Faction - Gongen

General Information:
Survival on Mars demanded a communal approach where harmony and loyalty came before commercial and economic interests. The Gongen have abandoned the corporate culture of the CGC; the result is a melding of the communism of China with the “company man” approach of Japan. Unlike Earth with its corporations, the Gongen people have taken the place of the driving force of their planet.

 
Gongen History:

Space exploration exploded in the 2030s and 2040s. The advent of GRAV drive (GRavity Attuned Vehicle) engines made space travel much easier and faster, and precipitated a tremendous expansion into space.

The colonization of Gongen (formerly Mars) began in the 2070s, largely initiated by the governments of Asia after a series of disastrous nuclear explosions occurred there in 2071. A large part of Asia and the surrounding Pacific Rim area were contaminated and will be uninhabitable for thousands of years. Asians were the predominant racial group among the early settlers of Mars. While billions of people died in the disaster, the surviving populations had the means and motivation to leave. In addition to GRAV drives, their technology was highly advanced. Asia had been on the leading edge of space exploration during the previous three decades.

The initial colonies were fragile and relied upon a philosophy of sharing for the common good that found favor with the colonists. The early settlers also relied heavily on mechanization. In the early days of colonization, much of the work was performed by robots programmed to handle manual labor in the thin atmosphere. These bots evolved into a servant class used for domestic labor, civil defense and heavy construction. An artificial intelligence was installed to oversee the bots’ construction and deployment. It was the same AI system that shutdown many of the malfunctioning reactors on Earth, preventing catastrophic meltdowns in some areas. Otherwise, the loss of life would have been worldwide. Remembering how that system saved millions of lives, the Gongen people put their trust in the AI, now named “Shocho” (a word meaning “advisor”) in its new incarnation. Over the years, the population increased and cities thrived by tapping into subterranean watersheds and melting large parts of the polar icecaps. The more self-sufficient the Mars settlers became, the less they relied upon shipments from Earth, and the more independent they became.

 
After struggling for years with the Earth’s Central Governance Corporation (CGC), Mars’ authorities claimed their independence in 2364. Inspired by the fact that Mars has the largest volcano in the Solar System (Olympus Mons), they renamed the planet Gongen (“mountain deity”). Any Earther official who did not sign the Gongen Declaration of Sovereignty was immediately and unceremoniously sent back to Earth. The most passionate among the Gongen claimed sovereignty based upon the theory that life arose on Gongen, and was transferred to Earth as a result of meteor impacts; they claimed, therefore, that all humans are Gongen and that Gongen is the true cradle of humanity.

In 2388 Earther and Gongen forces fought a monumental space battle. Earth’s defeat was unexpected. During the battle of Phobos, NōBots appeared at each of the major Gongen cities to defend them from attacking forces. The people of Gongen did not know the NōBots existed. The mystery surrounding the NōBots—where they came from and why they came—initially baffled and later delighted the Gongen.

Years ago as the conflict between Earth and Gongen was escalating, Shocho took these instructions to a logical conclusion unforeseen by the Gongen. NōBots are large, 15-meter (50-foot) robots designed by Shocho and constructed at remote bot facilities in secret. Each NōBot is decorated with a mask from the traditional Nō theater. As a result, the NōBots have become synonymous with Gongen warfare and legendary throughout the Solar System. In the tradition of the ancient warrior beliefs, a NōBot is programmed to destroy itself if the city it is guarding is defeated. During the Gongen War of Independence, a NōBot known as Ko-omote destroyed itself and killed hundreds of invading Earther troops and making the ultimate sacrifice known as Junshi.

After the Battle of Phobos was over, shrine-like temples were built to honor the NōBots. Since the appearance of the NōBots, Gongen army units have been organized into Kokata units (named after actors in the Nō theater who never wear masks). The uniforms of Kokata units now incorporate symbolic references to honor NōBots. A Kokata units’ color scheme is the same as the NōBot assigned to defend their city, and Kokata warriors have an icon of the NōBot’s mask on their chest. When the Kokata troops mobilize for war, the NōBots they follow join them in support.

 
Shikami was the first NoBot to appear. The Shikami No mask represents rage, and especially masculine rage. He fought with great fierceness and resolve in defense of his appointed city. His followers are strong fighters, capable of holding ground for a long long time.

Deigan was the second NoBot to appear. The Deigan No mask represents change and enlightenment, a female character. Her followers gather information and find out about other cultures and planets. After the Gongen War of Independence was won, another NoBot named Hannya joined the Deigan Kokata units.

Ikazuchi was the third NoBot to appear, in defense of the city of Takumi. He represents thunder and lightning, and his Kokata followers move quickly and strike with great strength, using jet packs and fast vehicles called TSVs.

Chijo is the nature represented as the “planet defenders.” They are troops trained in defense, originally ordered to support other Kokata units in defending Gongen against the Earther attacks. Now, Chijo troops are found wherever the Gongen are fighting.

Tenno is the nature represented as the “heaven defenders.” They build and maintain the ships of the Gongen fleet. Four carriers are the heart of the fleet, each named for one of the four winds. More are in construction. Gongen ships have advanced expert control systems that help their pilots battle more efficiently.