Fiction:New Cyrannian Republic/Navy

The New Republic Navy, the Republic Starfleet or the Republic Fleet is the naval exploratory and defence branch of the New Cyrannian Republic's military, primarily responsible for the defence of Republic and allied space and the scientific exploration of the cosmos. Centred in the Republic's home territories in the, the Republic Navy maintains a considerable presence throughout the Gigaquadrant in terms of both peace-keeping operations and power-projection, allowing it to respond quickly to threats to Republic sovereignty and security throughout the First Universe Square.

As can be expected from an organisation responsible for maintaining peace and stability over territories that are astronomical in scale, the Republic Navy exercises constant vigilance from a staggering number of warships, support vessels and exploratory starships, comprising of hundreds of fleets conducting a wide variety of missions throughout the Gigaquadrant. In the federal framework of the Republic, member states are expected to support to support the Republic's starfleet, while retaining direct control over their own local forces.

The Republic Naval Charter mandates that the Navy be responsible not only for the defence of the Republic and the conduct of interstellar war, but the exploration of the cosmos, be it the Unknown Regions of Cyrannus or, striking a political and budgetary balance of offensive, defensive and exploratory capabilities. To this end, the Republic fields pure warships such as the Phoebus-class Star Destroyer and pure exploration vessels such as the Intrepid-class starship. In recent years however, under the administration of President, vessels designed to fulfill all three roles to various degrees have been introduced into active service, such as the Praesator and Presidio-class.

As with the other branches of the Republic military, the Navy falls under the command of the Republic Galactic Senate, which is officially represented in strategic decision-making by the President. In turn, the President is required to act under the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy (CICN), an appointed Fleet Admiral who oversees Republic Fleet Command—the operational authority over the fleet.

Early Operations
The New Republic Starfleet was formed in the days following the establishment of the Republic at the monumental Cyrandia Conference in 3 NE. Mainly formed from vestiges of fleets left over from the as well as small planetary defence forces, it was a difficult task for the newly established Republic Command to organise this rag-tag group of starships into an actual flotilla serving a modern superpower. Famed ship designer and commodore in the Republic Navy, oversaw many of the newly constructed ships in the Navy such as the Ares-class Light Frigate while Proconsul  managed to strike a deal with the Shipyards of Rowar in, allowing the development of science and exploration ships such as the Intrepid and Odyssey-classes. However, the Venator-class Star Destroyer remained the most common vessel in the armada, though would be augmented to serve alongside newer designs such as the Phoebus-class Star Destroyer. Fleet Command was quick to launch its experimental flagship, the massive and highly advanced  under the command of Fleet Admiral in order to show the other civilisations of the galaxy that the Republic was a strong superpower. As the rest of the Navy watched on in pride, the Republica began its voyages, which are destined to lead to great success for the Republic. Meanwhile, back at Fleet Command, the various admirals of the fleet began to prepare for possible Icolian incursions, particularly in the aftermath of the Battle of, during which time the Icolians and the Regellians launched a failed attempt to conquer the Republic capital. Such a swift victory reassured citizens who doubted that the Republic had the resolve and strength to defend the galaxy.

New Cyrandia Wars
When the declared war on the Republic, the bulk of the fleet was dispatched to the edges of Republic space in an effort to prevent Rihanae attacks on Republic-held planets. However, they would be unprepared for a far more deadly enemy when the launched a vast invasion of the Republican  homeworld of Venetia, forcing a vast fleet to respond, launching one of the largest battles in Cyrannian history. Joined by their allies in the, the Republic bravely fought to repel the Bisistar, ultimately succeeding at a great cost. In the aftermath of the battle, new militarised designs such as the entered service in an effort to prevent a repeat of the Venetian campaign. A similarly titanic conflict would be waged in the Neutral Zone between the Empire and the New Republic, when overworld Brezank attacked both Republic and Imperial colonies on both sides of the border, prompting a united fleet to travel to Brezank to repel the threat. Over the two years of the New Wars, the Republic Navy moved carefully, working to ensure that the myriad of enemies it faced were kept divided. Indeed, the fleet worked to marginalise, contain and eliminate core Jenassian and Regellian fleets, tightening a vice on the belligerent world of in preparation for the Sacking late in 05 NE. These key battles effectively shaped the eastern astrographic border of the Republic, forcing the Jenassians to concentrate on expansion in the Quadrants, while prompting the Regellian Empire to erupt into civil war.

With the end of the conflict with the Rihanae Pact, the Republic Navy worked closely with the and  toward the destruction of the. Republic Command ordered the First Fleet down the eastern border of the Empire, where it entered State territory at the nexus of the Perliana Trade Run, steadily fighting north toward. Under the command of Fleet Admiral, who led the First Fleet of the Republic from the Praesator-class Destroyer Sword of Peace, the Republic fleet pushed up the Perliaman Southern Corridor, where it fought with Imperial and Rambo forces in the pivotal Siege of Vasuband, during which the State finally fell.

