Tapani News

[WitchDoktor]

[WitchDoktor]

A Return of the Empire? 

 

A speech earlier today by Baron Jules-Pierre Mao of House Cadriaan in front of the Tapani Grand Council has had the entire Federation in an uproar.  A veritable tsunami of social media posts, headline news coverage, and independent media blasts run the gamut of support and disgust as to the Baron’s suggestion in front of the entire Grand Council; the return of the Tapani Empire. 

 

While it may be at face value to those outside Tapani that such a move would purport a degenerative trend in Democracy and a backsliding into authoritarianism.  To the average Tapani Citizen, even the vast majority of those in the League of Freeworlds, the Baron’s words were heard and rang true.  In fact, Tapanians hold such reverence for the old Imperial Days that the Battle of Shindra’s Veil is reenacted every year.  According to the Baron, he stated that Tapani was heading towards dissolution in the near future.  This fracturing of the Federation is buttressed by three seemingly insurmountable and contrasting issues; the right of the Nobility to rule, the right of all Tapani to have Equal Representation, and the near-bankrupting levels of tariffs that House Cadriaan and the League of Freeworlds places on trade through their space.  

 

Baron Mao’s statements were quite clear that a return to Imperial status would solidify Tapani for the next millenia, but also to be wary of maintaining the democracy and freedoms Tapanians enjoy today.  In the next few months a draft for Grand Council consideration will be brought forth in detail of a great reorganization of the Tapani Federation to the Tapani Empire, with large changes to the government apparatus and culture of the Sector.  The Baron then left the podium, yielding the remainder of his time, followed quickly by thunderous applause.

[WitchDoktor]

Earlier today, a stunning and rather stark rebuke in the Grand Council of Tapani by High Lady Camina Drummer of House Pelagia.  Arguably one of the most respected of the High Lords and Ladies of the Noble Houses, as High Lady Drummer's comments echoed through the Great Chamber, low rumbles and erratic cheers could be heard piercing the pauses in her speech.  However, on the streets where the High Lady's speech was broadcast a far more enthusiastic tone resonated among the masses of the Commoners and Gentry.  

Though all are equal before the Law in the Tapani Federation, it is perhaps the Galaxy's worst guarded secret that the Tapani Nobility enjoy "unofficial" privileges wherever they travel.  The best tables at restaurants, the fanciest accommodations at hotels, the newest latest and greatest gadget or repuslor-car, if its ostentatious and you can name it, chances are a Noble gets it before the Commoner.  Some say this is unfair, a privilege bestowed by birth and tradition and not by merit.  Others say it is fair, as the trappings of Nobility come at the very steep personal price of a transparent lifestyle and lack of privacy.  One could argue these facts and opinions until they are blue in the face like a Pantoran, but one merely need to look at the composition of the Tapani Grand Council to know those "unofficial" privileges have definitively become official. 

Therefore it is High Lady Drummer of House Pelagia, a Lady of a House both known Sector-wide for their truthfulness, grace, humility, and just character as well as the epitome of the Noble Aspiration, who has taken it upon her Ladyship to cajole the Houses to order and set goals and demands both reasonable and a willingness to compromise with the Freeworlders and redress their grievances.  There is an undercurrent of understanding throughout the Sector that the Lords of the Expanse are not as all powerful as they purport to be, and much of their so-called power and privilege rest not legalities but in tradition and coin, the latter of which has been ever slowly eroded over the centuries by the Freeworlds and the Mining Guild.  Even moreso than their wealth their numbers have also shrank over time. In contrast the Freeworlds have swelled, with nearly three-quarters of the entire Sector population residing within the League of Freeworlds.  Yet, when one looks at the Grand Council, all its various committees, sub-committees, and ministries, one would be hard pressed to find a Freeworlder present in those halls.  A great imbalance of power that has so far been tolerated by the League, but it seems such tolerance is at an end.

