THE TERRAN REPUBLIC: A STORY
Copernicus Database: Formation of the Terran Republic
The foundation for the modern Terran Republic was laid in 2156. The United Nations had been gradually gaining more power over individual nations. On January 1st 2156 the Secretary-General dissolved all nations. This decision was met with heavy resistance from both the governments of the nations and the UN council. The Secretary General announced that any country that disobeyed the decision would be occupied by UN forces. He also dissolved the UN council and proclaimed himself Emperor of the Terran Empire. Needles to say, many nations refused UN domination; unfortunately they were speedily conquered by Terran Empire Forces who were mostly made up of mercenaries. The Terran Empire now dominated the globe.
The Terran Empire was running out of metals by the late 2170’s. Recycling was not enough to replace the metals lost in battle, so the Emperor signed the Sol Mining Charter. This charter ordered the construction of the Terran Starport in the deserts of New Mexico. By January 1st, 2183 the Starport was built and had begun construction on a new vessel called the Spacerock. By 2200 the Spacerock and three other mining vessels had been launched from Earth. These vessels were sent to mine the asteroids, the Moon, and Mars. Armstrong City was established on the Moon as a base for mining operations and an imperial research facility. No base was established on Mars, however, because of its climate and atmosphere.
With the metal shortage taken care of the Emperor turned his eyes to space. He signed the Interstellar Charter on August 1st, 2205. This charter commanded the Imperial Research Bureau to begin work on an engine to get humans to another star system. This charter also allocated resources for the expansion of Armstrong City and the Construction of Starian City, named after the Emperor. It was the biggest reason for early moon settlement.
On January 1st, 2223 the Bureau announced the completion of a prototype engine called hyperdrive. However, the Empire would never put this engine into use. On January 5th, 2223 rebellions all over the globe caused the collapse of the Empire. The Terran Republic came into being on January 4th, 2224, the date of the signing of the Republic Charter. Earth and Luna were now unified under one government. This was a great help when the Republic began construction of two new vessels equipped with hyperdrive. These vessels were the R.S.S. (Republic Star Ship) Copernicus and a Mayflower class colony ship. The Copernicus was to be the flagship of the newly created Terran Republic Navy. It would seek out new worlds to colonize, new life and new civilizations, and it would boldly go where no man had gone before. The ships were completed in under a year and scheduled to be launched on January 1st, 2225.
Chapter 1: Where No Man Has Gone Before
President Alan Bradley of the Terran Republic was looking out the observation window in the Guest Lounge on Space Station 1 in orbit around Earth. He saw the Copernicus detach from the station and he saw the hyperdrive engines slowly come to life. When the engines were fully activated and the ship had started to move off he turned to the reporters and dignitaries in the lounge. “This ship will use its new hyperdrive engines to go to the Martin system and then to the Russom system. After reaching Russom the captain of the Copernicus, Jonathan Archer, will choose where to head to,” he said, “Any questions?” He randomly selected a reporter from the sea of raised hands, “You, the reporter from the Terran News Network.”
“Mr. President,” said the reporter “is it true that this ship carries NO weapons whatsoever?”
“Very true,” he replied, “ that is because we want any aliens we might meet to think of us as a peaceful race. Are there any more questions? You in the red.”
“Sir, doesn’t the ship carry two dozen Terran Defense Marines?”
“Yes it does, to defend against any potential boarding parties, just in case. Anyone else?”
After answering many questions President Bradley retired to his office on Terran Orbital Station One. He was glad to hear that the first Mayflower colony ship had launched from Luna with five hundred thousand colonists on board. He was also pleased to hear that construction had been completed on Mars City, humanity’s first permanent settlement on Mars. Today was a great step forward for humanity. He vowed that for the rest of his term as president he would help humanity move forward in the galaxy.
Jonathan Archer was on the bridge of the Copernicus as it entered the Martin system. He couldn’t believe that he was finally entering an alien system! What a thrill! All of a sudden his sensor officer said, tentatively, “Captain, I think you should see this.”
“Put it on the view screen.”
“Aye sir.”
Captain Archer watched as an image appeared on the main view screen. It was a ship! Or, the leftovers of one. “Bring the wreckage onboard mister Varan and tell engineering to take a look at it.”
“Aye sir,” the sensor officer replied.
Two hours later the Chief Engineer said over the com to the captain, “Captain, the wreckage contains Durathanium, the most valuable metal in the Republic! If you’ll let me I could use this to make the hull of the Copernicus 20% stronger!”
“You have my permission Commander Halberg,” said Captain Archer, “We’ll need all the protection we can get out here.”
