User:MJ/sandbox/Andorian Empire

This article is written for the Andorian Empire set in the 22nd Century

Andorian Empire
Basic Information
Major Species	Andorian Aenar
Homeworld(s)	Andoria
Founded	19th Century
Warp Capable	20th Century
Official Language(s)	Andorian
Political Information
Governance Type	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Leader	Head of State: Viceroy Shanthoni th'Brothess Head of Government: Chancellor Chamargerit zh’Thacker Legislature: The Parliament of Andoria Judiciary: The Grand Tribunal of the Andorian Empire
Military Branches	Andorian Imperial Guard
Template:Government

The Andorian Empire is the state and government of the Andorian people and their fellow citizens. The Empire is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a unique feature, the head of state (a member of the Andorian Royal clan family) is not present. Instead the Empire is led by the democratically elected Parliament of Andoria with a Chancellor (sometimes referred to as the Presider of the Parliament) as its head of government.

The homeworld of the Andorians (and Aenar - a subspecies of the Andorians) is the capital world of the Empire. Andoria is one of the moons that orbits the gas giant Andor. The Empire’s interests and powers reach far on other worlds that the Empire has colonised and made contact with. Steeped in a deep rich history of honour by showing strength, the Andorian Empire is a powerful nation both politically and militarily.

In 2155, it became one of the founding signatories for the Coalition of Planets.

Historical Conception

By the 19th century (Earth calendar), the various clans of Andoria had competed and fought over their world’s various resources for centuries. In the end, one of the strongest clans allied with several others and brought an end to the hostilities to bring stability to the planet and form the Empire. Originally led by a Royal family, the last remaining monarch decided she would not produce an heir to her throne. During her reign, Queen Thalisar (also known as Empress) established the Great Andorian Charter which formed the democratically elected government and laid down in law the rights of every Andorian citizen. The successful establishment of the charter ensured security and peace to the Andorian people that hadn’t been seen in centuries. After a long and celebrated rule, Queen Thalisar passed away without anyone succeeding her as a member of the monarchy, thus preventing anyone from removing the political power she had established and given to her people. Instead, her parting gift was the creation of the role of a Viceroy that would be elected by the people for the people. This person would represent the crown but most importantly the people would have a choice of who was in this position. The Viceroy was to be a neutral figurehead for the role of head of state but was not to make any political decisions. Instead this was to be done by the united government she had established.  

Thalisar died in the early 20th century shortly after watching her people’s space exploration program develop to the point that they were testing a primitive version of the warp drive. Able to travel to other planets in their system gave the Andorian people the chance to spread out further. The Empire expanded at a fast rate. They made first contact with the Arkenites, an aquatic-like species that quickly surrendered to the Empire without much conflict taking place. The strong Andorian military was intimidating enough for the Arkenites to decide to join as they feared a possible conflict their people would lose. In return for becoming loyal citizens of the Empire, the Arkenites contributed to the success of the Empire’s agricultural abilities as well as scientific developments. A few years later the Empire encountered the Vulcans. From the get go it was clear that the Vulcans were not an aggressive species but technologically were more advanced than the Empire. Initial relations between the two powers was promising, however mistrust started to form which later developed into forms of resentment on behalf of the Andorians when the Vulcans refused to share their scientific ideas, their research developments and would on many occasions attempt to flaunt their logical superiority towards the Andorians. Falling a part quicker than Andorian ice melting in summer, the tension between the two powers rose so much that a cold war began and included a number of border skirmishes.

By the 2050s, the Empire was a strong power within the region, one that rivalled the Vulcans due to the fact the Andorians on a number of occasions broke Vulcan security and was able to duplicate their technological advancements. At the time, the Andorian government believed the only way to deal with the Vulcans was to match them with every advancement they made. The Andorian Imperial Guard became vast in power and influence within Andorian society. The Andorian people were not afraid of going to war and were preparing for a conflict they knew would be a long term one.

Weytahn/Pan Mokar has been a planet that has caused much tension between the Andorian and Vulcan governments.

The conflict with the Vulcans came to a critical point during the Weytahn/Paan Mokar crisis, where the Andorians had colonised a Class D planetoid extremely close to Vulcan territory. This resulted in the Vulcans annexing the planet and removing the Andorian inhabitants by force. Numerous battles took place but war was never declared by either side. It was simple for both sides to see they were now equally matched and any war would result in their mutual destruction. It took almost forty years, but in 2097 the Andorian-Vulcan Territorial Compromise was signed. This established a non-aggression pact between the two powers and established a strong closed border that was heavily monitored by both sides. Outposts and patrols were established to enforce the treaty.  

