Rating: T

Setting: Set Initially at Star Trek First Contact (21st Century)/Later during the 24th Century

Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount owns all, and I own nothing, not even the words. That said, the idea is mine – please do not repost this anywhere without my permission.

Chapter 2 - United Systems American Republic (USA)

Author's Note: So, I've been busy with school and work. Hard to write when life happens!

- Enroute to the Republic -

As the Eisenhower traveled at slip-stream speeds, the crew was able to keep the Starfleet crewmembers comfortable while onboard. Thompson, since it was his ship, kept the Starfleet officers within certain areas of his ship. The recovered crewmembers rejoined their peers. They were treated well but still confined to limited areas of the ship. Commander Tolov continued to negotiate with Captain Thompson to expand their ability to move around their ship in a less restricted way. Despite protests, Thompson never wavered and argued that they could spend the travel time in one of two places, the cargo bay where they were temporarily quartered or in the brig. The Federation humans chose the latter.

The trip back to the home system of the United Systems American Republic was about two weeks. With about five days gone by, there was still about eight or nine days before they arrived. As per Republic protocols, the Eisenhower traveled back via a circuitous route to prevent incidental discovery of their system.

After a few days of preparation, Mr. Styles and Babyolanski presented a condensed history of the American Republic. It was given to the Starfleet officers, who were skeptical at the end of the presentation. Each of them was shaking their head in disbelief.

- Republic History -

As the three Earth ships left their home planet in the mid-21st Century, they left behind all that they knew in the hope of finding a new home for their society. Each containing a skeleton crew of ten, these early ships housed up to 100 colonists in hibernation in each ship. These DY-100 type ships, refitted with the early version of the warp drive, traveled just a bit faster than Warp one. The journey of these brave Humans flew in the face of what was happening on Earth at the time. While a new era of world peace was beginning for Humanity, these Americans decided to leave and find someplace to keep their way of life.

Seeing that they faced a long journey ahead of them, most of the ships contained hibernating Humans awaiting their destination. Knowing that they had a destination kept secret to all but critical leaders of the expedition kept the awakened crew motivated to drive on. As the trip took about thirty years to reach the exo-planet, each ship experienced very little maintenance malfunctions to their good fortune. The awake crew had to revive their replacements after fifteen years. They hibernated the remainder of the trip. Should they survive, they would see the new colony. Since the original hibernating humans had themselves cryogenically frozen, their ages were sufficiently lengthened for arrival at the new world.

New World – Richmond:

Arriving in the new system, the ships encountered a ten-planet system. The system contained various planetoids, a definite asteroid belt circling a white-hot star. The fourth planet, being the Earth-type, was the final destination of the colonists. Settling in orbit around the new Earth-type planet, each ship sent down survey parties to look for habitable locations. As the survey parties were scouting possible settlements, the hibernating Humans were awakened on each vessel and began the re-awakening process. Supplies put in storage for the trip were pulled out and sent down to the planet for use. Within days of their arrival in the system, the Humans had established their first settlement. Using two of the sleeper ships as an ad hoc space station, the Humans created an ad hoc space station. Used to coordinate colony operations from orbit, it continued to operate until a more permanent orbital structure could be constructed.

In the Earth year 2103, the new American Republic colony, Richmond, was established. Named in honor of one of the oldest cities in the United States, the colony world represented the American Republic's new base. It was an idyllic planet with mountains, open plains for farming, expansive seas, and a very moderate climate to live in. Weather was predictable, and the planet had two natural satellite moons. Humans brought various Earth-type wheat, grains, and fruits; several attempts were made to grow them planetside. Only through the genetic modification of some of these seeds did they grow. Fortunately, the techniques developed from this genetic modification led to many advanced farming techniques used on its cousin planet, Ares.

New Technologies – American Republic Advancements

As the decades passed, technology leaped in bounds. Advancements in robotics enabled the Humans to tame the new colony world. Robots were used to mine ore, plow the fields, and provide labor. Even some robots were designed as protective sentries against the local wildlife. Since the priority was building the colony, robotics became semi-autonomous and assisted in taming the new territory.

Warp dynamics, brought with them from Earth, progressed faster than it did on Earth. Without the Vulcans to hold them back, the American Republic achieved Warp 5 twenty years before Earth did in 2153. This discovery opened the door to faster and faster warp speeds without any political restraints. The American Republic moved up the warp scale fast, and by the Earth year 2139, it fielded Warp 8 capable ships. By the time of Earth's 24th Century, the 'slip-stream' drive's eventual discovery enabled an increased reach of the Republic's spacefaring capability.

Sub-light drives advanced considerably during this time frame. Ships were outfitted with similar Impulse drives discovered on Earth, but far earlier. Using the same power sources, these faster Impulse drives allowed for expeditious in-system travel than equivalent Earth technology in the 2120s.

