Stellaris Ch 10

Chapter 10 - 2340 to 2352:

It is a split decision, but the majority agrees that war now, while the Federation is ahead, is the best course of action. Their answer is given to the Cartel, but with the condition that Earth should lead the war efforts. The Cartel wassorrowfully useless in the last war, and trusting them with the lead would be a mistake. War is declared in 2341.

The Steel Bank and the Triad, along with the Steel Bank's subsidiaries (the Ancient Covenant of Pavagh II and Consumer Goods of Seifarus), join with the Vissari State.

3rd and 1st Fleet are sent to the starport Trimus, just near the border with the Steel Bank. The newly formed 4th fleet goes up to the Bapagia gauntlet, prepared to stop enemy incursions. 2nd Fleet is sent to Uhgrone system to defend against Visarri attacks.

The war plan at the moment is to quickly defeat the Bank's fleet, and then turn the attention of the navy to the Visarri State. The Cartel will have to hold off the Triad alone for the time being.

The first combat is seen between 2nd Fleet, led by Admiral Plume of Blue, and a small Vissari force Ozaggamum system. It is a quick and easy victory, and the few surviving Vissari ships retreat. 2nd Fleet moves into Vissari territory.

The next combat takes place in Davassa, where the small defensive fleet is destroyed, and Tripitit is put under siege.

Next, 3rd Fleet enters Seifarus and destroys the defenders, putting the planet under siege as well.

In the Cartel, their defensive fleet is shattered along the Vissari border, but the main fleet arrives a year later to push back the intruders. Several systems have already been taken, so it will be the job of the main fleet to retake them.

The invasion of Seifarus begins in 2343. Millions of troops are landed under the command of General Obr-Pwot, a young but cunning general. The defenders are well entrenched, and the bombardment did little to shake them. It will be a tough fight.

By 2344, the Steel Bank is effectively defeated. They possess nowhere near enough military ships to contest the invasion on either front, and 1st and 4th Fleets continue to occupy system after system. In the Vissari State, 2nd Fleet takes over half a dozen more systems, occupying vitally important economic centers.

After a year of tough fighting, Seifarus' military surrenders, and the planet is occupied. Millions died in the fighting, but the subsidiary of the Bank is officially defeated. The armies leave a small occupying force and then leave the planet, to be redeployed to the next target.

The invasion of Tripitit begins in early 2345, led by General Kul-Pox. At the same time, Urak-Fe-Tond of the Steel Bank is invaded by Obr-Pwot. Both invasions are quick and easy.

The next invasion is the Bank's Vord-Ka-Torb. The overwhelming forces of the Federation subdue the planet in mere weeks.

The Cartel does not do as well against the Triad and the Vissari as Earth does against the Steel Bank. Their previous victories are overshadowed by defeat as more enemy fleets show up. Several systems are occupied, while the Cartel military regroups and prepares for another counterattack. 1st Fleet is redeployed to the Cartel to help stop the occupations.

In 2349, the Pavagh capital is invaded. Now both of the Steel Bank's subsidiaries are out of the war.

The election begins at the same time. Ronald TBC runs again, hoping to become president a second time, while Nikolaevich runs for her second term. Zacadliss runs independent, while Eyes of Aquamarine runs for the Institute for the Advancement of Science. With the current polls, it is looking as though TBC will win. He promises to end the war as soon as he is elected.

However, Tina Nikolaevich pulls ahead and wins a second term. The war will continue.

The last of the Steel Bank's fleet is engaged in late 2349. It is the toughest battle of the war, yet only 1 corvette is destroyed. The enemy fleet loses nearly half of their ships before retreating.

By 2351, nearly all of the Steel Bank and a third of the Vissari State and the Triad are occupied.

At long last, the Vissari State and its allies surrender. The Vissari government is removed from power and a democratic one put into place. The fleets, heavily battered from dozens of battles with enemy space stations and ships, return to the Federation for repairs and upgrades.