Fortis Consortium
"Survive, overcome, and rebuild." 
Political Environment and Government Type:The Consortium is not a nation or government in the traditional sense. It operates off the basis that the collective is strongest operating in unison with itself, with all of it's made up parts being inferior to the whole. A council made up of the captains of each of the ships in the flotilla leads the Consortium in all matters, with the admiral being the spokesman for the council and the final deciding vote on partisan issues. The admiral holds no additional power except in matters of battle, wherein his word is considered law.
All captains elect a 'first mate' when they first rise to the position. This first mate is not only their second-in-command, but the captain's chosen successor, should he perish. There is no election process in the Consortium. Every man is chosen for promotion by his superior. If an elected successor is deemed unworthy of the position by a majority vote in the council, he can be replaced, though this is usually only considered under extreme circumstances.
While the greater population of the Consortium have no official sway in the running of the government, their voices do not go unheard. There is a system set up that allows 'representatives' to be 'elected' by popular vote. These representatives then meet with the captain of their particular ship to discuss whatever ideas their group supports, essentially lobbying for the vote of the captain. The threat of mutiny hangs ever over the heads of Fortis's leaders, all but forcing them to give ear to the concerns of the masses, if they wish to avoid being strung up by their crew.
The Consortium's structure is designed after that of the U.S Navy. Rankings are determined by merit, usually, though there is a degree of favoritism that goes into every decision by the higher-ups when promoting members of Fortis. Officially, there are no 'civilians' in the flotilla. Everyone serves, so long as they are aboard Consortium ships. Many are exempt from combat roles for a variety of reasons, however; age, illness, mental fortitude and how critical their role in the flotilla is are all important factors in determining if one is 'combat ready.' Engineers, physicists, doctors and other specialists are hard to come by in this day and age. They were the men and women who kept the flotilla, well, floating. They couldn't be sacrificed in battle, so specialists are typically ordered to avoid it at all costs.
Location:Mobile, but currently docked in what was once Lisbon, Portugal.
Demographics:70% Caucasian-American
10% African-American
10% Latin-American/Hispanic
5% Asian
5% Other
50% Protestant Christian
21% Catholic Christian
22% Agonistic
5% Islamic
2% Other
Culture: The culture in the Fortis Consortium is one of pragmatism and utilitarianism. It is their belief that the world is still a very dangerous place, and it is necessary to take whatever steps they need to in order to survive to live another day. Nothing matters more than ensuring the safety of the collective. Morality, advancement, and all other things are considered secondary to the flotilla's continued existence. As such, the community believes that the sharing of resources and the coming together to solve problems are absolutely necessary. No singular person can survive in a world like this, so they must work together toward that goal.
All live to serve one another. Selfishness is considered the utmost taboo in the Consortium. Crimes such as theft of Consortium property are considered to hold near the same weight as murder. Due to the nature of the flotilla, crimes are generally punished in one of two ways: banishment from the fleet, or death. More minor crimes might be met with lighter rations, a heavier work load and monitoring by security guards. Depending on the necessity one has for the flotilla's survival, some crimes may be handled more lightly than the law clearly defines. For example, a nuclear physicist who makes sure the warships remain in operation may be confined to his quarters and given less to eat for sexual assault, whereas a deckhand or common soldier would be dumped off the side of the ship.
Art, music and traditions within the Fortis Consortium are quite varied, depending on one's heritage. Most of the citizens of the Consortium came from a number of different city-states and nations in North America, each bringing with them a piece of their homeland's culture. Several have joined the flotilla along the way. Some more populous sub-groups include Latin Americans, south-east Asians, Middle Eastern cultural groups, and a few European ethnicities. These cultures have mixed together to form the unique and vibrant society that is the Consortium.
The events that spurred the Age of Rebirth have caused a large resurgence of religious worship in the last four hundred years. Many of turned to God in order to find peace in a violent and turbulent world. The Consortium has a majority population of Christians, most coming from the former States, though there are very active Muslim, Jewish and Hindu sub-communities as well.
The Fleet:FCS Purgatory: Designed and built by the Independent California Republic, the Purgatory is a Continental-class amphibious assault ship meant for deploying Marine Expeditionary Units on enemy shores. In it's modern usage, the Purgatory is the flagship of the Consortium fleet. It is the only ship capable of holding aircraft in the flotilla, and acts as the main seat of the council. The Purgatory has a capacity to hold twenty eight aircraft and helicopters (Including the K-66 Knighthawk helicopters, VTOL capable H-12 Hero multi-role stealth fighters, and OK-10 King Osprey tiltroter helicopters), and three Landing Craft Utility boats in it's well deck. Designed for long term sea voyages, the FCS Purgatory is one of two vessels in the flotilla with it's own light water reactors. While it's fuel source is significantly harder to find than normal oil, enriched uranium lasts much longer, requiring next to no stops for refueling. At full operational capacity, the reactors on the Purgatory can last up to twenty five years without the need to refuel. It is helmed by Admiral Joseph Henshaw.