 

Quote

Her Excellency, 

High Lady Camina Drummer

House Pelagia

On behalf of my Esteemed Colleagues and fellow Nobility, The Houses of the Tapani Expanse have come together to present to this august body of the Grand Council, with support of the Tapani Senate and Council of Ten, to present Household Terms for the convocation of a stronger Union, in rebuke of the reformation of the Tapani Empire as proposed by Baron Jule-Pierre Mao;

That all future Prime Ministers be selected and approved from the body of candidates deemed fit and competent, and hold the title of Elector as noted herein.  In furtherance, future determinations of the Prime Minister shall disqualify the incumbent Noble House and/or Estate.  

That the Capital remain the planet Procopia in perpetuity.  Furthermore, Procopia shall be made an Estate of Tapani with an Elector without privilege, and shall not vote in the Grand Council.

The Grand Council conclave of seats, to which a seat is of legal equal standing to a “vote” in the Grand Council, be redistributed in accordance to the following;  1.  That each planetary body (hereby labeled an Estate)  be granted a minimum of one seat.  2.  That larger worlds be granted an additional seat per a census designated attribution of one billion permanently residing sentients.  3.  That the Grand Council remains in its current form as the “Lower House” of Legislature..  The Tapani Senate shall continue its Legislative duties as the “Upper House” consisting only of one Representative for each Estate. 4. That the Council of Ten be handpicked by the Prime Minister from the Body of Tapani Senators.  5.  Each Estate shall determine and invoke for themselves the providence of self-government and selection of Elector. 

The territory of the Tapani Federation, within all of its delineated boundaries, shall constitute one Customs Jurisdiction, and shall remain free from travel duties and/or tariffs in perpetuity. 

The League of Freeworlds, Mecetti Province, Barnaba Province, Melantha Province, Cadriaan Province, Pelagia Province, Calipsa Province, and Reena Province shall be dissolved as legal entities.  

The entirety of all Armed Forces of Tapani shall be dissolved and incorporated into a single Federal Armed Forces with exceptions noted herein. 

House Mecetti is to be granted special dispensation to the following; 1.  That House Mecetti shall retain administrative control of the Surface Forces of the Mecetti House Guard.  House Mecetti shall agree herein that House Mecetti Surface Forces be made available to the Federation under wartime circumstances, and shall maintain Federal doctrinal standards of discipline, equipment, and organization.   The High Lord of House Mecetti reserves the right to inspect the Surface Forces of House Mecetti and for aforementioned Surface Forces display distinguishing accouterments in accordance with Federation tactical and doctrinal policies.  2.  That a Baron or Lord of House Mecetti shall maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body as it pertains to the Armed Forces.  3.  House Mecetti reserves the right to bestow Knighthood on any Commissioned or Warrant Officer of the Tapani Armed Forces if and only if that officer A. meets a reasonably high standard of competence, fidelity, and faithful service, B.  Is not already a member of another House.

House Melantha: is to be granted special dispensation to the following; A Baron or Lord of House Melantha shall maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body as it pertains to Diplomatic Affairs, both Internal and External. 

House Cadriaan: shall be granted the right of first refusal in the promotion of any gentry to the Noble Ranks, and to sponsor any new Noble House within the Empire. 

House Pelagia: shall reserve for itself the sole rights and privileges as it concerns The Force.  Furthermore, a Baron or Lord shall maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body in the field of Media and Communications.  

House Calipsa: shall be granted special dispensation to have a Baron or Lord maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body in the fields of commerce and trade. 

House Reena: Shall be granted special dispensation to have a Baron or Lord maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body in the field of Education. 

House Barnaba: Shall be granted special dispensation to have a Baron or Lord maintain a permanent seat in any Executive or Legislative committee or body in the fields of Culture, Leisure, and Tourism. 

We await a Representative of the Freeworlds to speak on behalf of the League.

 

[WitchDoktor]

Naomi Nagata,

Freeworlder

First Executive of Tallaan

Speaking with the authority and on behalf of the League of Freeworlds, we have received and are reviewing the demands of the Expanse Lords for a more stronger and fair union.  However I must be remiss if I did not present our Conditions to the Grand Council as they affect the League of Freeworlds lack of representation;

1.  Duties and tariffs constitute a large portion of the government revenues of many of the Freeworlds.  If we were to abide in perpetuity to a Customs Union within the Tapani Sector than the Freeworlds must be compensated appropriately for these lost revenues.  The Freeworlds shall require either of the following; a 20% stake in any industrial enterprise which produces goods for export, or exclusive rights to the shipping of goods and services and managing majority stake in any and all shipping enterprises.  The Freeworlds herein to agree to enforcement of this through membership in the Trade Federation.

