Fiction:Drodo Empire

The Drodo Empire is a rather young empire located in the Milky Way Galaxy that expands at a rapid rate. Although new to the galactic scene, the Drodo Empire is a formidible foe, and a useful ally.

History
The Drodo Empire starts when the first Drodoian ship capable of interstellar travel, the Explorer, is launched. Many more follow, and within 25 years, the Drodo Empire had control of over 100 systems. This became known as the Golden Age of Exploration. It was cut short, however, when an one of the most powerful ememies the galaxy had ever known invaded, That enemy is the Grox...

The Drodo-Grox War
The Grox attacked quickly, and brutally, without remorse. If it where not for the intervention of the considerably more advanced Duckulon, there would be no Drodo Empire! After the war, the Drodo and Duckulon Empires formed the InterStellar Union, or, ISU, it would provide supplies, business, and protection to any who joined, as long as they did their part.

Recovery and ISU's Height
It took years for the Drodo Empire to pick up the pieces after the war. But, during this time, many small empires flocked to the ISU's banner, seeking support and protection against other, larger empires. This was a sort of "golden age" for the Union, but everyone knew that it was only a matter of time before someone came to the ISU's doorstep, armed to the teeth.

Attack on Toranis III
It did not take long for other empires to realise just what the InterStellar Union could do if they let it grow. The first attack in a series of others was performed by the Varkinian Confederacy, they first destroyed the few Time Flies Defence Force ships stationed there. And looted the capital city, Yt'varri, with little to no resistance. Finally, they commenced orbital bombardment of the planet, it's surface was turned to glass. By the time Drodoian ships arrived, there was nothing to save. Cesterity, the captain of the Impaler II, the Drodoian flagship, said three simple words; "This means war."

The Two Unions' War
After the InterStellar Union declared war on the Ancient Union, or AU, ISU stratagists where preparing a devastating attack on three fronts, the Drodoians would lead the first prong, or Fleet A, directly through the center as a distraction, while Fleets B and C would flank. All of the fleets were trying to get to the capital planet of the AU, Darsonis. The AU anticipated that and spread their fleets out. Fleets B and C were small as they did not expect much resistance. Fleet B was utterly destroyed over Jarsis III, and Fleet C took massive casualties, but got through to Darsonis. Fleet A, on the other hand, took only a few casualties, because A was the largest fleet, and expected heavy resistance, but did not. Fleet A won victory after victory until they reached Darsonis, which was under siege from Fleet C. 2 Months later Darsonis and the rest of the AU surrendered. After the war the ISU demanded that the commanders heading the Toranis III attack be handed over, after a month long combined AU-ISU manhunt, the Former Varkinian Rear Admiral Tor Kah was arrested, charged for war crimes and sentenced to exile on, ironically, Toranis III.

Aftermath-Modern day
After the war, several former AU powers joined the ISU, but most stayed independant. Today, the Drodo Empire is large and prosperous, with about 1500 systems [many were gained from the planets who voted to be part of the Drodo Empire after the two Unions' war.]. It is an active member of the ISU along with 50 other empires.

Government
The Drodo Empire is a representitive democracy, much like modern day Canada. The council has a a senator for every system [or planet], and votes on a course of action accordingly [The ISU also follows this model]. You must be a citizen of the Drodo Empire in order to vote or be on the council.

Military
The Drodo Empire maintains a large army at all times. It consists of multiple branches including the army itself, it's navy, the elite Drodoian Marines, and the Drodoian Exploration Fleet [The DEF is technically not part of the military, but is here for simplicity's sake]. In times of total war, the Drodoian military can draft large numbers of recruits and put them through a 4 week long training program. The Drodoian military is capable of multiplying it's size 20 times.

Army
The Drodoian ground army is a well-trained, well-equipped, and well-disiplined force. It is feared and respected by anyone who came face to face with them.

Drodoian infantry

The standard infantryman [or woman] makes up the bulk of the ground forces, their standard-issue weapon the X8-36 assault rifle, made by the Rogris gunsmith guild. It is a lightweight weapon, that holds a standard magazine of 50 bullets, at 10 rounds a second, this gun can shred through even advanced infantry armor. When drafting large armies, the military generally equips the new recruits with the G54 carbine. It is quicker and cheaper to make and maintain than the X8-36, but inferior in most other respects.

To support the main infantry, in every squad there is one gatling gun soldier, he uses the A-45 Rotary cannon. At 1000 rounds per minute, it can lay down heavy firepower.

