Library Reference Data

     Dr. Ezra Byler was a Terekian diplomat who was largely credited for bringing the first post-war interstellar government together.  The Terek Federation was founded in 3051 with three member worlds; Terek, Burath, and Pondii.  These worlds banded together to create regular interstellar trade routes that could be defended from Raiders and Pirates.  Byler's contributions to the success of the early Federation were many.  Past disputes and cultural differences between the worlds, some dating back to the empire, threatened to tear the newly formed union apart.  Byler's skills in diplomacy and negotiation played a central role in keeping the Terek Federation together in those early years.

    Byler was elected Federation President in 3054 by a landslide vote.  During his three and a half year reign, Byler pushed to develop relationships with new member worlds, including Minjine and Bastil.  Domestically, Byler worked to raise the standard of living on Terek, allowing for the introduction of communications and technology on a controlled basis.  Byler's Chief of State, Chrestina Stanton, developed the first and still used set of laws governing the reintroduction and use of pre-war technlogy.  The Stanton Resolution was signed into law by the five Federation member worlds in 3056, and remains the cornerstone of technology law today in the Republic (see excerpt, below) Byler remained a popular, yet controversial leader until his untimely death in 3057.

    Byler was assassinated at age 73 while returning from Federation business on Burath.  A group of unknown ships inderdicted the diplomatic convoy after arrival at the Terek jump point, destroying Byler's ship along with two escort fighters.  Rumors and speculation surrounding Byler's death continue to this day.  Many believe that the Centrist Party was behind the assassination; the Centrists long opposed the formation of a loose Federation, advocating the return of the Empire model of government.  The Centrists created the strongest opposition to Byler's Federation, funding several signficant uprisings and rebellions on Pondii and Bastil.

    In 3096, the Terek Federation had grown to 30 member worlds, and was reformed as the Byler Republic, honoring the man who started it all.  The Byler Republic celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 3121.

Life In The Byler Republic

    Access to technology within the Republic is unreliable at best; some worlds (such as Terek and Pondii) operating at near Empire levels of tech. (TL11), while other formerly high-tech worlds struggle to achieve basic industrial age standards (TL4).  Because high levels of technology were pervasive before the war, the available technology to a Republic citizen may vary widely, to the point of absurdity in some cases.  For instance, in certain areas the population may have audio/video 2-way receivers, but no broadcast video networks.  Some locations have an abundance of vehicles but little or no fuel available, consumer electronics but no electricity, etc.  More frequently seen are regions with access to high-tech weapons and defense systems, usually imported illegally (and for high profit) into war regions by unscrupulous traders.

i. Usage of Certain Computer Algorithms. Artificially Intelligent algorithms, as defined in section one, subparagraph 15C of the General Text, may not be authored, copied or duplicated, stored in any persistant or volatile medium, posessed, transmitted, received, bought or sold in whole or in part in any form including but not limited to encrypted, compressed, or abstracted formats by any individual or government, corporate, or other entity under the jurisdiction of the Second Republic as outlined in section 7, subparagraphs 1-9 of the General Text. Limited exceptions to this article must be authorized by the Republic General Councilor's Office or Security Council, and must pertain to specific purposes including (but not limited to) the protection and general welfare of the Republic and it's Citizens and matters of vital Republic.  These matters must be brought before the Republic Security Council as outlined in Section 4 of the General Text.
 

ii. Restriction of Communications Usage. Operation of autonomous communications networks or systems of interconnected computation devices as outlined in section one, subparagraph 7A of the General Text are restricted entities and may not be owned, assembled or operated by private, corporate, or other public organizations (excepting certain government and military entities) without specific licensing by the Second Republic or it's authorized agents.  Licensees of networking and communications systems must abide by all terms of conduct put forth by their contracts, including but not limited to network protocol stipulations outlined in section two of the General text.  The Republic has the right to temporarily or permanently rescind licensing to any network or communications operation without advance notice.
 

iii. Governmental Right to Communications Jurisdiction. The Republic has the right to intercept and monitor, disable, deactivate, or otherwise modify networked communications activities without the consent or knowledge of any parties involved in the use or operation of said network or system, in the interest of matters vital to the Second Republic.  Republic interdiction of communications activities must be approved by the Republic Security Council prior to conducting operations, but the Republic reserves the right to withold the proceedings of these sessions from public distribution for so long as deemed necessary to preserve the security of the Republic.

iv. Policies Regarding Existing A.I. Entities. Contacting, conspiring or colluding with, aiding, abetting, harboring or concealing an existing Artificially Intelligent Entity or portion thereof, as outlined in section one, subparagraph 16 of the General Text, for any purposes not excluded herewith is strictly forbidden and will be considered as a treasonous activity as outlined in the General Text, Section Eight, subparagraph 2.  Exceptions to the above must be granted in writing by the offices of the Republic Security Council or it's authorized agents, and said authorization must be obtained prior to any intended contact or interaction with the previously outlined entity or entities.  Authorized contact with Artificially Intelligent Entities must be conducted with guidelines prescribed by the Security Council and including, but not limited to, those stated in section Seven, subparagraphs 1-8 of the General Text, and are also considered communications activity and thus are subject to the conditions of Article iii of this Resolution.

v. Salvage, Posession and Use of Certain Technologies.   Posession and use of certain technology and equipment based on said technology is hereby restricted from general use.  Technology items ennumerated in the special Addendum A to the General Text are expressly forbidden from unlicensed posession and use, irregardless of their legality under prior Imperial, Terrestrial, or local law.  Items reclaimed or salvaged from periods pre-dating the Common Year 3051 are subject to this restriction as well.  Further, special permit for salvage and recovery must be obtained from the Republic Security Council or it's authorized agents prior to commencement of any recovery operations.  Discovery and implementation of previously created technologies, as well as implementation of new technologies outlined in Addendum A of the General Text.

vi. Collaboration of Member Worlds.   Existing World Governments participating in the Republic, as well as newly appointed States wishing to incorporate into the Second Republic must agree to faithfully execute the terms of this Resolution to the best of their capabilities, and provide for a proportionate contribution to the enforcement  of these resolutions, in exchange for a proportionate representation within the Security Council.  Monitoring and enforcing compliance with this resolution is the jurisdiction of the Republic Security Council and it's agents, which retain certain immunities from planetary and local regulation and interference for that purpose.  Member States of the Second Republic necessarily agree to defer jurisdiction on matters of Resolution interpretation, violation, operation and enforcement to the Republic Security Council. This jurisdiction supercedes  local, regional, and planetary government laws and regulations.

vii. Violations of the Resolution.  Violation of the previously outlined provisions is considered a Republic Crime and violators may thus be extradited to Republic authority.  The Republic may choose to defer such matters to the governing body for the region in which the violation occurred, if warranted, at it's discretion.  Certain institutions vital to the stability, security, and prosperous continuance of the Republic and it's citizens may be allowed limited jurisdiction over enforcement of the provisions of this resolution, as provided for by Ammendment 1.