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Covenant of Mirus

Mirusia Aeterna

- Motto

The Covenant of Mirus is a term often used to refer to a group of powerful Xonexi and Mirusian states bound together by a series of treaties and agreements, ultimately aspiring to the creation of a common galactic government for the Mirus Galaxy. The existing Enlightenment Collaborative was not concidered to be fit for much a role by the Xonexi actors, for while it controlled most of Mirus' satellite galaxy of Tyris Major it controlled relatively little of Mirus itself, despite it's claims otherwise.

Indeed, the idea seems to gave been to concentrate the Enlightenment Collaborative to Tyris Mayor so it could truly become the galactic government there, while the Covenant of Mirus fulfilled much the same role in Mirus proper. Tyris Major was given full independence to rule itself, free from any percieved Mirusian restraints, a gesture which many believed would make them perceptive to the Xonexi cause. This assessment by the Xonexi powers seriously underestimated the traditional links between Mirus and Tyris Major, and that it was still carried trough says as much about the geopolitical isolation of Mirus up until that point as it does about the relative position of weakness by the Mirusian signatories of the Covenant at the time.

The Covenant emerged after the end of the Second War of Mirusian Coalition in 2804, and was first mentioned in the treaty which put an end to that war. The two sides agreed under duress to "work to create a Mirusian galactic government capable of enforcing galactic law [...], taking into account the grievances, history, and interests of both galactics and extragalactics."

Controversial since its inception, the Covenant of Mirus was openly derided by officials from all camps almost immediately after it was signed into being. Factions such as the Mirusian Triumvirate perceived the agreement as a vessel for extragalactic imperialism, secretly vowed to overthrow it, and prepared for war. Many prominent Mirusian actors refrained from acknowledging its existence out of caution, contempt, or bafflement, waiting to see how it would develop. Indeed, the feeling of many Mirusians at the time was that the Covenant of Mirus was forced upon them by gunpoint since they had just lost a war against the Xonexi and were in no position to negotiate. Despite that, the Covenant of Mirus is universaly seen as being generous to the Mirusian states, especially within Xonexi circles but also without. The Xonexi participants created contingencies, planning for war in case the Covenant failed.

The Covenant's first major challenge was the coordination of a conflict of unlimited ends against the Imperium of War, which amid strong feelings, frayed nerves, and an atmosphere of distrust was a difficult task. Nevertheless, the Imperium of War was subjugated the end of in 2806, though disagreement about what was to be done with the occupied War-Imperial territories put any further talks about the greation of a pan-Mirusian government on hold. By 2807, tempers had cooled and preliminary discussions about the formation of a galactic government could begin. High-level representatives met on the Waptorian world of Viel and have began a planned series of conferences which will shape the Mirusian galactic order for years to come, whether or not it succeeds.

Structure[]

States[]

COVENANT STATES
full representation

SECONDARY STATES
indirect representation


SUPPORTERS


Treaty structure[]

The Covenant of Mirus is not a formal organization, but rather a complex treaty structure which organically emerged out of the peace agreements which put an end to the Second War of Mirusian Coalition. The signatories of these agreements––the French Colonial Empire, Eldarisian Empire, Mirusian Theocratic Congregation, Alliance of Species, Vanara Houses, Mendel Pact, and Zarbania Powers––entered into an unstable alliance against the Imperium of War. They also tacitly acknowledged the legitimacy of the borders that existed prior to the 2804 Treaty of Manticore, and promised to "work to create a Mirusian galactic government capable of enforcing galactic law once the war was over, taking into account the grievances, history, and interests of both galactics and extragalactics." A separate agreement between France and Eldarisia established an understanding that their Mirusian policies would be coordinated in order to ensure the success of the Covenant, while a memorandum promulgated by the Xonexi Mirusian Commission later that year provided mechanisms by which the approval of the other major Xonexi states might be obtained, ensuring their participation and consent.

Yet there was still the Imperium of War to contend with. Originally a part of the Mirusian Coalition, they had turned upon their allies when it became clear that they would surrender. From 2805 to 2806, the Dragowar and their kin rampaged trough Mirus, seeking nothing more but the utter collapse of governments wherever they went, and for war and strife to bloom in the ruins they left in their wake. It took some months into 2906 for the Imperium of War to be defeated, after which the Covenant of Mirus could be formally ratified.

