The Intergalactic Union was initially formed as a cooperative endeavour of the sister planets Eadilon.Tentarvo and Eadilon.Larpa. The IU’s purpose was to extend its reach further out into the galaxy in an effort to discover other forms of intelligent life. Such a partnership would allow for the exchanging of technology, information and resources, to benefit all planets. Although the Intergalactic Union was originally proposed by Tentarvo and Larpa, it was not considered official until the discovery and induction of its first member, Linta-Linto.Umberra.
Entitlements
According to IU law, any star, planet, moon or other celestial body that is registered with the IU, is under IUtreaty protection. That is, it cannot be visited, mined, colonised or interfered with in any way by non-native beings without the express written consent of the designated owner or representative.
Registered planets, moons of other celestial bodies may enter into free trade agreements with other IU registered bodies at their own discretion and at the mutual agreement of all involved parties.
If the star, planet, moon or other celestial body, is violated, the owner, representative, or resident race may call on the IU for military or political support.
Residents of the registered planet, moon or other celestial body are able to apply for an IU passport, allowing for easier travel to other IU registered worlds.
Obligations
All residents of IU registered planets, moons or other celestial bodies are required to partake in the official IU census and all personnel must be registered with the IU.
All planetary weapons and defense systems must be registered with the IU and meet IU regulations.
In the event that war is declared, any IU registered planet, moon or other celestial body may be requisitioned as a military station and its resources appropriated for use of the IU military forces.
Criteria for Registration
In order for a star, planet, moon or other celestial body to be registered, it must have an indigenous race of sentient life forms on at least one body in the corresponding star system.
The native, dominant species of the planet, moon or other celestial body must be at stage 5* on the IU Development Scale.
Any registered race must have a representative on the IU council.
Any star, planet, moon and or other celestial body must have an IU registered name.
This name is the one by which the celestial body will be recognised throughout the galaxy, irrespective of origin or language.
Only one name is permitted to be registered per body.
Once a native sentient life form has registered their home planet, moon or other celestial body, they may also register any other uncolonised celestial bodies within their star system, to ensure they too are under IU protection.
Legal Naming
A planet’s full legal name consists of the star name, followed by the planet name, separated by a dot, e.g. Planet Tentarvo from the star system of Eadilon would be designated Eadilon.Tentarvo
The format follows for moons, which include their star and planet names. E.g. the moon, Luna, would be designated Sol.Terra.Luna
In the event of a binary star system, both star names are included, joined by a hyphen, with the largest star being named first, e.g. Linta-Linto
Non-Native Colonization
For non-registered planets that have no native sentient life forms on them or in their respective star system, colonization by a non-native race is permitted. However, the planet may only then be registered after a minimum period of 100 local years and when the colony has reached a minimum population of 1 million live residents.
In the case of non-native colony registration, only the planet, its moon(s) and star(s) may be registered, not any other unpopulated planets, moons or other celestial bodies contained within the star system.
*The IU Development Scale
The Development Scale is used by the IU to grade the levels of “advanced” beings as opposed to “primitive” life forms.
Stage 1: The species shows obvious capacity for self-awareness.
Stage 2: The species is able to communicate via a language and pass knowledge of that language onto others.
Stage 3: The species is able to express itself through artistic mediums, and appreciate this artwork.
Stage 4: The species is able to actively manipulate its environment to suit its own needs.
Stage 5: The species acknowledges the likelihood and/or presence of other beings in the universe and actively seeks to make contact.
Image courtesy of ESA
C. A. Harland 