Lyras

The Protectorate of Lyras could, quite feasibly, be mistakenly termed a highly militarised state. That would be incorrect as Lyras is not so much a state with a military, but rather military that owns a state. The Protectorate utilises universal, 100% conscription, with its entire economy and infrastructure geared towards maximising military strength. Non-combatant roles that do not, directly or otherwise, service the military are not permitted. Military units perform traditionally “civilian” roles, such as food production. Training is begun from the moment an infant is born, which occurs, in and of itself, to an approximate schedule. Women are provided contraceptives, and are directed to use them, save when a cohort is ordered to reproduce. The resulting clutch of children is the nucleus of another training unit, which is a common long-term means of increasing the establishment strength of the Protectorate. Those born with incapacitating birth defects are either sold overseas, or utilised for medical research. Preventative medicine, notably immunisations, and disease treatment are not part of the Lyran medical system, although that service is permitted for foreign dignitaries. Most of them, however, prefer to use the facilities within their embassies. Injuries and infection are treated as per international norms, but the health system is designed to foster the gradual strengthening of the Lyran gene-pool. The government raises all children with the educational end-state being the most effective soldier or officer possible for the service branch they are selected to go to at the completion of their training. Principles of honour, duty and sacrifice for the Protectorate are inculcated as a matter of course. Training in minor infantry tactics is standard, compulsory, and is regularly reviewed and/or revised. Weapons and ammunition are standard issue to Lyran citizenry. Disputes between parties that are not resolved amiably can be, and usually are, resolved through trial by combat. Fatalities are common, and accepted. If the person is not willing to put their life on the line to resolve the dispute, then they obviously don’t feel strongly enough about it, and their opponent, who obviously does, is entitled to it simply because of the strength of his determination. Lyras’ people are barcoded, and the legal system is swift, and (brutally) efficient. The right to privacy is not considered. Personal property is a tenuous proposition, and granted solely as a reward for service to the Protectorate. Every man woman and child is placed somewhere on the very unusual Lyran rank system, the lowest rank, tellingly, being “Noncombatant”. No differentiation is made on the basis of sex, sexual preference or race. Lyras is perhaps the most brutally direct example of a Darwinian meritocracy seen. Nevertheless, the work ethic of the populace, inculcated as it is, high mineral wealth and very strong central government ensures that Lyras is seen as a superb marketplace for any given product that can actually fight its way into the state, and Lyran government contracts are immensely sought after. The Protectorate’s highest level of government is the “Executive Command Staff”, and is made up of the 9 senior figures of the Lyran state, including the holder of Lyras’ most senior office, Warmarshal of the Protectorate.