The Maltese Republic (Officially: La República Democrática de Malta Libre y Unificada) is a microstate that largely fashions itself as the true successors to the Crimson Cross, and thus as the rightful leaders of the Maltese (Outcast) people. Founded in 824 A.S., the Republic has prided itself on being a bastion of liberty within the desolate and often war-stricken Tau sector, and has maintained a distinctly foreigner-friendly attitude since its inception. Due to their deep running connections to the Crayter Republic, as well as the myriad of influencers that have made their mark on the microstate over its lifetime, the Maltese Republic maintains a strong, almost religiously loyal attachment to the ideals of democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law.
History and Lore
The Republic of Malta is not a new concept of governance for the Maltese people. Years before, the people of Malta were once united after the fall of the Council of Dons. A short lived but fair government also calling itself the 'Republic of Malta' shared many of the same beliefs of the Republic of today, albeit with certain stipulations. Prosperous and free, the only obstacle to the growing governing body was the rise of the Tarxien Order, the symbolic name for the infamous Crimson Cross. An imperialist regime by nature, and corrupted by the devious Slomon K'Hara, the Cross swept across every nature of Maltese society. Attacks on the defenseless, invasions of neutral systems and the complete lack of mercy are what stirred the crew of a loyal Republican warship, MCS-1597/01 (better known as the Santa Maria), to break course from an inbound Cross invasion group bound for the free Zoner installation at Freeport 11. Through stark defiance, the Santa Maria and her escorting gunships and fighter wings were fired upon by the imperialist Cross flotilla. Through blind luck, the 'Storta'-class destroyer slipped into the edges of the interstellar median, using the ship's reactor to fuel their needs in the cold emptiness of interstellar space.
Upon arrival in the Tau cluster, the ship's crew began to take stock of their options and their availabilities. Through acts of subterfuge and deviation, the crew of the Santa Maria, backed by numerous Republic-era pilots, crew and personnel, worked with the remaining pilots of the famed 'Swords of Malta' to commandeer and steal the former flagship of the squadron, MCA-8057/9f (better known as the Aurora). With a flagship in tow and contact made with some of the numerous enemy factions of the Cross, the fleet, soon being reformed into an organized military thanks to the minds aboard the ships, began to bite back.
With the fall of the Cross in 823 A.S. and the subsequent rise of the National Council thereafter, the Republic's forces found themselves in a bind. Their opponents in the Cross were gone, and a new government aimed to lead Malta towards greatness. In addition, the Republic's formal ties to the Crayterian Republic and cooperation with the IMG and the Hellfire Legion had earned them the ire of a significant portion of the Maltesian populace. However, these ties to these so-viewed paragons of freedom gave the Republic a new goal to achieve. The Council's adoption of the Cross' former personnel into their ranks only added to this desire, and thus the silent application of the Republic's influence to the Maltesian populace began once more.
Though both the Gallic Invasion and the subsequent attack by Kusari have left the Republic fighting for its existence in the Taus, the wave of mass cardamine deficiencies across the nation have torn the fragile microstate almost to pieces. With nearly all of the Republic's native population lost to the winds of fate, they have been forced to bunker down in their home of Tau-44 and attempt to rebuild themselves into a functional state.
Malta is shattered, and hope is as rare as ever.
Governance and Leadership
Under the government of a Democracy, the Republic operates like many of the other elected states across Sirius. Like Liberty and Crayter, Malta operates under the leadership of a President, their Vice President, and their cabinet. Each division of the governmental body is lead by an appointed Secretary who speaks on their behalf and manages their operations. Malta's government is divided into the following divisions, each led by the following individuals:
Department of Defense - Randall M. Santiago (de jure) / Maria Cortez (de facto)
Responsible for the deployment of the Republic's military arm in defense of the nation's interests. Holds nearly absolute power over the military, with veto power from the President being the only unlimited regulatory power over them.
The Department of Defense is currently based out of Ferrol Starbase.
Department of Colonial Affairs - Theodore Hudson (acting)
Responsible for the development of the Republic's claims and operations relating to the affairs of the Republic's colonial expeditions.
The Department of Colonial Affairs is currently based out of Lipari Colony on Planet Borneo, 18th block #512.
Department of State - Reyna Cleese (acting)
Responsible for acting as an in-between for the department heads and the Presidency, as well as overseeing the well being of the cabinet and the treasury.
The Department of State is currently based out of Liner Barcelona.
Department of Foreign Affairs - Alexander Bayner (acting)
Responsible for advocating on the Nation's behalf when required, representing the Republic's civil interests and organizing formal agreements between the Republic and other governing bodies outside Malta.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently based out of Liner Barcelona.
Department of Education - Carmen Gill (de jure) / Hannah Escher (de facto)
Responsible for the guidance and learning of every Maltese citizen, from the young to the old, on matters relating to general education to information on benefits for veterans and those on the poverty line.
