[5. Knagg's System evolved and expanded by degrees to become the Ataman Theocracy, which, after the conflicts known as the Ataman Wars, was absorbed into the COE itself. Not long after, it seceded again to become the Dato Bloc.]
Between the remainder of the 4th and the 11th Millennia, the Commonwealth of Empires flourished. Trade blossomed between the COE Pristines and the Castes with which they came into contact. The Eckandar embraced their openness; the Surin found comfort in the relaxed ritual of their diplomats; the Hum enjoyed the discourse of their intricate parliament; the Mbata mingled at ease with all their classes, from Eupatrid to commoner; the incommunicative Olmahoi established an ongoing dialogue with the philosophers among them. Only the Kesh took offense at the existence of the Commonwealth, as they often do with emergent Pristine nations, but even they were forced to recant in time. After smashing the power base of the COE in the Interdiction Wars, and forcing its leadership underground for almost two thousand years, during which time the Commonwealth did not officially exist, the inherently temporal nature of the Kesh Supreme Union allowed a re-emergence in the 15th Millennium of a newly energised Commonwealth of Empires — one that swore never to repeat the mistakes that had led to its near downfall.
A new capital,[6] the third of seventeen to date, a new roll call of systems, and new neighbours encouraged the Commonwealth to find still more strength in change. The line of Eupatrids leading from the Interdiction Wars to the present reflects this uncommon direction. The COE allowed systems and nations to join or leave at will; only rarely, as in the recent Dato Bloc incident, has a secession been disputed or disallowed outright. The willing participation of all its territories is the underlying strength of the Commonwealth, for when such support is wholehearted, the larger group can only thrive. This larger group has come in recent centuries to include several High Human representatives — most notably the Crescend, an outspoken Interventionist whose opinions have found a fertile breeding ground in the egalitarian environment of the Commonwealth.[7]
[6. Bodh Gaya, former capital system of the Dominion, four hundred light-years from Shem, which currently lies fallow.]
[7. The present Eupatrid, Felix Gastel, like his predecessors, is no fool. Rarely indeed in the history of the galaxy has a High Human of any stature allied itself with a mundane government — especially one that has no apparent desire to Transcend. Regardless how much trade occurs between the two, or for what actual reason the Crescend entered the partnership, the end result will be studied with interest.]
But to catalogue the history and assets of the COE is to risk painting an entirely — and unduly — rosy portrait. The Dato Bloc incident itself reflects a trend that has surfaced on occasion in the past, only to be quashed before threatening to overwhelm the local political landscape. The COE's inherent flexibility is not reflected by all its departments; in the arena of security it has been notoriously rigid at times, a characteristic possibly inherited from the Interdiction Wars. Its Armada, among the best-trained Pristine forces of the Outer Arms, is perilously open to corruption from within, the loose rule of the Eupatrid allowing personal empires to rise and fall relatively unchecked. When these empires threaten the Commonwealth itself — by allowing secessionist policy, as in the case of the Dato Bloc, to defer to strategic policy — conflicts can occur.[8] Only time will tell if the balance will once again be restored, and the Commonwealth's usual easygoing tolerance of its neighbours, new and old, will return.
[8. The present tendency of the COE to rely on military force in its dealings with the Dato Bloc is the end result of centuries of dispute. One could question which came first — whether the militarisation of the Armada is in retaliation to actions performed by its old foe, or vice versa — but such an analysis is beyond the scope of this report. In its dealings with other independent neighbours, particularly the Non-Aligned Realms, it has shown much more restraint.]
While the politics of its security departments remains a concern, however, its systems of information gathering (if not the dissemination of the same) are excellent.[9] Only the Eckandar Trade Axis currently has better data networks than those of the COE delegates. As far as mundane nations go in this regard, the Commonwealth rates very highly indeed; although still far behind the High Castes, they have achieved a comprehension of the wider galaxy far in excess of their relevance to it. One analyst recently reported that its Leditschke indicators might be as high as 2.5, indicating a genuine understanding of one percent of the wider galaxy's current affairs (even though its total volume is less than one one-millionth of one percent). If, as has been frequently stated down the millennia, information is power, then the COE must be ranked among the major players of this sector of the Outer Arms.