Put together, these agreements served as the framework for coordination and cooperation between a majority of Mirus' legitimate actors, yet substantial obstacles remained to the establishment of a common program. Initially, the Covenant was understood by many Covenant actors as a gilded truce, a temporary peace which would last long enough for the Xonexi Allies to defeat the Delpha Coalition of Planets and bring their might bearing down on Mirus. This line of thinking led to the foundation of the Mirusian Triumvirate, an influential faction dedicated to preparing Mirus for the oncoming war and ensuring the downfall of the Covenant project. While they operated out of sight, the cooperation and coordination between these actors assured that their concerns would place a serious check on the ability of Xonexian actors to exert undue influence on the Covenant. It was this unseen anti-Xonexi constituency which needed to be assuaged before talks could move forward in earnest.

As a result of the influence of the Triumvirate, the Covenant would not be able to proceed until France stepped down as de facto chair and handed over the reins to a Mirusian state, which it did in early 2807. The Waptoria Alliance of Species took on the mantle of chair of the Covenant of Mirus and publicly endorsed it as a promising forum for galactic government. In a private memorandum to the Mirusian Triumvirate, the Waptoria outlined their vision for what a Mirusian galactic government would look like, which implied a marrying of the military and economic strength of the Covenant with the legitimacy and history of the Enlightenment Collaborative.

Under Waptorian leadership, the powers met in the late 2807 on the Waptorian capital. Baffling critics and proponents of the Covenant alike, the Treaty of Viel proved that when these powers were able to speak with one voice, they collectively possessed the legitimacy, diplomatic clout, military capability, and economic power to define and defend a legitimate Mirusian order for the whole galaxy, with the exception of the areas under the sway of the Galactic Empire of Cyrannus. Viel contained strong provisions which established the foundation for a legitimate territorial order, banned wars of aggression, and gave the Covenant of Mirus the necessary powers to collectively enforce its rulings. Many Mirusians found reasons for satisfaction. The agreements bound Xonexi actors in an airtight web of agreements which would ensure that the entire galaxy would turn against them if they were to launch a war of conquest. Additionally, no formal organization governed Mirus, which meant that the Covenant could still be overthrown. Yet, in the Treaty of Viel and in subsequent Covenant police actions against the remnants of the Imperium of War, there seemed to emerge out of the seven states a precarious consensus by which they unwittingly governed Mirus' inhabited arm.

Agreements[]

Covenant of Mirus[]

(2804, Second War of Mirusian Coalition)

(1) The two sides pledged to continue fighting the Imperium of War as a rogue state which was a danger to galactic peace. Territory occupied by the Imperium of War formerly belonging to the Allies or Coalition would be returned as soon as it was reclaimed.
(2) The two sides promised to work to create a Mirusian galactic government capable of enforcing galactic law once the war was over, taking into account the grievances, history, and interests of both galactics and extragalactics.
(3) The Eldarisian Empire would, though skeptical, place its faith in the galactic government and give it a chance to work.


Mirusian Triumvirate[]

(2804, between the Vanara Houses, Mendel Pact, and Zarbania Powers)

Agreement on common goals
(1) Defeat the Imperium of War.
(2) Act as a watchdog organization to ensure the Covenant does not favor the Xonexi.
(2.1) Ensure Mirusians posses the capacity to counter the Xonexi politically, economically, militarily, etc.
(2.2) Assure that Mirusian Natives and their extragalactic allies hold primary power.
(3) Develop forms of and counters to Xonexi and War-Imperial Hyperspacial weaponry.
(3.1) Aid Greater Mirusian Church development into this direction.
(3.2) Secretly aid in the evolution of a Waptoria Riftfire Titan.
(4) Develop forms of and counters to Xonexi Void Hunters.
(4.1) Secretly aid Federation research into this direction.
(5) Develop forms of and counters to Xonexi and War-Imperial Supercarriers.
(6) Secretly help auto-evolve the Waptoria Whale-class carrier Gargantuan into this direction.
(7) Further the development of Persan Accel Space Weaponry.
(7.1) Potentially develop an Accel Space-based Hyperspace counter.
(8) Vengeance against the Hegemony.