Since dilithium was not discovered in the Richmond system, the Republic developed other unique power sources for their ship's power sources. Fusion technology, brought with them from Earth, limited faster warp speeds, forcing scientists and engineers to develop alternative power sources. This event led to the discovery of the quantum singularity power core. This power source provided their nascent space fleet immense power for use among their ships. Using what is typically called a 'black hole,' the American scientists could harness it for use in all of its ships. The singularity type of power source led to many new shield technology developments, gravity-based tractor beams, matter transporters, advanced particle weapons, and torpedo technology. Pushing these new technologies to never before dreamed of limits, American Republic scientists and engineers developed a version of a working cloaking device to camouflage both their fleet ships and solar system defense platforms. This age of technological discovery enabled the American Republic to become a competitive, yet unknown, galactic power by the middle of Earth's 22nd Century in their region of the galaxy.

In addition to faster spaceship speeds and advanced robotics, the American Republic's Humans quickly spread out among the new solar system. Moving with almost an inhuman need to expand, they established extensive mining and colonial operations throughout the solar system. Many of the solar system's gas giant moons and inner asteroid belt were colonized using the ever-increasing advanced propulsion technology and robotics. As the colony's demand for ore and metals increased, mining operations within the system exploded, seeking to keep up with the demand.

New States – American Republic

This expansion marked an increased presence within their new solar system. Fueled by the discovery of resources, Humans established new political entities apart from the home colony world. Combined with a shared economic interest, these more individual colonies first demanded their autonomy to run their affairs. As the colonies grew and each population expanded, more demanded their independence of Richmond and solicited for their own internal sovereignty. The first of these colonies to do this was the third planet in the system named Ares. Named in honor of its remarkable appearance to Mars from the old Earth system, this planet boasted a thin, Mars-like atmosphere. It soon became the second-largest Human settlement in the system. Despite it being hotter and thinner than Richmond, Humans flocked to this planet to take advantage of the immense mineral resources found here. Due to this, Ares eventually became the primary ship-building focal point of the system. Seeing more commonalities than differences in their goals, the Humans of Ares and Richmond agreed to become political partners in forming the first two States to compromise this new American Republic.

More time went on, and as more mining moons and asteroids were populated, more local autonomous governments popped up. Seeing that it was becoming untenable politically to manage each new colony, the home planet established a specific path to becoming a State within the new republic. Things such as population numbers and internal sustainability became specific markers that would eventually lead to autonomous governance. By the time of the Earth's 24th Century, twenty of these self-governing 'states' had been established within the new American Republic. In its way, each state provided resources to the Republic as a whole, making it stronger and prosperous as never before imagined.

Colony progress continued to advance over the next few decades. Humans found extensive mineral deposits on the planet and within the system. It established modern industries and factories comparable to those found on Earth. Technologies improved their quality of life, enabled them to set up farms to feed themselves, and purify the local water sources. Initial settlements grew into villages, that grew into cities, which grew into huge metropolises housing millions of Humans eventually. Taking advantage of the planet and its sparseness, the Humans established numerous cities and towns exploiting the various resources found planetside.

Human Biological Enhancements – American Republic

At the same time, the population grew and continued to expand over the planet. Using experimental technologies brought from Earth, the Humans adapted themselves to the planet. Having discovered new types of microbes and bacteria, they had to engineer immune defenses against their environment. From these genetic enhancements, the human scientists on the planet pushed the human genome's modification to greater heights than had what occurred on Earth in the '90s. Knowing its history, Human scientists understood that the Khan Augments lacked compassion due to upbringing and environment. Their assessment was a matter of environment and nurturing that enabled the 90s Augments on Earth to become arrogant and dissatisfied with Normal Humans. The Richmond Humans, seeing this, understood that enhancements without constraints led to abuse. Genetic Augmentation, as was written into their legal code, was to be voluntary. Augmentations played a part in preventing disease, repairing bodies, and mitigating colonization obstacles. Cosmetic Augmentation was strictly limited to fixing body damage due to accidents or illnesses. Within the Republic's Joint Defense force, members of their Infantry, shipboard Marines, and Special Operations forces enhanced their military capability by strictly controlled physical Augmentation.

First Contact with Kzin – American Republic

Although the Humans understood that there were alien races amongst the galaxy, they were fortunate enough not to contact any aliens until about ninety years into their colony's existence. Due to their system's location, there were vast distances of space between neighboring star systems. The nearest system was approximately 125 light-years from them. Even though their warp drive continued to advance, traveling to that star would involve distances that the American Republic was not willing to make just yet. Also, the Americans weren't ready to identify themselves to the rest of the galaxy.