2.  That the Freeworlds be proportionally represented in the Legislature.  Furthermore, that Freeworlders are to be adequately represented in terms of appointments to committees and the Executive and receive permanent seats in said organs.

3.  The shipyard enterprises of the Freeworlds shall be treated as the premier shipwrights of the Federation with full control of design.

4.  That all persons be allowed to associate freely, to include the establishment of unions and cooperatives. 

5.  On any planet, that is currently within the boundaries of the League of Freeworlds, that no Noble privilege shall be extended, either legally or in natura, and no Noble Obligation shall have duty herein. 

[WitchDoktor]

Tucked away for days in a stuffy villa on Estalle Island, several members of the Noble Houses and major planets of the League of Freeworlds have finally emerged together, and have presented to the Federation as a whole a new Constitution for all to see.  In the coming hours or days, the Tapani Grand Council and Tapani Senate will convene a convocation of the new Constitution and vote on its ratification.  If ratified, it is presumed to be in effect immediately, however it may take several months for all Articles to be fully vested and put in practice.

 

 

 

Article I. Territory of the Tapani Federation

Section A. 

The territory of the Tapani Federation [Hereafter referred to as the Federation] is comprised of the Planetary States of Fondor, Mrlsst, Tallaan, Barnaba, Achillea, Bethal, Bilios, Calipsa, Caloria, Canti, Coorimbus IV, Gilliana, Grella, Javis, Lupani, Nista, Nyssa, Obulette, Pavia, Pelagon, Pella, Procopia, Reena, Rellio, Setolio, Shella, Soterios, Tallaan, Tanger, Tanya, Vycinyth, Aleron, Cesya, Listoria, Shopani, Obelia, Netolio, Setolio, Betolio, Kamper, New Javis, Lorenz, Dampher, Grella, Shifa, Riesa, Jinda, Tillo, Tavitz, Tanda, Pozzi, Tanzis, Javis, Tumus, Blyte, Bianas, Staph, Nella, Dorellia, Lastelle, Tocco, Ricaldi, Cauper, Gania, Rianon, Shindra, Cor I, Cor II, Cor III, Garobi, Hellios, Alisandor, Don I, Don II, Lusk, Sefon, Lynx, Lamuir, Tamber, Tavya, Letev, Jappe, Neona, Sorella, Dorella, Sorella, Pernella, Doris, Allandor, Sheva, Reyna, New Shella, to include all land, sea, aerospace, and exospace within the currently recognized and notated borders of the Tapani Sector.

Article II. Legislature of the Tapani Federation

 

Section A.

Within this federated territory the Tapani Federation exercises the right of legislation according to the stipulations of this Constitution, and with the effect that Federal laws take precedence over the laws of the States. Federal laws receive their binding power by their publication in the name of the Federation, which takes place by means of a Federal Law Gazette. If the date of its first coming into force is not otherwise fixed in the published law, it comes into force on the 15th day after the close of the day on which the part of the Federal Law Gazette which contains it is published.  

 

Section B.  

For the whole of the Federation one common nationality exists with the effect that every Sentient (subject, State citizen) belonging to any one of the States or territories is to be treated in every other of the States as a born native and accordingly must be permitted to have a fixed dwelling, to trade, to be appointed to public offices, to acquire property, to obtain the rights of citizenship, to associate freely, and to enjoy all other civil rights under the same presuppositions as the natives, and likewise is to be treated equally with regard to legal prosecution or legal protection.

No Citizen may be restricted from the exercise of this right by the authorities of his own State or by the authorities of any of the other Federal States.

Those regulations which have reference to the care of the poor and their admission into local communities are not affected by the principles set down in the first paragraph.

Until further notice the Treaties likewise remain in force which have been entered into by the particular States of the Federation regarding the reception of persons expelled, the care of sick persons, and the burial of deceased persons belonging to the States.

