Stellaris Ch 7

Chapter 7 - 2286 to 2300: The Turf War

The Federation offices are a mess in July of 2286, as news of the Triad invasion of the Cartel is received. The next election, set to take place later this year, is suspended indefinitely. This will be the first Federation war, and all resources must go to defeating the foe. Strangely, the Think Tank is rather quiet about the war. As it begins, the Galactic Assembly Station slowly and deliberately leaves the Cartel and restations itself around the Jibru capital planet of Buvhondonia. The Jibru have not joined the war, despite the Cartel's being invaded, for they are still waging war against the Nagyari.

Right now, the Federation Fleet stands thus: 1st Fleet, commanded by Admiral Mixrodem, with 19 corvettes, 8 destroyers, and a frigate; 2nd Fleet, commanded by Admiral Tidarulek, a former raider fleet of immense power for its size; and 3rd Fleet, commanded by Admiral Idhrendur, with 18 corvettes and 10 destroyers. Immediately, 1st and 2nd fleet are deployed to the Cirrulan-Lilarobius border, while 3rd fleet is left to defend in case of Vissari or Steel Bank intervention. Each ship has recently been upgraded with a new generation of defensive tech: shields. In addition, new UV lasers, plasma accelerators, and coilguns were designed. Earth now has one of the most powerful fleets on this side of the galaxy.

2nd Fleet arrives in Hithram, a border system, just as a massive Triad fleet enters the system. The enemy fleet is twice as large of the Federation's, yet combat does not go terribly. 2nd Fleet loses one ship, while destroying two Triad ships, but others sustained such bad damage that it was obvious the combat would not go in the Federation's favor. The Fleet retreats.

Just after the defeat, the main, yet minuscule, Cartel fleet arrives. Just behind them is 1st Fleet, but they arrive too late to save the Cartel fleet, which is completely wiped out. 3rd fleet is called forward to enter the fray, leaving the borders with the Bank and the Vissari wide open.

1st Fleet draws out the enemies, which have been staying close to the occupied station, and engages. It is more rough combat, and several ships are lost on both sides before the retreat is made by the Federation Fleet.

The Cartel planet of Garbex is blockaded a few months after the defeat, and orbital missiles start devastating the surface. Countless die in the Lilarobius bombardment.

On the other side of the Triad, a coalition of Mandasuran Tribe ships enter enemy territory and begin taking over stations one by one. It distracts the Triad enough to pull half of their invading fleets away from the Cartel.

Humans have the first face-to-face contact with the subterraneans of Europa in 2289, as a religious minority flees persecution by the ruling elites. They call their species Sirgogg, and they request asylum on Europa. At the same time, the rulers of the Sirgogg demand their extradition, calling them terrorists and criminals. Earth, the protector of the weak and persecuted, allow the Sirgogg minority to remain on the surface.

3rd Fleet and 2nd Fleet combine and return to Hithram to take back the occupied stations. No enemy fleets are encountered, and the station is raided and returned to the Cartel, with minimal damage done to Federation ships.

Next, Garbex and its system are liberated. One human and 2 robot armies are landed, but the number of enemy divisions present is more than anticipated, and the planet remains in Triad hands.

The Triad system of Ulassia is entered in 2291, and no one is sure where their main fleet went. The border system is very lightly defended, although several small enemy fleets are present in systems nearby.

Next, Hyshma is easily taken, the small fleet there fleeing to Faltus. Loza, the capital system of the Triad, will be the next target.

2nd Fleet destroys the small fleet defending Loza, occupies the station, and then blockades the capital. Orbital bombardment of military targets begins, hoping to weaken the defenses for a possible invasion. 3rd Fleet is sent back to Ulassia to defend against a reportedly large Triad fleet set to arrive in a few months.

No fleet arrives in Ulassia, and the transport ships are years out, so 2nd Fleet moves on to Faltus, a fairly well defended system. 3rd Fleet captures Geagawa and then heads to Obrium to destroy the Triad fleet stationed there.

A second invasion of Garbex begins, this time with 8 divisions of Human, Yidar, Screk, and robot soldiers. It is a very difficult invasion, with the Lilarobius being one of the strongest known sentient beings in the universe, but victory eventually comes.

What remains of the Triad's main fleet is finally found and engaged in 2295. They are completely shattered

As 2296 begins, the Jibru make peace with the Nagyar Pious Covenant. They claim one system, while the Hlilje Industrial takes the rest of the small conclave of systems.

System after Triad system falls to the Federation and the Mandasura Tribes. By 2297, nearly two thirds of the enemy systems are in friendly hands. With this occupation of new systems, the influx of energy, minerals, and scientific research surges. The economy booms during the war and research and development progresses at an alarming rate.

It is almost with a sad tone that, in 2298, President Anguish declares to the Federation that the Triad has surrendered. Their entire fleet is decimated, as are the majority of their starbases. Heavy sanctions are put on the empire to pay for the war, especially to pay for the terrible damage they inflicted on Garbex, where millions upon millions were killed in the bombardment and subsequent occupation. Along with the sanctions, five border systems are annexed by the Mandasura Tribes.

Overall, the war saw tens of thousands of Federation deaths, but far fewer than predicted lost their lives. The war proves that Earth is ready and willing for waging interstellar war. No matter the opponent.

As 2300 rolls around, the Federation of Earth prospers. Its technology level now outstrips all other known empires but the Thimoid Watchers and the Kalaxenan Ancients. The fleet is more powerful than any neighboring empire. For the first time in decades, several new planets are looked at for colonization. However, the rest of the galaxy is not experiencing the same fortune. Thousands of light years away, the Quarantined invade the Garganan Citizen Republic, while the Jonus Extirpators attack the Klaggian Star Dynasty and the Tebbran Shipping Alliance. Many empires in other places of the galaxy are shattered and disorderly after years of war.