Vrijheid IV

Name

Vrijheid:

Full Title: The Independent, Social Democratic, Prefecture of the People’s Vrijheid Authority

(Vrijheid IV)

System

Vrijheid

Quadrant

Alpha

Star

Lucs-Vyhndunnpol – Purple Giant

Organisations

-United Federation of Planets (joined 2173 – First Expansion)
-Organian League for the Protection of Civil Liberties
-Romulan-Federation Cultural Exchange (Draft Stage, Vrijheid requested as the testbed by the Romulans)
-ODEP (Organisation of Dilithium Exporting Planets).

Population

6,500,000,000/ 6,000,000,000 (Disparity between Federation official figures, and Vrijheid Government estimate has not been resolved)

Migration

0/1000 people (as of 2371)

Birth Rate

5/1000 people

Death Rate

19/1000 people (Federation Figure) 3/1000 people (Vrijheid Government Estimate)

Life Expectancy

Variable

Ethnic Groups

Racially Homogenous. The Federation Council has resisted attempts by the Supreme Cabal to have political affiliation classed as an ethnicity.

Religion

Mostly abandoned – although Cults of Personality, focusing on important figures in public life are common.

Capital

Various Regional National Capitals. Main administrative capital for planetary affairs is Vyndopolis, located in Aow-Schvitz.

National Holiday

President’s Day (movable, recurring)

Constitution

Variable

Government

Unusually Complex Tetra-Cameral System, comprising a Chamber of Moral Monitors, House of Commissars, Bureau of Deputies and the Supreme Cabal. Different areas of public policy are the sole preserve of one of the three lower chambers, all of which use the Supreme Cabal (comprised of the President, and his/her cabinet) as an approving body. The Supreme Cabal may, in accordance with the Vrijheid Patriot Act 2381 initiate legislation in any area of government without recourse to the three lower chambers.

In addition to the traditional three branches of government present in most Federation Government models, Vrijheid incorporates the Académie Vrijheid a fourth branch intended to maintain Vrijheid identity, values and beliefs in an increasingly multicultural Federation.

Members of the Chamber of Moral Monitors are appointed for non-fixed terms, members of the House of Commissars are appointed as and when needed, and serve at the pleasure of the President; members of the Bureau of Deputies are elected on 4 yearly basis, or, when their office is vacated, members of the Supreme Cabal are appointed by the President for an unfixed term – The President is elected on a 6-yearly basis through universal suffrage from a list of eligible candidates, representing the largest three parties in the Bureau of Deputies at the time of the Election. Voting is conducted according to a highly-involved variant of Single Transferable Vote Proportional Representation – the precise details of which are not fully known.

Incumbency rates vary from chamber to chamber, currently standing at:

-Chamber of Moral Monitors: 52%

-House of Commissars: 73%

-Bureau of Deputies: 93%

-Supreme Cabal: 103%*

_{*Please allow for a +/- variance of 3% in statistics. Information provided by the Vrijheid Department of the Interior.}

In addition to a domestic government – the President appoints two Representatives to the Federation Council – traditionally, retired senior public figures and members of the Ruling Party.

Current President

President Vindenpawl of the Vrijheid Unity Party (since 2371)

Diplomatic Representation

None – all external relations conducted through the Federation. However, a strong interest in Bajor has been expressed since its joining.

Currency

In order to regulate the internal economy, Vrijheid became the first Federation member to return to a monetary system, when in 2371, the government introduced the ‘Vindenrand’.

Economy

Mostly internally regulated – the State Controls all heavy industry, media and the majority of services. Vrijheid exports large quantities of Dilithium, a resource abundant throughout the Vrijheid system, as well as broadcasting its Quadrant-Renown media across the Federation and beyond. State official Broadcaster VBC has many regional affiliates on other Federation worlds (the most recent being VBC:BAJOR).

Despite ideal conditions for starship construction, the Vrijheid have resisted recent attempts by the Federation Government to establish a Starfleet Shipyard in their system.