What is necessary for the fulfillment of military duty in relation to the native country will be ordered by Federal legislation.

Every Citizen has the same claim to the protection of the Federation with regard to foreign galactic governments. 

Section C. 

The following affairs are subject to the superintendence and legislation of the Tapani Federation:

1. the regulations as to freedom of movement, domicile and settlement affairs, right of citizenship, passport and police regulations, and as to transacting business including insurance affairs in so far as these objects are not already provided for by Art. 3 of this Constitution.

2. the customs and commercial legislation and the taxes which are to be applied to the requirements of the Federation;

3. the regulation of the system of currency, weights and measures, likewise the establishment of the principles for the issue of funded and unfunded hard currency;

4. the general regulations as to banking;

5. the granting of patents for inventions;

6. the protection of intellectual property;

7. the organization of the common protection of Federation commerce in foreign space, of Federation vessels and their codes in space, and the arrangement of a common consular representation, which is to be salaried by the Federation;

8. transportation affairs and the construction of land, water, aerospace, and exospace communications for the defense of the country and for general transport;

9. navigation affairs on waterways, land, aerospace, and exospace belonging in common to several of the States, and the condition of the aforementioned infrastructure dues;

10. communication affairs; 

11. regulations as to the reciprocal execution of judgments in civil affairs and the settlement of requisitions in general;

12. likewise as to the verification of public documents;

13. the general legislation as to obligatory rights, penal law, commercial and bill of exchange laws, and judicial procedure;

14. the military of the Federation;

15. the measures of special police;

16. the regulations for the press and for associations.

Section D.  

The legislation of the UEG is carried on by the Grand Council and the Tapani Senate. The accordance of the majority of votes in both is necessary and sufficient for a law of the Federation.

In projects of law on military affairs and on the taxes the Prime Minister has a casting vote in cases where there is a difference of opinion, if their vote is in favor of the maintenance of the existing arrangements.

Article III. The Tapani Grand Council

Section A. 

The Grand Council consists of the representatives of the members of the Federation, amongst which the votes are divided in such a manner that each State shall inherit one vote, and one additional vote per one billion of census designated population with a minimum of one. 

Section B. 

The Grand Council determines:

1. what Bills are to be brought before the Grand Council and the Senate and on the resolutions passed by the same;

2. as to the administrative regulations and institutions necessary for the general execution of the Federal legislation, in so far as no other Federal law has decreed to the contrary;

3. as to defects which have made themselves manifest in the execution of the Federal laws or the above-mentioned measures and arrangements.

Every member of the Federation has the right to propose Bills and to recommend them, and the Grand Council is bound to bring them under debate.

The decisions take place by simple majority. Non-represented votes or votes without instructions are not counted. In equal divisions the Prime Minister is the casting vote.

In decisions upon affairs wherein, according to the rules of this Constitution, the whole of the Federation has not a common interest, only the votes of those federated States are counted which are in common interest.

Section C.  

The Grand Council forms permanent Committees from its own members:

1. for the armed forces; one permanent seat to House Mecetti

2. for colonial and foreign and extraterritorial affairs; one permanent seat to House Melantha

3. for customs and taxes; one permanent seat to Tallaan

4. for commerce; one permanent seat to House Calipsa

5. for education; one permanent seat to House Reena and Mrlsst

6. for affairs of justice; one permanent seat to Tallaan

7. for finances; one permanent seat to Tallaan

8. for communications; one permanent seat to House Pelagia

9. for the establishment of titles of Nobility and ratification of Noble Houses; one permanent seat to House Cadriaan

10. for Affairs concerning The Force: Only one and permanent seat to House Pelagia

11. for Leisure, Culture, and Tourism; one permanent seat to House Barnaba

In each of these Committees, besides the Prime Minister (except where they may be excluded), at least four of the federated States will be represented, excluding permanent seats, and in the same each State has only one vote.  The composition of these Committees is to be renewed for two Galactic Standard Years.  Excluding permanent seats, no Representative may serve more than two consecutive terms. 

The necessary officials will be placed at the disposal of these Committees.

Section D. 