[9. Quaintly referred to in the COE as 'IDnet'. It has become a standard reference point for some of its neighbours — notably the Surin and the Mbata — but has yet to achieve either the depth or breadth of the network of the Eckandar Trade Axis, which has direct (if incomplete) links with that of the Commerce Artel. The major information dissemination service in that region of the Outer Arms belongs to the High Human Crescend.]
In conclusion, the Commonwealth of Empires is, as a nominal entity, still as vital as it was in its heyday. One could argue that it is in fact a quite different entity from the original federation of systems formed forty thousand years ago, and only time will tell how much longer it will survive, but its pedigree is impressive, and present indicators are positive. One could confidently expect it to maintain its headline position in this section of the Guide by the time the next edition is published, one hundred years from now.
* * *
Summary of Important Dates
As per COE standard, 'the nth Millennium' is abbreviated to 'Mn'.
M0 — COE formed, reference zero EN set
M2 — population exceeds one hundred billion, member systems number fifty
M4 — adopts a policy of independence from regional conflict; neighbouring systems annexed; Knagg's System allowed to secede
M10 — population in the thousands of billions, member systems more than two thousand
M13 — the Interdiction Wars; forced underground by the Kesh Supreme Union
M14 — Knagg's System founds the precursor of the Ataman Theocracy
M15 — the COE re-emerges from its underground existence with a population of fifty billion and one hundred member systems
M16 — first contact initiated by the Crescend
M18 — the precursor to the Ataman Theocracy dissolves following the annihilation of its power base in Knagg's System by the fringes of an outsweep migration
M20 — population five thousand billion, one thousand member systems
M23 — the Dominion established from twenty-five previously Non-Aligned Realms
M26 — the Crescend becomes a formal trading ally
M28 — Trinity AI factory established in the COE
M35 — Ataman Theocracy formed
35,325 — the Sol Apotheosis Movement founded
36,836 — the COE encounters the Sol Apotheosis Movement
37,577 — the Scion War
39,112 — the Ghost War
'199 — the Dominion joins the COE
'293 — the First Ataman War
'442 — the Second Ataman War
'837 — the Secession War
* * *
GLOSSARY
* * *
A-14 Higher Collaboration Network: an amalgamation of core-based High Caste members whose intentions include attempting to establish an objective frame of reference with respect to Humanity's occupation of the galaxy. The Objective Reference Calendar is one result of this work.
A-P cannon: a weapon that fires accelerated particles of a variety of types. Common on space-faring warships.
Absenger, Burne: chief liaison officer, COE Armada.
Ana Vereine, DBMP: the first of a new class of warships — the Marauder — manufactured by the Dato Bloc as part of the Andermahr Experiment. It
s design incorporates a captain surgically interfaced with the ship.
anchor drive: the usual means of crossing interstellar space, but by no means the only one (see slow-jump). Indeed, the anchor method has undergone several radical redesigns over time; current technology is rated at 49th generation.
anchor points: regions of 'weakened' space from which translation to and from hyperspace is both easier and less energy-expensive; jumps from anchor points are therefore of a greater range than from 'normal' space and usually terminate in another anchor point. They are typically located near inhabited systems (but far enough away to avoid distortion by background gravitational effects) or in locations in deep space that are considered strategically important. There are approximately ten thousand million anchor points currently in existence across the galaxy — approximately one for every ten stars.
Andermahr Experiment: a covert project specialising in cybernetic interfaces designed to allow mind and machine to merge. Founded by Ataman Ana Vereine, who desired captains that were as much a part of their ships as was the anchor drive — an integral, reliable system rather than merely a flesh-and-blood after-thought. Continued in secret until the Ataman Theocracy emerged from the COE as the Dato Bloc. Culminated in the DBMP Ana Vereine, the first Marauder Class warship, with Uri Kajic its captain.
