took us a month to traverse the galaxy ten years ago. Thanks to the development of our gates, we can now manage this feat in hours. This alone has had a profound impact already and will continue to do so in the future. Our commerce is now safer, our communication is faster, and we can now exert a level of control on our borders never before seen in the two centuries of our history. We are the Martian Giant.''

The Consolidation Plan also introduced austerity measures. For a time, rationing was enforced in the frontier at the start of the program as the migration began. Surveys by teams comprising many different Ministries identified what systems they could effectively cut loose. As a result, the Empire's territory shrank considerably from nearly 300 systems to 157, with more expected to follow as refugees are removed from regions.

This process greatly reduced costs for the central government, and a delicate balancing act began. The Imperial Reserve started to carefully adjust interest rates and print money to closely control inflation as the government embarked on an unprecedented public works project. The result was skyrocketing debts thanks to lending that the Empire will be paying off for the next thirty years, but a lucrative investment program helped drive much of the project.

And finally, after the Consolidation Plan was repealed by Parliament, the Empress was now sitting at the helm of a new machine. In a private sit-down with Her Imperial Majesty, we managed to ask a few questions about these programs and the modernisation of the Empire.

Compared to ten years ago, what do you think is your greatest achievement?

''Redefining what it means to be Martian. We've taken a term that at one point was cursed at by those elsewhere in our borders and decided that this is who we are, and it's not just a human thing, or just a birth-right thing like those from Mars. It's all of us, and I think that has really struck a chord and helped unite all of these people together regardless of their backgrounds or where they were from originally.''

You refer to the nation as the Martian Giant repeatedly in your speeches, why?

''The Martian Conglomerate was massive. We're talking 700 systems across the galaxy, all four quadrants, with over a hundred billion people. Yet, we were behind on everything. We'd built this empire in all but name and yet never considered what it really meant to rule it, to keep it going. The Great War changed all that. It was a reset. An opportunity. We not only recovered, but we've surpassed the Conglomerate in just about every metric. No other nation on Mars has had that, at least not for a very long time.''

Many have made concerns about rhetoric made and actions taken recently, over whether this is the Empire preparing for conflict, what do you think about that?

''We are preparing for conflict. We are actively fighting stigma that we're some backwater astropolity that is beneath some of the older states. We are actively fighting our own doubts about ourselves. We are proving that when we get knocked down, we can dust ourselves off and get back up. This is as much a mobilisation of assets as it is of Martian culture.''

Some have accused you of sucking up to the Menelmacari, tensions have recently cooled between the Empire and the Ascendancy, and its caused groups like the Nationalists to resent you for it

''The Menelmacari are not our friends. I don't think anyone will believe that for one second, because that's politics. It's undeniable that we have a shared interest in the regions surrounding Sol, and within Sol itself. Unfortunately, that does mean we are in a position to be rivals, but that doesn't mean we need to constantly march off to war over it. I think this is where the Nationalists and I differ. There is room for diplomacy and cooperation on many issues with the Ascendancy, and when we can't see eye-to-eye, a compromise. And really, that's the situation with any other Solarian nation.''

Would you ever advocate, as someone in your position, conflict with the Menelmacari?

''A last resort. There would need to be a reason, and I think that's the failing of the Conglomerate. Previous administrations wanted to sabre-rattle and threaten conflict or make such moves that were very hostile to that end. Almost like attempting to provoke conflict — and that is not the policy initiative of my administration, of my government. The Ascendancy would need to be provocative to initiate such a thing, and I doubt they ever would.''

What are your hopes with everything you've done?

''I want stability. That is my long-term goal. I want to know that the Empire is going to be stable, that it'll have an ironclad government in place. The gateworks help us there significantly. We had to maintain an extremely large navy under the Conglomerate because it took so long to get across the galaxy. So it was better to just station huge amounts of ships and weaponry in each quadrant to protect colonies. We no longer have to do that. We can respond to threats on our borders quickly and efficiently and with new weapons development, we don't need the same number of warships to produce the same amount of firepower. We finally have a degree of naval projection and supremacy in our colonies that we could never manage under the Conglomerate.''

Parliament passed a resolution requesting you negotiate with the Menelmacari on the Mutual Security Treaty, what are your thoughts?

''They did. Perception has changed, and many feel the treaty is very unequal and I agree with that. The Menelmacari have no limitations, but we are limited in what we can have in Sol. This makes Sol a strategic liability, and it's something we are working on currently. There's very little 'mutual' about it, if I'm to be honest. The Conglomerate was unstable, and this agreement ensured there was some stability in Sol, but to many, it looks more like Menelmacari supremacy in an otherwise human system and I think that has definitely agitated a lot of the populace. Martians want to be seen as equals, and I plan to give them that.''

by **Lady Scylla** » Mon Sep 28, 2020 5:51 pm

Fusion Disaster at Amberfire's HyperFusion Centre
Authorities are investigating a deadly incident in the Syracuse system following a containment failure

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — A deadly reactor failure forced the evacuation of Amberfire's HyperFusion Centre after a test caused a catastrophic containment breach, according to the energy company. Amberfire has been working on a new energy project many have speculated either involves a matter annihilation reactor or an exotic matter reactor, with Yokohama working closely with the company. Authorities say that nearly a dozen scientists and engineers were reportedly in the spire where the test was being conducted, and that a containment failure caused an explosion that severely damaged the station.

The evacuation was a precaution, according to authorities and Amberfire's media spokesperson. ''Our researchers were conducting a routine test of a new energy solution when the device suffered an anomaly that resulted in damage to the spire and nearby structure of the station. As a precaution, we've evacuated the Centre while we assess the extent of the damage,'' Amberfire spokesperson, Sol Barrington stated.

Authorities have launched an investigation following the incident, with Energy Minister J'karr coordinating with the MoD and IMN to determine whether there was any signs of sabotage or terrorism. Amberfire has been summoned by Parliament's National Security Committee to discuss the incident, according to those familiar with the NSC.

by **Lady Scylla** » Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:17 pm

Parliament debates Apophis Program
300 stations of the controversial Apophis Defence Array remain as Parliament decides what to do

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — Parliament is once again debating what to do with the Apophis Program, a relic of the pre-war Van Allen administration. Under Roth, the former United Republic Government began dismantling the nearly 1200 stations placed strategically around Sol within the Solarian Reaches, before abruptly halting such efforts without explanation in 2181. 300 of these stations reportedly remain and are still operational according to the National Security Committee's Commission on Strategic Weapons.

