Doctrine Centauri doctrine is based around the principle of slow and steady wins the race. An objective is taken, it is secured, and then, when all is safe, the force moves to the next objective. This doctrine does prevent the Centauri from becoming overextended or out of position, but renders them vulnerable to an enemy willing to take chances and get inside their decision cycle. The Centauri also build a deliberate low end design, to allow larger numbers of ships to be procured and operated for colonial duties.
Telepaths Telepaths are nominally under the control of the Telepath's Guild, but in practice are part of the various noble factions. They are merely a specialized tool in the arsenal of each noble house in its internecine wars.
Organization The Centauri military is organized into 2 main branches, the Fleet and the Guard. The Guard is further subdivided into 3 branches. The Guard is responsible for police functions as the Centauri Guard, combat functions as the Military Guard and protection of the Imperial Family as the Royal Guard. The Guardsmen are commanded by Guardsmen Elite Tavastani. The fleet is a separate Branch called the Royal Navy, commanded by Fleet Admiral Dromo and organized into the Defense Fleet (spread throughout the nation with forces assigned to sectors of operation), and the Battle Fleet (a smaller force to respond to a crisis location and regain the initiative after an enemy attack). Financial considerations forced the fleet to mothball large quantities of warships, which are now being refurbished and sent into action. The Centauri forces are very vulnerable to political pull, and major Houses have military forces under their control, including warships of various types. This has disturbing implications for unity of command, and is of great concern to the professionals of the Royal Navy. The turmoil in the Centauri court and Centaurum lead to fears that the House forces and Royal Navy might operate without adequate coordination.
Diplomacy The Centauri have maintained close relations with the Earth Alliance, and surprisingly good relations with the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. They have avoided interaction with the Minbari, and have the ongoing enmity of the Narns. The current situation has isolated the Centauri, as no-one wants to side with a loosing power. Some minor League members are moving towards hostility with the Centauri, seeing a chance to gain booty from the Narn advance. The Corillans are now at war with the Centauri. The Drazi in particular are speaking in opposition to the Centauri, though no overt actions appear likely.
Nation The Centauri Republic is only nominally a republic, and is actually an imperial monarchy. Power is divided between the Emperor and the Centaurum, which is the legislature of the noble houses. The balance of power depends on the strength of the Emperor, with the Centaurum able to over-ride the Emperor with a ¾ vote. Turhan was in failing health, and thus the power was in the hands of the leaders of the noble houses. Emperor Cartagia is expected to be a figurehead as well. In the event the current legitimate heir is blatantly incapable, or does not exist, the Centaurum can appoint a new Emperor from the noble houses. The population of the Centauri Republic is 40 billion, with only 3 billion on Centauri Prime. The dozen main Centauri colonies are old, diverse economically, and fully capable of replacing the homeworld in the event of a disaster. Thus the Republic is not vulnerable to attacks by weapons of mass destruction. The Centauri have been an interstellar power since approximately 1400, peaking at over 100 systems under their control.
FleetEx A typical Centauri Fleet Exercise is intended to simulate a Narn border incursion, and has extensive political rules to portray the normal requirement to end the problem with a minimum of forces.
Current Emperor Turhan died on a state visit to Babylon
5, seeking reconciliation with the Narn. At the same time, a Narn
colony was destroyed in Quadrant 37 by unidentified forces, though
indications suggest a link to Ambassador Londo Mollari. Centauri
forces were discovered on site by a Narn reaction force and combat
ensued. Within hours, the Narns had formally declared war on the
Centauri Republic. The formerly listless Centauri Republic began
stirring. The Centauri have begun driving the Narn before them
and only Quadrant 27 is still in Narn hands. The Battle Fleet
has been entirely reactivated and the Narn forces are losing the
initiative. The Corillans, a minor power, attacked the Centauri
in a move unexpected by all concerned, but have been defeated,
with surviving fleet elements interned at Orillan. With the surrender
of the Narn fleet at Quadrant 8, the Narn have effectively lost
all chance of holding any gains from this war. The Centauri now
have superior numbers and power, plus the ability to shift as
they desire. Centauri attacks on T'lln and Quadrant 27 are expected
in a matter of days. Relations with the Earth Alliance are strained
as the Centauri have been caught smuggling weapons of mass destruction
through Babylon 5 in violation of treaty. Narn and Centauri forces
clashed there, with each side sending and losing a cruiser in
the process. The war has prevented any major position on the Markab
plague.
Obsolete Ships
Civilian Units