FCS Mjolnir: Another vessel constructed in the shipyards of the California Republic, the FCS Mjolnir belongs to the Olympus-class of fast attack submarines. The only other nuclear powered vessel in the fleet, the Mjolnir can last up to thirty seven years at sea without the need to refuel. Armaments for the nuclear submarine include twelve Olympus Launching System tubes, each holding Retribution-class medium to long range ballistic, non-nuclear missiles, and four Tsunami-class ADCAP torpedo tubes for ship to ship combat. As the most specialized of the vessels in the Consortium's navy, the crew of the Mjolnir is made up of the best of the best. Captained by none other than the fierce old bulldog Captain Wallace Jackson, it is easily the most fearsome ship in the fleet.
FCS Valiant: Stolen from the Northern Conglomerate, the FCS Valiant is one of several prized Destroyers in the Flotilla. Coming from the Zimmerman-class of Destroyer, the Valiant is a multi-purpose warship meant to defend the larger vessels in the fleet. With anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities, the Valiant and her sister ships are easily the most flexible warships in the flotilla. Captained by the fearless Dinah Cohen.
FCS Indomitable: Another procured combat vessel of the Northern Conglomerate, the FCS Indomitable is another of the powerful Destroyers belonging to the Zimmerman-class. Unlike the Valiant, the Indomitable features an array of electronic warfare technologies that protect it and the other vessels in the fleet. Anti-jamming tech keeps the radar and radio frequencies of the Consortium safe from enemy information attacks, while similar technology is used to jam up the information channels of opposing forces. Due to the technical nature of this Destroyer, the Consortium's Captain Allen Hughes, a man of great technical skill and intellect, heads the Indomitable.
FCS Divination: The third of the four raided Zimmerman-class Destroyers, the Divination is much the same as the Valiant in terms of armament and purpose. A defensive warship with a flexible nature, it's armed to the teeth with Retribution missiles, Mark 62 naval artillery guns, and anti-aircraft, radar-controlled point defense guns. Any approaching threat can be met by the Divination and her sister warships in the Zimmerman-class. Helmed by a veteran captain in Marcus Locke, the Divination is a force to be reckoned with.
FCS Tempest: Last of the captured Northern Conglomerate ships, the FCS Tempest has proven itself in combat several times over. Eliminating threat after threat, there are few in the Consortium who can boast similar combat experience as the crew of the Tempest. Led by none other than Captain Jonathan Barnes, a reckless and hotheaded soldier with boundless courage, the Tempest leads the charge against anyone who would dare threaten the safety of the Fortis Consortium.
FCS Salvation: The first of the civilian vessels to join the Consortium's flotilla, the Salvation is one of two ships meant to keep the fleet alive. It's a large ship that carries roughly half of the hydroponics systems that feed the personnel of the navy. Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, broccoli, and many other variants are grown aboard the Salvation using soil-less agricultural methods. Several animals such as goats and cows are kept to produce milk. Food is strictly rationed by the council due to how difficult it is to grow on the move, and stealing food is considered a horrific crime punishable by banishment or, in more severe cases, death. Captained by Doctor Annabethe Duff, a hard-nosed Irish woman with a mind like no other.
FCS Demeter: Sister to the Salvation, the Demeter is another vessel meant primarily to help feed the population of the Fortis Consortium. While the Salvation focuses mostly on hydroponics growth, the Demeter is a massive fishing trawler refitted for the purposes of the flotilla. Fish are caught in mass, cured and salted, and preserved within it's huge storage tanks to be consumed in the highly regimented meal plans set out by the council. Thanks to recent advances in technology, the Demeter is also equipped to collect and sanitize sea water, filtering it so it can be used as regular drinking water. Helmed by Doctor William Kosov.
FCS Galileo: The FCS Galileo is a research vessel built out of the modified hull of a giant icebreaker cruiser. The Galileo's purposes are flexible, as it houses the entirety of the Consortium's scientific community. Physicists, doctors, engineers, and mathematicians of all sorts gather in the Galileo. Their purpose is to advance the technology available to the Fortis Consortium, discovering new ways to find and refine oil and fuel for the fleet. Biofuels and other alternatives are constantly being updated and tested by the crew in an effort to stretch out the amount of time the flotilla can remain at sea. Led by Doctor Karl Stein.
FCS Bastion: Commonly nicknamed 'Noah's Ark,' the FCS Bastion is one of three vessels meant to house the families and people of the Consortium that do not live aboard the other ships. Children, the elderly, the infirm and those without the skills or knowledge to crew another vessel are placed aboard here. Periodically, the other vessels in the fleet may have or allow their crew to transfer to the Bastion or other such ships for vacation, entertainment and rejuvenation. The education of the younger generations and those without proper technical skills is conducted aboard the Bastion. Schooled in all the knowledge necessary to become a helpful cog in the Consortium's machine, this is where one's place in society is usually decided. As such, the Bastion has become something of a cultural center in the flotilla. Theaters, restaurants, museums and artisans shops are all commonly found within these Arks. At the helm is Captain Andre Bisset.