Every member of the Grand Council has the right to appear, and must at their desire and at all times be heard, in order to represent the views of their government, even when these views have not been adopted by the majority of the Grand Council. No one may at the same time be a member of the Grand Council and of the Tapani Senate.

The proceedings of the Grand Council are public, with exception to sensitive Committee proceedings. 

Section E.  

The Prime Minister is bound to afford the usual diplomatic protection to the Representatives of the Grand Council.

 

Article IV. The Prime Ministry

Section A.

The Prime Minister of the Tapani Federation shall, at the ratification of this Constitution, be of the currently serving Prime Minister until their five year term has been concluded or they are removed from office.  After which the Prime Minister is elected by simple majority of the Grand Council and confirmed by simple majority vote in the Tapani Senate, to which the incumbent Prime Minister and the House they hold title with, if applicable, is excluded until following selection period.  The Prime Minister is the highest Executive Officer in the Tapani Federation, has the enumerated powers to represent the Tapani Federation trans-galactically and intergalactically, excluding the position of the Tapani Federation Senator to the Galactic Republic, to declare war and to conclude peace in the name of the Tapani Federation, to enter into alliances and other treaties with foreign powers, to preside over the Tapani Senate, and to accredit and to receive ambassadors.

The consent of the Grand Council and Tapani Senate is necessary for the declaration of war in the name of the Tapani Federation, unless an attack on the territory or the peripheries or jurisdictions of the Federation has taken place. In so far as treaties with foreign states have reference to affairs which, according to Art. 3, belong to the jurisdiction of the legislation, the consent of the Grand Council is requisite for their conclusion, and the sanction of the Tapani Senate for their coming into force.

In the matters of military force against stateless actors, governments not recognized by the Tapani Federation, or sentients or conglomerates of sentients who commit High Crimes, only the enumerated powers of Commander-in-Chief of the Tapani Armed Forces may apply. 

Section B. 

The Prime Minister shall summon the Grand Council and the Tapani Senate to place once each year at minimum and the Grand Council can be called together for preparation of business without the Tapani Senate being likewise summoned, whereas the latter cannot be summoned without the Grand Council.

Section C. 

The Grand Council must be summoned whenever one-third of the votes require it.

Section D. 

The Chancellor of the Grand Council and the direction of the business belongs to the Chancellor, who is to be appointed by the Prime minister and confirmed by a simple majority of the Grand Council. The Chancellor can be represented, on his giving written notification thereof, by any other member of the Grand Council.

Article V. The Tapani Senate

Section A. 

The Tapani Senate is elected by universal and direct election with a secret ballot.  The Tapani Senate shall consist of one representative from each federated State.

Section B. 

Officials do not require any leave of absence on entering into the Tapani Senate.

If any member of the Tapani Senate accepts any salaried appointment of the Federation, of any State of the Federation, or enters into any Federal or State office to which a higher rank, or higher salary is attached, they lose their seat and service in the Tapani Senate, and can only regain their position in the same by re-election and abdication of the aforementioned office.

Section C. 

The proceedings of the Tapani Senate are public.

Truthful reports of the proceedings in the public sittings of the Tapani Senate are free from any responsibility.

Section D. 

The Assembly has the right to scrutinize, debate, and vote on laws within the competency of the Tapani Senate that which bills and laws that have been forwarded to them by the Grand Council, and to forward petitions which have been addressed to it either to the Prime Minister or the Chancellor. 

Section E. 

The term of service of a Tapani Senator is three Galactic Standard Years. . For a dissolution of the Tapani Senate within this time, a resolution of the Grand Council, with the assent of the President and Prime Minister, is requisite.

Section F. 

The Assembly scrutinizes the legality of the credentials of its members and decides thereon. It regulates its own method of business and discipline by means of a standing order and elects its President, Vice-Presidents, and Secretaries.

Section G. 

The Tapani Senate decides by an absolute majority of votes. The presence of a majority of the legal number of the members is necessary for the validity of a resolution.

In voting on a matter which, according to the stipulations of this Constitution, is not common to the whole Federation, only the votes of those members will be counted who have been elected in those federated States to which the matter is common.

Section H. 

The members of the Tapani Senate are representatives of the entire people and are not bound by orders and instructions.