Culture

A deeply traditional and highly unusual society – Vrijheid holds steadfastly to its authoritarian ways of old, despite claiming to have enjoyed over 3,000 years of democracy, more than any other planet in the quadrant. Although this lofty claim cannot be readily substantiated, owing in part to the great purges of the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries, which destroyed a wide range of texts, it is generally acknowledged that the government has more than its fair share of experience in dealing with the populous.

Generally, the President is seen to be the pinnacle of society, although this seems to be a relatively new arrangement, and whilst the government claim the President has always been held as a demi-god (owing to the Vrijheid people’s love of authority and democracy in equal parts), there is once again a lack of supporting evidence following a fire at the Central Records Office in 2371 which unfortunately destroyed a wide range of government documents.

Despite these setbacks, the people have placed faith in their government to rebuild a society they can believe in – and, it is without a doubt that the people of Vrijheid take great pride in their Planet.

Despite their fondness for all things new the Vrijheid have a strong sense of their past. They have been known to reconcile the two by claiming to have invented most of the features of daily life (including replicators, transporters, warpdrive and on one occasion, civilisation) – It is often best to humour a Vrijheid companion when he or she mentions this, as, once again – a lack of surviving documentation makes verification all but impossible.

Cities

Vydopolis

Captial of Aow-Schvitz

History

Purpose built capital of Vrijheid, situated on the Island of Aow-Schviz, Vydopolis is mostly designed as a working city, and as such boasts little in the way sites of interest – architecture buffs will of course be interested in the impressive modern buildings (all constructed by ‘volunteers’*), as will engineers by the ‘oldest working fusion reactor’ in the Federation*

^{*This claim cannot be substantiated.}

Getting Around

The state run public transit system is a model of efficiency, although, it may be handy to adopt local dress and keep your wits about you, as there have been reports of drivers so surprised to see an offworlder, they accidentally run them over.

Where to Eat

The Capital Grill: A swanky uptown eatery, especially popular with VUP powerbrokers – the best time to eat is late evening, when the regular patrons are just settling in for a night at the office. Offering a range of ‘traditional Vrijheid’ fare (with the suspect inclusion of plomeek broth and pasta) – reservations are advised.

The Vindkins Institute: HQ of the popular diet regime sweeping the planet, the Vindkins serves an interesting take on Vriheid cuisine ‘re-tailored’ to meet the requirements of the ‘Low Food Lifestyle’ – Reservations Unnecessary.

Where to Stay

The Royal Palace: The Federation’s only 19 Star Accommodations – the Presidential suite (which comprises the uppermost three floors) is knownr across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants for its luxury, but is sadly not open to the General public – neither is the Federation Presidential Suite – located in the sub-basement. Rooms are sumptuous – however, there is a long waiting list.

Rent-a-Rack: A quick and easy alternative to a hotel room – simply rent a board, slide it into the alcoves provided (at extra cost) and dream away.

Maan-Hataan

So good, it only needed naming once.

History

Once known as the Empire City (until an official presidential protest on the grounds it usurped the authority of the Capital) – Maan-Hataan is known the planet over for it’s 19¾ hour lifestyle, vibrant arts and strong sense of self. It is not surprising then, that this city should be a favourite of the liberal intelligencia – even despite the recent construction of a controvertial weapons design and testing facility beside the city by the People’s Department for Defence, Offence and Fences.

Local landmarks include the Statue of Responsibility, the Vindenpawl State Building (formerly the Empire City Building) and the Vindis Island, a site famous at the port of arrival (and subsequent deportation) of thousands of Bajoran immigrants in the early part of the 24^th Century.

Getting Around

In addition to superb Goldenrod Cabs, there is a cheap but efficient Sub-Transit.

Where to Eat

The Human Tearooms: Started by Human immigrants, this popular Mann-Hataan landmark was taken over by Vrijheid patrons after the original proprietors left a fortnight after it opened. Since then, it has served a uniquely Vrijheid interpretation of Human cuisine (we recommend the Caesarless Salad or the Rations Benedict) – Reservations Necessary.

