Stellaris Ch 21.5

Chapter 21 - 2513
With the Invasion over, the Kalaxenans leave the Galactic Defense league. Now, the Vissari State leads the alliance. How long it will last is unknown, since the common threat is now defeated.

The Galactic Assembly, once a shining example of Earth democracy at work in the galaxy, has little influence in the Federation. Democracy is dead in all but name now, and the elections (once every 20 years) are just an opportunity for President HistoryDude to parade around the empire and show off his power. As the years go on, it becomes clear that HistoryDude will just not die. He is now 210 and seemingly as healthy as ever physically. Mentally, he still displays some bipolar tendencies.

Since the end of the Invasion, plenty of staff changes have been made. The new Def Sec, Thomas Walder Randolph, is very different from the last. For one, he, like the President, fully embraces the concept that the Federation deserves its spot in the sun, that it is the rightful leader of the galaxy.

"The Cartel is more vulnerable than ever before, sir," Randolph informs the President during one of their many private meetings. "They've lost both their wormhole systems, as well as a few of their most productive energy centers."

"So, the time to strike would be soon," the President muses. "When the upgrades and reinforcements are completed, move the fleets to the border and prepare for war. It's time to test the weapon."

"Well, I have good news for you," Randolph says. "1st, 2nd, and 5th Fleets are upgraded and fully reinforced. They are each individually more powerful than the entire Cartel military. We are ready to strike once those three fleets are in position."

"Excellent. Once they are ready, send them in."

"And the weapon, sir?" Randolph asks. "What power level?"

"Full. Target Cirra."

In 2521, the Federation fleets enter Cartel territory without warning.

They quickly overwhelm the Cartel border defenses, taking nearly zero losses, while the enemy suffers horrible casualties.

It takes almost no time for most of the Cartel's capital region is occupied.

A year in, and the Cartel capital system of Cir'Darus is occupied. Instead of besieging the planet Cirra, a construction ship from the Federation arrives and begins building a strange ring in orbit around the star. The fleet that occupied the system remains to guard the ship.

A few months later, the ring is complete, and the wormhole generator comes online. The arrays and high-grade telescopes on Cirra are able to glimpse through the wormhole slightly, and, after some enhancement and focusing, they make out a sun with several rings around it, all of which are pointed toward the wormhole. What they see is the Nicoll-Dyson.

Without hesitation, the President of the Federation orders the ND Beam to fire: "Fire at Cir'Darus"

A beam of light emanates from the Nicoll-Dyson system (an unknown system to all but the few scientists who run the station). It passes through the wormhole generator and into the Cir'Darus star. No Federation ships are present to witness the marvel that occurs, but what is theorized is a mini supernova that destroys every planet in the system. What is left is a decrepit system, devoid of any life. The test firing of the Weapon is more successful than anyone could have believed.