Novenae

Novenae
Province of the NF
Nickname(s)	City of Corporations
Motto	Excelsior
Date of admission	December 23, 3018 (2nd)
Capital	Bern
Largest district	Bern
Language(s)	English, Dutch, Cantonese
Director	Isaak Ibrahim
Legislature	Novenae Parliament

“	In the interest of establishing a territory governed jointly by corporations & people, a safe haven for immigrant workers and businesses alike, we declare the formation of the Republic of Novenae...	”
	— Constitution of Novenae, Preamble

Novenæ, often nicknamed the City of Corporations, is a province of the Novanite Federation located in the central region of the Doggerlands, sandwiched between Barkshire to the north and Sunnyvale to the south.

The province is known for its' amiable nature towards businesses as well as immigrant workers, and holds among the highest number of corporate embassies, offices, and headquarters in its' largest district Bern. Political power is balanced carefully between corporations and citizens, both receiving representation within Parliament. Turbulent anti-corporate riots marked its' formation, as well as a period of authoritarian rule.

Etymology

"Novenæ" comes from Latin meaning "group of nine"- to represent the nine corporations that founded the city.

History

Founding

Novenae was originally proposed within TCH's High Corporate Chamber, marketed as a place where corporations could do business, initiate peace talks, and hold meetings. Old Flopland adjoining Sunnyvale was bulldozed, and flattened to make way for new developments in the city.

Shortly after, the current government, set up by the TCH directorate, would come into power. HR was put into place as Prime Minister and pushed the country forth with a battery of new legislation and urban projects.

Migrant Crisis

Just as the nation was getting on its feet, it was faced with a severe refugee crisis following the release of the Gray Death virus. Thousands of migrants flooded the city from the Scion-Novenae border, more than its' small police force could handle. The corporations were called in to handle the situation, leading to a back-and-forth between the forces of the corporations and the refugees. BlackCon Labs Corporation deployed a flamethrower squad, setting fire to hundreds of infected citizens and causing most of the crowd to retreat, thus ending the ordeal.

Refugee camps were promptly established outside of the border, and refugee screening was initiated. The morality of the use of flamethrowers is disputed.

September Drone Attack

Shortly after the migrant crisis, Prime Minister HR had scheduled a meeting on September 22nd with the President of the Sentinel Security Agency, Rockefeller Clinton. The meeting was to discuss Novenae's inclusion in a nuclear protection program, as well as other donations the corporation wished to make. During the meeting, HR rejected many of Clinton's offers, as he viewed them too ambitious with vague conditions attached to them. Clinton shortly after "made a phone call" before turning on the television. Hundreds of miniature, armed automated drones were released onto the city, and began killing Novenae citizens. A standoff between the Sentinel Security Agency and Novenae Police ensued, however the Prime Minister was escorted out safely.

An immediate shelter in place was issued, and emergency notifications were sent to the Ministry of Defense. The massacre ended 3 hours after, with 104 deaths and 300 injuries. Rockefeller Clinton was sentenced to life imprisonment, and all members of the Sentinel Security Agency declared enemies of the state. Chisel Enterprises would raid the SSA's headquarters soon after.

Attempted Uprising by the NPL

After HR's hospitalization following a motor vehicle accident, the Novenae's People for Liberation (NPL) began staging large-scale, violent protests throughout the city. The NPL expressed clear wishes to seize power from the corporations and create an entirely civilian government, but these demands were ignored.

On November 4th, 2018, a large gathering of masked protesters assembled outside of the Senate Building in Bern. These protesters had no signs, stayed absolutely silent, and had no clear purpose. Over the course of an hour, more protesters began to gather until the group had 5 times its' original number.

At 18:02 Novenae local time, an airhorn sounded. As if on cue, the protesters charged the Senate building, attempting to violently gain entry. Novenae's police were once again swarmed, and the Senate building badly vandalized. Office workers inside the building began to barricade the doors and windows in response. After 20 minutes, a large contingency was able to break open the front door, causing protesters to flood in. Protesters flipped desks, scattered papers, spray painted, all while flying the flag of the Novenae's People for Liberation. Riot control forces from Chisel Enterprises came in to control the situation, and arrested 45% of the protesters. The rest were taken into custody by Novenae Police Officers.

War on Terror

The period of time after these attacks would be characterized by intense paranoia, both from the government and the people, and would transform Novenae into a "paranoid arbitrator". Government legislation mandated the installation of underground fallout shelters into residential homes, apartments, and government offices. Many government offices have 7-inch thick reinforced ceilings. It is theorized that Novenae has many armaments and military outposts hidden in discreet spots throughout the city-state, and that the city may have nuclear capabilities, though these claims are unconfirmed.

