Unification Wars

## Introduction

The Unification Wars were a series of wars that for most nations started as an attempt to annex territory from other nations. Eventually, some nations allied themselves together during the series of wars and formed what would later become the United Systems Confederacy. During this time period many nations rapidly rose, collapsed upon themselves or were conquered by other nations. War crimes were committed using new technology that had previously been a part of science fiction and lessons in war were learned by all sides.

For some nations, such as the Virginian Empire, more territory was lost than was gained which led to a distinct rebalancing of power among human-majority star systems. Other nations such as the Sol Republic gained minimal amounts of territory at the expense of millions of lives and for many their territory controlled remained much the same. Technology for all nations involved experienced a rapid expansion of capacity; not all of which was dedicated to war efforts. With the addition of far reaching political and social policy changes, the war is mostly agreed upon as a great step forward for humanity but at a grave cost for the species.

Many commanders of the times, used to fighting wars on planets where troop transports meant everything rather than naval warfare, did not quite understand how to use their newfound power in the skies to its fullest extent. While some early destroyers and early carriers existed, they were used similarly to twenty-first century navy carriers and destroyers rather than similarly to aircraft of the time. The rapid development of cruisers, better carrier technology and a deeper understanding of how vicious naval warfare could be inevitably led to the stalker class being developed which rapidly spread its designs through the cosmos.

## Participants

Alterran Mafia

Boston Corporation

Foundation of Emyrja

Kingdom of Verdun

Martian Oligarchy

Smali Holy Nation

Terran Republic

Unitary State of Europa

Virginian Empire

Yorkshire Provincial Republic

## History

The outbreak of the war began in two places and the date of which is still debated. The Terran Republic first sent operatives into the Martian Oligarchy in an attempt to destabilize the government while the Virginian Empire sent Inquisitors into the Yorkshire Provincial Republic to assassinate key leadership. Both were made in attempts to annex these territories and bring them under their new respective governments. Given the small colonies of the YPR, Yorkshire is known to have fallen first to the Virginian Empire and occupation began shortly after. Meanwhile, the Terran Republic began a bloody campaign after disavowing several of their captured operatives as simple Terran citizens who they demanded the release of. After their execution on live television via lethal injection as spies, the war began in earnest.

Though the Martian Oligarchy was somewhat disorganized at first, their production capabilities were unrivaled at the time and many Terran Republic soldiers found themselves without much needed supplies. It was only due to a few early key victories that bombed many Martian factories that the Republic was able to mount an effective offensive war. Both sides without equipment resorted to cannibalizing enemy munitions in order to manufacture their own in field conditions which led to many weapons being destroyed by subpar ammo. The Republic did manage to gain control of the skies early on and sent wave after wave of troops into the many Martian settlements which in turn caused them to dig in and fortify their positions harder to resist.

With Yorkshire occupied, the Virginian Empire was able to turn its sights onto Smali and began a blockade that still exists to this day. Fanaticism is quite popular on Smali and their own soldiers have fought for decades in an attempt to break the siege. Smali never officially surrendered though most of the members of the previous government are no longer living either due to being killed in action or simply dying of old age. Officially, Smali belongs to the Virginian Empire. Unofficially, Smali's people are torn between supporting the old regime and supporting the Virginian Empire, leaving many cities on the surface still active warzones.

After five years of extended conflict, the Martian Oligarchy eventually surrendered. The Terran Republic, which already controlled Earth and Alpha Centauri, set its sights on Europa. Europa made a quick diplomatic decision to instead become effectively vassalized in order to save the lives of their citizens as much as they could. They knew, however, that the war would not stop at Europa and would continue deep into the heart of known space like a cancer. With that knowledge and foresight, the Unitary State of Europa quickly began to set up the many medical facilities that would be necessary to treat the wounded and disabled from the war rather than initiate a draft themselves as their conquerors had done.

For a short time period, approximately one year, the participants lived in armistice while each began negotiating with captured territories. The Terran Republic, Martian Oligarchy and the Unitary State of Europa came to an agreement to become a single unified government, the Sol Republic. The Virginian Empire, keener on draconian politics, instead opted to vassalize its annexed territories and put into leadership positions governors, nobles and lords. Many other nations, seeing conflict on the horizon, began making treaties among one another for their mutual defense. The Virginian Empire made no such treaties though the newly formed Sol Republic made a treaty with the Kingdom of Verdun. Meanwhile, the Boston Corporation and the Alterran Mafia made secret arrangements to protect their interests in territories on both sides of the conflict.

Eventually the Virginian Empire sent Inquisitors to conduct a similar assassination against the ruling King of Verdun. The first assassination attempt failed when the King on a whim scheduled a visit to his doctor rather than going to a speech that he had scheduled beforehand. It is unknown why he changed his schedule to this day though his advisors at the time later stated in interviews that the King's diminishing health may have been a factor. The Inquisitors made an on-the-spot decision to instead target a leading official in the Boston Corporation who had been exceptionally vocal in his displeasure of the Virginian Empire's and Sol Republic's expansionism. His assassination ultimately led the Inquisitors to the same hospital that the King had gone to which provided them a unique opportunity to assassinate both targets. Unfortunately, a Sol Republic ambassador who had come to speak with Verdun's King was also present... drawing the three opposing sides into war against one another.