The MacKenna Chronicles (Background)
The scientists,
physicists, and engineers' break through discovery of the
trans-dimensional hyper drive began the Home World's exploration of the
stars. Just prior to settlement of the first colony, Jorelle Fray’s dissertation
"The Theory of Ordered Colonization" received wide acclaim for
its in depth theory and analysis of space colonization. The Home
World's Central Council formed the Governing Quorum to oversee emerging
colonial growth. With the Theory as a blueprint to guide that effort the first
colony was started. The theory's guidelines allow the Governing
Quorum to approve and control every aspect of an emerging world's
government until it was is considered stable. Once released
to self-govern, the colonies remain under continual Quorum scrutiny.
For over two thousand colonial periods the theory's rules remained
unquestioned and colonial expansion continued. It seemed the perfect
plan and the the perfect governmental system, as rebellion and wars
were unheard of within the movement.
Colonial expansion required vast amounts of raw materials for
ships both military and civilian, space stations, and other
exploration equipment. The Governing Quorum granted the Mining
Consortiums a free hand in determining those raw material needs. This
group of businessmen (many held seats on the Governing Quorum) have
a free hand for mineral exploration. Without prior warning consortium
geologist would show up anywhere, anytime, on any world. When a rich
mineral fields was discovered, one of the member companies would buy out the land
holders, move them off and extracts the minerals. What they left behind
was usually a land scarred
and unusable, all in the name of progress. For many the theory works, as
evidenced by the over two millennia of colonial expansion, without
conflict and chaos.
While the Theory of Ordered Colonization meant freedom from wars
and political chaos for many, for one group of weary agriculturists it
meant continued enslavement to the Governing Quorum and Consortiums. The discovery of a large mineral field meant the displaced agriculturists
had to pull up
stakes, resettle, (if they could find affordable and farmable land),
re-establish their farms, sometimes only to be uprooted again.
Near the end of the first
millennial period of colonization, a group of displaced agriculturlists
studied the theory and discovered, buried near the end of Fray's
dissertation, an odd counterpoint to the whole hypothesis. It
stated in part, that Colonial Citizens could settle a colony without the
Governing Quorum's supervision. Their government and its people
had to
remain stable and prosperous for twenty five colonial periods, then
they can be
admitted to the congress of colonies. Fray's reasoning being that it is
in the
natural of most settlers to remain true to the theory's guidelines.
If, however, there are any signs of
disorder or chaos, they are denied entry as into the Colonial Congress.
That world is watched closely and can be considered a rogue world.
The theory further stated that should there be signs of insurrection the
Governing Quorum could seize control before their rebellion could spread
and contaminate other colonies. Since that revelation came to light, the Governing Quorum has jealously
monitored all habitable planets within their influence. They have
discovered and ruthlessly squelched three attempts at free colonization, all in the name
of colonial peace and order. The dream of a free settled colony remained
alive.