Novenae holds a sizable military, composed of military donations from the 9 corporations that control the city. 90% of the military forces are supplied by Chisel Enterprises. Many corporations also hold regional military forces that will protect Novenae at its' request. Novenae also has one of the highest police presences in the Doggerlands, with a police force 30,000 officers strong.

Civil War

See also: Novenae Riots

On November 11th, 3018, during a meeting at Chisel Enterprises' regional HQ in Novenae, another violent protest broke out. Armed gunmen and riots broke out on the Promenade and a concentrated attack on C.E. regional headquarters was attempted by the Novenae's People for Liberation. At 18:13 NOV local time, a helicopter filled with explosives collided with the Novenae Parliament Building. At 18:18, another helicopter, also filled with explosives, collided into the library, marking the beginning of a large-scale riot by the NPL. Armed gunmen quickly took over the Promenade, and attempted to gain entry into C.E. regional HQ, where the Prime Minister was located. The Novenae Defense Force, unable to keep up, was quickly swamped and Chisel Enterprises forces once again stepped in.

Chisel Enterprises Overwatch intervened at 18:48, as well as unknown forces that have not been claimed by any nation. Upwards of several hundred casualties were reported, in an egregious massacre of the protesters. The Promenade and most of the business district was left devastated, and protests started in neighboring regions such as the United Cities of Greater Bonitana and the Almere Socialist Republic against the corporations.

Rebuilding & Relinquishment of Neutrality

NPL-related attacks continued well into 3019, but culminated in an attack on Byfair by a Novenae-backed terrorist group known as the Modus Individuum. The attack crippled Byfair's infrastructure and many of the terrorists safely retreated into Novenae. Soon after this most NPL members were expelled from the Eastern Federal Republic, ceasing further conflict. After this came a peace-time which allowed the city to rebuild. Much of its' infrastructure was repared through construction projects pushed by the Prime Minister, and land claimed by the NPL was reclaimed by the NDF.

On March 1, 3019, a governmental restructure authored by the HR cabinet turned Novenae into a partial democracy for the first time in its' history. Citizens were to share legislative representation with corporations and business unions, referred to as 'blocs'. Its' constitution was also rewritten to integrate itself properly into the Novanite Federation, with the Prime Minister taking on all powers and responsibilities as the Provincial Director.

Authoritarian Rule

Following the resignation of Director James Ledger, Defense Minister Isaak Ibrahim was appointed Director by the HR cabinet. After only a few weeks Ibrahim initiated a coup d'etat, essentially kicking the Novanite federal government out of the city. The independent Republic of Novenae was declared, and continues to administer the region today, though the legitimacy of their rule is disputed.

Ibrahim's regime has been characterized by gross human rights violations, arbitrary searches and detentions, and a fierce stance against foreign influence.

Government & Politics

Novenae operates under its' constitutional document, the Basic Law. As a member state of the Novanite Federation, the head of government of Novenae is called the "Director", though this position is referred to as "President" in the Basic Law. Novenae is also restricted in certain areas of legislation such as immigration, these powers being reserved for the federal government.

The Basic Law divides Novenae's government into three branches:

Executive

Director
Isaak Ibrahim Incumbent 2nd Director

The Director is the head of government for the region, commander-in-chief of the province's military forces and head of the executive branch. Directly elected by the people of Novenae, the Director promulgates all legislation and has the duty to enforce it. The Director serves 6 year terms with no present term limit.

Legislative

The Novenae Parliament is the supreme law-making body of Novenae. Potential laws are introduced as bills and must receive a majority vote in favor to pass.

Novenae Parliament building in Bern.

The Parliament's composition has been a subject of contention. Out of 100 seats, only 50 are directly elected by Novenae residents. The other 50 are granted to corporations and local businesses, representing a delicate power balance between corporate & natural citizens.

Judicial

The Supreme Court of Novenae is the highest court in the Province, authorized by Article 3 of the Basic Law to have the power of judicial review. It may strike down laws and previous rulings from lower courts it deems unconstitutional. The Chief Justice and 6 other justices are nominated by the Director and serve life-long terms.

Military

Main article: Novenae Defense Force

Novenae's military forces consist of its' provincial guard the Novenae Defense Force, designated for keeping the peace and suppressing insurrections.