Mirusian Commission Memorandum #16[]

(2804, between French Colonial Empire, Draconid Imperium, Tybusen Intergalactic Allied Federation, and Eldarisian Empire)

(1) This council recognizes the necessity of establishing a lasting, stable, and equitable peace with the natives as a means of safeguarding Xonexi interests, which are formulated by common agreement as follows:
(1.1) Our continued presence in the Former Dominatus Territories and their use as a major center of colonization, commerce, and economic activity is critical to the war effort and non-negotiable. However, since all of our legitimate territories were returned to us by the Covenant of Mirus, our territorial claims are fulfilled. We commit to remaining within our current borders as a necessity for negotiation so long as the talks are in effect.
(1.2) Xonexi agency––the ability of this council to act collectively––as well as the ability of its constituents to pursue their interests, is not to be infringed beyond reasonable restraints inherent in a galactic order. As powers with far-reaching interests in the galaxy, we must be given legitimate means to safeguard and further ourselves.
(1.3) Galactic law––however it is formulated––should be made through consensus rather than rule by force. Any legitimate galactic government to be recognized by this council should include equal representation of natives and Xonexi states.
(1.4) If possible, a galactic balance of power should be achieved through the cooperation of Xonexi and Mirusian interests.
(1.5) Common rules regarding navigation, commerce, the extent of territory, the spaces between states, etc, should be agreed upon as essential to the maintenance of an order, and to the promotion of trade.
(2) In accordance with Mirusian Commission Memorandum #15, France is to continue its role as "primary executive coordinator" in Mirus by acting as this council's representative to the Covenant of Mirus.
(3) Any agreement is to be subject to unanimous ratification by this council.


Arès Memorandum[]

(2807, between the French Colonial Empire and Waptoria Alliance of Species)

(1) Both France and the Waptoria Alliance of Species recognize the necessity and desirability of a common, equitable peace, wherein the claims, concerns, and insecurities of all parties are appropriately satisfied, but no power is so satisfied or dissatisfied such that the price of peace outweighs the gratification of war.
(2) France and the Waptoria Alliance of Species further recognize the need for a galactic government with jurisdictional authority over both Xonexi and native Mirus, which can only be accomplished with equal participation in a structure which provides appropriate satisfaction of interests for those involved.
(3) France will dismiss any claim of leading the Covenant of Mirus; it is to be a Mirusian project, the shape of which is to be carried out in accordance to Mirusian mores and concerns; the spirit of which is to be carried out in accordance with the objectives outlined in Artices 1 and 2.
(4) As the power most able to bridge the divide between extragalactics and natives, the Waptoria Alliance of Species will chair subsequent meetings of the Covenant of Mirus, to be held on Viel.
(5) France and the Waptoria Alliance of Species reaffirm the legitimacy of the territorial boundaries outlined in the Covenant of Mirus.


Treaty of Viel[]

(2807, between all parties of the Covenant of Mirus)

(1) The Grand Mirusian Church of Spode will join negotiations as a recognized and equal participant in the Covenant of Mirus.
(2) The Imperium of War shall be known as a rogue state.
(3) The Covenant of Mirus will continue its war against the Imperium of War until the latter's total defeat and occupation. Once this has been assured, the War-Imperial territories will be put under temporary military administration pending further decisions by the Covenant.
(4) In the interest of maintaining a lasting peace between the states of the Covenant of Mirus, the Covenant recognizes the necessity of creating a permanent and legitimate territorial order. THEREFORE,
I. Acts of Aggression are hereby outlawed under Mirusian galactic law. Force is no longer recognized as a just and permissible tool of foreign policy except in self-defense.
II. The Mirusian holdings of France, the Waptoria Alliance of Species, the Vanara Houses, the Mendel Pact, the Zarbania Powers, the Draconid Imperium, the Tybusen Intergalactic Allied Federation, Eldarisia, and the Grand Mirusian Church of Spode which existed prior to the War of Mirusian Coalition are recognized as legitimate and permanent components of the territorial order. The borders which existed within the Former Dominatus Territories are to serve as the permanent boundaries between these states.
III. The right of sovereignty and self-determination of these components shall not be infringed except through the consent of their governments.
IV. It is the solemn responsibility of the Covenant of Mirus to defend this territorial order, with the use of force if necessary in accordance with the Mirusian laws of war.
V. This territorial order may be altered through further agreements in the Covenant of Mirus, or through the consent of the actors involved.
VI. Any power which attempts to upset this territorial order through the use of force shall be known as a rogue state and shall no longer enjoy the protection and guarantees of the territorial order.

