Hot Spot: The Terran Province of Oliver

(The Outback Province)

The industrious citizens of the Oliver Province have worked long and hard to get what they have. The first settlers on these worlds labored to simply survive under some pretty difficult conditions. Their situation was made worse by cruel colonial governments which did not care about the welfare of the people. In 2334 the situation exploded as several worlds in this region forcibly threw off their oppressors and began what was the Outer Reaches Rebellion. Eventually they succeeded in driving out the hated Alliance but found that existence without Terran support was even more challenging. For a hundred years these systems remained proudly independent but could do little to improve their situation. When a renewed Terran nation launched its Third Campaign of Persuasion in 2335 to regain this area of space resistance was fierce. Ultimately the superior forces of McKenna’s Hegemony triumphed and with their tremendous resources soon won the hearts of the people. During the Cameron era these planets grew into industrial powerhouses with their ample raw materials and productive citizenry but no good thing could last forever. The rise of Stefan Amaris brought a return of the cruelty of ancient Terran governments. The Usurper enslaved the populace and pressed them to work against all that they held dear. Again they did their best to survive and thanks to the SLDF were finally liberated during the Hegemony Campaign. Still devastated from the Coup the inhabitants of this Province continue to rebuild their ravaged homeworlds. Efforts to secure our defenses will not be in vain thanks to their diligent spirit that contributes daily to our national strength.

The Oliver Province has quite possibly dealt the best with its transition into the New Republic from the Star League era. The people have hardly noticed the lack of foreign trade or scientific investment concentrating instead on the more tangible assets of recovery. This attitude has paid off recently seeing the vast influx of new commerce into the Province. Oliver’s relative stability has drawn merchants from Lyran and Marik space to do business here rather than along their hostile borders. Ambitious plans to further boost this growing traffic have been delayed for security purposes but current efforts have already helped in our industrial restoration. Oliver remains the largest manufacturing base in the Outer Provinces in spite of tremendous damage caused by the Amaris Coup. While its vast natural resources were also hurt by that conflict they remain a strength of this region as well. Already extensively exploited prior to the fall of the Star League these materials are steadily diminishing. Agricultural production remains spotty as always because of the regions variable degree habitability. Some worlds in this Province are filled with arable lands and lush conditions making them veritable breadbaskets. Others are arid sun baked wastelands incapable of feeding their own meager populations. Traditionally a balance was kept between the systems providing enough food for all. Now thanks to some lasting environmental damage sowed by Amaris the people of Oliver must work harder than ever to maintain this balance.

Generally conservative when it comes to politics this Province strongly backs Amanda Cameron and Ian Sinclair. With the Star League gone many think it was just good sense to renounce a title that no longer existed for peace. Oliver is also wary of the Great Houses’ ambitions and supports limited interaction with each to avoid war with all. Their commitment to Sinclair separates this border Province from the others politically. Here they believe the last Cameron and Sinclair are on equal footings with each responsible for the creation of the New Republic. Perhaps this deeply held respect comes from the blue collar roots that many citizens of this Province believe that Sinclair possesses. Another reason could be their shared enmity for Captain-General Kenyon Marik, whom they both despise so very much. While their feelings for the so-called “Eagle” are well known, the people of Oliver have mixed feelings on the Free Worlds League as a whole. This Province feels betrayed by their recent actions, especially given the good friendships that had been established in the past. Continued occupation of previously shared border worlds and support for terrorist acts within the Province have sundered any historical goodwill for now. The people of Oliver are resolute in their vows to stem any further League aggression.

The original colonists of the Oliver Province were primarily from parts of the old British Empire. While some were English, Irish, Welch, Scottish, American, Canadian, or African the largest segment hailed from down under. Over time this Australian heritage spread throughout the region till it became a natural part of the culture. Today this once quirky behavior continues to spread throughout the Province and is proudly embraced by many of its denizens. Naturally English is the language of Oliver even though some outsiders don’t recognize the native slang. Much of the populace doesn’t speak a second language which is a rarity for Terrans. Various tribal dialects (which are very uncommon) from Australia, North America, and Africa compose the bulk of these second languages. Another spoken tongue is German, which has been picked up from Oliver’s Lyran neighbors. Oliver and Skye have traditionally shared a close relationship that dates back to the time of the Outer Reaches Rebellion. This link to the Lyran nation has endured ever since and remains strong till this day. Christianity is the principal faith of this Province with Protestants holding a clear majority over Catholics. Shamanism and other tribal religions, thought primitive by some, run a distant second. Interestingly enough this Province is the only Terran region to widely accept New Age faiths which started out among the stars.