Cyrannian Cold War
Against the wishes of militarist Senators such as, the First Fleet did not retain a beachhead in the Southern Outer Rim, swayed by President 's belief that such an act would destroy the good-will forged with the Empire during the Siege. Nevertheless, with the onset of the Cold War in 06 NE, such considerations were obsolete. With the inauguration of Valkistair in 08 NE and the prominence of the pro-military Centrist party in subsequent elections, the Navy began a considerable expansion, aided by new facilities at shipyards such as, and Angrenos. In addition to the introduction of new frigates such as the Aether-class—which would quickly become the most common vessel in the Navy, Scorpiae Fleet Yards soon began production of massive dreadnoughts such as the Republic-class, designed to go toe-to-toe with their Imperial counterparts.

In conflicts such as the and the Loron Incursion, the Navy had reached such a point where it could repair and replace damaged vessels at a pace which alleviated Republic morale, particularly during the darkest depths of the Neraida conflict, which saw the destruction of several hundred vessels, including top-of-the-line dreadnoughts. Nevertheless, by the conclusion of the conflicts, the Republic Navy had reached the peak of its power, projecting the might and resolve across the Gigaquadrant as a symbol of hope against the Empire.

Organisation
Officially, the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic military is the Republic President, currently. In reality however, while the President is the final decision-maker, the Navy is primarily subordinate to both Republic Fleet Command and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy (CICN)—a Fleet Admiral who serves as the primary military adviser to the President and the Senate as well as the most powerful operational authority over the Fleet. The CICN is nominated by the President and approved by the Senate, with the current flag officer being Fleet Admiral, who was appointed to the position in the aftermath of the in 10 NE.

Structure
The Republic Navy operates Sector Commands which coordinate the complex system of sectors across Republic-controlled space. These Sector Commands fall under the authority of the overarching Republic Fleet Command based on, with each being coordinated by an Admiral in consultation with the sector's senior Galactic Senator. The defence fleets which operate under a Sector Command tend to be augmented by contributions from the member species and states under its protection. For example, Azuxachor Sector Command is a separate entity from the local military forces of the, operating under a different chain of command while remaining closely linked to the furtherance of Republic-wide security. A notable Sector Defence Fleet is the Elen'Nanethia Defense Fleet under the command of Fleet Admiral of the Phoenix-class supercarrier Eye of Horus.

In addition to the defence fleets of the Sector Commands, the Republic projects power throughout the Gigaquadrant through expeditionary fleets, each operating under the command of a high-ranking Admiral or Fleet Admiral, often from the bridge of a Battlecruiser or a Dreadnought. These Admirals, collectively referred to as the Admiralty, operate under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, though generally maintain a high degree of autonomy during lengthy tours of duty. These vast Republic armadas are often organised into smaller battle-groups, a contingent, greatly variable in size, formed on a case-by-case basis depending on the mission at hand. Such groups are flexible, often under the command of a Commodore and can range from a small flotilla of frigates to a sizeable supercarrier group.

Perhaps the most famous Republic expeditionary fleet is the Grand Republic Fleet, formed in 03 NE and headed by the C.R.S. , the flagship of the Republic Navy and the most powerful vessel currently in active service. Under the direct command of CICN Fleet Admiral Cretacea, the Grand Republic Fleet is a direct successor to the, the joint Republic and armada formed in the aftermath of the. In addition to the Republica, the Grand Republic Fleet is known for fielding approximately fifty five percent of the Republic's venerable Venator-class Star Destroyers, including the Aeolus, the Solaria and the Implacable. The Grand Republic Navy distinguished itself during the Great Battle of Venetia, the Cataclysm in the Neutral Zone, the Sacking of Rihanae and throughout the, often operating as a key component of the Pax Infinitus Armada of the.

Second in notability to the Grand Republic Fleet is the First Fleet under the command of Fleet Admiral of the C.R.S. Sword of Peace, which despite what the name may imply, was in actuality, the second fleet organised upon the formation of the Republic. Under the command of Tyandas, the First Expeditionary Fleet distinguished itself during the, as the fleet responsible for the final push into space controlled by the. Notable vessels in the First Fleet include the Phoebus, the Valour and the Concord. In the wake of the New Cyrandia Wars, the Nineteenth Fleet under the command of Fleet Admiral has rose to prominence, particularly during the Loron Conflict of 09 NE, while the Twenty-Eighth Fleet under Fleet Admiral  and the C.R.S. Star of Cyrannus is the primary bulwark against Imperial incursions along the Neutral Zone.