The Vulcans were not the only nearby neighbour that the Andorians ended up developing a rivalry with. The United Planets of Tellar, a civilisation that clashed against both the Vulcans and Andorians became competition and could hold themselves against the Andorians, who they rudely referred to as “blue demons”. Copying tactics by the Andorians, the Tellarites were also known for their espionage efforts in gaining access to new technologies from both the Empire and Confederacy. Several confrontations took place between both sides, but eventually an accord was made for neither side to go to war and limited trade was established.  

Vulcan special forces and Andorian commandos engaged in combat on Coridan Prime.

Though the Empire had a series of conflicts with other nearby warp-faring civilisations, they did hold some influence on others, including the Coridanites. Eventually it would be first contact with Humanity in 2151 that would change the course of the Empire’s foreign policy for years to come. By the end of 2155, peace among the old rivals ended by the signing of the Coalition of Planets, thanks in large part to a good solid relationship forming between Andoria and Earth. The Andorians came to highly respect their ‘pink skin’ friends for their honesty, honour and courage. The fact that the Commonwealth stood up to their allies in the Vulcan Confederacy on more than one occasion and were prepared to assist mediate talks between Andorian and Tellarite representatives, proved how much humans could be trusted.

Timeline of significant events and the Andorian Empire establishment as a galactic power

• 19th Century: Clan rivalry and several wars across Andoria end when one of the most powerful clans allies with several others and brings others under their control to form the Andorian Empire.  
• Late 19th Century: The Great Charter of Andoria is established, forming the democratically elected government spearheaded by the last monarch of the Andorian Empire.
• Early 20th Century: The Empire launches its first warp capable vessel and begins exploring their solar system and nearby stars. The Arkenite civilisation becomes a loyal member of the Empire, dramatically contributing to the Empire’s scientific and technological development. Contact is made with the Confederacy of Vulcan, relations begin to fail and by the end of the century several skirmishes and conflicts erupt along their close shared border.
• 2050s: The Weytahn/Paan Mokar crisis begins.
• 2097: The Vulcan-Andorian Territorial Compromise is signed - ending the conflict with Weytahn being handed over to the Vulcans.
• Late 21st Century: First contact is made with the United Planets of Tellar.
• 2112: Vulcans accuse Andorians of an incursion on Paan Mokar and violation of the Treaty of 2097. The incursion is an Andorian freighter that crash lands on the planet. The freighter crew is returned to the Empire without any further cause.
  

  Captain Archer leads the discovery of the Vulcan spy network on P'Jem.
• 2151: First contact is made with the United Earth Commonwealth after Enterprise (NX-01), the Earth flagship, visits the Vulcan monastery of P’Jem. Enterprise reveals to the Andorians that the Vulcan government is spying on them through the use of a massive listening post. The Andorian Imperial Guard destroys the facility sometime after.
• 2152: The Andorians invade Paan Mokar which starts another crisis. Thankfully the situation ends in a cease fire between both powers after talks are mediated by Earth representatives.
• 2153: After Earth is attacked by the Xindi, the Confederacy of Vulcan refuses to aid their allies instead this causes further tension between the two governments and is only made worse further when the Andorian Empire agrees to assist instead. The Empire publicly supports Earth with military aid and intelligence reports against the Xindi.  
• 2154: Once again Earth comes to the aid of the Andorian people by informing them of invasion plans laid out by the current Vulcan leader. The invasion is halted when V’Las, the Vulcan Administrator, is removed from office for falsifying Vulcan intelligence reports that showed the Andorians were preparing to use Xindi weapons against the Vulcans. A reaffirmation of the Territorial Compromises is agreed by both sides, with one exception. Weytahn is succeeded to the Andorian Empire.
• 

  Humans, Vulcans, Andorians & Tellarites agree to form an alliance.
  2155: The Coalition of Planets, a mutual-defence alliance, is created between the United Earth Commonwealth, the Confederacy of Vulcan, the Andorian Empire, and the United Planets of Tellar after dealing with the Romulun Star Empire’s attempts to de-stabilise the region. Further attacks take place in the 61 Ursae Majoris system and against the Andorian colony on Docana. Eventually one of the Coalitions’ trading partners, the People’s Republic of Coridan, is attacked by the Romulans and the Coalition declares war against the faceless race.