The Seven Seasons: The up-market restaurant for up-market patrons, boasting several private dining rooms, as well as its popular ‘kitchen’ room (where old plates are stacked). Reservations, and special dispensation certificates from a Moral Monitor are required.

Where to Stay

VindHotel Left-of-Center Park: Overlooking the majestic Left-of-Center Park (proposed as a potential drilling site by President Vindenpawl’s Cabinet), the VindHotel offers medium price, medium luxury accommodations, within reach of the many sites and attractions. Staff are generally friendly, and have a well developed ‘Maan-Hataan’ sense of humour (which eludes most, but is specifically mentioned in the brochure, so bears repeating here).

The Vindlyl: An old Maan-Hataan Landmark, the Vindlyl is defiantly for the ‘old money’ east-continent set. With a decidedly upper crust feel, it’s reassuring to know that the Vrijheid Government Insists that the majority of off-world visitors stay here… in a really expensive room. Maan-Hataan sense of humour extra.

Eh’lei

Home of the TV (Talent Void)

History

Located on the Left Continent – Eh’lei is the vibrant home of the Planet’s entertainment industry, and as such, is a mecca for those seeking work in the field. Whilst the city is lacking in cultural centres or landmarks it more than compensates with superb eateries, bars, clubs and shopping.

Guided tours of the various production studios are available (place booking through the Ministry of Information), although patrons should be warned that the tours consist largely of opportunities to purchase merchandise from the many gift shops between attractions.

Whilst certain areas of the city are not without trouble, a trip to the upmarket Vindy Hills district is recommended, as is a walk along V’n-dén-p’l Drive, well known as the luxury shopping spot of the Vrijheid Glitterati

Sports fans may enjoy a trip to see local sports franchise the ‘Eh’lei Dodgies’ at the Vindenbowl Stadium.

Getting Around

Put a hundred down and buy a car… in a week, maybe two, they’ll make you a star.

Where to Eat

The Vindy: Located in the fashionable West Vindywood district, the Vindy is know for its high style, high concept dining experience, including the option to dine in plush ‘cabana’ style booths. Service is efficient, as, unlike every other restaurant in Eh’lei the waiters aren’t calling their agents.

Vindy’s Diner: A ‘Maan-Hataan Style’ Liberal Diner. Vindy’s even adopts the unusual (for Vrijheid) Maan-Hataan tradition of allowing patrons to make their own selections from the menu. Customers should be aware that the staff are particularly fond of exhibiting an over exuberant version of the ‘Maan-Hataan sense of humour’ (mostly because they are actors, hoping to impress any casting agents dining there) – this can disconcert some, but, should be enjoyed (as, once they realise you aren’t a casting agent, you are unlikely to get any more service).

Where to Stay

The Vindenplaza: A fashionable ‘boutique hotel’ (meaning products are sold at every possible opportunity) – located in West Vindywood. The Vindenplaza is at the high end of the luxury scale, and as such, obtaining rooms there is usually difficult, although, presenting a valid VUP membership usually ‘opens’ a reservation.

Vindywood Cpa: Another luxury outfit – this time with an emphasis on relaxation and rest. Offering a series of treatments and therapies – patrons are dissuaded from using the hypnotherapy service, as former recipients of the treatment have reported having their statements under hypnosis used as testimony against them in cases to resolve long unsolved crimes. Staff are friendly and polite, and for an extra fee can perform songs from the shows.

Laundrez

A Big City with Big Prices

History

The historic capital of Ingul-Terror is known the world over for its striking landmarks and rich cultural heritage – this however has not stopped the city from embracing the future with the government recently insisting on adding yet another spaceport and a building colloquially referred to as the ‘funky gherkin’.

Laundrez is home to literally tens of museums (including the Vrijheid Museum, Imperial Museum, Natural Revised History Museum and the popular Vindenpawl and Al-Baat aka the V&A) and a plethora of art galleries to boot (most currently closed pending government investigation for lack of patriotic content). For avid fans of Vrijheid popular culture, be sure to visit Vindingham Palace (open to the public for a moderate charge) and then take a trip down to Vindaby Street to shop in the fashionably priced boutiques offering unique clothing of the highest quality*
^{*This claim cannot be substantiated.}

Getting Around

‘The Pipe’ Laundrez’s worlds famous underground transit system is popular with both tourists and pickpockets alike – alternatively, social commentary, and occasionally transit is available in one of the many ‘black shuttles’ easily hailed from any location in the city.

