Union Outpost

Union Outpost

The Union maintains a network of so called Union Outposts, some of them many million light years away from Union territory. All Union Outposts are officially under the administration of the  Science Corps  and maintained by the Expeditionary Marine Corps.

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The Science Corps – EMC Handbook and Field Guide 66-55 “Union Outposts” lists following reasons a Union Outpost is established :
 * a manned post at or nearby a location of scientific significance (UOP-Sci)
 * a manned post at or near an aerchological site.(UOP-AR)
 * a manned post at or near a site of diplomatic or first contact significance [1]
 * a position to guard or sentry a point or site of interest to the security of the United Stars of the Galaxies but not within space claimed by the United Stars
 * a manned position to guard a settlement or colony claimed by Union Citizens that is established beyond Union space and in potentially hazardous regions
 * A manned position to guard or sentry an object claimed by the United Stars but not within Union Space [2]
 * a manned position to conduct trade and facilitate business with non Union enties beyond Union Space [3]
 * Trade Forts outside Union Space – Outposts protecting trade lanes between Union friendly civilizations that are not Union Members
 * Manned Post beyond Union Space to maintain and extend the reach of GalCom Communication  [4]

A Union Outpost may be very small and  located inside Union Space such as the Science Corps Outpost on Planet Wichita to research the Big Bone Mystery. It might be as famous as the heavily defended and shielded Outpost near the Galactic Bar. Distant Shores Stations in the Andromeda Galaxyis also a Union Outpost. (List of Union Outposts)

[1] Outposts with a diplomatic or first contact role feature a State Department detachment. Outposts of such purpose are under the command authority of the United Stars of the Galaxies – Diplomatic Corps and the State Department and are designated “Union Embassy Stations” [2]Outposts with a pure military guard role are called  Forts  and are under the Command Authority of the United Stars Army

[3] As of 5030 the Golden Bazaars became part of the Xchange and are designated Union Trade Outposts. Union Trade Outposts, especially those former Golden Bazaars located in distant Galaxies are also Union Embassy Outposts. [4] Uninterrupted and delay free communication has always been seen as utmost vital to and important to the United Stars of the Galaxies. The right to freely communicate has even been expressed as a fundamental right in the Union Constitution. Communication Relay outposts are maintained by the Signal Engineer Corps and SII. It is a Federal offense to interrupt Union Communication and offenders are severely punished (Union or not) Comm – (Outposts beyond Union Space do not always carry GalNet if they only maintain communication to Military destinations.) ---

Shown in the image is the Union Communications Outpost 59995 - Icy Rock.