First contact came to the American Republic in Earth year 2104 when a Kzinti ship entered its outer system's defensive perimeter. The damaged ship, traveling at sub-light speeds, activated automated defensive technologies protecting the system and alerting the military command. Only through a Human operator's intervention, the sentry didn't automatically destroy the alien ship. After the near incident, a patrolling Republic destroyer intercepted and escorted the alien ship to a secure containment location.

From outward appearances, the Kzinti reminded the Humans of feline cats, but they seemed peaceful. Confusion went through the ranks of the Kzinti when they encountered Humans so far out of known 'Earther' space. According to the Kzinti, the only humans they knew of were the small group of systems occupying the galaxy's Orion arm. Unexpectedly, the Kzinti encountered Humans in an area of the galaxy (the Perseus arm from the Human's perspective) thought to be devoid of humanoid life. This revelation prompted discussion on the Human side about what was occurring back in Earth's system. For the Kzinti, they were provided repairs and fuel for their ship and allowed to leave with two Republic cruisers to escort them back to their home system of Kzin. Diplomatic relations were initiated with Kzin for trade and to obtain information from the other powers in the galaxy, especially Earth. As diplomatic ties progressed, interstellar trade was established between the American Republic and Kzin.

With the opening of new markets, more contact with other alien races became commonplace. Of the more recent races encountered, the Republic Humans achieved First Contact with the Orion Syndicate in Earth year 2157. Recognizing them for what they were, a combination of pirates and opportunistic free traders, the Humans cautiously approached them for trade and information. Throughout this exchange, and by understanding them as fellow competitors, the Humans recognized the Orions' duplicity and market-driven politics. Due to the Humans' augmented senses, Orion females' coercive pheromones were identified and countered during their initial trade negotiations. Seduction of the Humans failed, forcing the Orions to trade with them on a level playing field. As with any misunderstanding, it was soon overcome by explanation and patience. The Orions' initial confusion came out of a thwarted first contact with an Earth ship about two years prior that left the vessel drifting and damaged. Able to counter their 'advantage' the Republic Humans entered into strictly controlled trading agreements with the Orions. With this trade, information came to them of what was occurring back in the Earth system. Using it, the American Republic decided to start its own covert investigation of this new 'Federation.'

Earth Awareness - American Republic

With the Orion Syndicate's information, the American Republic decided to visit their cousins in their original system. Contact was non-existent since their ancestors had left over a hundred years ago, and Republic Humans were curious about their progress. An expedition was commissioned to go 'visit' Earth and its surrounding system. Outfitted with the latest cloaking, shield, and armament technology, it would be capable of getting itself in and out without notice. Since the cruiser was outfitted with a slip-stream drive, travel time to the Earth system would take about three weeks instead of the original thirty years as before.

The American Republic ship arrived on the outskirts of the Earth system under cloak and silent. Using its sensors, both active and passive, scanned the system's activity. Noticing some trade traffic, a few underpowered (by Republic standards) warp-capable military-looking ships, the Republic ship moved into the Earth system using Saturn and Jupiter's natural gravitational cover. As it approached Earth, it noticed a ship with a circular dish atop another cylinder-like body. From the bottom hull of the cylinder, two attached nacelles were present. The Republic ship detected the vessel as a warp-capable variant powered by a matter/anti-matter reactor using passive scanners.

Its cloak completely masked the Republic ship and its power systems. Yet, this ship was projecting its power signature all over the place. The Earth ship had no defensive shields, no tractor beam, no advanced plasma weapons, or anything that would make it a threat to any Republic ship. As the Earth ship passed, more information was gathered on its crew and composition with passive sensors. A noted concern was that a single Vulcan life form was scanned on the ship and another unidentified alien presence. Avoiding detection, the Republic ship continued on its course towards Earth. What it found was shocking…

There were the typical communication satellites around the planet, docking platforms for ships and ship construction yards, but no defensive structures. Nothing that could prevent any invading ship from approaching the planet. The Republic ship's crew was astounded...the Earth was almost entirely defenseless unless there was something the sensors weren't picking up. Senors did detect other vessels orbiting the planet, including several Vulcan-type. Still, for the most part, intra-system travel around Earth was sparse and quiet. Not at all what the Republic's crew would have thought for the cradle of Humanity. Using its sub-light drive initially, it exited the elliptic before engaging its slip-stream drive.

Continued Awareness - American Republic

When the first survey ship returned to Richmond, a decision was made by the elected government to maintain a continued secret presence in the original Earth system. At no point would contact be made with the original Humans. Part of the reasoning was that with the sensor data collected in the system at the first survey, a data dump of the current Earth's political system was obtained. Of note was the fact that any Human Augmentation was now banned within and on the Earth. The Republic Humans, by nature by being Augmented, was now illegal to even be on Earth. This presented the Republic with some problems. It showed that the Earth Humans were now drastically on their way to becoming something different than what had occurred after first contact. Humans were no longer an open-minded race, yet they continued their push out into interstellar space.