Where to Eat

The Hedera Helix: The place to dine in the city. Here you will find holo-stars rubbing shoulders with politicians and artists. The food is not the main reason to dine here (which, given the selection, and the quality of the service is a plus) the ambience is what draws those fortunate enough to be put on the waiting list for a place on the future reservations list.

Vyndon’s Tea Rooms: A traditional Ingul-Terror Tea Room, serving a popular line in good old fashioned Ration Teas, along with more modern pastries and petit fours. Prices are steep, but, the management maintain that staff with a silver spoon in their mouth cost extra.

Where to Stay

The Vindick Club: Once a Genlemen’s only club, all that changed in 2371, when spontaneously, and with no pressure from anyone, especially not the People’s Special Enforcement Agency, they threw their doors open to ladies also. It should be noted that to date, only one ‘lady’ has actually obtained a reservation – although the club maintain they will happily throw their doors open for any female planetary chief executive who wishes to stay.

The Pitz: The most expensive hotel in Laundrez – the Pitz is all about the best of everything. As such, your bill is delivered to you by courier, and, when you realise you could never dream of being able to pay it – a private security guard will escort you to the nearest constabulary post.

P’riz

Qui?

History

In the pre-unified government some 300* or 3000** years ago – P’riz enjoyed the dubious accolade of being the most invaded city on the planet, having spend most of the twentieth century under the control of one of its neighbouring powers, or for five years between 1982 and 1987, a group of balshy preteens from the local religious girls school.

Generally regarded as a museum city, the local authority takes great pains to maintain the appearance and architecture of the city by preventing high rise building within a certain distance of the centre, and all new structures must be designed to complement the existing artistic ambience. As with everything else on Vrijheid, the phrase ‘maintain’ has a special meaning here – and visitors can often see ‘new’ ancient structures such as the ‘Guardian of Forever’ or the ‘Lost City of B’hala’ cropping up unannounced.

Special note: The locals are unusually unfriendly, and more often will not deign to speak to other locals, let alone off worlders.

^{*Federation Figure}

^{**Vrijheid Government Estimate}

Getting Around

Although P’riz is pedestrian friendly, the roads most definitely not. The city council conducts driving tests by time trial, and, certain public monuments have no road markings on them. Taxis and public transport are both cheap and ill tempered.

Where to Eat

La Crise Cardiaque Dorée: A high fat, high flavour, high class, high price option. It is suggested that only the most affluent travellers even venture near it (the truffle infused air circulating outside carries a substantial charge for inhalation). The food is beyond good, we recommend the ‘Caviar Dippers’ (a whole truffle with an embedded quail’s egg, served with a caviar dip) or the ‘L'eau Surestimé’ (a half shot glass of water from the Tii-b’t mountains, decanted from the air using specially woven silk collectors, spun by specially bred silk worms; hand carried by scholars and poets through only the most scenic parts of the planet before being served to you.) Reservations are required, but seldom possible.

Lentz: P’riz’s answer to the growing number of fast food outlets in major cities was to start its own. Sponsored by the City Council, and boasting a line in ‘inconvenience food’. Tasteless, usually unidentifiable concoctions are served at a below leisurely pace by insolent teens who will look upon you as the lowest of the low. Be advised, dining one night in La Crise Cardiaque Dorée will usually require a couple of months dining in Lentz to bring finances back into sync.

Where to Stay

Le palais de Vindé: A multi-level conference centre, theatre complex, shopping centre and hotel – Le Palais is known across the city as the place to be seen – in no small part due to the high secret police presence. Rooms are modern and spacious, boasting only the very latest in surveillance equipment.

Le Metropol de P’riz: A smaller, traditional P’rizienne hotel, tastefully furnished and government run.

