LIU Atlas - LGGS Station
There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - LGGS Station
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
LIU Atlas - LGGS Station
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Shortly after its colonization, the universe was in a state of chaos. There were no rules governing the interactions between the trillions of empires and political entities. War, genocide, and corruption were widespread. In order to bring a resemblance of order to the Universe, the great powers of the time created the first Universal Senate. This Senate, featuring a representative of each of the Universe’s empires, would pass a series of Universal Laws that would hold each entity accountable for its actions. These laws limited military actions, standardized trade, set boundaries, and placed sanctions on underdeveloped and unstable empires. No matter how powerful any single entity had become, it was still less powerful than the collective might of the rest of the Universe. Order was restored, at least, temporarily.”
Doog: “Uh, I need a glass of water. This has to be the longest of my monologues yet. Where was I? Oh yeah, the Universal Senate, and its twelve trillion members, eventually failed. Its size had worked against it, and passing legislature had become an impossibility. With so many members wishing to be heard, every bill was bogged down in the Senate for years. The bureaucratic red tape could literally wrap around the universe a dozen times. After a century, the Universal Senate was finally reorganized. The Universe was divided into millions of smaller sections, known as Local Galaxy Groups. Each LGG would have its own Senate, which would focus on local matters. When voting on Universe-wide legislation, the legislation would be debated and voted upon in each LGG. Whichever vote prevailed at the LGG level, would be sent as a single vote to the Universal Senate. This considerably cut the number of votes and allowed legislation to be decided in weeks instead of years. Gasp…gasp… let me catch my breath. Alright. Today, were headed to the LIU’s Local Galaxy Group Senate Station to catch a glimpse of how the Universe operates. The LGGS Station is located a few light years outside the LIU Galaxy. Its lower section contains a docking hangar for arriving Diplomats, and its upper section consists of a large dome which houses various offices, courtrooms, and of course, the LGG Senate Chamber.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I was dropped off in the docking bay, and I’ve made my way to the upper dome. The outer ring of the dome contains several offices for the LGG’s Senators. I’m supposed to meet my guide here. I think I see him now.”
Doog: “You must be my guide.”
Benny: “Yes, Doog. I’m Benny Adamson, Assistant Senator for the LIU. I see you took my advice and dressed up a bit, well, sort of.”
Doog: “Yeah. I tried, that’s what counts. So, I’ve already had a massive monologue talking about the formation and structure of the Universe’s government. I was hoping you could tell us a bit more - give my vocal chords a rest.”
Benny: “Sure thing. The LIU’s Local Galaxy Group consists of thirty galaxies, ranging from large spiral galaxies, like the LIU Galaxy, to small dwarf galaxies, like the Shifu Galaxy. Within this group of thirty galaxies, there are approximately one hundred and fifty political entities. The LIU, which possesses control of its entire galaxy, is the largest member of this LGG, while some of the smaller entities only have control of a few star systems. Each entity gets a number of votes based on its size with a minimum of one vote. The LIU holds approximately 30% of this LGG’s votes.”
Doog: “What? We only have 30% of the votes in our own LGG? That’s like…let’s see, carry the one, minus something or other…like less than the majority.”
Benny: “Unfortunately, but we make do. We have several methods of increasing our voting strength, especially when legislation is presented that effects our profits.”
Doog: “Such as?”
Benny: “Let‘s head down to our office, and I‘ll show you.”
Benny: “Yes, Doog. I’m Benny Adamson, Assistant Senator for the LIU. I see you took my advice and dressed up a bit, well, sort of.”
Doog: “Yeah. I tried, that’s what counts. So, I’ve already had a massive monologue talking about the formation and structure of the Universe’s government. I was hoping you could tell us a bit more - give my vocal chords a rest.”
Benny: “Sure thing. The LIU’s Local Galaxy Group consists of thirty galaxies, ranging from large spiral galaxies, like the LIU Galaxy, to small dwarf galaxies, like the Shifu Galaxy. Within this group of thirty galaxies, there are approximately one hundred and fifty political entities. The LIU, which possesses control of its entire galaxy, is the largest member of this LGG, while some of the smaller entities only have control of a few star systems. Each entity gets a number of votes based on its size with a minimum of one vote. The LIU holds approximately 30% of this LGG’s votes.”
Doog: “What? We only have 30% of the votes in our own LGG? That’s like…let’s see, carry the one, minus something or other…like less than the majority.”