The debate over the program has occurred several times, as discussions circle around maintenance costs and security. A driving factor preventing Parliament from continuing the deconstruction effort is the Menelmacari, which some officials feel has been pressuring administrations since Roth to disable the system which was put into place following the Mutual Security Treaty. ''It's no accident, and internal documents show this, that the ADA was a response to that treaty,'' NSC chair Victor Blacke commented.

The documents in question are a treasure trove discovered after Van Allen's arrest and trial, many of which were sealed and are not available for the public. Said documents paint a picture for officials about many programs that were created under the Van Allen administration. The revelation of the ADA, however, was not surprising.

''I think it was generally assumed that was the case, even if it wasn't blatantly stated,'' Conglomerate Historian Nikita Rambeau from the National Archives told MT. Nikita has worked the last decade with the Archives and Port Anseris University to document and investigate files of the Conglomerate Era. ''Van Allen's government, his administration, were very concerned about a weakening Conglomerate in the face of the Menelmacari and to a lesser degree, the Nimatojin. There was a sense of paranoia of an existential threat, and after the treaty was signed, these programs started to appear and went into overdrive,'' Nikita explains.

The Apophis Program was an upgrade for the Martians' warmind, Athena. While the defence array was the most notable system, Athena received a number of other additions including things known as Program Glass and Program Valkyrie, codewords for Athena's surveillance upgrades and its cyberwarfare measures.

Defence researcher Alexander Webber explains, ''Everyone was focusing on the Martian Expeditionary Perimeter and the ADA, but weren't grasping the whole picture. Athena received nearly ten trillion pounds in upgraded software and equipment. And there's much we still don't know.'' Experts like Webber have been blocked from accessing data or information on Athena's modernisation program under Van Allen by the Ministry of Defence, citing national security.

However, unsealed documents by the National Security Committee reveal that a lot of this funding did go towards the ADA, accounting for nearly 40% of it. Further breakdowns of maintenance by the imperial government on the project, even with only 300 stations left reveals an extensive price tag. ''We are spending insane amounts of money on a program that is no longer feasible,'' MP Marietta Arnold argued in Parliament.

MPs from both the Conservatives and Liberals have argued against dismantling the program without assurances from the Menelmacari. Liberal MP Diana Krauss broke ranks and joined the Conservatives during the debate, ''We must be formidable, and we must be united, and we must be clear. We will not dismantle Apophis until the Mutual Security Treaty is repealed.''

The Array does pose a threat to Sol, according to defence researchers like Webber, ''It's a long-gun in the Menelmacari sense. Several of these firing on a target, even with shields, its going to cause damage.'' Webber has cautioned though that undoubtedly the Menelmacari and other Solarians have long had these stations in their sights, however. ''It was a short-coming of the program, these things are stationary. Most would be destroyed before a shot was ever fired,'' Webber explained.

This is also why many suspect the Menelmacari are adamant about getting them removed, a few would still manage to fire in a conflict, and thus are a threat. However, many question whether they are truly a deterrent as intended. ''I don't think so,'' Blacke commented, ''Maybe at their full capacity and if the technology was more well understood back then, but they're definitely not now. Menelmacari are undergoing a modernisation program despite all this, and external pressure from such states has not changed.''

Amid mounting pressures from Parliament and other groups to renegotiate the Mutual Security Treaty, Prime Minister Rowland has been given the mantle to facilitate such. The PM, however, has not commented on the debate, even as Parliament's Strategic Deterrence Caucus gains traction. SDC, which is gaining tripartisan support, is suggesting a resolution to demand that any negotiations regarding the Mutual Security Treaty will not move forward with the dismantling of the ADA unless the MST is repealed and an NAP is agreed to.

Members of the National Security Committee have rebuffed this, however. MP Erwin Leander of the National Security Committee stated, ''The SDC wants to strongarm the negotiations without knowing how to negotiate. You can't expect a piece of paper to protect you.''

The State Department also released information regarding a call made between the Empress and Menelmacari officials regarding a renegotiation. Some of which further upset MPs in Parliament, especially those in the SDC. According to documents, HIM held an unexpected call with the Menelmacari to ballpark formal negotiations about the MST, of which the Menelmacari were adamant about a non-aggression pact, but also wanted the ADA dismantled, and 'first-right' to alien artefacts the Martians uncover during xenoarchaeological expeditions.

The latter point especially didn't sit well with many. ''They want a vassal, little more,'' MP Arnold chided. Blacke said that he wasn't surprised at the terms but cautioned that they were merely terms and no indication was given on whether they were negotiable or not. What exactly comes of the vote in Parliament with the resolution remains to be seen, but lines are being drawn.

by **Lady Scylla** » Thu Oct 01, 2020 1:50 pm

Parliament passes the 'Rowland Resolution'
Legislature votes in favour of resolution submitted by the Prime Minister, listing demands for renegotiation process with Menelmacari

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Martian Empire — Prime Minister Rowland joined in on the debate raging in Parliament after Conservatives and Liberals battled it out in the forum. Rowland, who was previously Parliamentary Speaker, has never been known to be partisan given her extensive bureaucratic history. Yet, the front put on display today was unexpected.

The PM submitted what's been coined the 'Rowland Resolution' which garnered support of the Strategic Deterrence Caucus and several of the Moderates. The resolution lays out the demands Parliament wants before they'll approve any treaty negotiated by Her Imperial Majesty's Government.

''It's better to find common ground here than endlessly squabble over minute details that are not in favour by the majority,'' PM Rowland stated on the floor.

The resolution, while non-binding, has generally been followed or at the very least acknowledged by the Empress, where it will go to next. While the Prime Minister and Cabinet makeup Her Imperial Majesty's Government, they cannot act without the Empress' approval first, as she is still the chief executive. However, any deal not adhering to the resolution's provisions may not go through Parliament.

Under the nation's uncodified constitution, Parliament has the power to approve treaties negotiated by the Empress, even though such technically falls under the imperial prerogative. This check on imperial power also extends to things such as territorial annexation and declarations of war, while a part of the prerogative powers of the Empress, they require parliamentary assent.

The Rowland Resolution lays out what Parliament wants in the renegotiations of the Mutual Security Treaty.

