The Compact of Humanity in Assembly—commonly called the Compact—is the interstellar political union of human-settled worlds. It was founded following a conflict between Earth and Mars that threatened the stability of early interstellar expansion. The Compact was established through ratification of the founding document, The Compact of Humanity, and has since served as the primary governing framework for cooperation, diplomacy, law, and mutual defense across human space.
While highly idealistic in structure, the Compact is often challenged by its decentralized nature and the vast distances between core and frontier worlds.
Government Structure:
-
The Compact Assembly:
The legislative branch, composed of delegates from all member worlds and polities. It drafts and enacts Compact-wide policy and law. Though nominally unicameral, a subset of this body comprises the Security Council. -
The Security Council:
A standing committee of senior Assembly delegates, the Security Council operates as a de facto upper house. It handles defense, high-level diplomacy, and emergency powers, often serving as a check on broader Assembly legislation. -
Secretary-General:
Serves as both head of government and de facto head of state. The Secretary-General is elected by the Assembly and wields executive authority over Compact institutions, diplomacy, and interstellar security. -
Supreme Court of Compact:
The Compact’s highest judicial authority, interpreting Compact law and resolving inter-world legal conflicts. It ensures consistent legal standards across member polities. -
Office of Colonial Development (OCD):
Oversees planetary infrastructure, development, and orbital assets, including hypergates and orbital stations. OCD is a key civilian arm of the Compact with authority on emerging or frontier worlds. Originally seen as a check against core worlds over their own colonies, OCD is often resented by colonists and those seeking to plant new colonies as overbearing and restrictive.
Capital – Quantonesia:
The Compact’s capital is located in Quantonesia, a dense, high-tech megacity built on an artificial island in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong. The city serves as the political and administrative hub of the Compact and is notable for its vertical architecture and interstellar diplomatic compounds.
Quantonesia symbolizes the transition from Earth-bound politics to interstellar governance and remains the heart of human political life in the Interstellar Era.
Historical Origins:
Founded around 100 IE, the Compact arose in response to escalating tensions and eventual war between Earth and Mars. The post-war consensus was that unregulated interplanetary expansion risked further conflict. The Compact of Humanity was drafted as a peacekeeping charter, affirming mutual defense, legal cooperation, and colonial oversight.
Role in the Amargosa Trilogy:
-
The Compact’s initial failure to respond swiftly to the Gelt invasion exposes structural weaknesses and political inertia.
-
Institutions like the Compact Marines, Navy, and Office of Colonial Development play major roles in the resistance and post-war recovery.
-
Characters such as Davra Andraste, JT Austin, and Suicide become entwined with the Compact’s inner workings, exposing political rifts and shaping future policy.