), and if my insperation holds up, I wanted to take my own crack at some sci-fi with a concept I've been playing with for a while. I wanted to introduce everyone to the two sides first before I get to writing to see what anyone thought:):):)Terran War Backgound Information:
The Terran War is the name given to the current conflict that all known intersteller powers are eyeing with nervousness, reason, or even oportunity. The conflict is called the 'Terran War' because it is being fought, at the moment, exclusively by two star nations that are made up of decendents from 'Terra' or 'Old Earth,' known as Terrans. These nations are named The Hegenomy League, and the Union of Allied Worlds.
The war has come about because of slight (to those not Terran) differences between the two powers. On the surface, there is much that the League and Union (as their names are shortened to often) have in common. They are both 'Republics' in form of government, and and have technology levels that are extreamly similar. Both populations demonstrate the wide veriaty in Terrans, including but not limited to canines, felines and rodents. To the Terrans though, there are differences that make have brought this war about.
The differences start in how each nation came about. The League was founded mostly by large corporations that were originally centered around the powerful French and German corporations on Old Earth such as Dessault Industries Aérospatiales (DIA), Rhineland Wissenschaften und Technologie (Rhineland Siences and Technology, RWT Cop.) and the shipyard company Bremerhaven Interstellar Interessen. This gives a very odd Franko-German feel to the nation there is a place for everyone, and everyone for a place, and has also lead to a very strict and industrial view of things. In the League, anything that pushes technology is seen to be the drive of the Terran Race. Anyone who does not display the same technology level as the League is seen as backwards, or to be dismissed. It has also lead to the situation where the government, and the multitude of corporations work hand in hand, and large ammounts of government subsidiaries on goods sold and tarrifs on those bought. Loyalty to the corporation and the government is seen as a very important trait making desicions rather unanimous at times in governmental venues.
The Union followed a different path, most planets were colonized by explorers, the adventurous or those simply looking for something more than what was being offered on Old Earth. There were no set ethnicity that the League has though the majority of those within the Union came from North America and the old British Commenwealth. There were advanced technology and industrial concerns, such as Litton-Vickers, Lockheed Intersteller and others that saw proffit in funding and helping these 'New Pioneers' as they were called, however, the colonist never let themselves be taken over by the industrial concerns unlike the League. The Union Government lets their corporations have a free hand, as long as they do not step out of the legal bounds placed on them and believe more on Free Trade than the Mercentile System favored in the League. The Union sees life through the eyes of those that do not have heavy industry dominating their lives, farming agriculture are seen as just as important, if not moreso than those that build ships or make masses of steal on several systems and if someone doesen't want to use he absolute hight technology in their daily lives, they are seen as independent and even admirable. Depending on the planet one is from there will be a wide veraity of ethnic feels, though a British Ethnicity tends to blend with all others to form the overall feel of the people.
while both are 'Republics' the League and the Union have gone about forming their governments in very different ways. In the League, the right of Franchise is restricted to those that have a certain income level, ie, if your too poor, you can't vote or hold office. This has lead the League to be be dominated by large corporations and those with money. The League Council is the final authority and keeps a tight executive grip on all planets. Money is respected and seen as the key to power.
The Union originally came about as four independent planets, Hardin, Corbin, New Ulster and Lewston formed a loose alliance of mutual protection. Other Planets joined and the alliance firmed into an actual government. Each Member World keeps its own planetary government, however, there is no restriction of trade, or hinderence of movement between worlds and each Member World sends a representitive to the main legislator body of the Union. There is a President and executive that do hold power, but the old idea of 'Balance of Powers' holds, There are stereotypes among the Union Member Worlds such as those from Lewston are seen as slightly 'uppity' or Hardinites are seen as 'Stubborn and strong willed.' This often makes sessions of the Representitive Assembly rather, lively. There have actually been records of fist fights breaking out on the floor of the Assembly among some deligates some looking very much like the fights of the English Parliments of the late 20th century.
These differences, which seem minor to those on the outside has caused tention since the two governments were formed and within the last four years, has caused the League to beleive that the Union is too unpredictable to be delt with, along with the echonomic might gained if the Union were brought under the League's banner. However, instead of fracturing like the League expected when pressed (the League has always beleived the Union one internal argument away from collapsing) the Union stood together, along with the only major battle of the war turning out to a draw the League has started using 'gurrilla' raids on more vulnerable naval assets to weaken the Union Navy before innitiating another offensive. They have also began diplomatic moves to try to preassure currently neutral planets to side with them. They have yet to decide to approach the any other powers within the region of Local Space.
Military infromation:
Hegemony League:
Pennent/National Insignia: A golden Fleur-de-lis inside the classic black German Eagle on a red banner, admirals that command groups of ships often have their own pennant or personal flag displayed on their ships hulls.
Naval Uniforms: olive green trousers and uniform blouse with the rank on the shoulders. Rank insignias are red for enlisted personnel silver for none flag officers, and gold for 'flag' officers (commodore to Fleet Admiral), there is no head gear and officers uniforms tend to be more ornate than enlisted. There is no 'duty wear' for operations. Dress Uniforms are very ornate and any awards the wearer has earned are always displayed, especially officers.
Ship Name Examples: Foch, Santone, Le'Indeflagable, Bern
Union of Allied Worlds:
Pennent/National Insignia: A silver sunburst with four planets at its corners to represent the original founding worlds set on a royal blue banner. Ships often have nicknames given to them by their crews, and a crest representing these nicknames are often to be found in gathering places aboard ships.
Naval Uniforms: 'Dress' uniform are black trousers, white button down shirt under a royal blue uniform blouse. Ribbons representing awards are worn by all ranks on the left breast of the uniform blouse and the only things that seperate officer and enlisted uniforms are a golden stripe down each leg of an officer's trousers, and enlisted personel wear berrets as head cover instead of the 'command cap' of an officer. Both Enlisted and Officers rank are gold, though enlisted is sewn onto the upper arm, and officer's are worn on the shoulder. Shipboard Duty uniform is a simple royal blue jumpsuit and ballcap(usually with the ships name) with rank and officer's stripes if acclable.
Ship Name Examples: Ark Royal, Pershing, Boone, Courageous