1. The Mutual Security Treaty is repealed in its entirety.

2. The Martians will dismantle the Apophis Program.

3. A Non-Aggression Pact will be signed with the Menelmacari, extending out to the UIK, Republic of Sunset, and other allies of the EAM.

4. Any major disputes that cannot otherwise be resolved between the EAM or ME will be arbitrated by the Forum.

5. In the case of a conflict, Sol is to be considered neutral territory and absent of hostilities.

6. Bans the use of strategic weapons by either party in reference to 5.

7. Both parties would agree to a thirty day window of diplomacy to exhaust all other options, if whatever treaty is negotiated, were to be revoked by either party at the outbreak of conflict.

Parliament hopes that such an agreement will further reduce tensions between the Menelmacari and Martians, and also create a list of assurances and a diplomatic process to follow if hostilities were to ever become a possibility. The resolution passed just over the simple majority required, and will be sent off to Her Imperial Majesty for consideration. Until its given approval, the Prime Minister and her cabinet will have to wait, though likely the State Department is already preparing for such negotiations.

by **Lady Scylla** » Sat Oct 03, 2020 4:26 pm

United Provinces consider secession
UP General Assembly debates independence ahead of Empress' visit

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Cassio Reach, Martian Empire — The United Provinces' General Assembly opted to drop a bombshell ahead of a scheduled visit by the Empress, according to officials. The UP is a country within the Empire's Cassio Reach region, which is nestled in the Martian Delta. It gained responsible government shortly after the Great War as a part of the Cassio Accords to prevent a string of secessionist rebellions.

At the time, national security advisers and government officials were deeply concerned that the fall of the Martian Conglomerate would create a domino effect if the UP were allowed to secede. The United Provinces initially formed during the conflict as representatives debated whether to break away from the Conglomerate which was embroiled in a civil war and multiple conflicts along its frontier. They chose to wait fearing a resurgent Eridani to their galactic east, and after hearing word of the Empress' appointment and subsequent victory in the Reaches.

Her Imperial Majesty negotiated with the United Provinces after the war, and established the Cassio Accords that granted them responsible government in exchange for remaining with the Empire. This agreement set the precedent for the imperial government's relationship with other colonial territories outside of the Alpha Quadrant. The United Systems Federation formed in the Astral Verge, and the Republic of Hypatia in the Hypatia Region.

These countries were all granted the same amount of autonomy, with the Empire's role being mainly to regulate commerce and defence. At the time, imperial officials saw this as necessary. Communication and travel had broken down between Mars and these territories, and Martian FTL-technology at the time meant taking a month to cross the galaxy to get to these regions.

At the same time, the MCN had been reduced significantly in size due to the losses it sustained during the Great War. Pre-war policy mandated large naval forces in each quadrant led by a Grand Admiral to maintain these territories, something that was prohibitively expensive and resulted in an ageing and ill-equipped navy overall.

''What we had was a naval force nearing eighty thousand warships to cover territories across the galaxy,'' Naval Historian Ross Graham told MT.

The breakthrough of Mars' new phasegate technology changed everything. Travel across the galaxy could now be managed in hours instead of weeks, something that greatly reduced the need for such a large naval force. It also rendered routes like the Hermes Starway, which stretches nearly 100,000 light years, practically defunct.

This resulted in the modernised IMN only fielding a little less than half the ships and assets of the MCN with well-equipped, modern designs. Rather than four Grand Admirals, there was now only one. Graham, who works with the Naval Institute of Technology in Kotaniyama, explained that the new technology made the Empire smaller.

''We're now capable of exerting control and asserting our sphere of influence with a degree of naval projection we didn't have before. Communication is faster, travel is faster, there's not a threat in the galaxy the IMN can't respond to in just a few hours,'' Graham explained.

This development hasn't been missed by the UP who fear a centralised imperial government that may revoke its autonomy. Many officials in the UP's General Assembly have voiced such concerns in recent weeks ahead of the Empress' visit. The reaction of which by Parliament has been muted concern, according to officials in the imperial capital.

''There's no law for or against secession, but colonies are under the purview of the Empress. Ideally, such a situation would need approval by both Her Imperial Majesty and Parliament,'' according to MP Leanna Delgado, who sits on the Colonial Affairs Committee in Parliament. MP Delgado also stated that she's doubtful there'd be such an agreement in the government.

MP Delgado's comments are in reference to the imperial prerogative, which guarantees the Empress the 'right to manage the territories of the empire'. However, this prerogative power requires approval by Parliament, which may go against UP independence. It'd be the first time the Empress and Parliament has openly disagreed on anything.

There's also the matter of the Empress' visit, something that has raised security concerns. The Security Council convened after the news broke, and the IMN is expected to increase the Empress' security detail. The issue has also raised the prospect of a personal bodyguard unit, something the Empress and government officials don't have.

''There's been discussions about a secret service for government officials, traditionally it's been the job of the IMN to provide security for officials abroad and then relying on local law enforcement for their safety at home,'' Chairman Victor Blacke, of the National Security Committee explained.

Such an organisation would require Parliament to pass a law, something the NSC is reportedly considering following the recent news. Blacke noted that any time there's talks of secession, it has historically invited radicals to partake in extremist acts of violence. ''We want to avoid that,'' Blacke stated.

by **Lady Scylla** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:37 pm

Empress meets with UP General Assembly
UP General Assembly considering secession from the Empire as Empress meets with top officials

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Cassio Reach, Martian Empire — Empress Nerys has met with officials in the United Provinces' General Assembly to quell concerns about a centralising imperial government, according to officials. The UP has been concerned about losing autonomy under a policy known as 'responsible government' that was granted by the Empress.

''Many years ago, I met with representatives of the Cassio Reach. I chose to create the Cassio Accords granting you autonomy, and I will stand by that agreement as I always have. Our Empire is a testament to the strength of our combined wills, of the unity of our people, to the sacrifices that we have all shared. I am your Empress, your Queen, and I will not strip away any autonomy that I gave in good judgement of your character,'' the Empress addressed the General Assembly.

HIM Nerys' speech was met with jubilant applause by the representatives in the assembly. In perhaps an unprecedented show of solidarity, UP Prime Minister Ambrose Downey presented the Empress a golden sceptre whose shaft was a fasces bound together of thin rods. This ceremony was met with thunderous cheering and chanting by the representatives.

