Stellaris Ch 13

Chapter 13 - 2386 to 2405: The Signs

The ringworld around Earth is completed in late 2386, and the opening ceremony includes millions of people moving into new homes on the structure. The President is also present, and he declares that this ringworld will be the template for a ultra-large ringworld that will circle around an entire star, something he has imagined for many years. For now, the Federation lacks the resources, but the idea is put on the back burner. Instead, his next plans are a Penrose Sphere around the blackhole pathabaan, which is in a system neighboring Sol. This will be a large, interior-mirrored sphere around the blackhole that will generate massive amounts of energy for the Federation.

Surprisingly, a new civilization is encountered in 2390. It is another marauder clan civilization, likely where the remnants of the Yssravannar Reavers fled to after their demise. Thus far, they have not conducted raids into Federation territory, perhaps because of what befell the Yssravannar, and they are hundreds of light years away.

The Jonus Extirpators are no more in 2391. They are consumed from all sides by the Citizen Confederation of Mandasura Prima (they have recently reformed their central government), the Jibru Cooperative, and the Garganan Citizen Republic. The once feared robotic swarm is gone.

The next election begins in early 2394. Strangely, almost all press and media outlets are reporting on only the positive parts of the current HistoryDude administration. The most recent polls are all reporting a major lead for the sitting president, while the rest of the candidates garner very low support.

President HistoryDude wins a third term easily, and he continues to implement his policies.

Just after his reelection, the Penrose Sphere frame is completed. The next stage is put into construction as soon as possible.

Soon after, he announces his plans for an ocean world in the Sirius system. The world itself is nothing special, and the surface is 95% covered by water, and the average surface temperature is 10 Celsius. It is for that reason the President designates it as the location of the Terra Tatrum 01 super computer. The water will be useful for cooling purposes.

As colonization begins, a strange anomaly is discovered on Terra Tatrum 01. Scientists are called in to investigate, and they describe it as "a portal to another dimension." As nonsensical as it sounds, that is the leading theory at this point, and more investigation will be needed to determine what exactly this occurrence is.

The lead scientist on the project is Vaxoma the Baanthurian. He and his team, comprised of some 12 different species, studies the opening, through which some atmosphere is slowly escaping. They have brought with them a small drone with a camera fixed to the front, and, standing several hundred feet back, they control the drone into the portal.

It comes back several hours later, seemingly unharmed. In fact, the only change appears to be a new shiny quality to the surface of the drone, and the scientists rush forward in hazmat suits, determined to see the video. The drone is brought into the quarantine tent, and it is linked up to a console. ...

What happens next is a confused and crazed scramble to turn off the console, as Vaxoma and several of his best scientists let out petrified wails, clawing at their eyes and pounding their heads against the tables. A man smashes the console with a hammer and the gruesome figures on the screen disappear, but Vaxoma and the others continue to try and tear out their eyes. Security is called in, and the insane are sedated.

Whatever was seen on the console is kept secret, and it is also discovered that the drone is covered in some material from the other dimension, a material that, when touched, causes the same mental breakdown that did the video feed. The drone is incinerated, and the video is sent to Earth for further, safer review. For now, the portal is kept open for study, but a wide perimeter of security is made. Eventually, those affected by the video recover, but they have no memory of the event.

In 2399, the Penrose Sphere is completed. Massive amounts of energy are created, and research and development begins on making the blackhole to energy conversion even more efficient.

The galaxy is quiet for the next five years, and the presidential election takes place. HistoryDude wins reelection. He has overwhelming support in both the council and the populous, according to his loyal media at least. However, several angered politicians and even military leaders speak out against the results, claiming the votes were manipulated across the empire. The leader of the opposition is the Screk governor Frakir Upiverta of the Kiram Sector, encompassing Kiram, Saxon, Forsteria, and New Irass. Once an admiral of the Federation, he has since retired.

The opposition includes some two dozen military leaders, such as Admiral Obr-Lend, Admiral Shelk Swigg, and General Sassodem Had'Rolunt. It is also supported by former Irass governor The Number One, the original Awakened that was elected governor of Irass by his fellow androids, and scientist Vaxoma.

Furious over the Federation's refusal to do a recount, the opposition meet on the Star Base around Kiram to discuss courses of action. Hundreds of civilian and media ships arrive in the system to film this unprecedented moment, and the Star Base closes its doors in response, afraid of overcrowding.

President HistoryDude declares the gathering unlawful, and he orders the Titan Valkyrie to jump to Kiram to disperse the opposition. Upon hearing the news of the coming Titan, the opposition's own ships begin to arm themselves, preparing for a fight. They possess dozens of former civilian ships now armed to the teeth with missiles, lasers, and even strike craft, prepared to defend the Star Base against an attack.

Just days before the arrive of the Valkyrie, all the media and many of the civilian fleets flee to neighboring systems to avoid becoming collateral damage, but the majority of civilians stay in orbit around Kiram. Many of them even join the opposition fleet, adding to the overall strength.

The Valkyrie arrives in August of 2405, and a standoff ensues. The commander of the Valkyrie, Admiral Kathleen Forster, demands that the impromptu 'Rebel' fleet disperse. It is the first time the word 'rebel' is officially used, and it seems more appropriate than ever. The opposition fleet tightens its stance around the Star Base, determined to protect their leaders. When their demands are ignored, the Valkyrie opens fire. A space battle ensues, which sees dozens of former civilian ships destroyed and hundreds killed. At first, it seems that the opposition is on the brink of destruction. Then, they fight back, and the Valkyrie receives fire on all sides as more armed civilian ships arrive on the scene. Heavily damaged, the Valkyrie jumps out of the system and back to Earth.

Thus begins the Righteous Rebellion.