Section I. 

No member of the Assembly can at any time be proceeded against either judicially or by way of discipline, on account of his votes, or for statements made in the exercise of his functions, nor can he be made responsible in any other way out of the Assembly.

Section J. 

Without the assent of the Tapani Senate no member of the same may be placed under examination or arrested during the period of the session for any punishable deed except when taken in the fact or in the course of the following day.

The same assent is needful in arrest for debt.

At the demand of the Tapani Senate every correctional procedure against a member of the same and all investigations or civil arrests must be relinquished for the duration of the period of the session.

Section K.

The members of the Assembly must not receive any salary or expenses in that capacity.

 

Article VI. Customs and Commercial Affairs

Section A.

The Tapani Federation forms one customs and commercial territory surrounded by a common customs frontier. Those separate parts of territory are excluded, which from their position are not adapted for inclusion in the customs area.

All articles of free trade in any one of the States of the Federation may be introduced into any other State of the Federation, and can only be subjected to a duty in the latter in so far as similar articles produced in that State are subject to a home duty.

Article VII. Transportation Affairs

Section A. 

Transportation infrastructure which are considered necessary for the defense of Tapani Federation or for the sake of common transport may, by virtue of a federal law and even against the opposition of the members of the Federation whose territory is intersected by such, but without prejudice to the prerogatives of the nation, be constructed on account of the Federation, or concessions to execute the works may be granted to private contractors, with the right of expropriation. Every existing transportation infrastructure board of direction is bound to consent to the junction of newly-constructed infrastructure at the expense of the latter.

The legal enactments which have granted a right of denial to existing infrastructure undertakings against the construction of parallel or competing infrastructure are hereby, without prejudice to rights already gained, repealed for the whole of the Federation. Nor can such a right of denial be ever granted again in concessions to be issued hereafter.

Section B. 

The governments of the States bind themselves to manage the Federal infrastructure network as a uniform network in the interest of common transport, and likewise for this purpose to have all new projects which are to be made, constructed and fitted up according to uniform rules.

 

Article VIII. Shipping and Navigation

Section A.

The wartime and military stellar navy of the Federation is one united navy under the chief command of the Prime Minister. The organization and composition thereof is the business of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The harborages and orbits of the Procopian System, Tallaan System, and Fondor System are military harborages of the Federation.

The necessary expenses for the establishment and maintenance of the war fleet, and the institutions in connection therewith, are paid from the Federation Treasury.

Article IX. Consular Service

Section A.

The whole of the Consular service of the Federation is under the superintendence of the Prime Minister, who appoints the Consuls after consultation with the Committee of the Grand Council for Foreign Affairs.

Within the official district of the Federation Consuls no new Consulates for separate States may be erected. The Federation Consuls exercise the functions of a national Consul for any State of the Federation not represented in their district. All the existing Consulates for separate States are to be abolished as soon as the organization of the Federation Consulates is so completed that the representation of the interests of all the States of the Federation is recognised by the Grand Council as secured by the Federal Consulates.

 

Article X. Military Affairs of the Tapani Federation

Section A.

With the exceptions noted herein this Constitution, all current military or armed forces are dissolved in perpetuity.  All current units, vehicles and vessels, personnel, structures and infrastructure, are herein and in perpetuity, subject to and assigned as a unified Federal Armed Force.

House Mecetti shall be granted administrative control of the House Mecetti Guard and Surface Forces.  Under authority of the Federal Armed Forces, House Mecetti shall make available House Mecetti Guard and Surface Forces units, vehicles and personnel to the Federal Armed Forces in wartime, and upon request from the Federal Armed Forces in peacetime. The High Lord of House Mecetti shall have the responsibility to inspect the House Mecetti Surface Forces, privileged to display distinguishing accouterments and ensure adherence of Federal Standards of Doctrine, Training, Discipline, and Equipment.    

 

Section B.  

The expenses and burdens of the whole of the military affairs of the Federation are to be borne equally by all of the States of the Federation and those belonging to them, so that no preferences, or overburdening of any single States or classes, are in principle admissible. Where an equal division of the burdens is not practicable in natura, without prejudice to the public welfare, the matter is to be arranged on the principles of equity by means of legislation.