''Your Imperial Majesty, as your Prime Minister of the Cassio Reach and the United Provinces, I present you this gift and a symbol of your authority over our humble country, Queen of the Cassio Reach,'' Downey said.

The Empress accepted the gift and is expected to resume her scheduled duties, meeting with the UP Prime Minister and other officials before departing to Hypatia. The State Department has described it as the Imperial Tour, according to a press release:

''Her Imperial Majesty has seen it prudent to embark on an imperial tour of the territories of the Empire. She will endeavour to meet with representatives, local leaders, and citizens of these territories to discuss a variety of matters concerning her subjects that will enable her to make more personal and informed decisions.''

by **Lady Scylla** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 6:31 pm

Cold War Ends as Treaty is Signed
The Martian Empire and the Eternal Ascendancy of the Menelmacar have signed the Treaty of Queenstown

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Queenstown, Martian Empire — The Martian Cold War is over, according to analysts and officials at the heart of the imperial government. Nearly three decades since Van Allen's proclamation, the Menelmacari and Martians have signed the Treaty of Queenstown, repealing the earlier Mutual Security Treaty and ushering in a new era of diplomacy and friendship.

The Treaty of Queenstown, also known as the Treaty of Non-Aggression, Mutual Security, and Diplomatic Relations of the Martian Empire and the Eternal Ascendancy of Menelmacar, has been the work of countless hours by delegations of both nations and a push by the Martian Parliament to finally repeal the Mutual Security Treaty. The agreement does just that, abolishing the strategic weapons agreement and fleet limit in Sol between the two nations, but also secures so much more.

Non-Aggression

The treaty establishes a pact of non-aggression between both powers, preventing them from taking hostile actions against each other or by aiding a third party that is currently engaged. It also prevents the targetting of allies.

Diplomacy

The treaty creates an avenue for both nations to resolve disputes via the Martian Forum or other organisation.

Sol's Neutrality

Perhaps the most integral part of the agreement, and a ground-breaking one at that is the neutrality of Sol in perpetuity by both nations, as well as a mutual agreement to aid in the defence of Sol by both nations.

Limited Conflict and Suspension

Just as integral as the declaration of neutrality, the treaty establishes a route for conflict if a dispute cannot be resolved. Rather than voiding the treaty outright, the agreement can be suspended by the nations to engage in limited warfare with each other. This part of the treaty also controls weapons use, reinforces Sol's neutrality, and paves the way for a renewal of the agreement after a conflict.

Concessions and Exchanges

This part of the treaty is where the negotiations really began. The Martian Empire has agreed to dismantle the Apophis Defence Array and not renew the program, in return the Mutual Security Treaty is abolished, and both nations have agreed to work cooperatively on xenoarchaeological ventures.

The agreement is automatically renewed every four years, unless suspended during a period of conflict, but then renewed once more for the same cycle. Overall, officials in the imperial government are extremely happy with the results of the negotiations. Empress Nerys described it as the most important agreement likely ever signed in Martian history, and Prime Minister Rowland has stated that for the first time, the Martians were treated justly and equally.

Celebrations broke out across the Empire after the news broke. Crowds gathered in Queenstown lighting fireworks and cheering as a jubilant atmosphere swept the country. For many, this is not just a treaty but a nod to the Empire's legitimacy as an equal and integral partner in Solarian relations. The agreement as well has lifted concerns of a war enveloping Sol, and ending decades of Cold War mentality that has gripped the nation.

by **Lady Scylla** » Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:27 pm

IMN to conduct wargames, says MoD
Martian Navy conducts military exercises in Jackie's Keep

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Members of the 373rd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Martian Empire — The IMN will be conducting wargames with the Imperial Marines and the Martian Army according to Defence Minister Raina Serano. The several weeks long exercise is to help ensure Martian forces are 'combat ready', Serano stated. Officials have described it as one of the largest military exercises conducted by the Martians and incorporating several million personnel and autonomous combat units.

''We are going to conduct these exercises in Jackie's Keep and will feature a number of phases to test the readiness and capabilities of our armed forces against both symmetrical and asymmetrical warfare,'' Serano said during the announcement. According to defence officials, the armed forces will be split into BLUFOR and OPFOR organisations and mobilise along a predetermined front where they will simulate naval combat, planetary invasion, and protracted warfare on the ground. AI will keep track of virtual supplies and other data to measure rates of attrition, casualties, and combat effectiveness.

''It'll be as much a virtual wargame as a regular one,'' Secretary of the Navy, D'kanni stated.

Defence officials have also commented on the high use of automated combat units, a number that reportedly exceeds most exercises. One official, on the condition of anonymity, explained, ''It's as much a proving ground for these new systems as it is a regular exercise. Top officials want to ensure this new doctrine of automated warfare is feasible.''

According to recent reports, the IMN has incorporated a greater number of automated warships and other combat units such as vehicles and androids, the same has been seen in the Martian Army. This has been a major shift in previous doctrines, though officials have still maintained that while they want to limit casualties, this new policy is more to augment the organic element with the synthetic.

by **Lady Scylla** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:03 am

IMN smashes through Victoria in Nicean Reach
Combined fleets force Nicean withdrawal from Victoria system

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Victoria, Nicean Reach — A seven day long naval battle in the Victoria system, described as the linchpin of Nicean defence, has ended with a Martian victory and opened the door towards an assault on the Reach's capital system, Nisseyea. The victory marks a major turning point for the Martian Empire, which has sought to liberate nalari captives in the Nicean Reach, but has been mired by months of lacklustre momentum.

A coalition of Solarian states have joined in the Martians' endeavour following a groundbreaking summit at Anchorpoint in the Phoenix Domain, this, many analysts have described, has been a major contributing factor to recent developments. Nimatojin and other efforts by coalition forces have managed to significantly weaken Nicean vanguard forces along the line of contention in the Reach, a several lightyear long front demarcated between the Narthis Expanse and the Reach's inner coreworlds.

Empress Nerys demanded a new assault against mustering Nicean forces in the Victoria system, which saw mass mobilisation of the Third, Second, and Fifth Fleets in preparation for the invasion. Grand Admiral D'kanni spoke at length following the breakthrough, describing it as a great effort with thousands of hours of prior planning. The battle lasted seven days and involved nearly twenty thousand warships across the Victoria System, with the IMN finally routing Nicean forces at the Battle of Victoria III.