Benny: “Unfortunately, but we make do. We have several methods of increasing our voting strength, especially when legislation is presented that effects our profits.”
Doog: “Such as?”
Benny: “Let‘s head down to our office, and I‘ll show you.”
Benny: “Our office is just down this hall to the left.”
Doog: “Wait, am I seeing this correctly? Are you guys buying votes?”
Benny: “Well sure. This is one of the ways we increase of voting strength. One of the good things about capitalistic societies, is that everything is for sale, including democracy. Sure, its frowned upon, but completely legal. Of course, there are entities that resist our offers, and we deal with them in other ways.”
Doog: “Wait, am I seeing this correctly? Are you guys buying votes?”
Benny: “Well sure. This is one of the ways we increase of voting strength. One of the good things about capitalistic societies, is that everything is for sale, including democracy. Sure, its frowned upon, but completely legal. Of course, there are entities that resist our offers, and we deal with them in other ways.”
Benny: “Come on, let’s head inside.”
Benny: “This is the LIU Senator’s Office. The office contains the Senator’s desk, and more importantly, a meeting room for hosting other Senators.”
Benny: “The man behind the desk is the LIU’s Senator. Unfortunately, he’s too busy to meet with you today. The Senator votes on behalf of the LIU. He’s usually on the phone taking orders from the LIU’s Elite or discussing deals with other Senators. Because he is so busy, he has several Assistant Senators to help him out, including myself.”
Senator: “That’s Assistant to the Senator, Benny.”
Benny: “Uh yes, of course. Sorry sir.”
Doog: “That sure is a giant phone. I hear they make those smaller now.”
Benny: “I also hear they make smaller microphones now.”
Doog: “Touché .”
Senator: “That’s Assistant to the Senator, Benny.”
Benny: “Uh yes, of course. Sorry sir.”
Doog: “That sure is a giant phone. I hear they make those smaller now.”
Benny: “I also hear they make smaller microphones now.”
Doog: “Touché .”
Benny: “As I mentioned earlier, this office also has a meeting area for hosting other Senators. Today, it looks like we are hosting the Senators from our voting bloc, known as the ‘Industrialists’. Although we are often competitors in the economic arena, we share the same interests in politics. By voting together in a bloc, we control about 48% of the LGG’s votes. Which, of course, brings us closer to the majority.”
Benny: “You may recognize some of the faces here - like Utrop of the Insurance Guild or Bahna of the United Stellar Mining Corporation.”
Doog: “Nope. Can’t say I do.”
Benny: “Come on, Hulo of the Haj Steel Federation, Fufu of the Consolidated Commerce Clan?
Doog: “Nope. Honestly, I don’t even recognize our own Senator. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a Senate until I arrived today.”
Benny: “Hmmm. Alright then.”
Doog: “Nope. Can’t say I do.”
Benny: “Come on, Hulo of the Haj Steel Federation, Fufu of the Consolidated Commerce Clan?
Doog: “Nope. Honestly, I don’t even recognize our own Senator. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a Senate until I arrived today.”
Benny: “Hmmm. Alright then.”
Benny: “You may not know much about politics, but I’m quite certain you know about our next destination, the courtroom. Let’s head down there.”
Doog: “Sounds like a blast…”
Alien: “Get out of way human!”
Doog: “Sounds like a blast…”
Alien: “Get out of way human!”
Doog: “Uh, yeah, sorry sir.”
Alien: “Sir! Sir! Am a woman fool! That’s it, this means WAR!”
Alien: “Sir! Sir! Am a woman fool! That’s it, this means WAR!”
Doog: “Aw crap. I’ve done plenty of stupid things in my life, but I never thought I’d be the cause of an intergalactic war.”
Benny: “No worries. This is going to work out great. We’ve been trying to provoke the Vokorn Empire for years. We’ll condemn there militaristic advances in the Senate - gaining favor with the Pacifists- while at the same time, devastating them in a war and installing a more favorable Senator. It’s a win-win situation. You may not know a lot about politics, but you might make a great Senator after all.”
Doog: “Really? Who knew it would be that easy? I tell you what, I’ll punch the next alien I see right in the face. War should follow shortly.”
Benny: “Uh, on the other hand, maybe you should just leave the politics up to me.”
