The Independent State of Cyrat
General Information
Location
The Independent State of Cyrat finds itself in the unfortunate position of being wedged between the Romulan Star Empire and Romulan Republic. Its useful trade lanes makes it a lucrative location, though the traffic is not so critical as to be a top priority acquisition.
Demographics
The Independent State of Cyrat is composed of 90% Rihannsu, 7% Reman, and 3% Other. The most notable demographic shift is the Praetor's asylum program for Reman refugees that increased the proportion from the original 4%.
Planets
The Independent State of Cyrat is composed of several systems which primarily only have mining stations and military outposts. It has two well-populated habitable planets that used to serve as part of the Star Empire's 'bread basket'. The capital, Cyrat. Recently, immense modernization has taken place in which much of the urban landscape has been undergoing considerable development and increased population concentration. The second is that of Tivh, a few systems away. Though not the home of modern cityscapes that Cyrat is becoming, the ruralization and increased population has led to dramatic agricultural output.
Government
The government is currently headed by Praetor-Galae'Enriov Avilh i-Leinarrh t’Krima who is the official head of state and the military. Below her sits the flag officers who either broke off with her from the Star Empire, or were independent clique leaders of their own that decided to integrate. The civilian administration is headed by a consul chosen by the Praetor-Galae'Enriov that administers to the needs and affairs of the populace through necessarily expenditure and policy, whilst also being tasked with raising revenue for the state treasury.
Much of Cyrati politics is centralized, with holders of high office requiring the good graces of those at the top and their duties often requiring constant interaction with the highest echelons. With the transition from martial law to a civilian government, a debate has arisen as to the balance between loyalty and merit.
History
Interregnum
When the Romulan Star Empire entered its interregnum following the Hobus supernova, a region of the Empire currently known as the Independent State of Cyrat remained divided between several warlord states of independent military officers and planetary governors. Following the collapse of imperial authority, the different military forces fought each other for dominance. Of the many warlord states that appeared, the most notable was the Krima Clique led by Admiral Avilh i-Leinarrh t’Krima, formerly the leader of an anti-piracy patrol fleet in the region.
The Clique Era
At first, the different warlord cliques in the region were more than happy to fight amongst themselves. The Krima Clique itself only controlled a few mining stations in uninhabited systems, relying entirely on hydroponics and local traders for supplies. This was an untenable situation for an entire fleet. The first few conflicts involved a consolidation of the local bordering cliques.Only one was conquered militarily. A second had lost its food supply as the result of conflict with a neighbor, and the Krima Clique offered access to its own dwindling - but still workable - hydroponic food stores in return for annexation. A third was the result of a military warlord deciding they were better off as a subordinate in a larger power than alone.
No longer entirely insignificant, the Krima Clique chose to expand to its first habitable world: Cyrat, formerly an agricultural colony of the Star Empire with its governor now ruling independently. However the Cyrati Home Guard were more or less an ineffective militia with few actual soldiers or officers in them. While they could put up some resistance to pirates and raiders from neighboring cliques, empire-building was not their strong suit. Though the Krima Clique was expected to be able to defeat them, it was decided by the clique’s leading officers that a receptive population was far more preferable.
The makeup of the fleet’s personnel were from all over the former Star Empire. This included a few that originated from Cyrat themselves as colonials. The Clique used this to its advantage, using them to create backchannels to the population that bypassed the planetary government. Cyrat was in a vulnerable state, and everyone knew it. The recent Clique victories - both military and diplomatic - led to the belief that joining it was the right choice to make. Subtle and subversive manipulation by the Krima Clique’s military intelligence officers contributed to this considerably.This included baiting rival cliques to attack Cyrati space, only for the Krima Clique to repel them in a charitable act of valor. It reached a point that, when the fleet arrived, it was more of a military parade than the arrival of an occupying force. The governor was replaced by martial law led by the Admiral.
Resisting the Republic and Empire
By now, the size of cliques have increased, and the number of them have decreased. Any future conflicts would have been much larger than the previous border skirmishes that previously lead to the annexation of one extra system of mining stations. A conference between the cliques was called on Cyrat to discuss unification. During this time, both the Republic and Empire attempted to add the breakaway states into their respective realms. This ended in failure for both great powers, as a series of fortifications and the adoption of attrition-based warfare led to territory being seized, but extraordinarily costly to hold. After several strikes by the united clique forces in what seemed to be an endless cycle of losing and retaking territory, white peaces were signed with the empire and republic. The conflicts also had the additional effect of damaging the power bases least receptive to the Krima Clique. By happy coincidence, they were also the ones to receive the least support in repelling the attackers.
The Rise of the Civil Administration
With unification a success, Admiral t’Krima took on the title of Fleet Admiral (Galae'Enriov) as head of the military and Praetor as head of state. The new Independent State of Cyrat had formed but there was much to do. Cyrat, and the other habitable planet in the new state, were underdeveloped farming colonial backwaters. The attrition-based warfare led to the necessity to rebuild and grow, and new post-unification borders led to a lack of space to expand into. Legally, the Praetor has absolute power, but there are softer political limits on that, such as the influence of the civilian administration.
After some organization in the military, with a balancing act between loyalty to the Praetor and merit, it was decided that martial law could not continue forever. A civilian government was formed, headed by a consul. It is a strictly civilian government tasked with administration, recovery, and growth. Legally, the consul answers directly to the praetor. Though the consul may be the head of the civilian administration, they still have to adhere to the politics of the other civil officers and that of the praetor. It’s rule by committee, unlike the military.
Agricultural exports allowed for some ability to rebuild from the attacks and the years of petty wars between cliques to some degree, but there remained some devastation and the development of the region was relatively low. It was then conceived by the civilian administration to use the capital gained from agricultural exports as venture capital. Companies were established, both in the Empire and Republic, and the profits would go back to the Cyrati government.
This turned out to be a great success, as Cyrat now transitions from an agricultural colonial world to a modern techno-corporate world. The economic ties to both the empire and republic have also created an unwillingness to attempt a second invasion, along with fear that any overt action would lead to Cyrat moving into one particular sphere. For now, the independence of Cyrat is an acceptable status quo.
There was some speculation into corruption within the Cyrati government and the misappropriation of funds, but most of that is held behind closed doors.
Modern Day
What was once a sleepy agriworld has become a developed planet where people can expect a rising quality of life. The military has stepped back from its role as a government, aside from defense and anti-piracy patrols.
Recently, a series of anti-corruption trials organized by the Praetor against several high-ranking civilian administrators had just concluded. As of now, the Independent State of Cyrat is looking outward.