The defeat has also left a Nicean circlet in Martian possession, and opened the door towards a further assault on Nisseyea, the namesake of the Nicean Federation. The war has been one of controversy back home in the Martian Empire, with public support waning as MPs debated several times a pursuit for negotiations. Despite such calls, enthusiasm still outweighed much of the scrutiny in Parliament.

The news of the victory is likely to silence opposition in the forum, and reignite enthusiasm to bring home a major victory for the Martians in the war. Nalari across the Empire have also answered the call and sought to join the IMN in order to liberate their fellow countrymen who have reportedly been enslaved by the Nicean in the Narthis Expanse.

by **Lady Scylla** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:55 pm

Fall of the Nicean, Rise of the Martian
IMN defeats Nicean forces in capital system as Nicean Federation capitulates

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Nicea, Nicean Reach — After months of fighting, the Nicean Federation capitulated to Martian forces after suffering a decisive defeat in the Nicea system. The news was met with celebrations in the Martian Empire, who has long sought to secure its frontier and re-establish a foothold in the Beta Quadrant.

Nicean and Martian naval forces engaged for three days in the Nicea system before Nicean forces surrendered. It was a daring strategy, in part thanks to Martian allies such as the Nimatojin, Phoenixi, and Menelmacar; who helped break through Nicean fortress systems and enabled a Martian push that shattered Nicean defences and opened up a path to the capital system of the Federation.

Empress Nerys announced the victory over the galnet:

We have achieved a monumental and historic victory for both Mars and its people, not only as a moral victory for the liberation of the nalari, but a political one for the exemplary diplomacy of our diplomatic corps, the reinvigoration of our armada, and the legitimacy of our empire. Once again, Mars will now have a foothold in the Beta Quadrant, as it does in the Delta Quadrant, and our home quadrant of Alpha. This is a feat few empires manage but the sacrifices have not been in vain. It is through our determination and perseverance that we have once again reclaimed the mantle as a galactic empire. Mars Invicta.

— from Empress' Victory Speech, 2200

The war saw major developments in the Empire's production and industry capacity as entirely new facilities and ports were constructed, and new technologies harnessed by the largest R&D program launched under a Martian administration. The Battle of Nicea saw the deployment of the first Sovereign-class battleship, featuring an entirely new weapon's platform that enabled it to disable strategic defensive installations of the Nicean from great distances.

Other major innovations included the adoptions of specialised stealth corvettes that were integral to intel gathering and raiding. The presence of Martian citadels to lockdown systems and planets has also been a new development, something refined with the new Leviathan-class and Goliath-class mobile defence platforms.

The end of the war will bring new unknowns, but already the Empire is gearing up for a new foreign policy in the quadrant. The Diplomatic Corps has been dispatched to the Domain according to the State Department, and the Empress has signed an imperial decree announcing the annexation of five systems. What happens to the rest of the Federation is being discussed at a summit at Anchorpoint in the Domain, and likely to see additional annexations by allied powers or an interventionist but cooperative foreign policy by allied powers.

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:06 pm

Government Launches Reforms
Parliament passes 'Imperial Reforms Act' at discretion of PM and Empress

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Queenstown — The Rathaus announced major reforms for the national government at the discretion of both the Prime Minister and Empress. Her Imperial Majesty submitted legislation on the advice of Cabinet that was put to a vote in the East Wing of the Rathaus today by Parliament. According to the Prime Minister, Cora Rowland, the reforms were a planned change for the national government in an ongoing process to centralise Martian authority and increase bureaucratic efficiency.

"Her Imperial Majesty has long described a process of gradual change to shape our government and transition from the former United Republic's administration to the imperial one. This step was tantamount to that goal, and Her Imperial Majesty submitted the Imperial Reforms Bill after advice of the Imperial Cabinet, which was approved by Parliament,'' Rowland said.

The Reforms include reforming the Merit system, sweeping election reforms for the nation's Parliament, changes in titles and address, administrative reforms for territories and colonies, and referenda reforms.

Notably, Her Imperial Majesty has chosen to adopt Her Majesty as her standard address though it doesn't change her title as Empress, but it does acknowledge that while serving as Empress, she is also the Queen of the Martians. The change in address is likely to drive at a more modest style for the monarch. Other changes come for colonial governance where responsible government has been granted by the Crown.

Specifically, the new rules mandate that colonial legislatures be called assemblies instead of parliaments to avoid confusion with the national parliament, and that their elected prime ministers now be addressed as first ministers. These assemblies are also expected to follow certain guidelines about their elections to promote ''fair, just, and democratic representation of their constituents'' according to the Act.

Major election reforms have also been the subject of the Act, removing the earlier blind ballot First Past the Post system as the national election shifts to a party system. The Electorate will instead vote for their preferred parties in a ranked ballot with automatic run-offs for those that don't meet specific criteria. This will ensure more proportional representation according to the legislation.

Whichever party, or parties in the case of a coalition, forms a super-majority (Two-thirds of the seats), will then be able to elect the next Prime Minister of the nation with approval of the Empress. Changes have also occurred to the Electoral College that votes for the parliament, with the amount of electors randomly summoned to be proportional to the population of their districts. Elections by the Electorate and the summoning process will now be subject to automatic audits by the Bureau of Imperial Auditors to ensure a fair electoral process.

To bring the Merit System in compliance with the recently passed Government Transparency Act, reforms were launched to protect certain records and private information of citizens without proper authorisation from the Merit Bureau. The Merit System has been a contentious development of the Empire, with many considering it oppressive and an invasion of privacy. The Merit Bureau ensures that the process is audited and details about how financial merit scores and social merit scores are compiled and rated are publicly available.

The Merit Bureau scores citizens on their financial and social trust based on their financial history or their actions. Generally, the system is more important to businesses and politicians, respectively.

by **Lady Scylla** » Sat Nov 28, 2020 9:10 pm

Election 2200: Labour Gains, Nationalists Lose; PM Rowland Remains
Parliament holds its election seeing major shake-up for nationalists as Prime Minister Rowland remains

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Queenstown — Following reforms, the nation moved ahead with its election for 2200 with an upset for Nationalist hopefuls as results came in. Labour was the largest winner by far, gaining over thirty seats while Nationalists dwindled to just fifteen. The nation's three largest parties have still been unable to secure the two-hundred seats necessary to form a government and have once again formed a coalition, choosing Rowland to be the Prime Minister.