Benny: “No worries. This is going to work out great. We’ve been trying to provoke the Vokorn Empire for years. We’ll condemn there militaristic advances in the Senate - gaining favor with the Pacifists- while at the same time, devastating them in a war and installing a more favorable Senator. It’s a win-win situation. You may not know a lot about politics, but you might make a great Senator after all.”
Doog: “Really? Who knew it would be that easy? I tell you what, I’ll punch the next alien I see right in the face. War should follow shortly.”
Benny: “Uh, on the other hand, maybe you should just leave the politics up to me.”
Benny: “The outer ring of the dome also holds several courtrooms for the Universal Court. The Universal Court, or UC, enforces the rules set forth by the Universal Senate. The LIU, admittedly, is a frequent violator, and we can found in one of the courtrooms at all times. The court is overseen by a High Judge and six jurors made up of the LGG’s members.”
Doog: “Ooh, can we stay and watch for a while. I love courtroom dramas.”
Benny: “Uh, sure.”
Doog: “Ooh, can we stay and watch for a while. I love courtroom dramas.”
Benny: “Uh, sure.”
Judge: “Order. Order. Let’s see…case number 4167, the LIU vs. the Universal Court. The LIU has been accused of violating Universal Code 77a-33x-654R, supplying weapons of mass destruction to a Class C Empire. How do you plea?”
Lawyer: “Objection, your honor! The LIU does not wish to enter a pleas until said charges can be validated. First, the LIU challenges that Neutron Planet Crushing Bomb is a ‘weapon of mass destruction’. Secondly, the LIU challenges that said ‘Class C’ Empire is in fact deserving of such a designation. Thirdly, the LIU challenges that said delivery of Neutron Planet…”
Judge: “Hold it. Hold it. How many objections do you guys have?”
Lawyer: “Your honor, we have 22,000 objections at this time.”
Judge: “Sigh. Please approach the bench.”
Lawyer: “Objection, your honor! The LIU does not wish to enter a pleas until said charges can be validated. First, the LIU challenges that Neutron Planet Crushing Bomb is a ‘weapon of mass destruction’. Secondly, the LIU challenges that said ‘Class C’ Empire is in fact deserving of such a designation. Thirdly, the LIU challenges that said delivery of Neutron Planet…”
Judge: “Hold it. Hold it. How many objections do you guys have?”
Lawyer: “Your honor, we have 22,000 objections at this time.”
Judge: “Sigh. Please approach the bench.”
Benny: “Finally, the inner section of the dome holds the LGG Senate Chamber. All member States meet here to vote on issues.”
Benny: “The ringed chamber is divided into two sections. The lower sections hold voting balconies for the LGG’s forty largest voting entities, which hold 90% of the votes. The upper chamber holds seating for the remaining one hundred and ten smaller entities, that, let’s face it, are practicably powerless. The upper chamber only votes when the lower chamber is deadlocked. As you can see, a marquee encircles the chamber and scrolls important information. It appears LGG Bill A83 has passed.”
Doog: “What is Bill A83?”
Doog: “What is Bill A83?”
Benny: “If I remember correctly, the bill lowers import tariffs in all the upper chamber’s systems - a bill heavily favored by the LIU. Of course, the upper chamber may not be as happy.”
Benny: “The debates and voting in the chamber are overseen by the Senate Leader, which stands on a rotating platform. The Senate Leader is selected from the member groups on a rotating basis, and they only serve two Universal Standard Years. The Senate Leader is mostly a figurehead, but the position can be financially lucrative as the various entities send bribe money for more floor time. Well Doog, that about does it.”
Benny: “Hopefully, you and the viewers learned a little about Universal Politics today.”
Doog: “Actually, my brain reached capacity after the first few minutes of the show, but there is still hope for the viewers. Well folks, the LGGS Station is home to a important political system that brings order to the Universe, even if it is highly corruptible and somewhat unfair. Well, see ya next time.”
Note: The LIU is selling votes for the upcoming Bill K93. Prices start as low as five millions credit’s a vote. No refunds.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 3 - Episode 11 - Nabu
Doog: “Actually, my brain reached capacity after the first few minutes of the show, but there is still hope for the viewers. Well folks, the LGGS Station is home to a important political system that brings order to the Universe, even if it is highly corruptible and somewhat unfair. Well, see ya next time.”
Note: The LIU is selling votes for the upcoming Bill K93. Prices start as low as five millions credit’s a vote. No refunds.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 3 - Episode 11 - Nabu