Your hostess, Madame du Vinde will escort you to your room, turn down your sheets, open your window and search your bags – before insulting you in the traditional P’rizienne manner, and insisting on a gratuity. Beds are comfortable, and, the rooms have a lived in feel – usually because Madame du Vinde will often cope with overbookings by putting guests in with her family.

Language

Below are some handy phrases which will help you during a visit to Vrijheid.

English

Vrijheid

Greetings and basics…

Hello

Goo

Good Morning

Hèìl Prèçèdènté*

Good Afternoon

Hèìl Prèçèdènté*

Good Evening

Hèìl Prèçèdènté*

Good Night

Hèìl Prèçèdènté*

^{*Should be accompanied by a small salute}

Goodbye

Çòddòph

Please

Nõû

Thank you

Mìjn

Excuse me…

Oi

Getting about…

Could you direct me to…

Góó’è…

The Hospital

Ií Čèntroh-Múèrtifiik

A Hotel

Ú Bah’raqç

A Hostel

Ú Príçòn

The Police Station

Ií Čèntroh-Tèrrorifiik

A Tourist Information Office

Ií Čèntroh-Corruptiik

The Station

Ií Čèntroh-Déportiik

The Bank

Ií Čèntroh-Çluschphundt

A Café

Ií Čèntroh-Diçtriibutiif d’òç Raschíõà

Shuttle Bus

Tràhnçít-Pèçènté

Shuttle/ Skimmer (Rental Shuttle/ Skimmer)

Tràhnçít-Privaat (Tràhnçít-Privaat-Niq’d)

Star Ship

Tràhnçít-Próhibiitòç

At the hotel…

May I make a reservation?

Gimmiiarúmm.

Do you have a single/ double/ twin/ family room?

Iûànà Càmbrátá-Çàddó/ Càmbrátá-Âdùltæriphiik/ Càmbrátá-Čípó/ Càmbrátá-tonç-bratç

Does my room have a shower/ bath/ working water supply

K’è Ií Càmbrátá-Mé Ú Càmbrátá-Çprinqùlátá/ Càmbrátá-Tùbb/ Càmbrátá-Lùkqčúrifiik

What is this Camera/ Listening Device/ Secret Police Agent doing in my room?

Kûá’è Çè Çnópómatiqk/ Čípó- Çnópómatiqk/ Çèrvàànt Çìqóphàntiiq d’òç Prèçèdènté õ Plàç Ií Càmbrátá-Mé?

Why am I being arrested?

Ìçùrèndá

Eating out…

I would like…

Gimmii

Wine (red/white/blue/green)

Plònqò (Comii/Çúrèndró/Dépreçív/Triihu’gr)

Beer

Plònqà

Whiskey/ Gin/ Vodka/ Brandy

Plònqì/ Plònqè/ Plònqù/ Plònqÿ

Water

Bevró-Ràçíõõà

Rations

Mònjhõ-Ràçíõõà

The Bill

Íí Èhkçórbàtttantó

Under Arrest…

I will come quietly…

Ìûântúlìv…

I would like to contact my lawyer…

n/a

I confess…

Ìdùnnìtgùv…

I am innocent…

Ìm’àvìn’àlàf…

Misc

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten

Ú, Dú, T’réç, Ćàtr, Çìq, Çèqçíí, Çèpû, D’òctúròctóh, Njá, Dííjáčèqç

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Vinday (The Vrijheid week is 8 days long)

gííû’Ú, gííû’Dú, gííû’T’réç, gííû’Ćàtr, gííû’Çìq, gííû’Çèqçíí, gííû’Çèpû, gííû’qíí-nòm ô glôrìphíq Prèçèdènté màgnííphíqàt Vindenpawl.

Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Black, White

Huroúzhó, Vêr, Àtçúró, Jâwn, Clûr ô glôrìphíq ó Pártíí d’òç Prèçèdènté màgnííphíqàt Vindenpawl, Nõr, Blnq

Radio, Television, News Paper

Pròpògàndííq, Pròpògàndííq àfèq Pìqtúràç, Lïbró-Pròpògàndííq