Armada: see COE Armada.
Ascensio: the home-world of Morgan Roche.
Ataman Theocracy: a tightly knit empire that existed as an independent entity until its absorption into the COE after the Second Ataman War in '442 EN. After several centuries, it eventually seceded as the Dato Bloc (in '837 EN).
Ataman Wars: two in number, between the Ataman Theocracy and the COE. The First Ataman War was conducted in '293 EN, triggered by expansionist moves within the Ataman Theocracy. Overextended, the Theocracy fell to the Commonwealth in the Second Ataman War ('442 EN), becoming a semi-autonomous province under partial self-rule.
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Bantu: the Mbatan common tongue.
Batelin Limit: the ceiling above which the complexity of a nation exceeds the biological capabilities of the individuals inhabiting it. In the case of the Pristine Caste, the value of the Batelin Limit is approximately three and a half thousand systems.
Behzad's Wall: a mountain range on the main continental mass of Sciacca's World, to the north of Port Parvati.
Bini: a planet in the COE; current seat of the COE High Equity Court.
Black Box: the generic term for an AI. Usually abbreviated to 'Box'.
Bodh Gaya: former capital system of the COE. Its second moon houses the Military College of the COE Armada. Bogasi, Dev: a xenoarchaeologist.
Boras: warden, Sciacca Penal Colony.
Box, the: an AI commissioned by COE Intelligence. Its binary identification number (JW111101000) is one digit longer than normal.
Bright Suzerains: a string of nations found close to the galactic core.
* * *
Calendar: The galactic standard timekeeping method consists of: 100 seconds per minute, 100 minutes per hour, 20 hours per day, 10 days per week, 4 weeks (40 days) per month, 10 months (400 days) per year. All dates are expressed in the form of year (usually abbreviated to the last three digits, e.g. '397), month, and day from the Ex Nihilo reference point. See also Objective Reference Calendar.
Cane, Adoni: the occupant of an unidentified life support capsule recovered by COEA Midnight near the Ivy Green Station anchor point while en route to Sciacca's World.
Castes: Following the speciation of the Human race, numerous Castes have proliferated across the galaxy. These Castes are too numerous to list, but they can be classified into three broad groups: High, Low, and mundane (which includes Pristine and Exotic). There are seven predominant Exotic Castes to be found in the region surrounding the COE: Eckandar, Hum, Kesh, Mbata, Olmahoi, and Surin.
Chase, Auberon: head of COE Intelligence.
choss roots: a plant found on many locations, including Sciacca's World.
COE: see Commonwealth of Empires.
COE Armada: the combined armed forces of the COE, responsible for external security. Active soldiers are referred to as Marines.
COE Enforcement: the policing body responsible for security and information gathering within the COE. Field agents are referred to as Enforcers.
COE High Equity Court: the department responsible for intersystem justice within the COE. Its usual purpose is to settle territorial disputes.
COE Intelligence: the body responsible for information gathering outside the COE. Originally and still nominally a subdepartment of the Armada, but an independent body in practice.
COE Intelligence HQ: the command centre of COE Intelligence, a large, independent station located in deep space near the heart of the Commonwealth.
COE Military College: the main training institution of COE Armada personnel; situated on the second moon of Bodh Gaya.
COEA: COE Armada vessel identification prefix.
COEC: commercial vessel identification prefix for the COE.
COEI: COE Intelligence vessel identification prefix.
Commerce Artel: a galaxywide organisation devoted to instigating and coordinating trade between Castes and governments that might otherwise have no contact. It prides itself on remaining aloof from political conflict, yet has some strict behavioral standards to which it expects its customers to adhere (such as the Warfare Protocol). Structurally, it is divided into chapters managed by indigenous Caste members with only loose control from above. It has strong links, locally, with the Eckandar Trade Axis.
