2111 GigaCorp deploys portable asteroid refineries, a more economical method of He3 harvesting than the Mass Conveyer system. Mass Conveyers are still in service, operated by smaller space-faring corporations. 2115 Lunar secessionists declare independence. At the same time, corporate forces on Io begin warring. As a result, Coalition forces are forced to split into two elements to handle both conflicts.
Coalition forces reach Io and engage the enemy on the surface.
Led by a young officer, Derek Fisk, a strike team secures Io in a series of sneak attacks and commando raids. Disaster strikes the Coalition on Luna, however. While Fisk's forces pacify Io, the Lunar rebels manage to destroy a command ship carrying the leader of Coalition forces on the moon. Fisk is rapidly promoted to command of Coalition forces. Despite Fisk's command ability, the United Nations deems the Lunar pacification too costly.