FCS Sanctuary: The second of the large population ships, Sanctuary has more of a focus as a mobile hospital. Most of the infirm and elderly are contained here, where they can be properly cared for by the nursing staff. The wounded, those critical enough to require long-term care, are also kept in Sanctuary. Most of the medical supplies are stored aboard this ship. Captained by Doctor Nicolas Carter.
FCS Haven: A bulk carrier or freighter, the second largest ship in the fleet behind the main carrier, the FCS Haven is the last of the modified population vessels. Though acting in the same manner as the Sanctuary and the Bastion as a home for those unequipped for work on more specialized vessels, the Haven doubles as a mobile workshop and factory. All raw materials are stored aboard the freighter and used for the production of supplies necessary for the continued operation of the fleet. Fuel, steel, and munitions are all stored within the freighter. There has been some controversy surrounding the operation of the Haven, with some citing it as dangerous to store all of the materials aboard a single, massive ship, seeing it as an easy target for sabotage. Led by Captain Arthur Steele.
These are the twelve most critical of the twenty six ships in the fleet. Of the fourteen remaining vessels, six are military vessels including smaller frigates, combat support ships, and littoral combat ships. The other eight civilian ships are a variety of passenger cruisers, cargo and merchant ships, tankers, and fishing ships.
History:The United States of America was devastated by nuclear war. Russian missiles turned every major city into a crater, washing the U.S in waves of fallout and heavy radiation. The death toll was catastrophic. Those to survive were the few lucky enough to escape to bunkers scattered throughout the country, or who lived in areas sparsely populated enough that they weren't caught in the fighting. Still, nuclear winter proved difficult for those few survivors, as radiation claimed even more lives. Colonies formed. Tiny pockets of civilization amidst the chaos and death, hiding away in mountains that kept them from irradiated winds. Though Doomsday had indeed come, there were those precious, hardy few who managed to stave off the apocalypse.
When the harsh conditions of a war torn, destroyed world began to slowly fade over hundreds of years, those colonies began to expand. Repopulating the earth became a priority as humanity banded together to rebuild all that had been lost. Cities rose from the ashes. Those cities would connect with others like them. Some joined together peacefully, forming unions that eventually became the basis for the new nations. Others saw their neighbors as threats, or resources to be mined. It was during these days that the Independent California Republic formed, based out of the newly rebuilt Los Angeles. Up north in Washington States and parts of Canada, The Northern Coalition was brought together by the confederation of a number of smaller sovereign states.
These two nations were quickly set up as rivals after a number of trade and border disputes. Small skirmishes over scavenging grounds eventually led to all-out armed conflict. Development of military technology was once again a priority, as men seemed to forget what had brought the world to it's knees but a few centuries before.
Progress was built on the back of war as new, updated weapons were used to devastate the battlefield. Soldiers died in the hundreds as each nation struggled over small plots of land. Tanks, missiles, aircraft and infantry were all given state of the art updates to use against their enemies.
It was during this war that the a few soldiers of the Independent California Republic's navy gathered, meeting in secret to discuss the nature of the conflict. Too many lives were being lost. It was a fruitless endeavor that would only prove to weaken both nations. With how close to extinction humanity was, fighting was nothing but a waste of resources. Commander Henshaw, along with his peers in Allen Hughes and the venerable Wallace Jackson, approached the leaders of the ICR with their concerns. The president and congress both waved off their concerns, threatening to indict the navy men with charges of treason if they did not fight. Knowing that this war with be the end of them all, Henshaw and his supporters rallied what loyal crewmen they could and came up with a daring plan. In the dead of night, they took control of the Purgatory, the Mjolnir, and the since sunk cruiser, the Endurance.
They fled California waters and sailed north, requesting an audience with the leaders of the Northern Coalition in an attempt to arrange peace talks between the two sides. Despite Henshaw's best efforts, diplomacy broke down after several months of indecision, with neither side wanting to surrender to the other. They believed that the resources they had already sunk into this conflict necessitated that victory be achieved at any cost. It was not all for nothing, however, as some within the Coalition shared Henshaw's beliefs. A meeting was arranged with Captains Dinah Cohen, Marcus Locke and Jonathan Barnes. After much deliberation, it was decided that they should take all who didn't wish to participate in this fruitless conflict with them, and flee the ravaged coast.
A daring mission was arranged. Sailors from both sides joined together to commandeer four Destroyers from the Northern Coalition fleet, as well as a large cruise ship and a fishing trawler. Though there was bloodshed, and the resulting battle ended up costing the stolen California Republic cruiser. Fleeing the burnt out harbor, eight ships made it out to sea, jam packed with citizens of both countries that wished to leave that hellhole far behind them. They established the council of captains, flew the flag of the Fortis Consortium, and began their own bitter struggle for survival upon the harsh ocean waters. Headed by the iron Admiral Henshaw, the Consortium traveled the world, picking up more ships and more people for their flotilla. Many lost their lives along the way, and many vessels had to be abandoned. But the Consortium fought on. Ever forward they marched, eyes to the horizon as they sought out a place they could finally call home.
