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THE PROTECTORATE

The central government of the Tiger Claw Galaxy, which maintains the rule of law for all interplanetary exchanges. Since the defeat of the uprising in the Third Claw, governing is done from the planetoid Home by the head of the admiralty, advised by a council of Adjudicators who represent districts of the galactic population. Admiral Nero dictates Protectorate law according to the advice from these Adjudicators, mainly prioritizing the management of the ongoing war with the Flock. Adjudicators themselves have some power to dictate policy within their districts, though the degree to which they are able to enforce them is variable. Those governing the outer Claws, for example, have little direct control over their populace, but can often maintain security on trade routes, while those watching over the First Claw rarely have issues upholding the law.

Beneath the Adjudicators are several layers of bureaucracy, streamlining the flow of information from the civilian population. Individual planets are allowed to maintain local laws, though these are superseded by the Protectorate’s when applicable. Corporate interests are expected to serve the state as well, and heavy restrictions on trade keep most of them in check, though more complex treaties are required in specific cases where capital has the potential to outpace political influence. Similarly, the relationship with the University is defined by intricate sets of contracts governing the allocation of resources and research opportunities to each party. Antecedent sites are assumed Protectorate property as soon as they are discovered, and their investigation is typically prioritized over other operations requiring equivalent resources. Infestations, however, often prove a hindrance to these missions, and the University is typically allowed access to these more hazardous areas.

The Protectorate war against the Flock has been a primary policy motivation almost since the founding of the government, and security measures since the failed insurrection have vastly increased in disputed territories to make up for the restricted mobility of the military fleet. Antecedent sites infected with the Flock that have the potential for material benefit are subject to more stringent protocols than others, which are often destroyed outright to prevent further spread.

After the destruction of the surface of the Flock infected planet Inaaks, several systems in the Third Claw attempted to overthrow the Protectorate state. The revolt lasted for only three years, and ended with the defeat of the insurrectionists and destruction of the station that served as their headquarters. The death of the charismatic leader Innes Mirrith-Kell in the battle is considered the decisive turning point of the attempted rebellion. But it was not without casualties, and the technology allowing Protectorate ships to encode themselves in leaps several lightyears wide became inoperable, crippling its military influence over the galaxy.

Since the failure of the revolt, Protectorate forces have done their best to maintain control over its territory, building further security infrastructure to compensate for the restricted movement of troops. Similarly, general research focus on Antecedent technology has intensified in the hope of supplementing resources and devising new methods of ensuring the continued safety of the galaxy. The majority of these research projects take place on the Home station, but some that cannot be removed from their native ruins are are housed in Antecedent sites.