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The Breakaway Colonies were a Sebacean empire situated deep inside the Uncharted Territories.
Overview[]
The empire was ruled by an Empress and a Regent who lived on the Royal Planet. A senate also existed. Line of succession used something akin to primogeniture, where the firstborn was expected to assume the throne. When "coronation time" was declared, its capital prevented any outsiders from landing. At the end of this period, the heir would be declared to the populace. ("Look at the Princess - A Kiss is but a Kiss")
However, succession was dependent on the genetic ability of a couple to create healthy offspring. Through the use of a small amount of an orange substance deposited on the tongue, a tongue touch, a deep kiss, and the palatability of the resultant taste one could gauge the potential for biological compatibility. In order to assume their ruling position an heir had to identify a suitably genetically compatible mate by an anniversary of their birth. If a mate would not be found by this deadline, the line of succession would go to the secondborn. Once the heir and spouse had been chosen, they could marry and were transformed into conscious statues as soon as the marriage was concluded. So as to ensure the stability and quality of the kingdom's governance the royal couple endured 80 cycles in this 'encapsulated' state, observing political and bureaucratic machinations. As soon as the ruler of the Colonies died, their next in line became ruler. ("Look at the Princess - A Kiss is but a Kiss") Coitus was not used to produce an heir, but rather artificial insemination (or similar) using DNA samples. ("Look at the Princess - The Maltese Crichton")
The people of the Colonies detested the Peacekeepers. Their culture was comparatively carefree, even hedonistic. ("Look at the Princess - A Kiss is but a Kiss")
The ruling monarch had a force known as paladins that attended to them. ("Look at the Princess - I Do, I Think")
History[]
The Sebaceans that would form the colonies broke away from Peacekeeper control 1900 cycles ago. The Sebaceans left their home systems, and they were allowed to leave, as no-one counted on them surviving. Such low expectations were proven incorrect. Every Peacekeeper attempts to form a coalition proved futile. The Colonies remained at peace due to their dynastic integrity. ("Look at the Princess - A Kiss is but a Kiss")
1900 years later, the Breakaway Colonies were caught in the middle of tensions between the Peacekeepers and Scarran Empire. Any alliance between the Colonies and one of the above powers would meant war being declared by the other. The Colonies rebuffed entreatment by both powers. Prince Clavor poisoned the DNA of his sister, Princess Katralla, with the aid of Sastaretski Cargn, a Scarran emissary. In so doing, he made her genetically incompatible with most Sebaceans, thereby ensuing he would take the throne. In return, Clavor would enter into alliance with the Empire. ("Look at the Princess - A Kiss is but a Kiss") The Peacekeeper Special Directorate sent one of their agents to ensure that Clavor would never become ruler. Clavor ended up being killed by Cargn, and Cargn later killed by John Crichton. Katralla remained heir apparent. ("Look at the Princess - The Maltese Crichton")
Notes[]
Spirits have been referred to in the context of the culture of the Colonies (i.e. "thank the spirits"). ("Look at the Princess - The Maltese Crichton")