Her Majesty Nerys congratulated Rowland on securing a second term as Prime Minister and provided her assent to form a government. While Nationalists were hoping to bank on recent unemployment woes due to the Automated Revolution that is currently gripping the country, the strong economic recovery and social welfare programs created by the Prosperity Coalition comprised of the Conservatives, Liberals, and Labour has shattered any hope of a Nationalist breakout.

The Marshals haven't made any gains or had any losses, still pulling strongly with their constituents. The recent election with Labour's gains has seen the Marshals ousted from the Prosperity Coalition, but they have chosen to not work with the Nationalists in forming the government-in-opposition. Marshal First Secretary Jeremy Goodlaw is expected to be nominated as the opposition's shadow secretary of state to challenge the policies of the seated government.

by **Lady Scylla** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 3:02 am

Prime Minister Agenda: Diplomacy and Expansion
Re-elected Prime Minister Cora M. Rowland releases the agenda of HM Government featuring strong diplomacy and expansionist policies

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Ardern Street, the PM's Residence, releases HM Government's Agenda
Expand on Mutual Prosperity Policies
Wants more funding for Diplomatic Corps
Calls for an Expansionist Foreign Policy
Expansion of Social Welfare Programmes
Unemployment Resources
Protective Provisions for Jobs

Queenstown — Continuing the precedent started under the Roth Administration, Ardern Street has released HM Government's Agenda for this administration as re-elected Prime Minister Cora M. Rowland finalises her cabinet picks. The PM has won a second term as prime minister after the recent parliamentary election, a historic victory while also serving as the nation's first prime minister, but now for a second term.

Rowland polled strongly during the midterm question, a gauge to determine popular support for the Government, and after the so-called Prosperity Coalition won in parliament. Both that question and the recent election have suggested a popular mandate behind Rowland's policies, who has long been credited for the recovery of the country and the ending of the Martian Cold War.

While Prosperity celebrates their election victory, Rowland faces new challenges during this term, namely a growing unemployment crisis on the heels of the aptly named Automated Revolution; and a now emboldened Labour Party in Parliament that makes up the progressive wing of her coalition. The two go hand-in-hand as the election results indicated, with Labour capitalising on the crisis to steal more than a dozen seats from the now dwindling Nationalist Party.

Rowland will need to balance her policies with the status-quo Conservatives, the centrist Liberals, and the progressive Labour that make up the Prosperity Coalition, or otherwise lose her majority if one decides to rebel. Despite this, the PM's Agenda has already suggested tackling these issues head-on in a way that could satisfy the more polarised wings of her coalition.

For starters, the Agenda calls on expanding the Mutual Prosperity Bloc, the unofficial economic union that has been developed over the last decade, by increasing funding for the State Department's Diplomatic Corps and establishing more Mutual Prosperity-type treaties with foreign powers. These agreements have been largely successful in drawing in foreign investment, with the two most recent agreements — the Beta Economic and Security Agreement, and the Liaso Economic and Security Agreement adding the Constitutional Federation of the Peninsular, the Fenvarian Republic, and the Phoenix Domain to this economic and security bloc.

"Mutual Prosperity is more than an agreement, it's an idea, one that benefits Martians as it does those who sign on to it. It is the future of Martian diplomacy, and it strengthens our economic ties with foreign powers, and secures us a common interest dependent on trade and security," Rowland stated in 2198 after finalising an agreement with the Free State.

Mutual Prosperity was the answer to the economic crisis of the 2190s following the Great War, when the nation was struggling with domestic unrest and economic uncertainty after what quickly became a galactic conflict. The collapse of the Martian Conglomerate deepened the crisis and required an almost aggressive diplomatic policy with Mars' neighbours and a new astropolitical policy that invited commerce and stabilised the nation's economy. The result was a far more cooperative Mars in stark contrast to its militant and isolationist policy decades earlier.

And now a decade on, it's clear that Mutual Prosperity has worked, but it has also created new crises. Innovation became rapid to the point that one professor, Arnold Gatlow, of the Imperial Institute of Technology in Kotaniyama described it as "mobilising efficiency for efficiency's sake." Policies like the Consolidation Plan shifted the nation's demographics, modernising and turning frontier systems into economic powerhouses practically overnight. Hypatia is now the largest industrial and economic centre in the Empire with nearly twenty million living in Hypatia City's Greater Metropolitan Area versus ten years ago when it was only a few hundred thousand.

Such massive growth has not come without growing pains. A refugee crisis inundated the Roth Administration, and the country was gripped with a housing and infrastructure crisis in the colonies as Mars rushed to create social welfare programmes and an investment plan that worked off of incremental and iterative infrastructure planning, and foreign business ventures for massive public works projects.

Gatlow explains that this triggered a technological and economic revolution on the scale of the Old World's Industrial Revolution. "These colonies certainly had the workforce, and they had the resources, and when we provided the tools and the capital it was like an explosion. It was like introducing gasoline to a flame," Gatlow stated. The problem he described, however, was that it helped create a "runaway" innovation boom. "The growth, invention, and innovation became exponential now that the resources were available," he explains.

A demographics shift, social welfare programmes, infrastructure — it all combined and out of this came the Automated Revolution. Gatlow explains that the Martian State wasn't idle this past century, but its exponential growth and productivity had become more gradual around 2130. The Second Conglomerate simply didn't have the room to continue the development it needed, and much of this was intentional because of the nation's brutal extraction colonialism.

The Automated Revolution has changed the Empire overnight. Where Mars was historically the industrial centre, that title has changed to Hypatia, now more than 100,000 lightyears away. Martian technology in artificial intelligence was already considered advanced but it had not been applied on this scale. Autofactories sprang up across the Empire, massive foundries run by computers, automation was even taking over the battlefield.

A pre-war battleship required almost two-thousand personnel to keep running, the ship had artificial intelligence for its weapons and navigation, but much of the work was still being done by people. The new post-war battleships like the imposing Sovereign-class or Mars-class only need a few hundred. Their role aboard the ship is now secondary to much of it, a back-up to a warship that is capable of operating itself without human input.

As automation swept the empire and national productivity dramatically increased because of it, thousands then tens of thousands, and now more than ten million have lost their jobs. It's a fear that has been talked about for the last two centuries since the Old World, and in the Martian Empire, it's reality.

