The Republic and the Empire

Posted on Wed Feb 9th, 2022 @ 3:11pm by Lieutenant Mila Lynn & Uhlan Ezra Perez

617 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Chapter V: The Calm Before The Storm
Location: Lynn twins' quarters, Ourainavassa
Timeline: 238703.09

"So, you want to know about the Romulan Republic?" Perez smirked. Mila had called them over to ask more questions about the so-called Mirror Universe. Of course, they were more than happy to answer them.

"The Romulan Republic has always been a thorn in the side of the Terran Empire, although they did ally for a short time to try and fight against the Klingon-Cardassian alliance. Of course, you know how that ended. Since the rebellion and the restoration of the Empire, relations between Terra and Romulus have been cold, but there hasn't been a real war for generations. See, the Republic has a lot of internal trouble at the moment. Will do for another twenty years or so."

Mila held up her hand. "Wait. You know telling me about the future is a bad idea. Don't want to deal with paradoxes and stuff."

Perez laughed. "Paradoxes would only happen if I was to tell you about your future. This is a different universe we're talking about. And anyway, the future is always in motion. Your historical file never mentions you serving on a mercenary ship, for example. Back to the point, though. Right now, the Romulan Republic is on the brink of civil war. That civil war will break out in a few years and destroy Romulus, but we're not quite there yet. It is, however, highly unstable. And even more xenophobic than your Romulan Empire."

Silently, as to not interrupt Perez, Mila put a fresh cup of coffee in front of them, before sitting down again in silence.

"You see," Perez continued, "in theory, the Romulan Republic is a democracy. In reality, though? No chance. The requirements for full citizenship, and therefore the ability to vote, are very strict. Property, military service, high education, and so on. The latest estimate is that out of all the inhabitants of the Republic, only about ten percent actually hold citizenship. And about a third of its population are slaves." They shook their head. "It is not a nice place, from what I've heard. So, every few years, elections are held for the executive offices of the Republic. Those elected for the office of Quaestor are, after their term ends, entitled to a seat in the Senate. Other elected officials include the Praetors, which are the highest judges, and the two Consuls, who lead the Republic. Only about a dozen families have ever been represented in the Senate, with an outsider coming in every two generations or so. Those rarely reach high office, though. The problem that's plagued the Republic for a few generations now is the office of the two Consuls."

Mila nodded. "I can imagine, them having to share power rarely goes well."

Perez smiled. "Precisely. Traditionally, the two Consuls split their responsibilities. The Proconsul, the older and senior of the two, would handle the actual policymaking, while the younger one, called the Praetorian Consul, handles the administrative side of things and is in charge of the Republic's extensive bureaucracy, as well as the regular police force, also called the Praetorians. Problem is, every few years, a Praetorian tries to ursurp the Proconsul's powers."

Mila sighed. "And it seems the Colonel is headed straight into that mess."

"Which means she would come across their Tal Shiar, as well as the Proconsular Fleet. And if she manages to get into the Republic's territory, the Praetorians would be all over her. She is a very capable woman, but I doubt she'd get out there alive."

The Lieutenant stood and pocketed the PADD she had used to record Perez' explanation. "Thank you. You have been a great help, as usual. I'll get this to the Subcommander right away."

RSS Feed