Commonwealth of Empires: often abbreviated to 'COE' or 'Commonwealth'. A relatively ancient Pristine nation currently in its 40th Millennium of nominal existence — 'nominal' in that the membership of the COE is fluid by nature, with provinces joining and seceding on a regular basis. It has had many different capitals, and its borders have changed radically, over the centuries. Indeed, it has drifted with time, and now occupies territories quite remote from its original location. One thousand inhabited systems currently fall under its aegis, and another three thousand uninhabited systems have been annexed. It is ruled by a democratically elected Eupatrid and a council of representatives who, when united, wield supreme executive power. Its security departments include Intelligence, Armada, and Enforcement. (See Appendix.)
copek: a currency commonly found in the Eckandi home-worlds.
Courtesan, COEC: a cruise liner registered to the COE.
Crescend, the: a High Human of some note and great history. Its time of Transcendence is not recorded. Little is known about it, beyond the facts that it is the founder and overseer of Trinity, an ally of the Commonwealth of Empires, and a key supporter of the Interventionist movement. It is assumed to be a singular entity simply because the first person singular is its pronoun of choice.
* * *
Dato Bloc: an independent nation founded on the ruins of the Ataman Theocracy that recently broke free of the COE. Although the nation is not hierocratic in nature, the Ethnarch exerts a strict rule. Its security departments include the Ethnarch's Military Presidium and the Espionage Corps.
DBMP: vessel identification prefix for the Ethnarch's Military Presidium.
De Bruyn, Page: head of Strategy, COE Intelligence.
Delcasalle: warden, Sciacca Penal Colony.
Dirt & Other Commodities Inc. (DAOC): a mining consortium that currently owns the rights to the Soul of Sciacca's World. Its jurisdiction includes the planetary surface down to and including the mantle. In exchange for these exclusive rights, DAOC Inc. maintains the COE's penal colony based in Port Parvati and the Hutton-Luu System's only major base, Kanaga Station.
disrupters: see hyperspace disrupters.
Dominion, the: a long-lived multi-Caste nation that joined the COE in '199 EN in order to fend off the Ataman Theocracy.
dreibon: a staple vegetable found on many worlds.
dust-moth: a species of flying, nocturnal insect found on Ascensio.
*
* *
E-shield: an electromagnetic barrier designed to ward off particle and energy weapons. Used mainly by medium to large space-faring vessels.
Eckandar: (Eckandi, adj & sing. n) a Caste flourishing in the regions surrounding the COE. Its members are typified by their slight size, grey skin, bald scalps, and unusual eyes. They are a gregarious Caste, preferring trade and communication over conquest. They are also well advanced in genetic science. Their past stretches back beyond that of the COE, although they lack the continuity of history that strong nationhood often provides. Their sole uniting body is the Eckandar Trade Axis.
Eckandar Trade Axis: the main society of the Eckandi Caste, devoted, much like the Commerce Artel (with which it has close ties), to facilitating free and indiscriminate trade with and between the COE and its neighbours.
Ede System: an Olmahoi system bordering the COE; recently ravaged by solar flares. Ede Prime is its only inhabited planet.
Emmerik: a Mbatan transportee, Sciacca Penal Colony.
EN: see Ex Nihilo.
Enforcement: see COE Enforcement.
Enforcer: see COE Enforcement.
epsense: an ability encompassing telepathy and empathy. The ritual training of neuronics generally takes decades and incorporates elements of sensory deprivation. Note: telekinesis and precognition are not covered by epsense and are assumed to be nonexistent. Skilled utilisers of epsense are referred to as epsense adepts or reaves.
Erojen: a town on an outpost far from the heart of the Surin domain.
Espionage Corps: see Dato Bloc.
Ethnarch: the title of the leader of the Dato Bloc.
Ethnarch's Military Presidium: see Dato Bloc.
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