Section C.

In settling the estimates of the military expenses the legal organization of the Federal armed forces, as laid down in this Constitution, will be taken as the basis.

 

Article XI. Finances of the UEG

Section A.

All the receipts and disbursements of the Federation must be estimated for each year, and be brought into the UEG estimates. These are to be fixed by a law before the beginning of the financial year, according to the following principles.

Section B. 

To provide for all common expenses, any balances of the preceding year are first of all employed, and likewise the common revenues derived from the duties, the common consumption taxes, and from services. In so far as they cannot be provided for by these revenues they are, as long as Federal taxes are not introduced, to be met by contributions from the single States of the Federation, in proportion to their population, which contributions to the amount estimated in the budget will be assessed by the Chancellor.

Section C. 

The common disbursements are, as a rule, voted for one year; they may, however, in particular cases, be voted for a longer period.

Article XII. Settlement of Differences and Penal Stipulations

Section A.

Any action against the existence, the integrity, the safety or the Constitution of the Federation, interference with the Grand Council or the Senate, or a member of the Grand Council or of the Senate or any authority, or a public servant of the Federation whilst in the exercise of their vocation, or in reference to their vocation, will be sentenced and punished in the separate States of the Federation according to the existing law, or the laws which may in future be enacted there, in pursuance of which a similar offense committed against that separate State of the Federation, its Constitution, its Chambers, or Diet, the members of its Chambers, or Diet, its authorities and functionaries, would be punished.

Section B. 

Differences between various States of the Federation, in so far as they are not of a private legal nature and therefore to be decided by the competent judicial authorities, will, at the suit of one of the parties, be settled by the Grand Council.

Constitutional differences in those States of the Federation in whose constitution no authority for settling such disputes is provided, are to be amicably arranged by the Grand Council at the suit of one of the parties, or if this should not succeed, they are to be settled by way of Federal legislation.

Article XIII. General Stipulations

Section A. 

Alterations in the Constitution take place by way of legislation. They are considered as rejected if they do not pass with an absolute majority. 

Those provisions of the Constitution of the Federation by which certain rights are established for separate States of the Federation in their relation to the community, can only be altered with the consent of the State of the Federation entitled to those rights. 

Article XIV. Convocation 

Section A.  This Constitution shall be in force after a deliberated Convocation and ratification of the Tapani Grand Council, Tapani Senate, and ascent of the League of Freeworlds. 

[WitchDoktor]

Victory in the Cilpar Sector

 

Earlier today, news has reached us that a Tapani Force known as "Joint Task Force-1" consisting of elements of the Freeworlds Common Navy, Tapani Marines, and House Mecetti Guard has taken temporary control over the planet Ophideraan and the empty planetoid of Laakteen.  Acting on a tip from the House Mecetti's House Ministry of Inquiry, the Federation's premier intelligence apparatus, Tapani Federation forces moved in a slaving operation on Ophideraan and what seems to be a recently completed Pirate installation on the dead planetoid of Laakteen which seemed to be colloquially referred to as "Laakteen Depot". 

The operation at Ophideraan we're told went smoothly, though one could hardly perceive the story to be real without the gun camera footage from several Tapani Aeronautical Force fighters, without such would sound like a story out of ancient fantasy.  It seems the slavers on Ophideraan, known as the "Serpent Masters", rode a large native reptilian beast which they could control through non-auditory frequencies that resembled Dragons of old legends.  One of the Tapani ships, assigned as the Communications Ship for Task Force Seraphim located this frequency and jammed it, while the fighters of 8th Fighter Wing make quick work of the 'dragon riders'.  Once the rest of the force touched down near the Great Well, and several Manka Walkers and troopers disgorged from their Hardcell Transports, slaver resistance melted away and they were taken into custody.  Over six hundred sentients have been freed from captivity.  We're being told that the slaves are being placed in a temporary medical custody before any social organization may assist them.