Quotes[]

This unholy Covenant would shackle us to the will of outlanders and extragalactic slavers and tell us how to run our own galaxy. Many of the other nations are weakened from the war, so right now, we are the only three with the ability to resist. This could make the difference between a Mirus for Mirusians, and their allies, or a Mirus ruled by the Xonexi tyrants.

- Emperor Gridlock to Barda Clett and Empress Zuki at the formation of the Mirusian Triumviate

[The ultimate goal of French foreign policy in Mirus is] the formation of a democratic galactic government which will adequately represent the interests of both galactic and extragalactic powers, which will bestow on its members the same protections of sovereignty, security, and self-governance regardless of alignment, size, and origin, and which will allow for the effective identification, containment, and expulsion of galactic and extragalactic threats.

- Objectifs de la diplomatie mirusienne, report published by the Mirusian Diplomatic Bureau

Prove us wrong Alexandre, otherwise I fear that my people will never trust the unknown again.

- Sylo I

This will never work. No relationship born of the defeat of one party at another's hands can ever be truly equitable and fair no matter what the other claims, to think otherwise is to indulge in, as the humans say, Stockholm Syndrome in the best of scenarios. The Xonexi wield a disproportionate amount of power in this relationship and will use that to push their interests over our own if only subconsciously so. The evidence of this can already be seen in how they have let the marauding band of war criminals that is the Hegemony's high command go unpunished simply because it would help fight the Imperium of War. Alexandre thinks we can create a galactic order free of the need for force but the only hope the Mirusians will ever have is if we are able to assemble enough force either individually or collectively to stand against the Xonexi. That is the only for sure way to protect our interests.

- Ipsissimus Struki

It is naïve and silly to believe this Covenant can be used in any measure to improve or somehow "recreate" the Alliance of old. These Xonexi will not see us have position over them, even in our own homes, and will keep their claws dug in like a scavenger unwilling to release a slab of meat it has latched onto. As far as they are concerned, this is more real estate for them to exploit, and we, an obstacle to be removed sooner or later. What better then to lull us into a peaceful rest, while a sword hangs over our heads, kept there by a mere string?

- High Lord Barda Clett

We [The Waptoria Alliance of Species] support the creation of the Covenant of Mirus as a platform of peace and stability. In accordance with agreement nr 2 this platform shall be the tool to rise the Enlightenment Alliance up to what it always has aspired to be. As a organisation born for cultural, economical and eventually military coöperation between Mirusian natives and extragalactics it will have the trust the Covenant lacks. But in order for that to happen the Enlightenment Alliance must be reborn trough the Covenant. In the eyes of the Xonexi Allies it [a Mirusian galactic government] does not exist yet; in our eyes it always has been ever since it brought us and the nations of Tyris Mayor together. It has been able to represent the intrests of us Mirusians and those of our extragalactic allies in equal measure without mayor flaw - but it needs additional strength to enforce that law now new players have entered out home galaxy. It is presisely the Xonexi whom we shall draw this strength from, perhaps unknowingly but we hope as fellow and truly equal travellers in Enlightenment. We have faith in the Covenant of Mirus as the path towards a greater, more equal, and inherently more acceptable goal - but it is no galactic government in itself and never shall be. Brothers and sisters, we stand with the Enlightenment Alliance and whatever your actions might be, remember you do too.

- Secret memo passed along to the Persan and the Mendel explaining the Waptorian stance on the Covenant of Mirus, after the latter's refusal to join the Mirusian Triumvirate


Well, we hope it doesn't explode at least.

- TIAF Diplomatic Corps

The ultimate failing of the Covenant came from the same place as it is does in all institutions built to maintain a status quo, its fundamental inability to change and adapt. When change did come, as it inevitably would, the fundamental limitations and inequities of the status quo it was meant to maintain were exposed and ultimately exploited by those who were dissatisfied with the ways things had been or had become so with the turning of the tides. In the end the death of Covenant merely reinforces what countless cycles have before, that which cannot change dies and will be replaced by that which can.

- Ipsissmus Struki on the fall of the Covenant of Mirus and the rise of the Federation of Free States.

Trivia[]

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