With unemployment expected to continue to climb, the nation's new social welfare programmes are feeling the strain. Originally designed for refugees following the Great War that had been displaced across the galaxy, it is now having to handle the regular populace — Martian citizens. And this is the crisis Rowland now faces during this administration, and it will either make her legacy or break it.

But politics complicates everything. The Prosperity Coalition is comprised of three wings and potential for increasing polarisation between its most oppositional — Conservatives and Labour. The Conservative Party, the largest wing in the coalition, is very status quo. They're supportive of the Automated Revolution and the current trajectory for the nation. They championed much of Rowland's political ambitions during her first administration including the social programmes, it was an opportunity to improve the country. But now they have an adversary, one that created a major upset this past election, the Labour Party.

Labour in contrast isn't much different to the Conservatives. But while their policies aren't much different, Labour capitalised on a progressive platform leading up to the election, promising expansion of social welfare and a solution for the millions of workers now finding themselves unemployed. This demographic has historically been the base of the Conservatives, and Labour now threatens it. The Liberals, however, are pragmatists. As the centrist wing of the coalition, they've created a niche wedge being supportive of the social corporatist and social democratic policies of both Conservative and Labour. They're also the most likely to break with their own party and swing one way or the other, and these are the groups that Rowland now needs to tangle with to maintain her majority.

Rowland's solution in her agenda is supporting an expansionist foreign policy to satisfy Conservatives and expansion of social welfare to satisfy Labour. She also is supportive of a protective provision that would protect some jobs from automation, though this is likely to upset the Conservatives.

by **Lady Scylla** » Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:03 pm

Mars set to become one of Quadrant's Fastest Growing Economies
ASHA and CCE join Mutual Prosperity as reports show economic growth doubling

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Ardern Street, the PM's Residence, releases HM Government's Agenda
ASHA and CCE sign Mutual Prosperity agreements
Economic report shows strong growth
Investment more than triples in the Empire

Queenstown — A new economic report sent stocks soaring at SOLEX as investor confidence hit an all time high in the Empire. The quarterly report, released by the Treasury, announced that the government was making good on its promises and paying out of the Bond Programme it had set-up for long-term investors as the deferment period came to an end.

Concerns had been growing among investors about whether the government would attempt to seek an extension on the deferment period despite positive news from the Treasury regarding its Bond Finance Programme. Long-term investors have been receiving monthly reports by the Treasury Department reporting information about the 'trust' it had established and been paying into during the deferment. This 'trust' was established to maintain investor confidence while a deferment period prevented the government from making payments, and discouraged the trading of the long-term bonds investors had purchased.

The programme was suggested by former Treasury Secretary Howard Oros as a way of securing investment for major infrastructure projects at a time when the government was struggling financially. Oros was tasked with attracting investment after the Great War for these projects, and his solution was a multi-length bond programme with specialised agreements that'd ensure transparency.

The Imperial Reserve was authorised to oversee a 'trust', essentially an account in the government's name that couldn't be withdrawn from for anything else than to pay dividends. This 'trust' would be paid into regularly from revenue earnt elsewhere. Investors that bought long-term bonds to finance infrastructure projects were privy to an agreement that guaranteed they'd be given regular financial reports about the 'trust', the government's payments, and the status of their bonds.

The agreements discouraged the selling of the treasury bonds by forfeiting a bonus on top of the bond dividends when the deferment period ended. The plan also created the Investors' Board for National Development to allow an avenue for investors to communicate with the government about trade and commerce that may affect their dividends.

Concerns about a bond bubble slowly diminished as those reports trended positively for investors, but many were still concerned that the deferment period would be extended. Some went ahead and sold their bonds at a lower rate, forfeiting their bonus such as Sato Industries. But once the Imperial Reserve announced the first payments as the deadline came and went, stocks soared. News of ASHA and the CCE signing onto the MPI further sent stocks up on top of the strong economic growth reported in what's been called 'Golden Tuesday', marking the highest gains in SOLEX history.

by **Lady Scylla** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:39 am

'Unacceptable,' say Conservative MPs
Conservatives stage walk-out in Parliament over PM's 'Protective Employment Plan'

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Other Headlines
Unemployment claims reach new highs
Economic report shows strong growth
Labour vs Conservative: How the Liberals are doing

Queenstown — Negotiations for a plan to protect jobs in the service industry broke down after the Conservatives staged a walkout forcing an end to discussions in Parliament. It is the latest turn of events post-election as the Prime Minister struggles to maintain her coalition with Conservatives and Labour now drawing lines in the sand.

'Absolutely and unequivocally unacceptable,' Albert Quenton, First Secretary of the Conservatives, proclaimed during the sometimes heated debate in the forum of Parliament. Prime Minister Rowland has attempted for several days to initiate a negotiation on her 'Employment Protection Plan', but Conservative MPs seem unwilling to budge. Quenton went so far as to accuse the Prime Minister of 'pandering to socialists and luddites' during discussions before staging the walkout.

The walkout forced an end to the session as quorum was lost with the government-in-opposition in recess. The move was criticised by both Labour and Liberal MPs with some calling it an affront to democracy and an overreaction. Rowland addressed the media afterward stating that she and her government were still optimistic that a deal could be made.

Rowland has enjoyed support among the parties in her coalition mainly because of her impartiality, but this may also be working against her. While it is expected that subsequent Prime Ministers will be a member of a party, Rowland has no such affiliation. 'She was chosen as the primary candidate by the convention because she was unlikely to favour one side over the other,' said James Calgary, a now retired MP of the Liberals. Calgary believes Rowland was the best possible outcome after the referendum when the Empire needed a new government.

Despite this, Rowland has several options at her disposal to force a quorum. This includes instituting a rule change in parliamentary procedure, but that will have to wait until the opposition parties are back from recess. It is very likely the Conservatives will stage a walkout during such a vote, but Rowland will have a quorum if she can convince at least two defections in opposition.

The 'Nuclear Option' is using the sergeant-at-arms to force a quorum, but this would be very unlikely and an extreme response according to Calgary. 'The Nuclear Option would really only be applicable in times of national emergency, there'd be an inquiry afterward,' Calgary notes. But there is another potential option.