Other weapons include the C8 rocket launcher, X10-86 sniper rifle, and the DF-44 belt-fed machine gun.

Navy
The Drodoian Empire also boasted a impressive fleet, their navy is composed of around 500,000 ships, and a superweapon.

Impaler-class capital ship
Crew: 1000 Hull composition: Titanium/Durasteel alloy Weapons: 2 massive laser cannons, 2 missile pods, 4 railguns. Length: 1.5 km Width: 0.9 km [at the back]

Inquisitor-class destroyer
Crew: 850 Hull Composition: Titanium/Hyperdense Iron alloy Weapons: 4 missile pods, 8 railguns, 2 laser cannons Length: 1 km Width: 0.5 km [at the back]

Ethereal-class logistics/support craft
Crew: 350 Hull Composition: Durasteel alloy Weapons: 2 railguns, systems jammers Length: 800 m Width: 150 m [at the back]

Chaser-class corvette
Crew: 250 Hull Composition: Titanium/Durasteel alloy Weapons: 2 railguns Length: 250 m Width: 75 m [at the back]

Superweapon
The Drodo Empire posess a small arsenal of special virus missiles. The virus contained is a zombie virus native to the Drodo's homeworld. In Drodo ancient history, this virus struck, the scenario was comparible to the "Black Death" plague that hit 1300's Earth. Anyway, they fire a volley of these missiles at the target world. Within minutes 90% of the population is zombified, than, using large teleporter ships, they beam the undead horde aboard the enemy ships, wreaking havoc on the ship. This weapon has never been used, but this is subject to change.

Zombie Biology
The zombies created are nearly immortal [succumbing only to a well-aimed shot to the head] and ferocious, the virus spreads through the air, and is transferred through body fluids. So a bite or just being the unfortuante person happening to be on the planet, will turn you into a zombie in minutes. The zombies' genetic strain is constantly changing, thus preventing a cure. Drodo biologists put this ability in so an enemy empire cannot develop a vaccine. They also created a special strain that was spaceborne.

Biology
A Drodo's biology is rather unique, they stand just three feet tall and have two hearts, as well, they posess enough strength to pick up a average human male and throw him 5 feet! Because of their strength, Drodo have a notoriously hard punch. The average lifespan of a Drodo is 130 years. Their short fur is very dense, which makes it a extremly good insulator, allowing them to go in frigid temperatures with little more than there normal clothes. However, Drodo generally have slightly below-average manual dextarity [due to there two-fingered hands]. Drodo hatch from a egg after 7 months, Drodo eggs are extremly hard. The newborn gets out the egg with a sharp, hornlike protrusion on the top of there head, it falls out right after hatching. A small percentage of Drodo do not lose the protrusion, this does not effect them in any way, however. Contrary to popular belief, the Drodo mouth is not a true proboscis. It is actually a more conventional mouth attached to a extended asophigus. At the very front, there is a set of sharp teeth, not much different than a human's. The rest of the "Tube Mouth" is a extension of the asophigous, that helps transport food through the rest of the digestive system. The mouth extends out about 15 centimetres.

Culture
Drodo culture is somewhat unique, hats are very important in Drodo culture. As a general rule of thumb, the more gold and silver a hat has, the more "honorable" it is. As well, a thing that sets them apart is that they have perfected the art of gunsmithing (designing and producing firearms), something Drodo take pride in. To join a Gunsmith guild is a great honor, while inventing a sucessful firearm can make one famous. The Drodo Mafia is a large, underground power in the empire, generally centered around the core worlds, they secretly pull the strings of Drodo politics, and share a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" relationship with the police and courts, allowing them to get away with almost anything. Within the more corrupt cities, almost everyone has a connection with the Mafia, whether they bought a couch from the Mafia (the Mafia sells very unusual things), or being a fell-fleged boss.

Allies
Our valued friends!

The Duckulon Empire

The United Federation of Species
 * "A friend in a unfriendly galaxy."

Neutral
We are uncertain of these people.

Enemies
They will feel the wrath of the Drodo Empire!

The Grox

The Varkinian Confederacy

The Drodo Empire has quite a mean streak when it comes to the Grox, they would turn entire planets into glass!

Technology
The Drodo Empire is Tier 4.3. Having a large empire, and rather advanced technology [especilally in the ballistics and biological fields]. They gather raw energy from stars using a large station that "sucks away" a star's raw energy, they then ship this volitile energy to a planetary refining plant, where it is refined and shipped across the empire. They also use nuclear fusion, especally on starships, as there energy requirments are not as much as a planet.