The Department of Education is currently based out of Lipari Colony on Planet Borneo, 12th block #76.
Department of Commerce - Roseline Bourcier (acting)
Responsible for the trade and commercial aspect of the Republic's government. Trade regulations, imports and exports go through their department, and are the backbone off which the rest of the nation works off of.
The Department of Commerce is currently based out of Liner Barcelona.
Department of Civil Development - Eli Alan
Responsible for the technological end of the Republic's government. From civil architecture to reverse-engineering of pre-existing developments, as well as exploration into unknown fields, including the dangerous route of Cardamine Integration.
The Department of Civil Development is currently based out of Liner Barcelona.
Department of Homeward Defense - Maria Cortez
Responsible for the security of the Nacion, both from in and out. Effectively the intelligence branch of the Armed Forces, but funded separately from the rest of the Government's Agencies. Often flies undercover to gather intelligence.
The Department of Homeward Defense is currently based out of Destroyer MNS Abaddon.
Diplomacy and General Relations
In the ongoing effort to rebrand the Maltese image, the Republic maintains a starkly differing view of many traditional Outcast allies. Some are viewed with overwhelming suspicion, while many traditional enemies are viewed as friends. These typically reflect a much more 'lawful' view of Maltese politics, and are importantly the Republic's views outwards.
The Crayter Republic - The Republic is Malta's strongest ally, the thorn in the side of the corrupted government of Malta. The driving force behind the Republic's desire to rebuild the Maltese image, Crayter and their people are by far the strongest supporter of Malta's rebirth, and mutual cooperation over the years has strengthened that bond like steel.
Task Force Prometheus - Allegedly the most recent incarnation of the Hellfire Legion following the Liberty Navy's operations in Vespucci, current exposure to them is unofficial at best. Republican leadership has hopes for renewed contact, however.
The Technocracy - Auxo, once fashioned as Auxesia, is as mysterious as they are indifferent in the Republic's eyes. Usually encountered opposing Core operations and once alongside our mutual friends in the Hellfire Legion, Malta has had a mixed opinion of their group since discovery in the Edge Nebula. While their opposition to the homeworld's cardamine trade support's Malta's aims, their enigmatic nature prevents the Republic from establishing true relations.
Bretonia - Once the driving force alongside Crayter in the stabilization of the Tau sector, Bretonia's drastic shift towards forceful politics against both friends and enemies alike has seen their popularity drop significantly within the Republic. Their people are given the respect deserved of those who survived the Gallic onslaught, but are still treated with caution all the same.
The Corsairs / The Imperio Corsario - The Corsair Empire is by far the largest enemy of the entire Maltesian race. Due to their assistance of the Royal Navy during the war, the Corsairs were returned to their proper place within the criminal listings of the Republic, and as such are shot on sight for their crimes.
The Orange Alliance - Chief among these alterations to the relations sheets are those of the Orange Alliance: The Lane Hackers, Liberty Rogues and the Golden Chrysanthemums. As the primary carriers of the 'Orange Dream', these factions are treated with the same view as most unlawfuls.
The Core - The Republic's only other nemesis aside from the corrupted Maltese leadership. The Core are viewed with absolute hate, and the military arm of the Republic is given a 100% weapons free status when dealing with any vessel of the 'Imperium Omicronis'.
Gallic Royalists - The remnant forces of the once prominent Gallic Royal Navy, the Royalists are the last vestiges of a still existential threat. Despite the Republic's joint efforts with both Crayterian and allied forces, they remain a nuisance within the Tau sector.
The Nomads - Sometimes viewed with a sense of curiosity and astonishment by the traditional Maltesian, the Nomads are an absolute abhorrence towards the Republic's way of life. The Maltese Military, like with the Core, are given a 100% weapons free status when dealing with any individual of the Nomad race. The respect for life does not extend to those who so willingly take it away.
A more complete list of the Republic's diplomatic relations are as follows:
Allied
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Crayter Republic
Friendly
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Independent Miners Guild
The Order
• • • • • • • • • • • • Anyone not listed
Gas Miners Guild
Technocracy of Auxo Gallic Union Gallic Corporations Liberty and Rheinland Corporations Empire of Rheinland
Untrusting
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Bounty Hunters Guild United Kingdom of Bretonia Empire of Kusari Kusarian Corporations Most Unlawful Factions (except where noted)
Unfriendly
• • • • • • • • • • • • The 'Unredeemable'
(Hackers, GC, Rogues) Republic of Liberty
Sirius Coalition
Hostile
• • • • • • • • • • • •
The Corsair Empire
The Maltese Nation
Xenos
The Commune
Total War
• • • • • • • • • • • •
The Core
The Nomads
Gallic Royalists