Red Star Over the Citadel

by dersomewhat

Humanity is the purveyor of socialism to the stars, but their idealism comes at a cost. The bourgeois Council races plot against them, while in their own ranks hardliners split to form the Chariot organization. All the while, the threat of the Reapers looms against the galaxy. Commander Marat Shepard will rise to the task and do what he must, but it may cost him dear.

3. Chapter 2

The Historic Peace: Immediate Tasks

Theoretical Document of the Communist Party of the Brotherhood of Humanity presented to Politburo and Supreme Soviet

A few months ago in 2156, the Xeno-Imperialist War of Aggression was ended. For the communists and humanity as a whole, the conflict was neither victory nor defeat. It began when exploration ships, unaware of other sentient life, advanced into unknown space. In return, the Bonapartist dictatorship known as the Turian Hierarchy attacked the human race and caused massive damage. Thousands of brave activists and soldiers were slain, and the peaceful socialist settlements of Sinkiang occupied by the murderous attacker. The Hierarchy justified this on the grounds of bourgeois legalism, claiming they wanted to keep the peace on behalf of the shadowy galactic triumvirate known as the "Citadel Council" who spread their rule from a Prothean ruin. However, the entire human species fought back without fear, understanding the war was as much a class war as a physical one. When we marched it was against a socially backward society trying to extinguish our Marxist experiment. Due to the dedication of our people, they failed.

The Supreme Soviet agreed to a peace on the following terms:

Redrawing of borders

Admittance of war-guilt by the Turians

The payment of war reparations

The admittance and recognition of the Socialist Brotherhood of Humanity into the Citadel government as an observer.

On all but the second of these points, the government was successful and the Communist Party instrumental in ensuring the speedy dissemination of this new order. We may now peacefully co-exist with the galactic bourgeois powers.

But to quote Felix Dzerzhinsky we must now "be wary and vigilant." The relationship between socialism and capitalism in all its forms is inherently one of conflict, even if there is no war now. Instead, it is humanity's unique duty to spread the ideas of Marxism-Leninism to all corners of the galaxy. The Brotherhood is the only socialist state in existence and we cannot afford to allow ourselves to be destroyed. Toward this end, the communists urge that provisional alliances and trading rights must be established with less hostile bourgeois empires. Relations must be improved. Moreover the communists will enthusiastically support efforts to be involved within the Citadel government. We propose this as a provisional step toward more peaceful intergalactic revolution, as well as to secure the safety of the Brotherhood. This is not enough though. While Earth and Mars have the Party, the other sentient race of the galaxy do not. Therefore, understanding that the only way to secure safety for humanity is through socialism, the Party proposes that an Intergalactic Organization of Communists be set up to spread communistic ideas and propaganda.

In the shorter term, the Party urges the Politburo and Supreme Soviet to immediately ensure all necessary steps are taken to defend humanist socialism and the species. To this end we propose that the People's Militia be expanded to all citizens ages 16 to 60 and that they be heavier armed. We propose the formation of a Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet to defend human interests in the stars, and suggest that Party cadres in the factories begin re-tooling for this large-scale military production. In addition we propose the formation of a standing and professional Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. This is essential to being able to operate on all forms of land we may encounter or be forced to take or defend. Finally we request the reformation of the Commission of Public Security and all its special organs to ensure the defence of humanity from traitors and spies. All these organizations must be run both by skilled commanders and democratic class-conscious working people to prevent abuse of power.

For the Red Self-Defence Forces!

For the Galactic Communist Organization!

Forward to universal communism!

Workers of all worlds, unite!

The Intergalacticon

Arise all workers and all toilers!
Arise, the wretched of the stars!

For reason in revolt now thunders,

And at last ends the age of want!
No more oppression's chains shall bind us,

forward you slaves no more in thrall!
We'll change henceforth the old tradition,

And spurn the dust to win the prize!

Refrain x2:

Then so comrades, come rally,

and the last fight let us face
The Intergalacticon

Unites every race!

Refrain x2 (Havana-style, favourite of Shepard)
So dear comrades, let's rally,

And to the last campaign!
The Intergalacticon- FEARLESSLY-

Unites every race!

Note: The standard version sung at GALOCOM Congresses is the more traditional and orthodox Moscow-Berliner style listed first.