Celestial Connection
A Confederation of largely independent Moons and Dwarf Planets located within and outside the Asteroid belt. Formed after Earth lost connection with them during the First Wave, the people of the Outer System survived by hiding, and pooling resources and technology. By scrapping from the remains of the Xenophages debris, letting the Universe change them, and letting the Solar web connect them. The Celestial Connection could be considered less than human, though for them, they believe in the ever expanding definition of human.
Structure
The organizing structure of the CC is the The Celestial Consensus, a twin congresses. One is the Council of Worlds, an equivalent equal body of one representative for each independent body in the confederation, This is meant to act as a protective body to the smaller worlds of the collective. The other body, the Council of Peoples is an equal body by population. The Consensus is highly limited in it's actual powers, capable only of managing international and interwoven trade, foreign policy, and arbitrating disputes between members, and collecting taxes. There is also a general election yearly for the Celestial Management Committee. A collection that sets day to day priorities for the Consensus and also manages executing its orders. It's members include the Chief Administrator, which is always from Europa, Chief Admiral, which is always from Titan, Diplomat General, who is always from Io, and Economic Governor who is always from Ganymede.
However most day to day laws rules and structures of the CC are managed by the member governments, not unlike how the United Earth's Sphere states of earth governed themselves. Member states range from democracies on Europa, Technocrocies on Io or military dictatorships on Titan.
Culture
The Culture of the Celestial Connection differs wildly based on which moon one visits. Europa and Titan are famed for their differences, yet are all considered a required fold in the web of connection. As such the one larger trend is the belief in connection and the denial of isolation among most of the outer system is a requirement of their survival. Thus a strong belief in multiculturalism and broad definitions of humanity are favored here.
History
When The First Wave came to the solar system it devastated unified humanity. Connection with the distant outer objects was cut. Neptune utterly gutted. The inner system pulled back and was nearly destroyed. This left the worlds of the outer system to fend for themselves. Around Juipeter the outer system was most developed. Ganymede was actively being teraformed. Europa widly inhabited. Io a famed research world. These moons struggled and found their survival in working together. This formed the basic early form the CC specifically with the Jupiter Compact, an agreement of all the moons of Juniper to act as one.
Contact lost with the inner system the Children of Jupiter seeked connection outwards towards their brother moons. Many ships were slowly sent out. around Saturn their hope was rewarded. Saturn's moons had survived the bloody fight with the Xenophage and then turned on each other. Titan specifically warred and conquered their neighbors held off on the moon of Rhea. It was this moon that the JC first contacted with offering the Rheanites join with the JC. Together they built the great Rhea Gate between Europa and Rhea.
Titan, fearful of the richer and more advanced JC sued for peace seeking to keep their soft hegemony over Saturn, Sought to form a different partnership with the JC. This negotiation would lead to the formation of the CC and a silver age for the outer system. From there more trade ships and gates would see the CC connect to the Tritonmen of Neptune, the Plutonians and the now lost moons of Uranus.
Eventually the trade fleets would contact the Martian Defense Front and the United Earth's Sphere, though without gates such trade was minimal and the CC remained a mystery to the inner system. This would end with The Second Wave.
The second wave silently passed much of the system before it struck Uranus, utterly destroying all life around those moons. Such a blow utterly rocked the CC with grief. Though the wave would otherwise pass the outer worlds without incident. Their target, earth, did not put the outer worlds in any direct danger. Yet, the UES sent envoys, begging the CC for help. A great debate was opened. A consensus would be reached. The CC would have revenge. A merchant fleet was converted into warships under Titans leadership. The fleet would chase the wave all the way to earth participating in the famous Battle of the Beijing Miracle that saved earth from utter consumption and ended the isolation of the CC.
The Consensus believed this could be a hopeful new age for humanity. Positive relations were set with earth, trade opened with the foundation and MDF. After it was agreed that no gate should yet be built in the orbit of earth, the remaining fleet already in the inner system was instructed to build a great gate around the abandoned dwarf world Ceres using the materials brought in with the wave. This was to be the CCs first trade colony in the asteroid belt, a home of commerce and connection. That did not come to pass.
the MDF with backing from the Foundation would attack Ceres and begin the Belt War. This war would gain the CC many colonies, but Ceres would be lost to them, and would their dream of a peaceful system. A gate was constructed on the new colony of Vesta and aggressive competition with the foundation for supremacy. Though the CCs chosen weapon remains trade, tensions continue to run high, and the Consensus committed to protect it's interests at any cost.
Contact lost with the inner system the Children of Jupiter seeked connection outwards towards their brother moons. Many ships were slowly sent out. around Saturn their hope was rewarded. Saturn's moons had survived the bloody fight with the Xenophage and then turned on each other. Titan specifically warred and conquered their neighbors held off on the moon of Rhea. It was this moon that the JC first contacted with offering the Rheanites join with the JC. Together they built the great Rhea Gate between Europa and Rhea.
