Thallos
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| Flag of Thallos | |
| Motto: "Technological progress is social progress." | |
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| Region | Antarctica |
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| Capital | Thanopolis |
| Official Language(s) | Republic Standard |
| Leader | Corvalis and Pertinax, co-consuls |
| Population | 3.08 billion (Census 2005-1) |
| Currency | polar crown |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Technocratic Republic of Thallos is a well-established nation on the shore of Antarctica, notable for its national devotion to scientific research and technological progress. Sharing its borders with the region of the Antarctic Steppes, the Technocratic Republic has a long and peaceful history, relatively untouched by armed conflict since its founding.
Thallos is a member of the United Nations. Commander Tiberius of the republic Consular Guard is currently serving as General of the regional defense force, the Grand Army of Antarctica.
Contents
History
Thallos was founded by an expedition of scientists, engineers, and soldiers from the former Republic of Artemisium, sent to Antarctica to establish a research outpost. Over the course of a few months, the so-called Boreas Expedition constructed a small city of habitats, laboratories, reactors, and observation stations, which the expedition members called Thanopolis.
By the end of Expedition Year 1, news arrived by telegram that the Artemisian government, a rigidly majoritarian regime, was dissolved by popular referendum. All of the former Artemisian outposts and colonies were left to fend for themselves. Instead of withdrawing from the frigid continent and be shuttled about the world as refugees, the residents of Thanopolis voted to remain and build a new sovereign nation. The leaders of the Boreas Expedition, now considered the Founders, had long harbored doubts about the government of their former homeland, which they believed to be led by corrupt politicians with no technical expertise and no vision of the future. Convinced that civilization is driven by scientific progress, which in their view requires a highly educated populace, a government of experts, complete and free exchange of information, and well-protected civil liberties, the Founders sought to establish a bastion of reason and enlightenment. The new nation of Thallos was to be a safe haven for those seeking to explore new scientific frontiers, unpestered by pitchfork-wielding mobs and politicians.
Geography
Thallos is situated on along the coast of Antarctica, near the southern magnetic pole. The remainder of the nation, subdivided into four administrative provinces, sits atop a featureless plain of ice. Most of the nation's population are concentrated in massive cities, protected from the frigid Antarctic elements under their habitat domes. The port city of Thanopolis, a gleaming metropolis of 220 million people, serves as the capital of Thallos. The highest point is occupied by the Icespire Observatory, standing 1046 m above sea level.
Politics
During the infancy of Thallos, the former leaders of the Boreas Expedition drafted a series of constitutional documents outlining the powers and limitations of their ideal government and the rights of the people under its rule. These articles became collectively known as the Founding Principles of Thallos. By the terms outlined in these Principles, a somewhat unique form of republican governance was created.
The central political institution of Thallos is the Senate, a 200-member elected unicameral assembly. Only citizens with university-level education in a recognized field of science, engineering, or medicine may stand for Senate seats or vote in Senate elections. Senators are elected for 8-year terms by proportional representation, with 100 of the total 200 seats up for election every 4 years. The difficulty associated with obtaining a Senate seat is directly correlated to the prestige and political power accorded to this institution. The Senate of Thallos holds both legislative and executive powers. In addition to duties of proposing and passing bills of legislation, it also directly manages all government agencies through specialized committees. With most day-to-day matters decided by a vote at the committee level or, in some instances, the will of the committee chairman, individual Senators can have significant influence on national policy, especially if seated on powerful committees as such Appropriations, Science, National Security, or Foreign Relations.
Three other key political positions are chosen by popular vote. The two Consuls of the Republic, the heads of state, are elected for staggered 2-year terms. The consulship is largely symbolic, with no real political powers. However, in times of declared emergency, the Senate may invest dictatorial powers in one or both consuls for six-month terms - renewable at the will of the Senate - to deal swiftly with crises. In addition, a tribune is elected annually, holding veto power over all Senate legislation and committee actions. Unlike the Senate, the consulship and the tribunate are elected by vote of all Thallosian residents.
Judiciary authority rests with the Supreme Court. The twelve Justices of the Court are nominated by the Judiciary Committee, confirmed by majority vote of the Senate, and subject to the consent of the tribune. Once approved, Justices serve for lifetime terms. With powers of judicial review, the Supreme Court and the lower Courts of Appeals may rule on questions of constitutionality as in accordance with the Founding Principles, rendering void those legislation found unfit.
Defense
Thallos is a peaceful state, having not fought any significant wars since its founding. The Consular Guard, a small elite group of professional soldiers, operates as the Republic's sole offensive force. The commanders of the Guard have trained against the most advanced AIs in simulations and live-fire exercises. The most noteworthy aspect of the Republic's military, however, consists of its AI-controlled network of fortifications, missiles, ships, and drones. A massive undertaking, the AEGIS Defense Network represents a substantial investment in advanced weapons and AI technologies. Three AIs command, construct, and maintain the entire defense net. This system, while expensive in construction and the cause of years of treasury deficits, did allow for the dissolution of the human-staffed Republic Legions. The switchover from human to automated defenses has since proven a boon to long-term budget planning. While the AEGIS has never been tested in a full-scale war, components and derivative technologies of the defense system have been licensed to trading partners and have operated within satisfactory parameters. As such, the creators and engineers of the system consistently maintain that the full AEGIS network is impregnable to conventional assault.
Recent breakthroughs in high-energy physics have seen the introduction of energy shield technology, currently deployed only over the capital city. A complex collection of field coils and reactors, the energy shield is said to be able to withstand a direct strike from a single megaton-yield nuclear missile. Whether this experimental technology can actually deliver on its potential remains to be seen.
Culture
Thallosian culture is typically seen as a derivative of Artemisian traditions and values, which itself contains significant Roman influence, especially in areas such as philosophy and politics. However, what distinguishes Thallos from its Artemisian roots is an almost fanatical devotion to scientific progress, sometimes at the expense of human and ethical considerations.
Misc
Thallos government labs and private industries are actively seeking new technologies and trading partners. Current spending priorities include expansions to the University of Thanopolis, development of space resources, and off-world colonization.