Current territories

The Empire claims a significant territory in the Beta Quadrant. The most significant systems include:

• Andor
  • Andoria (Capital Planet)
• Arken (home system to the Arkenites)
• Weytahn (colony succeeded to the Andorians after the failed invasion attempts by the Vulcans)
• Alrond (the first joint Andorian-Arkenite colony)
• Indarax (one of the largest Andorian mining colonies)
• Cimera
  • Cimera III (a large shipyard exists in orbit of the main colony)
• Lursen
  • Lursen Prime (home to the Empire’s largest deposits of dilithium crystals)
• Beta Leonis
  • Beta Leonis Prime (a significant agriculture, industrial and trading colony)
• Antipathy
  • Antipathy IV (a significant agriculture colony)
• Docana (one of the first deep space colonies established by the Empire)
• Thonolan
  • Thonolan IV (one of the oldest and largest Andorian colonies)
• Threllvia (is the second largest and strategically important system in the Empire after Andor)

Structure

The Andorian Empire is a unitary state under a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The lack of the sovereign as head of state and only a head of government has been something of an unusual but unique system for the Andorians compared to other neighbouring states. The Parliament of Andoria is sovereign. It is made up of the crown (the monarchy), the House of Commons and House of Clan Leaders. The main business of Parliament takes place in the two houses, but royal assent is required for a bill to become an Act of Parliament (law).

The Crown

The Andorian Empire is a constitutional monarchy, wherein the role of the reigning sovereign is both legal and practical, but not political. The monarchy takes little direct part in government. The decisions to exercise sovereign powers are delegated from the monarch, either by statute or by convention, to ministers or other public bodies, exclusive of the monarch personally. Thus the acts of state are done in the name of the Crown and depend upon decisions being made elsewhere.

The role the Crown takes in the governing of the Andorian Empire is very much a figure-head one in the modern Empire. However royal assent is required to enact laws. The royal prerogative also includes summoning and dissolving Parliament in order to call an election, and extends to foreign affairs, which include: the negotiation and ratification of treaties, alliances, international agreements, and declarations of war and the accreditation of Andorian diplomats and receipt of foreign diplomats. However a majority, if not all, of these powers are limited as the convention is set that the House of Commons would advise and lead on these matters of state.

The Viceroy of the Andorian Empire

Since the 20th century, the Empire does not have a royal family, instead the Crown is represented by a Viceroy. The Viceroy in modern Andorian society is seen as the de-facto Head of State and is permitted to exercise almost all of the monarch's royal prerogative, except for being seen as Head of the Andorian Imperial Guard (the Andorian military). They are to undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. As the Viceroy is meant to represent the people for the empty Andorian throne, the office holder is limited to functions which are performed in a non-partisan manner.

The Viceroy appointment process is undertaken as part of a special election undertaken by registered citizens of the Empire. The term of office lasts for the office holder’s lifetime unless the office holder is removed from office for cause under extraordinary circumstances or decides personally to resign. The Andorian Parliament, after a majority in both houses, must take it to the Andorian people to vote on to remove the office holder of the Viceroy.

The Legislative Branch

The Parliament of Andoria

All political decisions are taken by the government and Parliament. It is bicameral in nature and comprises two chambers—the elected House of Commons (lower house), and the House of Clan Leaders (upper house), and the Empty Crown (the Viceroy), who grants royal assent to bills passed by both chambers.

The head of government is the Chancellor of the Andorian Empire (who also holds the role of Presider of Parliament of Andoria). The Chancellor is appointed by the monarch (in modern times this is the Andorian Viceroy) and this person is normally the leader of the political party that wins a majority of the seats in the House of Commons and is thus able to govern by their ability to command the confidence of the House of Commons.

The House of Commons

For general elections (elections to the House of Commons), the Andorian Empire is divided into constituencies, each of which is represented by a member of Parliament (MP). MPs hold office for up to six years and are always up for reelection in general elections.

All government ministers, including the Chancellor, are members of the House of Commons. Debates and discussions are overseen by the Speaker of the House Commons, who is elected to the position by a simple majority of MPs from the Commons.