Starfighter Corps
A semi-independent branch of the Republic Navy, the New Republic Starfighter Corps is responsible for the flight operations of the Republic's starfighters. In contrast with the Empire, which favours a naval doctrine dominated by massive Destroyers and Battlecruisers and augmented by expendable fighters and drones, the Republic Navy invests in the technological development of hyperspatial snubfighters capable of destroying battleships. Such developments, primarily during the, led to the development of the highly successful X-15 Nychus starfighter, often regarded as the most successful starfighter class operating in the. The Starfighter Corps is divided into groups, wings, squadrons and sections, with a Squadron being commanded by a Commander. While the Corps is closely associated with the Navy, it often exercises autonomy during assignments based on planetary bases.

Marine Corps
Much like the Starfighter Corps, the New Republic Marine Corps is a semi-independent branch of the Republic Navy which relies on naval vessels to facilitate their combat operations, be it expeditionary combat on land or the defence of Republic ships and stations from hostile invaders. Subordinate to Republic Naval Command, the Marine Corps is represented by a General, who represents the interests of the Corps during naval deliberation. Nevertheless, officers of the Marine Corps often consider their representation in Fleet Command to be token, experiencing a degree of friendly competition with the Naval officers stationed alongside them on Republic starships. With the exception of the Republic's exploration vessels, most Republic starships have a complement of marines, where they operate under the direct authority of the vessels' commanding officer.

Personnel
Vital to the operations of the Republic Navy are the officers and enlisted personnel who fill their ranks, proudly upholding millennia-old traditions of duty and service to the democratic government of. Prospective naval candidates often attend advanced academies located throughout Republic space, with the most prestigious being the Piconé Fleet Academy in the, which counts and  amongst a highly successful list of alumni. The Fleet Academy on Piconé has produced officers for the, the , the and the , offering students a wide range of courses generally fielded toward the tactical and command division. Indeed, graduates are often said to be the first to rush into battle as well as those more likely to eventually command a Star Destroyer.

In contrast, the newly established Cyranamrún Naval Academy on has garnered a reputation for producing many of the Republic's next generation of officers, such as, reflecting the increased emphasis which the Republic places on exploration and scientific advancement. Notable courses in both academies include Interstellar Diplomacy, Large Vessel Design, Battle Tactics 101, Astrometrics, Temporal Mechanics and Astrography, with a student often making good use of their academy training in their subsequent careers, be it as a science, tactical or operations officer.

At the top of naval chain of command are flag officers, who function at the highest levels of the chain of command, often serving on board a flagship or operating at Republic Fleet Command on. Flag officers are generally considered to be individuals above the rank of captain, be they Commodores, Rear Admirals, Vice Admirals, Admirals or Fleet Admirals. Below flag officers are field officers, who hold, in descending order, the ranks of Captain, Commander, Subcommander, Lieutenant, Sublieutenant and Ensign. Generally less practiced than officers, enlisted personnel serve on starships and installation in specific capacities which they rarely deviate from, be it engineering or security. Most officers aspire to the rank of Captain, which involves command over a starship or a starbase and are granted a considerable degree of operational autonomy, particularly when operating in unknown space far from the borders of Republic territory. Therefore, only the most excellent officers are granted the rank, having the authority to act in the Republic's name during First Contact scenarios, thereby having a direct role in shaping Republic policy toward alien cultures. While captain is a specific rank within the Republic chain of command, as a gesture of respect, any commanding officer of a starship are referred to as "Captain", even if they do not hold the specific rank.

Any individual with the merit to excel within the Republic Navy is welcome to join, regardless of their species, gender or civilisation of origin. Therefore, the Republic Navy is considered to be one of the most diverse in the. While the majority of officers are, large numbers of , , , and  can be found serving aboard starships, where they generally work harmoniously in service to the Republic. While rare, officers such as, who hail from factions often hostile to the Republic government, can also be found in high ranking command positions, provided they show the same degree of excellence and duty as their peers.

Uniforms
Officers within the Republic Navy wear a new standardised uniform since 11 NE. The new uniforms were issued by President to give his officers a more regal appearance, blending a diplomatic and military uniform into one. The two part-uniform sports black trousers, a black skirt with a black jacket with red details and gold/red shoulder epaulettes. Additionally, the standardised uniform sports a brown belt, with a golden clip and black boots for species inclined to wear footwear. A optional choice for officers is to wear a light dark hat with similar gold and red ornamentation. Some customisation options exist to account for personal choice, with Admirals and Fleet Admirals often distinguishing their high rank and status with dual capes which hang from their epaulettes.

Ranks

 * Fleet Admiral

Ships
"The Republic Starfleet is the shield that defends the New Republic, our eyes and voice of advise in the unexplored regions of space and our sword against the enemies of the New Republic."

Trivia

 * The uniform used by officers in the Republic Navy was designed by.