The Zocalo
The Zocalo
The Spacefaring Shogunate of The Zocalo is economically and militarily powerful country of the Nation States World, created with a Babylon 5 theme. Once actively involved in role-playing, active in both the SWEC and the WSA, they are a now seldom heard from and sleepy regional power.
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| Flag of The Zocalo | |
| Motto: The Babylon Project was a Dream given Form. | |
| [] [1] | |
| Region | Wysteria |
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| Capital | Garibaldi |
| Official Language(s) | English |
| Leader | President Sheridan |
| Population | 10.601 billion |
| Currency | The Credit |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Space Exploration
The Zocalo has always been active in the WSA (Wysterian Space Agency). They worked closely with another Wysterian nation state, Delenn (until they succumbed to vanishing nation syndrome). The Zocalo's space program volunteered to join Sachsen on their aborted lunar project that failed to get off the ground. Then Babylon 1 was built: a small space lab shared by Delenn and the Zocalo. Captain John Corbin volunteered and was a member of the Lunar 2 mission crew. During the Lunar 2 mission, they traveled to the Moon; set up a dark side relay satellites; and explored a large crater with a lunar vehicle. The Zocalo also took part in the Ferrarton led initiative to build a series of radio telescopes across Wysteria. The Zocalo were also there when Babylon 2 was created, by linking Babylon 1 with the Grendel space station Orbital Station 6. This was a research station shared by all three nations (Delenn, the Grendels, and the Zocalo).
The building of Starfuries created a space race between Epona and the Grendels, when they became armed. Initially, the starfuries were meant for peaceful use, as this statement from the Wysterian forum shows:
“As part of our great Nations commitment to space exploration we are launching the first Starfury, for use as a personal utility spacecraft. The Starfury C1 (Construction) will give our astronauts the ability to easily maneuver large modules for orbital construction, by fitted robotic arms and a ranged grapnel unit. The Starfury is designed to only function in zero or similar gravities, with the pilot standing in a capsule at the ship’s axis. Unlike robotic arms fitted to space stations, the Starfury C1 will use its thrusters to move wherever it is needed and not be limited by tracks set up on the station itself. This will revolutionize orbital construction and with the pilot capsule able to provide extended life support, workers will be able to remain outside the station at work for longer periods of time.
The Zocalo looks forward to making use of the Starfury C1 while working on Babylon 2; in future projects with the WSA; as well as in future projects with SEAS (Southern Expeditionary Agency for Space) of the SWEC. The First Starfury C1 has been launched in orbit to work on Babylon 2. The Zocalo will be building a number of additional models for use in orbital space construction and space exploration.”
The Zocalo were involved in the Shield of Heaven project, whereby the Grendels provided technical assistance that allowed select Wysterian nations to develop their own ABM (anti-ballistic missile) defence. This resulted in receiving threats from the Wysterian Coalition, but the Zocalo proceeded with the project, undeterred. These hunter-killer satellites now patrol space against the missiles of our enemies.
The Southern Expeditionary Agency for Space (SEAS), was a new organization created by the members of the SWEC (South Wysterian Economic Community). Some saw this is a threat to the WSA and a few even thought to undermine our efforts. SEAS began work on a global satellite relay project and partially constructed the SEAS space station, before the SWEC fell apart as an alliance. After the failure of the SWEC to complete its goals in the creation of a space station, the Zocalo's space program began to focus on maintaining its current programs and looked less to the future. The partially complete space station built by SEAS became Babylon 3 and operations were taken over by the Zocalo. GLoVeS (Global LOcational and VEctoring System)was taken over by the Wysterian Union that was created from the founders of the SWEC and other invited nations and finally completed, years later, as a Wysterian Union project.
SWEC
The Zocalo became a prominent member of the SWEC (South Wysterian Economic Community) early in its creation and raised the profile of space exploration among the membership that organization. As part of our growing influence in this alliance, the Zocalo spent a month as the SWEC’s Commissioner and hosted a successful fourth SWEC summit. As the largest naval power in the SWEC, the Zocalo followed up their stint as Commissioner, with Vice-Admiral Jordan taking over as the leader of the South Sea Fleet. Operation Golden Gloves was launched, during the tenure of Jordan, with the combined South Seas Fleet in a mock naval blockade exercise held in international waters. After the alliance was abandoned by a number of the founding nations, the Zocalo hosted the final summit, to officially dissolve the SWEC.