Titan, fearful of the richer and more advanced JC sued for peace seeking to keep their soft hegemony over Saturn, Sought to form a different partnership with the JC. This negotiation would lead to the formation of the CC and a silver age for the outer system. From there more trade ships and gates would see the CC connect to the Tritonmen of Neptune, the Plutonians and the now lost moons of Uranus.
Eventually the trade fleets would contact the Martian Defense Front and the United Earth's Sphere, though without gates such trade was minimal and the CC remained a mystery to the inner system. This would end with The Second Wave.
The second wave silently passed much of the system before it struck Uranus, utterly destroying all life around those moons. Such a blow utterly rocked the CC with grief. Though the wave would otherwise pass the outer worlds without incident. Their target, earth, did not put the outer worlds in any direct danger. Yet, the UES sent envoys, begging the CC for help. A great debate was opened. A consensus would be reached. The CC would have revenge. A merchant fleet was converted into warships under Titans leadership. The fleet would chase the wave all the way to earth participating in the famous Battle of the Beijing Miracle that saved earth from utter consumption and ended the isolation of the CC.
The Consensus believed this could be a hopeful new age for humanity. Positive relations were set with earth, trade opened with the foundation and MDF. After it was agreed that no gate should yet be built in the orbit of earth, the remaining fleet already in the inner system was instructed to build a great gate around the abandoned dwarf world Ceres using the materials brought in with the wave. This was to be the CCs first trade colony in the asteroid belt, a home of commerce and connection. That did not come to pass.
the MDF with backing from the Foundation would attack Ceres and begin the Belt War. This war would gain the CC many colonies, but Ceres would be lost to them, and would their dream of a peaceful system. A gate was constructed on the new colony of Vesta and aggressive competition with the foundation for supremacy. Though the CCs chosen weapon remains trade, tensions continue to run high, and the Consensus committed to protect it's interests at any cost.
Demography and Population
The CC is easily the most diverse body of humans with all sorts of mutations and cybernetics and genetic alterations. It is also popular among the Infected for their public treatment and heralding of the infected as a safeguard against the spreading of the Xenoinfection.
Military
The CC military is broken up into many many sections. Each world and sub-government offers their military might to the CC high command, which is dominated by Titan. Many of their wartime ships are converted trade vessels, though less and less so since the Belt War as professional war ships begin to come out of orbital shipwrights around Europa and Titan.
Technological Level
After over a hundred years of struggle and minimal connection has lead to them developing a science separate from the traditional old Earth methods or even the Human Elevation Foundations super human designs. Instead of perfecting, they stole and adapted technology from the wrecks the Xenophage dragged into the system, developing a little understood method of Gate Travel, allowing for connections near seamlessly at indescribable distances independent of the slower than light Gravity Engine. however this requires travel to be stagnant and set at specific intervals. Highways not off-roading.
Religion
Freedom of religion is enshrined in the CC's Writ of Sentient Rights.
Foreign Relations
The Celestial Connection has seeked to end it's isolation by spreading their influence through the Asteroid belt and the inner system. Initially it tried to do this through peace and trade, and still argues against any restriction on interstellar trade. This was met mixed results. Martian Defense Front and the CC came into open conflict in the Belt War in which their expansion was slowly curtailed.
They have openly courted the United Earth's Sphere both in forming a defensive pact with them, to curb Venusian aggression, and in petitioning earth to join the CC. However this relationship has remained positive despite earths clear preference for independence.
Though absolutely rivals in the game of interstellar influence, the CC has kept up positive trade relationships with the Foundation and the MDF. This is seen as a separate matter entirely from the CCs open complaints towards their human and extra human rights.
They have openly courted the United Earth's Sphere both in forming a defensive pact with them, to curb Venusian aggression, and in petitioning earth to join the CC. However this relationship has remained positive despite earths clear preference for independence.
Though absolutely rivals in the game of interstellar influence, the CC has kept up positive trade relationships with the Foundation and the MDF. This is seen as a separate matter entirely from the CCs open complaints towards their human and extra human rights.
Trade & Transport
The smaller and more specialized moons of the outer worlds means that trade is the absolute life blood of the CC. Each moon can sell specialized goods, power, raw materials and industries that are rapidly moved and traded via the gates and open trade policy of the CC. With the new gate constructed around Vesta there is a much greater volume of inner system trade selling their unique technology, art, and specialized goods for materials only found in the inner system.
A Solar Web of Connection
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
C.C. The Outer System
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Celestial, CCer, Outworlder
Leader Title
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Called Celestial Connection Credits or just C3 are used as a universal trade sum. often using gold cards resulting in it sometimes being called gold. One credit is worth 100 Earth Sphere Dollars
Legislative Body
The Celestial Consensus
Location
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments