| Name | Union Starguard |
| Size | Vast interstellar organization with a fleet of advanced starships and highly-trained elite soldiers |
| Formed | Early 24th century, after the First Galactic Union War |
| Purpose | Military and peacekeeping force of the Galactic Union of Planetary Republics |
| Significance | Powerful symbol of the Union's commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of its citizens |
| Controversies | Not without controversy |
| Responsibilities | Enforce the Union's laws, treaties, and security • Maintain stability and order across member worlds • Combat threats such as rogue states, criminal syndicates, and alien invasions |
The Union Starguard is the premier military and peacekeeping force of the Galactic Union of Planetary Republics, tasked with enforcing the Union's laws, treaties, and security. Formed in the aftermath of the devastating First Galactic Union War in the early 24th century, the Starguard has evolved into a vast interstellar organization over the past three centuries, playing a crucial role in maintaining stability and order across the Union's thousands of member worlds.
The First Galactic Union War was a cataclysmic conflict that erupted in 2301 between the newly-established Union and a coalition of breakaway planetary governments and corporate interests opposed to the Union's formation. After years of brutal fighting, the Union forces emerged victorious but at a tremendous cost. In the war's aftermath, the Union's founding members recognized the need for a permanent, unified military force to prevent such a catastrophic conflict from ever occurring again.
Thus was born the Union Starguard, charged with enforcing the Union's laws, treaties, and security. Its primary duties include:
The Starguard answers directly to the Union Council and its military leadership is appointed by the Council. Though some have criticized the Starguard as an undemocratic concentration of power, most member worlds recognize its crucial role in preserving peace and stability across the galaxy.
The Union Starguard is a massive interstellar force numbering over 2 million active personnel. Its backbone is a vast fleet of advanced starships, from patrol corvettes to powerful dreadnoughts, supported by fighter wings, orbital platforms, and other specialized vessels.
Elite Starguard Legions form the organization's ground forces, highly-trained soldiers equipped with the latest in powered armor, energy weapons, and cybernetic enhancements. Starguard Legions are frequently deployed for combat operations, hostage rescues, counter-terrorism, and other high-risk missions.
The Starguard also maintains a large corps of Starguard Intelligence agents responsible for gathering information, running covert operations, and conducting counterintelligence. This secretive branch has been accused of overreach and human rights abuses by some critics.
Headquartered on the capital world of Novaria, the Starguard's organizational structure consists of:
The Starguard's immense technological and martial capabilities, combined with its extensive reach, make it one of the most powerful military forces in the known galaxy.
Over its three centuries of existence, the Union Starguard has been involved in numerous campaigns and operations of galactic significance. Some of the most famous include:
However, the Starguard has also faced criticism and controversy over the years. Allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention, and political repression have periodically surfaced, sparking public outcry and calls for reform. The organization's expansive intelligence apparatus has also raised concerns about threats to personal privacy and civil liberties.
Yet despite these challenges, the Union Starguard remains a vital institution for the maintenance of peace, security, and justice across the Galactic Union. As long as threats to the Union's stability persist, the Starguard will continue to play a critical role in safeguarding its citizens and ideals.