'The former Senate under the Van Allen administration had a parliamentary procedure called the "Suffrage In Absentia", that has not been repealed,' Calgary noted. Suffrage In Absentia is a controversial procedure that allows the 'executive official' of the legislature to cast a vote in favour of two-thirds of an absent delegation under the premise that the absent delegation would support the measure being voted on.

Calgary notes that the Prime Minister could use it strategically as a threat to bring the Conservatives to the negotiation table, as invoking the procedure would give her the majority she would need to pass the plan without a satisfactory compromise.

by **Lady Scylla** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:00 pm

Conservatives, PM strike deal
Conservatives and PM strike deal involving lowering government threshold in exchange for Protective Employment

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Other Headlines
Unemployment claims reach new highs
IMN surpasses Conglomerate strength
Empress travels to Delta

Queenstown — Prime Minister Cora M. Rowland and Conservatives struck a deal after several days of negotiation. The compromise came after Rowland threatened to invoke the suffrage in absentia procedure, cutting Conservatives out of the process entirely on Protective Employment. While the deal was hailed as a good move forward, others have noted that it spells the end of the Prosperity Coalition.

The Conservatives have agreed to negotiate on Protective Employment with Labour. In exchange, the threshold to establish a government will be lowered from two-thirds to a simple majority. The agreement was finalised between both the Conservatives and Labour, who also agreed to not break the coalition until the next parliamentary election. Analysts and experts have taken this as a sign that the Prosperity Coalition, comprised of Labour, Conservatives, and Liberals; will likely become defunct by next election.

by **Lady Scylla** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 4:47 pm

Empire launches Great Northern Expansion
Her Majesty announces the launch of the largest colonial effort since the Martian Delta colonisation more than a century ago

Author Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Other Headlines
Parliament passes 'Temporary Service Employment Protection Act'
Kuiper Special Economic Zone established
Fenvarian-Welded Conflict: What We Know

Queenstown — Her Majesty signed a decree announcing the formal beginning of the Great Northern Expansion within the Solarian Reaches, a massive colonial undertaking that has been in the works since the Colonisation Act was signed.

The decree carries with it the funding and support outlined in the Colonisation Act and the official proclamation of the imperial government that it will be awarding colonial charters to entrepreneurs and corporations.

Megacorps like Yokohama, Beaufort and Rousseau, and DuVal Industries have already been preparing for the proclamation and filed a number of contracts for surveyors and expeditionary contractors to spearhead their colonial programs. The decree also provides entrepreneurs and settlers with the opportunity to apply for charters.

It has been remarked as the largest colonial undertaking of the nation since the Delta Campaign over a century ago. An estimated half a billion people are expected to take part in the first migratory wave of the expansion, with some experts saying as many as a billion could flood into what's been termed the Northern Corridor, a section of space between the Solarian Trade Corridor and the Eucer Corridor.

Colonial ventures will be able to stake claim to systems as far as the northern boundary of the Solarian Reaches. After a claim has been made and surveyed, the stakeholders will need to apply for a colonial charter from the imperial government who will then hear arguments about the long-term goals of the colony and how it will be sustainable. If the arguments are accepted, the stakeholders will need to sign the charter guaranteeing civil rights for colonists among other obligations that they will be required to follow.

by **Lady Scylla** » Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:34 am

Year: 2200

IMN moves fleets into Delta
The Ministry of Defence reports that Martian naval presence in the Delta Quadrant will be bolstered by new fleets. The National Naval Review conducted annually by the military high command codenamed Amsterdam recommended increasing fleet presence in the region by an additional seven fleets to meet national security demands.

Parliament debates Anti-Brigandry Bill
Parliament is debating the Anti-Brigandry Bill that could raise the punishments for crimes such as piracy and slavery. The bill would also enable the IMN to conduct "quadrant-wide antipiracy operations."

Security Council convenes on Nyteborne threat
The Security Council held a routine meeting with the Empress and Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing conflict with the Nyteborne. While the war has been considered to be de fact over, hostilities have not actually been declared over according to the MoD. Because of this, the Security Council meets on occasion to address any new developments regarding the Nyteborne, who are situated in the Gamma Quadrant but remain relatively close to the Martian Delta.

DuVal Industries ramps up production of Automated Combat Units
DVI has announced that it will be adding an additional two million automated combat units per quarter after having completed two new autofactories in the Reaches. Automation in the military has now become the dominant source of firepower, eclipsing the 1.5 billion service members at nearly 3-1.

Makemake begins production of Citadels
The Makemake Naval Facility has started production of the first citadels in its production queue, according to the Yokohama Corporation that owns the facility. The MoD has requested 1,200 citadels to be produced of the Leviathan-class line. These platforms will be used in future conflicts, as well as in Martian systems to act as anchorages and fortify systems along the frontiers in Delta and Beta.

Fenvarian deny Aid
The Fenvarian Republic, who has been embroiled in a brutal civil conflict that has already claimed the lives of nearly four billion, denied the Empire's offer of humanitarian relief citing national security and lack of resources in accessing Martian technology.

by **Lady Scylla** » Fri Dec 25, 2020 6:57 am

C'tan condemned by Martians
Northminster issues condemnation of C'tan after possible agreement with Nyteborne

Leah Arleth // Year: 2200

Queenstown — Northminster issued a scathing condemnation of the Great Civilisation of C'tan after they forwaded a proposal to the Nyteborne suggesting a number of agreements including the trade and cooperation of intelligence and military resources. The reaction by Her Majesty's Government was swift with the Empress issuing a condemnation shortly after learning of the news.

Prime Minister Rowland echoed the condemnation from Northminster, stating: "It is unfortunate that the C'tan would resort to such troubling diplomacy that could result in harm towards Martian citizens."

The strengthening of diplomatic ties between the Nyteborne and the C'tan would be considered a nightmare scenario for the Martian Empire according to experts. So concerning was this development that the Security Council was summoned for an emergency meeting involving the Empress, the Prime Minister, and the Joint-Chiefs to discuss the possible repercussions of such an agreement.

"We are currently monitoring the situation and will provide more information as it is made available," spoke Secretary of Defence, Livia McPherson during a press conference shortly after.

Most concerning for the Martians, warns one expert, is the sharing of intelligence and war materials between the two as well as a possible gateway in the Mictlan system which resides just 500LY coreword of Sol. Such a structure would be of immense concern for the national security of the Empire and could potentially result in further tensions if not outright conflict.

The MoD has declined to comment.

Martian Times [FT][CLOSED]

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