Zarban Hegemony

The Zarban Hegemony was a government in the. It was headquartered at Zarban and included seven other systems before it voluntarily dissolved to become incorporated into the Golden Empire.

History
Historians disputed the official founding date of the Zarban Hegemony. Most accepted the official date of 14 ABY, when Simyasto explorers encountered the Temi Temis on their homeworld of Fornassan and brought that world into their control. A minority of historians dated the Hegemony from 203 BBY, the date when the Simyastos colonized Antipon, the only other habitable world in their home system, and insisted that all governmental evolution from that point on was merely an outgrowth of the initial control of Antipon from Zarban.

Regardless of its source, the Hegemony expanded relatively quickly after moving onto Fornassan. They founded two more colonies of their own in other systems, as well as asserting control over Bosys, Rai Korobolt, and Jintip Prime. The Simyastos preferred to arrive, demonstrate the superiority of their technological achievements, and settle in as a governing class peacefully, though they fought the Therati on Jintip Prime when attacked. The Hegemony did not hesitate to mine resources in systems it came to control, although the Simyastos took care to provide for the alien species they viewed as being under their care.

From 93 ABY to 99 ABY, the Hegemony fought the Shield War with the Horzyx of Karzabrog. The Hegemony successfully repulsed the Horzyx attacks, but were unable to drive an offensive into Karzabrog itself.

In 104 ABY, the Golden Empire found Bosys, and the Simyasto governors there quickly put Queen Rin Sakaros in touch with Zarban. Confronted with both the prospect of experiencing a much wider galaxy and the reality of the Empire's much more powerful Armada, the Simyastos entered into negotiations with Tariun Sakaros himself. Ultimately, in return for a variety of concessions, the Simyastos voluntarily submitted to the Empire and dissolved the Hegemony.

Government and politics
Like Simyasto society in general, most of the central government on Zarban was meritocratic. A complex battery of tests purported to determine which Simyastos were best suited to leadership and administration; those who scored highest received the best placements in civil service. The government was led by a Parliament, which was nominally representative, as its membership was composed of the most qualified Simyastos of each of Zarban's regions, rather than the most qualified overall. When the government acquired other worlds, they were granted representatives in the Parliament as well, in proportion to population, although every world had at least one. After numerous protests, the Simyastos conceded to allowing at least a single alien from each world as well, regardless of qualifications.

From its main body, the Parliament elected three members as triumvirs, though each had different responsibilities. One commanded the military, one was the final executive authority for lawmaking, and the third guided law enforcement and administration of justice. The three triumvirs served three-year terms, rotating their duties once per year, so each triumvir performed all functions by the expiration of his term. One or more triumvirs could be removed from office by a vote of no confidence by a parliamentary supermajority.

Economy
Because the Simyastos effectively administered all eight worlds in the Hegemony, they were able to arrange a comprehensive economic plan which involved all member worlds exporting the goods rarest (or nonexistent) on other worlds. The Hegemony passed laws to limit population growth so that its citizens did not outgrow the resources they had, leaving each member world self-sufficient for food, although not always for the high technology and energy to which they grew accustomed under Hegemony rule.

Society and culture
The Simyastos exported an appreciation for meritocracy to their colonies and controlled worlds. The Hegemony took a mixed approach to democracy, generally allowing it at lower levels but appointing the most qualified (invariably meaning "Simyasto") candidates for each planet's top administrative positions.

The Shillins and Temi Temis were generally viewed as the most welcoming to the Hegemony, with the Therati the most opposed and the Quaffans somewhere in between. All five species were united against the extra-Hegemonic Horzyx, with the exception of a minority of Therati who defected.

Military
Technical expertise and resources in the Zarban system combined to allow the Hegemony to field a navy capable of defending its territory. The Hegemony generally had to deal only with occasional pirates, although it acquitted itself well in the Shield War.

All species were welcomed into the military, although it, like all elements of the Hegemony, was meritocratic in advancement and thus resulted in Simyastos holding all the upper officer positions and many of the senior enlisted billets as well.