The House of Clan Leaders

The House of Clan Leaders (the upper house of Parliament) is made up of the leaders (or representatives) of the various old noble Andorian clans that were constantly at odds with one another until Queen Thalisar united them all under her rule. However no existing clan has the right to inherit the Andorian throne. Clan leaders hold a range of titles and most of these are antiquated hereditary titles. Seventeen noble clans take up three seats each in the House of Clan Leaders and are known as Peers. Appointment of the House, like the Viceroy role, is for life (unless a Peer decides to resign). Someone from the same noble clan who has the right to inherit the Peer title can assume the seat.  

The House of Clan Leaders scrutinises acts that have been approved by the House of Commons before they are sent to the Crown (the Viceroy) for royal assent. Though the House of Clan Leaders cannot stop an act becoming law, they can force the House of Commons to reconsider and review their decisions. Queen Thalisar did not want the House of Clan Leaders to have any power in stopping those elected by the people in passing law, so the upper house only acts as a check outside of the electoral process.

The House is overseen and led by the peer that has seniority in their time as a member of upper house and they are given the role of Peer Speaker when the house is in session.

The Executive Branch

The Chancellor of the Andorian Empire

Chancellor Chamargerit zh’Thacker, c.2155.

The Chancellor of the Andorian Empire chairs the Cabinet and selects its ministers, and advises the Crown (or the Viceroy) on the exercise of much of the royal prerogative. The Chancellor also holds the role of Presider of the Parliament of Andoria as they sit as a member of Parliament and lead the largest party or a coalition in the House of Commons.

The Chancellor is the Commander-in-Chief of the Andorian Imperial Guard (the military) but most go to parliament (and get royal assent) for a declaration of war to be given.

The Judicial Branch

The Grand Tribunal of the Andorian Empire

The Grand Tribunal of the Andorian Empire is the highest court in Andorian society. Three Justices preside over the Grand Tribunal and are ​​there to review cases that have been sent up the chain of the justice system from local courts that are appeals. Justices are appointed by the Parliament of Andoria through a selection procedure that includes a vetting process through the House of Clan Leaders before the House of Commons votes on appointments.

Queen Thalisar only wanted three justices appointed to the Grand Tribunal to ensure that once again a democratic system of a majority ruled remained in the Andorian legal system. The Grand Tribunal is the only power that can overturn any Acts passed by Parliament or executive orders issued by the Chancellor that they believe breaks the Great Charter of Andoria.

The Andorian Empire In Play

• The only refers to the Andorian Empire/Andorians set in the 22nd century.
  • The Andorians are keen allies of Earth, they hold a lot of trust in the United Earth Commonwealth for its recent actions in supporting the Andorian people in a range of situations. As such most Andorians, especially the more liberal ones, are keen to develop strong relations with their ‘pink skin’ brothers.
  • Though allies with the Vulcans and Tellarites, some mistrust and old rivalry still exists from Andorians towards both races.
  • The current Andorian administration, as of 2155, led by Chancellor Margerit is seen as the most progressive government since the birth of the Empire. Domestic reforms have been a key priority and have been influential in moving Andorian society towards more traditions of liberalism, and an egalitarian, moderate political ideology.
  • Though becoming more progressive in its way of thinking, the Empire still holds in high esteem the importance of certain traditions, especially around Andorian families. Being a race of four sexes to make a child, is important to most Andorians to settle down with their bondgroups early. Family values and honour comes first to many Andorians.
  • Another aspect held highly in Andorian society is honour and respecting the rights and responsibilities given to Andorians (and other citizens of the Empire). Many Andorians see it as an honour/right to join the military to defend their families and the liberties they enjoy and respect. When an Andorian dies in battle far from home, it is down to their comrades to return a vial of their blood to the Wall of Heroes. Others who do not join the Imperial Guard will always take on other vitally important roles in Andorian society.
  • The Andorian fleet is geared for more combat operations compared to Earth’s Starfleet. As a result, their ships can last just as long in battle as their Vulcan counterparts. However as their technology is similar to Vulcan technology, their ships are susceptible to the Romulan telepresence capturing device. As a result the Andorian fleet is only being used to defend their borders. Only a few ships in their fleet have been rebuilt with countermeasures to this technology.
  • Due to the weakness and flaw in Andorian ships against the Romulan technology, the Andorian involvement in the Earth-Romulan war was weakened significantly and the decision was made not for the Imperial Guard to be involved in major fleet offensives to avoid ships and crews from being captured or turned against allied vessels. As a result of this, some Andorians have picked up the idea that by joining the Coalition of Planet’s officer exchange program they can still serve in the Imperial Guard but serve on Earth ships. On rare occasions, some Andorians have been given provisional ranks within Starfleet.