While the operation on Ophideraan went off without a hitch, the seizure of Laakteen Depot was more hazardous, but ultimately successful.  A rather brilliant strategy was devised by Commodore Felix Delgado of the Freeworld Common Navy to assault the depot and take it intact.  After a scouting flight, the main force hypered in and closed with the station, dispatching what amounted to a pitiful defense attempt even by piratical standards.  Following up the defense line break the Tapani Forces closed in on the station and saturated it with ion fire and ionic missiles.  Tapani Marines lunged from the port side hangar of the USS Vehement, landing on the cargo pads and several other points of the station.  Demolition charges breached the cargo hangar doors and several exterior windows, while Marines breached here and other areas like the life support ventilation shafts.  After a few minutes of rather unspirited fighting the command center had been taken and the leaders fled.  Two Marines were killed and twenty injured in taking the station, along with five Aurek-class Starfighters though we are told many of those losses were mechanical failures and the pilots ejected safely. 

 

 

The extraordinary operation is the brainchild of Commodore Felix Delgado (pictured above), who we're told is being promoted to Admiral and being seconded to Tapani Design Cooperative to work on new craft for the Common Navy and Household Guards.  Furthermore there has been no response yet from neighboring sectors, including Cilpar, about the operation.  Many star charts place Ophideraan and Laakteen within different political astrographical boundaries, which is most likely how such blatant operations were allowed to be conducted so close to an extremely important hyperlane.

 

[WitchDoktor]

Tapani Great Council Ratifies Constitution!

 

A bittersweet victory today as it was announced that the Tapani Great Council, along with an ascent from both the Prime Minister of the Tapani Federation and the Tapani Senate, have ratified the proposed Constitution put forth by First Executive Naomi Nagata of Tallaan.  In this Constitution was a wide range of sweeping reforms intended to increase proper representation of the Freeworlds and have an equitable part in the governance of the Federation, while also taking to distribute power and influence among both the Freeworlds and the Houses of the Expanse. 

Deadlocked in endless negotiations for months since it was brought forth, recent events within the Galactic Republic has been cited as the main catalyst to the ablation of political barriers and seemingly insurmountable minor disagreements that would lead to a failure of consensus.  One of the main contributors to the ablation of the political stand-off was the Republic's rather inept negotiations with the Hutt Clans, which many in the Federation believe the general tone of the Republic, and that of the Republic's negotiators to suffer from a broad infliction of cognitive dissonance.  It is no secret that those who sit hit in their seats on Coruscant may not be the most informed in the Galaxy, but they have taken it far "beyond the pale".  Some within the Federation go a step further, accusing several Senators of the Galactic Republic with "criminal incompetence".  It has been said that the entire affair, or rather rapid series of affairs have lead to severe blunders and a besmirching of the Republic's good name.  That only in a manner of months have a select few Galactic Senators decimated the standing of the Republic, a high standard of moral virtue for several millenia becoming unraveled with a speed unconscionable last year.

The new Federal Constitution is set to be in force on the first minute, of the first day of the next month.  It is rumored that the First Convocation of the Grand Council will, after the ceremonial convocation, immediately begin deliberating on several bills aimed at removing trade and diplomatic barriers while strengthening ties with neighboring sectors, and creating additional barriers to interfere and impose on the Federation by the Republic.

 

[WitchDoktor]

Nexu-class Carrier debuts

 

Earlier today, the public finally got a look at the newest design from the Fondor Shipyards, the Nexu-class Carrier.  Just shy of the maximum length to qualify as a Heavy Cruiser under Galactic Republic standards at nine-hundred and ninety meters, the Nexu is a veritable floating fortress not only bristling with turbolasers, rotary laser cannons and missile launchers, but a cavernous interior devoted to its main mission of providing space for its generous starfighter compliment and room to carry several battalions of Tapani Army or Marines along with their assault craft.

 

USS Wendigo approaches a Tallaan Orbital Platform

 

With its large size, multi-mission profile, and ability to accomodate Flag Officers the Nexu is expected not to be assigned to the normal lines for Cruisers.  Instead they are going to be assigned as flagships for entire Naval Squadrons, allowing a new Force pooling option to the Tapani Federal Navy that has not been enjoyed before.  One thing is for sure, this ship is built for a fight, and if it can fight like its namesake, it will be ferocious indeed.