Difference between revisions of "Thallos"

Revision as of 11:02, 17 October 2004

Thallos

Flag of Thallos
Motto: "Technological progress is social progress."
N/A
Region	Antarctica
Capital	Thanopolis
Official Language(s)	Republic Standard
Leader	Consuls Pertinax and Valerian
Population	2.45 billion (Census 2004)
Currency	polar crown
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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 and the Royal Freehold of Gardelain, 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.

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.

Soon, news arrived by telegram that the Artemisian government, a rigidly democratic 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 wastelands and be shuttled about the world as refugees, the residents of Thanopolis voted to remain and build a new nation on the shores of Antarctica. 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 and manipulative politicians with no technical expertise and no vision of the future beyond their own re-election campaigns. Convinced that civilization is driven by scientific progress, which 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 shortsighted politicians.

Geography

The city of Thanopolis, a gleaming metropolis of 50 million people under a massive habitat dome, serves as the administrative capital of Thallos. The highest point is occupied by the Icespire Observatory, standing 1046 m above sea level.

Politics

Two elected consuls serve as heads of state. However, actual legislative and executive powers are concentrated in the Senate. Through its various committees, the Senate debates legislation and directly supervises all government agencies. Only citizens with at least university-level education in a field of science, engineering, or medicine are eligible to stand for a Senate seat or vote in Senate elections. To protect the rights of the commoners, the remainder of the populace annually elect a tribune, who holds veto power over Senate legislation.

Defense

Thallos is a peaceful state, having not fought any significant wars since its founding. The Consular Guard, a small but elite group of professional soldiers, operates as the Republic's sole offensive force. Military commanders 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 (Leela, Durandal, and Tycho) commands, constructs, and maintains the entire defense net. This system, while expensive in construction and threatened to bankrupt the Republic Treasury for many years, allowed for the dissolution of the Republic Legions, a boon to long-term defense budget planning. While the AEGIS has never been tested in actual war, components and derivative technologies of the AEGIS have been licensed to trading partners, operating with generally satisfactory results in combat deployment. As such, the creators and engineers of the system maintain that the full-scale 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, one-megaton range nuclear missile. Whether this experimental technology can actually deliver on its potential remains to be seen.

Culture

Misc

Not content to theorize from ivory towers, both 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.