This continued presence in the Earth system became a routine patrol for one cruiser at a time. The Republic felt that even though they were never going to be welcomed home again, awareness of Earth's activities enabled them to keep them at a distance. As the years came and went during the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th centuries, wars and conflicts continued to challenge Earth and the newly formed Federation. The Republic covertly watched as the Romulans attacked Earth forces during the Romulan War. It watched as the war between the Federation and Klingons erupted in the Archanis sector. As the years passed, and as more conflicts impacted the Federation, the Republic continued its clandestine observation of Federation affairs. The Republic became an unofficial observer of Federation affairs. As the Federation 'stumbled' across more alien races, the Republic noted its continued absorption of member planets under their banner. Being observed from afar and up close, Starfleet showcased to the Republic that their military strength was barely adequate to defend themselves. It was noted that the successes of Starfleet hinged on the actions of single individuals or single ship crews, but never on the massed effect of fleet engagements. Republic military planners watched how Starfleet conducted the war, and it was lacking. Despite being more technologically advanced among neighboring powers in their quadrant, Starfleet vessel tactical and strategic expertise displayed unimaginative and unimpressive prowess.

Unbeknownst to Starfleet, the Republic had already broken several of its encrypted subspace communication networks and had placed 'listeners' within their primitive isolinear systems. It was able to capture much if not all, communications traffic within Starfleet...effectively spying on them at will. This measure allowed Republic ships to avoid any contact with any Starfleet vessel. During the last few weeks of the Dominion war, the Republic started to wonder if the Federation could pull off a victory. With the continued losses experienced by Starfleet, it wasn't promising. As the Dominion War was winding down and victory by the Dominion was imminent, the American Republic was in the progress of deciding to intervene.

- Back on the Eisenhower (Present)-

As Commander Tolov finished hearing about this American Republic's abbreviated history, she could hardly believe it. Scanning the notes that Commander Styler had provided her and her remaining senior staff, she sat in disbelief at what was happening.

She looked up to Styler, "So, you've been here this whole time, and you have this type of capability and don't use it?" She asked.

Styler looked back, "That's outside my ability to answer due to security concerns. I can say is that, yes, we have been here for about two weeks approximately. As a general policy, our country does not get involved in alliances that force us to fight on behalf of other powers. It's one of our oldest laws. Don't misinterpret that as an unwillingness to defend ourselves."

"What type of law is that? That sounds almost barbaric. What about helping your fellow Humans?"

Styler countered, "Commander, according to Earth, we're illegal Humans due to our genetic Augmentation. We know about your Federation genetic ban. We'd be unwelcome in your society."

"But, you know what Khan did in the past, he-"

"Yes, we do remember what he did to Earth. We don't let fear exclude us from exploring how we can improve. Not only in the mind but the body as well. You may think that we are arrogant, but we've learned much in our self-imposed isolation."

Commander Tolov asked, "So, what are we supposed to do when we get back to your homeworld?"

"I can't really say," he responded, "We're not xenophobic if that is what you're thinking. We have extensive trading alliances and agreements with alien races that you've probably never heard of.

"For the first part of your existence there, you'll be interviewed by our intelligence and military, and then some of you can be retrained into doing something…maybe even become entrepreneurs…business owners. Trust me, you'll experience quite a bit of freedom if you let yourself."

She was confused, "Like Ferengi-?"

He shook his head, "No, our nation is based on a market-type economy, but it's not as predatory as the Ferengi are…yes, we're aware of their kind. In our opinion, they are what we call 'hostile' business actors…if we make deals with them, contracts are incredibly complex to prevent duplicity from them."

She shook her head and thought about it a moment. "Ok, Commander, I guess we have no choice in the matter. So, how much longer until we get your system? …Richmond, you said?"

He said, "Yes, that's correct. We have about five more days at our current velocity. We'll make orbit in that time."

She sat back and sighed. She looked at the officers beside her, "Do you have anything to ask the commander?"

The officers beside her shook their heads, indicating no. With that, Commander Styler looked to the Marines stationed inside the doorway to the conference room, "Corporal Aribe and Sergeant Tyler, can you escort them back to their area, please?"

Sergeant Tyler replied, "Aye, sir." With that, the Starfleet officers got up and moved towards the exit. Commander Styler reached for Tolov's elbow, "Commander, if I may have a moment of your time?"

Hanging back with Styler, Tolov waited until her crew and the marines had left the room.

"The Captain wants a private meeting with you if you'll come with me."

"I thought he was done with me?"

"No, he has been given more authorization to speak to the commander of the vessel from the last meeting you had with him."

"Oh, ok," she replied.

- TBC -