Allied Galactic Federation

The largest interstellar government in the known Galaxy. Spanning thousands of worlds and species and governed with a combination of regional representation and a central governing body known as the Prime Council. Known for its superior fleet, definitive galactic laws, protections for its many species, shared technologies, and knowledge, it is the self-proclaimed first and true civilization in the galaxy.   Regional solar systems and planets are governed in the manner of their parental species (so long as Galactic laws are followed), but in the greater Galactica are represented with one elected senator for each species and one additional per five billion. The only body that can overrule the senate is the Prime Council. Twenty-four seats occupied by two of each founding species of the Galactica, whose judgment is absolute on the basis of being the most evolved sentient species in the Galaxy. Evolved or not, they are not immune to the follies of politicians of "less evolved" species. However, they have been the subject of much criticism and scrutiny; as many have observed, their agendas and decisions often align with megacorporations, interest groups, and matters that benefit their species first.   Few can deny the strength of the Allied Fleet, being the most formidable in the galaxy. With Y'conian quantum circuitry, Brutonian innovations in weaponry, Silvarian metal and energy, and Kathaxian warp research; each ship synthesizes the greatest each species has to offer. Though with the galaxy being as massive as it is, even all 23,000 ships cannot patrol it all, nor can they respond to most threats that enter Allied space. Response to outer colony distress calls averages nine hours. Innermost worlds, on the other hand, are all but impenetrable, even against fortified Pirate attacks.   The price for this security and unity, though, on the outside, is a degree of personal freedoms. Universal Morality is a subject each species has been left to ponder on their own since they reached self-awareness, but the consensus among the Galactica is an impossible task. Therefore behaviors, laws, rights, and privileges common to one species can be taboo to another. An oppressive government to one is a utopia to another. The Allied Galactica's law finds itself in the center, guaranteeing personal protections to all species, respect for their beliefs (except in instances where those beliefs override others), and grant a degree of regional laws to all systems. This leads to multi-party political divides in all systems, let alone the Galactica as a whole. Still, beliefs and politics in Allied Space are nowhere near as disparate as Pirate Territories.   Despite the appearance of a flawed utopia, there are disturbing colonialist undercurrents. The AGF does not induct new species and worlds before they've attained spacefaring status, waiting until they have reached beyond their own solar system in the flesh before offering them a membership to their collective. The benefits of this union speaks for itself: technologies, knowledge, resources, and security. But requiring mandatory military service for ten percent of its population for a duration spanning nine percent of their average lifespan. In addition, the newly inducted species would allow the AGF to build outposts on their planet and allow various megacorporations on contract access to their resources. Their laws would have to reflect broader Allied law, no matter how radical a change. And the new citizen will be incentivized to move on a designated colony world, of which the AGF possesses many while underselling the level of danger colony worlds face from Pirates and dangers common to habitable worlds.   It's been noticed that no planet that refuses membership in the AGF holds to its decision for very long. This has led many to speculate about the Galactica's methods upon being declined. Whether they wage secret campaigns to destabilize neutral systems into accepting their help and membership or apply pressure from other systems. What is certain is that telling the Allied Galactica "no" is not an answer that stays true for long.   Overall, the Allied Galactic Federation presents a flawed picture of civilization that is united in name, divided in practice. Any species offered membership must weigh the cost of their freedom against the benefits of joining the "first true civilization."  

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